The best places to visit near Seattle that will give you an unforgettable experience. If you live in Seattle on nearby these are some for great places you should visit. You will experience nature, history, culture and great food.
Places To Visit Near Seattle
Most of the places to visit near Seattle are islands and are best accessed using ferries. The islands are not far from the mainland and the ferry rides last a short time. You can also visit national parks which are ideal for people who love to hike.
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge is a city and island in Kitsap County Washington. The distance between Seattle and Bainbridge Island is 9 miles. When you use a ferry, it will take you about 35 minutes.
You will enjoy the experience of being in beautiful nature and stunning views. The island also has historical and cultural heritage that has been preserved over the years.
At the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, you will get to learn some history. At the Gardens you will find plants, trees, flowers, bonsai, and flower pots.
The naval undersea Museum is a place you can’t miss to visit if you are in the area. The Keyport, and Bainbridge Island will also offer a peaceful and tranquil escape into nature.
Bainbridge is surrounded by salt water and is known for its outstanding beauty. Very picturesque and you will get some awesome memory photos here. It is definitely one of the best places to visit near Seattle.
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is part of Island County, northwest Washington. It is one of the largest offshore islands in the continental United States.
It takes about 20 minutes of the ferry ride to get over to the Island. The easiest way is to ride the ferry from the Mukilteo ferry terminal north of Seattle.
The Island is known for its excellent seafood. Whidbey Island contains Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. It preserves the rural history and culture of the Island and protects the area’s plants.
There are so many historic parks, visit some and get a chance to explore the seaside towns, art galleries, and wineries.
If you prefer hiking, whale watching, fine dining then Whidbey Island is the place to be. I can’t wait to hike and explore this island the next time we are near the area.
Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascade Mountains of the Northern Washington state. It is a man-made lake, created by the Diablo hydroelectric dam in the Skagit River. The stunning natural surrounding makes it look natural.
The lake holds rainbow, coastal cutthroat, brook, and the federally threatened bull trout. It is a popular recreation spot for kayakers and canoeists.
There is a hike along the Diablo Lake Trail that rises 700ft above Diablo Lake. Hikers are treated to a view of Ross Dam before dropping to a suspension bridge. They then take over Lake Diablo. There are 3 small areas for camping all being boat-in only.
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is a waterfall in the northwest United States. The place is east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City Washington.
If you are wondering how long it takes to hike the trail? It all depends on the hiker’s fitness and speed level. However, you can expect it to take 45- 70 minutes because it’s a steep trail.
The Snoqualmie Tribe believes it is a place where the 1st woman and the 1st man were created by the moon.
They believe in the transformer himself, the son of an Indian woman, and a star. The area has been the traditional burial site for centuries.
This waterfall is a sight to behold as it crashes to the ground beneath. It is so stunning, and a source of naturally generated hydroelectric power for the region. At the top, there is a luxury mountain lodge hotel called Salish Lodge.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is in northern Washington State. There is a collection of mountains most rising over 8,000 feet.
There are things you can do there like a scenic drive on the north cascade’s highway, a sterling Munro trail, and exploring the Stehekin Valley on foot.
You can hike the different trails available in the area. If you decide to hike you will have a beautiful view of the Skagit Gorge, and Gorge Dam.
North Cascades National Park was established in 1968 to preserve majestic mountain scenery, snowfields, alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, and glaciers.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Seattle or are just visiting, there is a bunch of activities you can try. There are a lot of places that give you the opportunity to get into nature.
Get your hiking shoes on and try some of the trails. Also, check out this post on The 30 Best Places To Visit In Seattle.
I hope this post on places to visit near Seattle gave you some ideas. Please share it with other travelers and also follow us on Pinterest.
