The 8 Best Day Trips from Seattle

Between great food, a vibrant local cultural scene and some must-see destinations, there’s more than enough adventure to fill a lifetime in Seattle. But to stay in town would be to deprive yourself of some truly memorable experiences around the region, many of which you can enjoy in the space of just a day or two.

There are so many things to do around Puget Sound that many of them won’t make it onto this list. But whether you’re new to the area or a seasoned visitor, it’s a great idea to find out about unmissable trips you can start while you’re there. Take a look at a few of the best Seattle day trip ideas below for inspiration.

Unforgettable Seattle-Area Day Trips

Mount Rainier National Park

At over 14,400 feet tall, Mount Rainier is the highest mountain not only in Washington but in the entire Cascade Range. Also known as Tahoma, Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano that forms the centerpiece of the iconic national park of the same name.

There’s no question that the views from Mount Rainier’s peak are among Washington’s most stunning. On clear days, you can see as far away as 300 miles and the surrounding area is home to such breathtaking scenes as Sourdough Ridge, Sunrise Point and the Reflection Lakes.

Visitors can also explore over 150 unique hiking and walking trails and view expansive meadows of wildflowers like Sitka valerian, white avalanche lily and mountain bog gentian. Along the way, look for crystal-clear alpine lakes, towering evergreen trees and black-tailed deer, found only in western North America.

The best time to visit the park is in the summer when conditions are dry and warm. You can get there by car, but it might be easier to save yourself the hassle of traffic and parking and book a guided day tour.

Olympic National Park

There isn’t much that can compare with the awesome scenery of Mount Rainier, but if anywhere can, it’s Olympic National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site located west of Seattle, the park is home to some of Washington’s most varied and striking natural beauty, including coastal, lowland and montane forests, temperate rainforest and many picturesque beaches.

Visitors can find snow-capped peaks, rugged coastlines and lush rainforests across the park’s interior, along with 39 hiking and walking trails. Along the way, look out for Roosevelt elk, river otters, bald eagles and other animals, as well as over 1,100 distinct plant species, including stately maple and spruce trees.

Like Mount Rainier, the best time to visit Olympic National Park is from June to August. The easiest way to get there is to drive via the I-5 corridor or along local roads. Keep in mind that no roads run through the forest itself, so prepare to drive around the perimeter to take in the whole area.

San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands is an archipelago between Washington to the east and British Columbia to the west. Settled soon after the founding of Seattle, San Juan Island itself is the largest in the archipelago and a popular destination for city-dwellers looking to relax in Puget Sound’s unique coastal areas.

Activities on offer include kayaking, whale watching (especially orca whales) and exploring the area’s many charming coastal towns, like Friday Harbor or Lopez Island on the nearby island of the same name. While there, sample some of the freshest seafood in the region or head to Lime Kiln Point State Park to spot whales.

Summer is the perfect season for visiting the San Juan Islands, which can be reached by ferry from Seattle. Alternatively, you can drive north to the ferry terminal in Anacortes and travel from there.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is one of several towns that sprang out of the Great Northern Railway, which connected the northwest for over a century. Named for Captain Charles Leavenworth of the Okanogan Investment Company, the town was once an active site for logging until the railway relocated.

The city took the opportunity to reinvent itself as a Bavarian-themed town nestled in the Cascade Mountains, complete with alpine-style buildings and shops. The town holds an annual Oktoberfest event and is home to numerous restaurants serving delicious food, wineries and the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.

If you’re looking for something a little more active, head out of town for whitewater rafting on the Wenatchee River, hiking, climbing, or scenic drives through stunning mountain landscapes. You can drive to Leavenworth from Seattle in about two hours, although Amtrak’s Empire Builder is cheaper and offers more opportunities for relaxing and taking in the view along the way.

Snoqualmie Falls and Snoqualmie

The go-to out-of-town destination for city dwellers, Snoqualmie Falls and the nearby town of Snoqualmie are among the easiest places to reach within a day from Seattle. The falls themselves reach an awe-inspiring height of 268 feet and the surrounding area is a popular destination for winter sports.

The town is known for its quaint Pacific charm, historic buildings and attractive boutiques. Both in town and out, you’ll have more than enough opportunities for taking eye-catching photos. To get there, head west on I-90 for about half an hour. Even though it’s among the closest destinations to Seattle on this list, you might want to plan to spend the night there to make sure you see everything Snoqualmie has to offer.

Whidbey Island

Named for one of the earliest European visitors to the area, Whidbey Island is the place to go to get a sense of Washington’s fascinating history. Numerous historic structures lie along the island, including significant sites like Fort Ebey and Fort Casey State Parks and several beautiful public beaches. While there, you can’t afford to miss the opportunity to cross the Deception Pass Bridge to nearby Fidalgo Island.

In Oak Harbor and other towns, you can find art galleries, farm-to-table dining and numerous places dedicated to the area’s maritime history, like the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum and the Island County Historical Society Museum. The easiest way to reach the island is to drive north along I-5 to Mukilteo and then take a ferry.

Mount St. Helens

When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, it was notable for two things: that it was the first volcanic eruption to be accurately predicted by scientists and for the drastic changes it wrought on the surrounding landscape.

Today, Mount St. Helens National Park is a can’t-miss destination for outdoors enthusiasts, as it’s one of the few active volcanoes in the United States that is still visibly active. Around the area, there are some unforgettable views as well as hiking, walking and cycling trails and the Johnston Ridge Observatory, where visitors can learn all about the volcano, the 1980 eruption and how it affected the area.

Visiting on a day trip will require an early start since you’ll have to drive nearly three hours to the south via I-5 to get there. To make the most of the journey, you may want to camp at one of the sites in nearby Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island is a popular day trip option from Seattle because it’s only an hour’s ferry ride to the west. Once you land, there’s plenty to do and see, including the city’s charming downtown, numerous art galleries, a well-reviewed local brewery and several wineries.

The island’s cultural heritage is another draw, with free museums like the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. It’s also home to the Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial, commemorating the treatment of Japanese-Americans during WWII. Enjoy picturesque views of the Puget Sound while walking along the waterfront and get one of the best views of Seattle’s skyline from the ferry when you head back into town.

Washington Day Trips: Parting Words

Seattle is one of the most exciting and varied places in Washington, but it’s not the only one. Whether you choose one of these or any of Puget Sound’s other attractive destinations for your day trip, you’ll be glad you ventured beyond the city limits to explore unforgettable natural beauty and vibrant local cultural events and sites and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Seattle today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool, and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.