Washington State vacations

Green and rain-misted, Washington boasts three national parks, five active volcanoes and dozens of islands scattered off the Pacific Coast. Its biggest city, Seattle, buzzes on a constant caffeine high, thanks to its ever-changing parade of local coffee shops, including a little-known brand called Starbucks that started here in 1971.

From the top of Mount Rainier to the smallest coves in Puget Sound, our specialists have hiked, paddled and sipped their way across the state. That means they can build your Washington holiday around what interests you, whether that’s finding the best single-source cold brew, climbing Mount St Helens or visiting the massive trees at the Grove of Patriarchs on Mount Rainier.

You can kayak with an expert naturalist guide between the San Juan Islands to catch a glimpse of the archipelago’s many sea lions, golden eagles, seals and porpoises and even orcas. Cycle or walk through the fog-shrouded temperate rainforests of Olympia National Park. In Seattle, you might climb the Space Needle, take a gastronomic tour of the Pike Place Market or cruise through the busy docklands. The city also offers a plethora of museums, including the super-modern Museum of Pop Culture, the Museum of Flight and Chihuly Garden & Glass.