The State of Washington is home to multiple volcanoes, including Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, and Mount Adams. From winter sports to summer waterfall hikes, these mountains are a paradise for outdoor recreation. With more than 3,000 glaciers, Washington is the most glaciated of the 48 contiguous states. There are 25 major glaciers on Mount Rainier alone. The waters of the Salish Sea, including Puget Sound, are home to a resident population of orca whales. Three orca families frequent these waters each year.
With half the state covered in forests, it’s no surprise that Washington is one of the country’s biggest lumber and plywood producers. Washington produces more apples than any other state in the country. The state is also known for producing red raspberries, spearmint oil, sweet cherries, and more. Amazon was founded in Washington. Jeff Bezos started Amazon.com as a bookseller from his garage in Bellevue, Washington. The first Starbucks was founded in Pike Place in Seattle, Washington. Along the historic cobblestone streets of Pike Place Market, Starbucks opened its first store, full of coffee and tea from around the world, and espresso drinks for customers to try.
Capital: Olympia, WA
Population: 7,785,786 (2022)
Official Website: https://wa.gov/
Tourism website: https://stateofwatourism.com/
Tourist Attractions for Washington:
Fun things to do and exciting places to visit are found in every direction in Washington. The state is stacked with sleeping volcanoes, lush rainforests, and islands full of attractions. And surrounding these lush landscapes are cities big and small, brimming with cultural appeal. More than 75 percent of the country’s hops are grown in the Yakima Valley. The region is home to many craft breweries for visitors to explore. The State of Washington is the second largest wine-producing region in the country, boasting more than 1,000 wineries. The state’s Wine Country Region offers an abundance of tasting rooms.
The city of Spokane hosts the world’s largest three-on-three outdoor basketball tournament, known as Hoopfest, each year. The event features more than 6,000 teams and 425 courts spanning 45 city blocks. From volcanoes and rain forests to wineries and beaches, Washington has a wealth of assets that make it another one of the Pacific Northwest’s amazing vacation spots.
- Olympic National Park
- Seattle Center and the Space Needle
- San Juan Islands
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Pike Place Market
- Leavenworth
- North Cascades National Park
- Puget Sound
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Deception Pass State Park
- Port Angeles
- Riverfront Park, Spokane
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Sol Duc Hot Springs
- Pacific Crest Trail
- Tacoma
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island
- Winthrop, Methow Valley
- Palouse Falls