8 Fun Family Trip Locations in Washington

From misty seashores and forest trails to kid-approved museums and comfortable small cities, the Evergreen State has one thing for everybody.

By Patricia Kaowthumrong on January 16, 2026

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By Patricia Kaowthumrong

If your loved ones loves a bit journey with a aspect of breathtaking surroundings, Washington is the place to be. From misty seashores and woodland trails to kid-approved museums and comfortable small cities, there’s one thing right here for everybody. You can spend the morning recognizing starfish on the coast and the afternoon wandering by means of a captivating downtown – or simply chill and absorb these mountain views. To provide help to plan your subsequent getaway, listed here are seven enjoyable household trip locations within the Evergreen State price including to your record.

1. Seattle, Washington

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It’s almost unimaginable to compile a listing of must-visit cities in Washington with out Seattle. That’s as a result of the city gem brims with pure magnificence and iconic points of interest, together with people who cater to households with kiddos in tow. Spend a number of hours on theSeattle Children’s Museum, which has greater than 12,000 sq. ft of actions designed for kids 6 months to 10 years outdated, resembling a craft studio and development zone. And don’t miss the favoredSeattle Aquarium, a powerful showcase of Puget Sound’s various marine life tucked proper on the waterfront. 

Nearby,Pike Place Market – a multilevel maze of stalls promoting every thing from freshly caught seafood, flowers and produce to toys, souvenirs and regionally crafted bites – is a must-visit, notably for first-time guests to town. For teams with older kids, theSpace Needle, with an statement deck perched almost 600 ft above town streets, and adjoiningChihuly Garden and Glass, a museum and studio housing the kaleidoscopic glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly, are additionally enjoyable stops. 

2. Vancouver, Washington

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Located in southwest Washington,Vancouver is only a 20-minute drive fromPortland, Oregon. The laid-back metropolis’s proximity to the Cascade Mountains and the shores of the Columbia River attracts lovers of the nice outdoor. Parents and their junior adventurers can select from oodles of trails, from light strolls to difficult treks, resulting in dazzling sights of waterfalls and skyscraping peaks, in and across theColumbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. You may also take your crew kayaking or paddleboarding on the river or at sapphire-blue Vancouver Lake in the summertime months, then have a picnic atEsther Short Park, the oldest public sq. in Washington and residential to town’s first totally inclusive playground. Lastly, be sure you take a stroll round downtown Vancouver, which bustles with welcoming retailers, eating places and breweries.

3. Leavenworth, Washington

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About 135 miles east of Seattle, charmingLeavenworth is a slice of Bavaria within the coronary heart of the Cascade Mountains. In the autumn, the encompassing hillsides flip shades of gold, crimson and orange, making the enclave a very stunning cease, nevertheless it’s really price stopping by year-round. Kid-pleasing points of interest embraceLeavenworth Adventure Park, the place littles can pan for gems, ascend a climbing wall and courageous an alpine coaster, andLeavenworth Reindeer Farm, a uncommon alternative to work together with an actual herd and study in regards to the antlered creatures. TheLeavenworth Nutcracker Museum, an attraction that homes greater than 900 historic collectible figurines, can be a deal with for vacation followers of all ages. A meals tour of the city can be a should. A protracted record of eating places, pubs and bakeries sling quite a lot of Bavarian eats, from rotisserie-boiled hen and house-cured bratwurst to made-to-order crepes and waffles.

4. Pullman, Washington

Tucked into the rolling hills of southeastern Washington’s Palouse area,Pullman is the headquarters ofWashington State University and blends small-town heat with large journey for households who recognize each nature and studying. Take a scenic stroll or bike journey alongside theBill Chipman Palouse Trail, a 7-mile paved path connecting Pullman to nearbyMoscow, Idaho, that winds by means of farmland and rolling hills. For a low-key afternoon, go to thePalouse Discovery Science Center, the place hands-on displays encourage curious minds to discover every thing from robotics to geology. Then, cease byLawson Gardens, an area favourite with manicured flowerbeds, fountains, and loads of house for littles to run and play. When it’s time to refuel, downtown Pullman has cozy cafes, bakeries and eating places serving farm-fresh fare.

5. Spokane, Washington

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Nestled alongside the banks of the Spokane River in jap Washington,Spokane has rather a lot to supply multi-generational teams, together with plentiful fresh-air actions and a vigorous, family-friendly downtown. Start your go to atRiverfront Park, a 100-acre city oasis that after hosted the 1974 World’s Fair. Kids can soar above town on the Numerica SkyRide, a scenic gondola that glides over Spokane Falls, or take a spin on the historic Looff Carrousel, a hand-carved treasure relationship again to 1909. 

Nearby, theMobius Discovery Center retains younger scientists and artists engaged with interactive displays that make studying really feel like play. For these in search of journey, attempt mountain climbing or biking a portion of theCentennial Trail, a 37-mile path that hugs the river and winds by means of forests and over bridges with sights of the cityscape. In hotter months, you may also cool off with a paddle or float alongside the river, or catch a summer time live performance on theNorthwest Museum of Arts & Culture’s open-air pavilion.

6. Yakima, Washington

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In the guts of central Washington, the Yakima Valley bursts with family-owned orchards and fruit stands, making it a main place to introduce youngsters to the state’s agricultural bounty. Because of the area’s heat, dry local weather, Yakima Valley farms take pleasure in a harvest schedule that stretches from April by means of November. During that point, guests can choose theirown seasonal produce, from cherries and strawberries to apples and pears. The agriculturally wealthy space can be residence to the Yakima People, whose historical past on the land spans millennia. Learn extra about their large contributions to the world on theYakama Nation Museum & Culture Center, which interprets historical past by means of dioramas and collections of artifacts and pictures. Then enterprise toYakima Valley Museum, which brings historical past to life with displays resembling a “Collection of Weird Stuff” and a working classic soda fountain that’s at all times a success.

7. Bainbridge Island, Washington

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Whether you’re on the lookout for a day journey from Seattle or a weekend getaway,Bainbridge Island’s tranquil shores really feel a world away from town regardless of being only a 35-minute ferry journey from downtown. VisitKiDiMu Kids Discovery Museum, the place little ones can get hands-on with artistic, academic shows like a duplicate grocery retailer and an indoor tree home. Then wander over toBloedel Reserve, a peaceable 150-acre public backyard that appears like one thing out of a storybook, or take a stroll by means ofFay Bainbridge Park, the place driftwood-dotted seashores and sweeping views of Puget Sound provide infinite photograph ops and room to roam. And the charming Winslow neighborhood is ideal for a leisurely afternoon, with inviting eating places, native boutiques and ice cream retailers lining the walkable foremost road. 

8. Olympic National Park

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Few locations seize Washington’s wild magnificence fairly likeOlympic National Park, a wonderland of mountains, rainforest and shoreline that appears like three parks in a single. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, the park is definitely reached from gateway cities likePort Angeles,Forks andSequim, every providing family-friendly locations to remain, eat and discover. From Port Angeles, teams can drive as much asHurricane Ridge, the place sweeping mountain views and straightforward trails make it an ideal introduction to alpine journey. Farther west, theHoh Rain Forest enchants guests with towering moss-draped bushes and fern-covered trails, whereasRialto andRuby Beach close to Forks provide tide swimming pools, sea stacks and loads of house for beachcombing. For a quieter base,Sequim’s stunning lavender farms add a contact of appeal between out of doors excursions.