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 just a little journey with a facet 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 via an enthralling downtown – or simply relax and soak up these mountain views. To enable you to plan your subsequent getaway, listed here are seven enjoyable household trip locations within the Evergreen State value including to your listing.

1. Seattle, Washington

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It’s practically inconceivable 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 sights, together with people who cater to households with kiddos in tow. Spend a number of hours on the Seattle Children’s Museum, which has greater than 12,000 sq. toes of actions designed for kids 6 months to 10 years previous, comparable to a craft studio and development zone. And don’t miss the favored Seattle 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 the whole lot from freshly caught seafood, flowers and produce to toys, souvenirs and domestically crafted bites – is a must-visit, notably for first-time guests to the town. For teams with older children, the Space Needle, with an commentary deck perched practically 600 toes above the town streets, and adjoining Chihuly 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 from Portland, 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 mild strolls to difficult treks, resulting in dazzling sights of waterfalls and skyscraping peaks, in and across the Columbia 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 at Esther Short Park, the oldest public sq. in Washington and residential to the town’s first absolutely inclusive playground. Lastly, make sure to take a stroll round downtown Vancouver, which bustles with welcoming outlets, eating places and breweries.

3. Leavenworth, Washington

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About 135 miles east of Seattle, charming Leavenworth is a slice of Bavaria within the coronary heart of the Cascade Mountains. In the autumn, the encompassing hillsides flip shades of gold, purple and orange, making the enclave a very stunning cease, however it’s actually value stopping by year-round. Kid-pleasing sights embrace Leavenworth Adventure Park, the place littles can pan for gems, ascend a climbing wall and courageous an alpine coaster, and Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, a uncommon alternative to work together with an actual herd and be taught concerning the antlered creatures. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, an attraction that homes greater than 900 historic collectible figurines, can also be a deal with for vacation followers of all ages. A meals tour of the city can also be a should. A protracted listing 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 of Washington State University and blends small-town heat with massive journey for households who admire each nature and studying. Take a scenic stroll or bike experience alongside the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, a 7-mile paved path connecting Pullman to close by Moscow, Idaho, that winds via farmland and rolling hills. For a low-key afternoon, go to the Palouse Discovery Science Center, the place hands-on reveals encourage curious minds to discover the whole lot from robotics to geology. Then, cease by Lawson Gardens, an area favourite with manicured flowerbeds, fountains, and loads of area 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 so much to supply multi-generational teams, together with plentiful fresh-air actions and a energetic, family-friendly downtown. Start your go to at Riverfront Park, a 100-acre city oasis that after hosted the 1974 World’s Fair. Kids can soar above the 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 courting again to 1909. 

Nearby, the Mobius Discovery Center retains younger scientists and artists engaged with interactive reveals that make studying really feel like play. For these in search of journey, attempt mountaineering or biking a portion of the Centennial Trail, a 37-mile path that hugs the river and winds via forests and over bridges with sights of the cityscape. In hotter months, you may as well cool off with a paddle or float alongside the river, or catch a summer time live performance on the Northwest 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 primary place to introduce children 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 via November. During that point, guests can choose their own seasonal produce, from cherries and strawberries to apples and pears. The agriculturally wealthy space can also be dwelling to the Yakima People, whose historical past on the land spans millennia. Learn extra about their super contributions to the world on the Yakama Nation Museum & Culture Center, which interprets historical past via dioramas and collections of artifacts and pictures. Then enterprise to Yakima Valley Museum, which brings historical past to life with reveals comparable to 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 in search of a day journey from Seattle or a weekend getaway, Bainbridge Island’s tranquil shores really feel a world away from the town regardless of being only a 35-minute ferry experience from downtown. Visit KiDiMu 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 to Bloedel Reserve, a peaceable 150-acre public backyard that looks like one thing out of a storybook, or take a stroll via Fay Bainbridge Park, the place driftwood-dotted seashores and sweeping views of Puget Sound supply infinite picture 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 outlets lining the walkable most important avenue. 

8. Olympic National Park

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