Carli
Carli
Seattle is an amazing city, but there is so much more to the Puget Sound. For longer visits to the city, add some time in for one (or more) day trips from Seattle to get the real Northwest vibes.
Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. What does that mean you ask? I may earn a small commission, but you won’t pay any extra. These links also help fund and support my page.
- Fun day trips from Seattle
- Day trips from Seattle that I do NOT recommend
- Day Trips From Seattle: FAQs
Fun day trips from Seattle
As a longtime Seattle local it is easy to get caught up in the city. We have so many wonderful parks, lakes, neighborhoods, events, and festivals that you feel you never need. But whether you’re local or just visiting, make an effort to get out and see more of the surrounding area.
Tacoma
Many Seattlites say that Tacoma is like what Seattle used to be 15-20 years ago. A little more edgy and less glossy than the new buildings in downtown Seattle. You’ll find the downtown feels a bit more local and not so densely urban. They’ve also preserved more of their buildings from the 1800s and 1900s.
On the north end of downtown is where a lot of restaurants and theaters are located. Check out McMenamins Elks Temple. This Portland company is known for renovating old, unused buildings like schools, churches and even Elks Temple and converting them into bars, restaurants and hotels.
Heading south, they have their own museum row. Here they have the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass, and the Washington State History Museum all within a few blocks of each other. For the car aficionado, the LeMay – America’s Car Museum is a can’t miss. This is a massive 4 story museum dedicated to cars, trucks and motorcycles.
If museums aren’t for you, head to the northern tip of Tacoma to see Point Defiance. Here there is a large park that often has orca sightings, and the popular Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Unfortunately, there is a Tacoma light rail and a Seattle light rail, but they do not currently connect. The Sounder train only runs during commuter hours and is very limited. There are commuter buses available if you’re trying to stay car free. Once you get into Tacoma they do have a light rail system running throughout the city.
Snoqualmie
One of the closer Seattle day trips is to head east on I-90 towards the mountains to Snoqualmie. This suburb is about 45 minutes outside of the city, and is just a few exits before you head over Snoqualmie Pass.
Despite its relatively close proximity to Seattle and Bellevue, Snoqualmie definitely has a small town feel to it. The original city center sits along the Snoqualmie River with railroad tracks running parallel to the river. Since the trains were such a big part of the city’s history and growth, you can visit the Northwest Railway Museum and even take a relaxing train ride along the river. This is a favorite activity for families with smaller children.
The main attraction in town is Snoqualmie Falls. Fans of Twin Peaks will recognize the Salish Lodge at the top of the falls as the Great Northern Hotel. The falls stand at 268 feet high and are one of the most popular attractions in the greater Seattle area. It is free to visit the falls, however there is a paid parking lot. You can view the falls from the top, or walk the paths along the river to view them from below. The waterfall flow varies throughout the year, but it is most intense in the spring following the snow melt.
There are also countless hikes around Snoqualmie and North Bend. A popular hike is to the Goldmyer Hot Springs. Everything you need to know before hiking to the Goldmyer Hot Springs
Snoqualmie Pass
If you’re looking for day trips from Seattle Washington in the winter, Snoqualmie Pass is your most accessible option. Of the many mountain passes through the Cascades, Snoqualmie is the closest to Seattle at around an hour to the top of the pass. For skiers and snowboarders looking for a ski resort, you can visit Summit at Snoqualmie or Alpental. If those sports aren’t for you, the Summit also has snow tubing in the winter season and there are many trails available for snow shoeing.
Vashon
Vashon Island is closer to Seattle than its popular neighbor to the north, Bainbridge Island. Where Bainbridge is a little more bougie, Vashon is more laid back. It is also a great option if you’re only looking for half day trips from Seattle. The ferry ride to Vashon is also shorter, but it is not accessible without a car or bike. The main downtown area of Vashon is 5 miles from the ferry dock.
My favorite area to visit in Vashon is on Maury Island (still connected to Vashon). This is the south east portion of the island. Particularly you should visit Maury Island Marine Park and Point Robinson Lighthouse.
Take a relaxing walk along the beach, or have a picnic and enjoy views of the sound and Mt Rainier. If you’re lucky, this is also a great area to see all sorts of wildlife including porpoises, orcas, and bald eagles. It’s easy to lose track of time here while enjoying the peacefulness of the atmosphere.
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island is probably the most recommended day trip from Seattle due to its close proximity and ability to visit car free. I would consider this as one of, if not the best day trips from Seattle without a car.
Within an hour you can walk from downtown to the ferry terminal, cross the Puget Sound and explore downtown Bainbridge. And the round trip ferry tickets will cost less than an Uber ride in Seattle.
The heart of Bainbridge is a short 10 minute walk from the ferry where you’ll find a fantastic art museum, beautiful boutiques, wine tasting rooms and fantastic restaurants.
On the north end of the island is the well known Bloedel Reserve. Here you can walk through the enchanting Pacific Northwest forests and also enjoy the stunning botanical gardens. The reserve is not walkable from the ferry so you will need to get there by car, taxi or the bus.
If you time your return ferry back correctly you’ll get to enjoy the sunset crossing the sound with the glow illuminating the Seattle skyline.
Poulsbo
Poulsbo is a Scandinavian town on the peninsula that has been nicknamed “Little Norway”. This small city is not quite as kitschy or strict in their design regulations as Leavenworth, WA but it still has a bit of European charm. In 2023 it was even voted “Best Small Town Cultural Scene” by USA Today.
Here they really lean into their Scandinavian roots and have many annual nordic festivals including Viking Fest in May, complete with a parade of “vikings”. You can kick off summer in June at the Midsommer Fest or celebrate the Christmas season at JuleFest in December.
There are plenty of local shops to visit, including some that are entirely nordic themed. While downtown be sure to visit the famous Sluys’ Poulsbo Bakery, voted “Best Bakery in Kitsap County”.
For a small town there are a lot of cultural activities. You’ll find a maritime museum, heritage museum and learn about marine life at the SEA Discovery Center. 15 minutes east of downtown you can learn about the local Suquamish Tribe at the Suquamish Museum.
From downtown Seattle, the fastest way to Poulsbo is taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island, then drive 25 minutes north. When you’re ready to head back, you can continue north up to Kingston to experience more of the Kitsap Peninsula. Take the ferry to Edmonds and head back south to Seattle.
Skagit Valley
Skagit Valley gets a lot of recognition in April during the tulip festival. And while that is fun to visit, it’s also super crowded. Read more here: The Best of Spring: The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
The Skagit area is a great day for one day trips from Seattle any time of year. At about an hour and a half north of Seattle via I-5, this area is very easy to visit.
The town of Mount Vernon is located just off the interstate. Their historic downtown, right along the Skagit River, is still made up of mostly buildings from the early 1900s when the city was developing. Here on 1st street are blocks of small, locally owned shops and restaurants.
If you continue 15 minutes southwest through the farm land you’ll come upon one of my favorite small towns in Washington, La Conner. The heart of La Conner sits along a channel of water that separates the mainland from Fidalgo Island.
La Conner is what you expect a small coastal town to look like. The buildings are brightly colored with crisp white trim. The main bars, restaurants and shops are located along 1st avenue. Do not miss out on Handmade, La Conner. Aside from fun gifts, they have the best body and home care products that are all hand made at their shop. Don’t worry, if you find something you love, they ship throughout the US.
Pro tip: After leaving La Conner, drive south to Snow Goose Produce. This is a seasonal market with fresh flowers, produce, baked goods as well as locally made pantry items and gifts. They also have an ice cream shop which is perfect for summer. They get very busy so be patient in the parking lot.
Whidbey Island
If you’re looking for full day trips from Seattle to get the most out of your visit this is the one for you.
Whidbey Island is quite large and it’s hard not to want to explore as much of it as possible. Normally I recommend spending a night or two in Whidbey, but if you only have time for a day you can still do a lot.
There are two routes to get to Whidbey Island and you should start on one end and drive through the island to the other side. From the south, you can catch a short ferry (beware lines can be long in the summer) from Mukilteo over to Clinton. Enjoy your day on the island and head north to leave through Deception Pass into Anacortes.
I suggest taking the opposite route. Start your day early and drive up to Anacortes and cross over the bridge through Deception Pass. On the south side of the bridge is a parking lot for the Deception Pass State Park. This stop is an absolute must, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. The views both on and below the bridge are some of the most iconic and scenic views in the Puget Sound. The park has miles of trails, beaches and picture perfect sites. You should really plan an hour here at a minimum.
Between Deception Pass and Clinton there are six other state parks, so if you want to explore the forests and beaches of the Puget Sound this is the island to visit.
There are different cities throughout the island but the most famous is Coupeville. This is because it is the town where Practical Magic was filmed. Beyond that it’s a beautiful quaint small town with colorful shops and restaurants overlooking the water on Front Street.
Another incredibly cute town further south on the island is Langley. Only 20 minutes from the ferry this is the perfect place to stop for food, drinks or more shopping before heading back to the city. Their downtown, while small, is packed full of cute gift shops and boutiques.
The ferry ride from Clinton to Mukilteo is short at around 25 minutes, and you’re less likely to wait for the ferry heading back over in the evening. Sundays however are big exception to that rule.
Day trips from Seattle that I do NOT recommend
You may be surprised to hear that I would not recommend going to any of the national parks in Washington… as day trips from Seattle. Seattle is lucky enough to be at the center of three incredible national parks: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park and Olympic National Park. All of these parks are beautiful and completely unique in their own way, but they deserve more than a day and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not stay at least one night nearby.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is definitely the crown jewel of the three national parks, but it is also the busiest.
In Seattle we have a saying “the mountain’s out” whenever you can clearly see the mountain from the city. Whether you’re miles away in the city or up close in the park, it is truly majestic.
Because the park is so popular this means you will need reservations for most of the season, even just for day use. And keep in mind from Seattle it will take 2 hours with no traffic (rare) or up to 3 hours to get into the park. If you want to guarantee access and parking you’ll need to get there early.
There are tons of houses and cabins available to rent in the south sound and along highway 410 and 706. Or try your fate at booking a reservation in the park.
North Cascades National Park
This is shockingly one of the least visited national parks in the country. This has nothing to do with the stunning natural beauty but more to do with accessibility. A vast majority of the park is in the mountains with backcountry hiking. This includes going through a mountain pass, which is also closed for half the year. The pass typically closes in early November and does not open again anywhere from mid April to mid May depending on the year and snowfall.
The easiest, and most well known, spot in the park to explore is Diablo Lake. This is a glacier fed lake that is so turquoise it seems fake. There are many trails and access points around the Thunder Arm portion of the lake, but the best spot to enjoy the colors are from the vista above. You can find the viewpoint on the east side of the lake, and there is a large (free) parking lot to use.
The visitor center is a great place to learn more about the park and has some very easy, flat hikes and trails to explore around the center.
If you want to stay overnight, check the North Cascades NPS page for permits and reservations. Or if you like more of a relaxed setting, look for vacation rentals along highway 20.
Olympic National Park
This park has literally everything: Mountains, hot springs, lakes, the Pacific Ocean, and not one but two rain forests. It’s also a pain in the ass to get to from Seattle because the park takes up 90% of the peninsula, with limited access points.
There are two routes to the Olympics. The first is to head south from Seattle to Olympia. Go west to Aberdeen (home of Kurt Cobain), then head north and make the loop up to Port Angeles and Sequim. From there you can decide which ferry terminal you want to use to cross the sound.
The other way is to catch a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge or from Edmonds to Kingston. Then you’ll do the highway 101 drive in reverse, coming back through Olympia and driving north. Either way this is an incredibly long day just to get to the park and not including taking time to actually enjoy it.
Instead, book the accommodations. If you’re a Twilight fan, you can double dip and enjoy the fandom and nature at the same time by staying in Forks. There are hotels, cabins and campgrounds along the ocean. Or stay in Port Angeles with quick access to Hurricane Ridge.
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are simultaneously some of the most beautiful areas of the Puget Sound, while also being some of the most inaccessible. It is a minimum of 3 hours to Friday Harbor *if* you magically catch a direct ferry with no line.
If you don’t reserve your ferry tickets well in advance (reserved tickets are limited) you may end up waiting 2 or 4 hours just to catch a ferry, if you are driving on. There is a 90 minute direct ferry to Friday Harbor, but the other islands will not be direct and will include multiple stops. It can take 90 minutes from Anacortes to Orcas Island. Then you have to do the whole thing all over again coming back.
There are many different islands that make up the San Juans, but Orcas and San Juan Island are the most popular. Orcas island is not accessible without a car. The main city is Eastsound, which is a 15 minute drive from the ferry, and the other scenic viewpoints or parks require a vehicle.
San Juan Island can be done without a car once you get to Anacortes. If you park your car then walk on, you’ll be able to get on the ferry right away. The ferry will dock in Friday Harbor, which is very walkable with lots to see and do for a few hours.
But if you’re going to make the effort to go to the San Juans, make a trip out of it for a couple of nights.
Day Trips From Seattle: FAQs
Is a day trip from Seattle to Forks worth it?
Short answer, no. Forks is a 3.5-4 hour ferry and car ride, each way from Seattle. There is also very little to do in Forks itself outside of Twilight themed shops. If you want to go to Forks stay for at least a night so you also have time to experience the Olympic National Park, which is more impressive than Forks.
Is Vancouver a day trip from Seattle?
No. Vancouver is a 3 hour drive from Seattle with moderate traffic, including at the border. There is too much to see and do in Vancouver to just visit for a day. It should be its own trip.
Is Victoria a day trip from Seattle?
No, Victoria is not convenient to Seattle and you’ll spend a large chunk of your day in transportation. The easiest way to get there is via the Clipper which is a 2.75 hour boat ride that costs just under $200. You *can* do it in one day but you will have to leave at 8am and will not get back to Seattle until at least 10pm. It’s better to go for 1-2 nights.
Can you do a day trip from Seattle to Portland?
You could, but you shouldn’t. The drive from Seattle to Portland ranges from 3-4 hours each way, and the train is 4+ hours. Portland has so much to offer from their fantastic food scene, quirky neighborhoods and stunning gardens it would be a waste to only spend a few hours there.
