A 7-day trip in the State of Washington: What Can You Get?

Washington is a state stuck in the very northwest of the United States, surrounded by the Pacific coast, Canada, Idaho, and Oregon. Above what we commonly call the American West. However, in many ways, the State of Washington is part of and also embodies the myth of the West: natural parks with grandiose landscapes, rich fauna, and flora, a tormented coastline beaten by the swell of the Pacific, an urban area in full creative momentum – Seattle at the top of the bill. But also renowned vineyards, traces of the passage of explorers, gold prospectors, trappers… The region keeps all the promises of long-distance road trips and great journeys in the West. In fact, there are many routes that can be taken to amazing places in neighboring states, for example if you want to enjoy the beauty of Denali National Park!

Here are our suggestions for a 7-day trip in the State of Washington and we think they will be quite helpful for you and anyone else who is planning to go to this beautiful state:

The route begins in Seattle, the gateway and largest city in the state.

DAY 1: Flight to Seattle

Welcome on arrival and private transfer to the heart of Seattle. Installation for three nights on 5th Avenue, in a pleasant, colorful, and modern address. Special mention for the hyper-central location – easy access to the city’s main attractions on foot – the attentive welcome and the refreshments and sweets served every afternoon.

DAYS 2 & 3

Two days to take the pulse of the “emerald city”, full of vitality and creativity, before heading to the parks and forests that surround it. Open to the Pacific and very ecological, its décor is instantly seductive: Lake Washington and the peaceful Puget Strait, the intertwining of land and water, the wooded hills, and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

To do, to experience – A walk in the Pioneer Square District, all brick and cobbled streets – a Fish & Chips lunch in the picturesque Pike Place Market – a trip to Alki Beach to admire the skyline – the Fremont district, for its street art and its pretty boutiques – the Seattle Art Museum and the Flight Museum – the aquarium and the Pacific Science Center for families – the brilliant Experience Music Project – the 360° view from the Space Needle, a futuristic tower culminating at 182 meters!

DAY 4: Seattle-Winthrop

Pick up the rental car and drive to Winthrop (4h30), a former mining town nestled on the edge of North Cascades National Park. In the heart of the Methow Valley, this village in the purest Far West style reveals carefully restored multicolored facades, wooden sidewalks, and buildings dating from the golden age of mining (end of the 8th century): log cabins, hotels, saloons in their juice…

DAY 5: Winthrop

To see, to do – Go for a hike along the forest trails to take the time to explore (the park has nearly 600 km of trails) – look out for the diverse wild fauna: bears, elk, wolves, beavers, eagles … – as an alternative to walking, opt for a climbing session, a mountain bike ride or a mule ride – push to Lake Chelan, which looks like a Scandinavian fjord with its 80 kilometers long – enjoy a swim at Lake Pearrygin.

DAY 6: Winthrop – Friday Harbor

Road to Anacortes (5 hours) where we board the ferry to reach Friday Harbor (1h30), the main village of San Juan Island, the most populated in the eponymous archipelago. The charming village seduces with its peaceful atmosphere, its colorful wooden facades, and its Saturday farmers’ market. You settle in for two nights in a small historic address perched on the hillside, overlooking the village and Sunken Park.

DAY 7: Friday Harbor

Already planned – An orca-watching cruise off the coast of the San Juan Islands. Seattle is the only major metropolis in the world to have a resident population of orcas: three families of orcas, nearly 90 specimens, have taken up residence here and roam the waters of Pudget Sound in search of salmon, in the company of sea lions and porpoises. Sometimes visible from the shore, a boat trip allows you to get up close to these majestic whales. Here is the best time to go whale watching!

Depending on your time availability and budget, you can expand this plan to other beautiful places but 7 days is enough to take in the essence of Washington State!

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