Day 1
Fly to Seattle
Arrive in Seattle and transfer independently to your hotel. We recommend using the light rail “Link” from the airport to the downtown area, and then taking a short taxi trip to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring Pike Place Market, with its artisan stalls, local crafts, and fresh produce. Consider visiting the Museum of Pop Culture or the Seattle Art Museum for a taste of local culture.
Overnight: The Edgewater Hotel or similar
Day 2
Seattle
A full day in Seattle. Explore Indigenous art at the Burke Museum, stroll through local artisan shops in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, or take a ferry to Bainbridge Island for galleries and a farmers’ market. Evening: enjoy dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant.
Overnight: The Edgewater Hotel or similar
Day 3
Seattle – La Conner (66 miles)
Pick up your hire car, and head north with a short drive to the Skagit Valley and the charming retreat of La Conner on the Salish Sea. As its only about an hour out of Seattle, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the art galleries and artisan studios, and choose your venue for a relaxing dinner.
Overnight: La Conner Inn or similar
Day 4
La Conner – Anacortes - Deception Pass State Park - Port Townsend - Port Angeles (101 miles)
Today you will have a series of beautiful scenic drives with several stops in between. The first one is the beautiful waterfront community of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island, where you should take time to stroll the marina and enjoy a mid morning coffee. Then onwards over Deception Pass and into Deception Pass State Park. Stretching across two islands and linked by a series of iconic bridges, Deception Pass boasts a striking combination of rugged coastal cliffs and tranquil old-growth forests.
Continue your journey south along Whidbey Island before taking the short ferry crossing (we recommend you book online a few days earlier) to Port Townsend – a unique combination of historic Victorian architecture and stunning natural beauty, located on the Olympic Peninsula. Stroll the waterfront, browse the shops and if the time is right, perhaps enjoy a late lunch, before today’s final leg to Port Angeles.
Overnight: Olympic Lodge by Ayres or similar
Day 5
Olympic National Park
A full day to explore the park. Hike in the Hoh Rainforest, or along the Sol Duc Valley, or an alpine trail along Hurricane Ridge. Stop at the Quinault cultural centre to learn about Indigenous heritage and crafts. Enjoy a picnic or snack from local markets or farm stands.
Overnight: Olympic Lodge by Ayres or similar
Day 6
Port Angeles – Forks/Quinalt (85 miles)
Drive west to Forks along the scenic coast. Stop at Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach for dramatic coastal views. Explore local artisan shops and crafts, and consider a visit to a local museum showcasing regional history, such as the Jamestown S’Klallam cultural centre.
Overnight: Lake Quinault Lodge or similar
Day 7
Quinalt – Long Beach (120 miles)
Travel south along the Pacific coast to Long Beach. Stop in small towns en route to explore local craft markets or cideries. You could visit Aberdeen where you’ll find The Music Project with a tribute to Nirvana and Grunge Music. At Westport there is a winery, gardens and Mermaid Museum. Arrive in Long Beach for a relaxing evening.
Overnight: Adrift Hotel Long Beach or similar
Day 8
Long Beach
Enjoy a full day on the Long Beach Peninsula. Walk the long sandy beaches, visit the Marsh’s Free Museum for quirky local history. Stop at a cider house or winery in the area.
Overnight: Adrift Hotel Long Beach or similar
Day 9
Long Beach – Mount Rainier (200 miles)
Drive inland toward Mount Rainier. Along the way, visit NW Trek to spot bison and moose. Arrive at your hotel near the park in time to enjoy a short walk or photography session.
Overnight: Paradise Inn or similar
Day 10
Mount Rainier National Park
Spend the day hiking and exploring waterfalls and alpine meadows. Visit the Longmire visitor centres to learn about Indigenous heritage in the area. Capture stunning views and stop at gift shops featuring local crafts.
Overnight: Paradise Inn or similar
Day 11
Mount Rainier – Yakima (117 miles)
Drive east into the fertile Yakima Valley for a two night stay. Park up your car and head to the downtown to browse artisan shops, and explore museums or cultural centres highlighting Indigenous and settler history.
Overnight: Ledgestone Hotel Yakima or similar
Day 12
Yakima
A full day for you to either enjoy the great outdoors to hike through the beautiful Cowiche Canyon, Yakima River Canyon or Yakima Area Arboretum. Or perhaps take a wine tasting tours. with over 90 wineries and tasting rooms in the area, you’ll be spoilt for choice! You could also pick up a taco & tamale trail, or enjoy a craft beer trail – Yakima produces over 70% of the hops grown in the USA.
Overnight: Ledgestone Hotel Yakima or similar
Day 13
Yakima - Walla Walla (131 miles)
Continue east, further into Washington wine country. Stop to visit a farmers’ market, and arrive in Walla Walla for evening wine tasting and dinner.
Overnight: The Finch or similar
Day 14
Walla Walla
Full day to explore vineyards, walkable downtown with boutique shops and Whitman College campus. Consider a guided tour highlighting the region’s Indigenous history and wine-making heritage.
Overnight: The Finch or similar
Day 15
Walla Walla – Wenatchee (178 miles)
Today you’ll be heading back north, enjoying a stop at a local farmers market along the way for lunch. Arrive into Wenatchee and with a variety of ways to spend your afternoon. Perhaps stroll the Ohme Gardens or take a walk along the Wenatchee River. You could visit the Rocky Reach Discovery Center and learn about hydroelectric power and irrigation that helps Washington state produce so many agricultural crops. There are beautiful estate wineries to visit here too, and it’s the Apple Capital of the world!
Overnight: Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel or similar
Day 16
Wenatchee – Snoqualmie Pass – North Bend – Tacoma (120 miles)
The final scenic drive of your Washington adventure, taking you over the stunning Snoqualmie Pass, taking time to visit the waterfall, known for its beauty and historical significance to the Snoqualmie Tribe.
Continue to North Bend with its charming small-town atmosphere. Twin Peaks was filmed here and you can Visit Twede's Cafe, the real-life "Double R Diner," for a Twin Peaks experience, and see other related filming locations. Continue onto Tacoma for the night.
Overnight: Tacoma Courtyard Marriott
Day 17
Fly home
It’s just a few miles to the airport, so if you have time before your flight you could visit the LeMay Americas Car Museum and Marymount Collection. There is also the Tacoma Glass Museum, Point Defiance Park and Point Rustin, depending on your schedule.
