Evergreen Coast, Cascade Peaks and Seattle Style
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, known for Seattle, its evergreen forests, the Cascade Range and the waters of Puget Sound. Admitted to the Union in 1889, it stretches from a rugged Pacific coastline to dry, sunlit orchard country east of the mountains. Mount Rainier, a glacier-capped peak of about 14,400 feet, dominates the horizon and gives its name to a national park of wildflower meadows and ancient forest.
Seattle is the cultural gateway. The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, still anchors the skyline, and Pike Place Market, one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States, is the place to taste salmon, oysters and fresh-roasted coffee. The city's coffee heritage, music scene and waterfront ferries create a distinct personality that suits both short breaks and longer stays, and pairs well with Vancouver just up the coast.
Olympic Rainforest, San Juan Islands and Wine Country
Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, brings together glaciated peaks, the Hoh Rainforest with its mossy canopies and rugged Pacific beaches scattered with sea stacks. Further north, the San Juan Islands are reached by Washington State Ferries and are known for whale watching, cycling and small-island inns. The North Cascades offer jagged alpine scenery and turquoise lakes, and the Columbia River Gorge provides waterfalls and windsurfing at the southern edge of the state.
East of the Cascades, the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla are the heart of Washington wine country, with tasting rooms among vineyards and orchards. Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village in the mountains, adds a festive character, especially in winter. For a hotel group or lodge, these varied landscapes are a rich story, and many guests extend north to Whistler or south to San Francisco for a coastal itinerary.
Read the full Washington State guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitWashington.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.