Washington State: The Geography Has it All

If you’re planning a visit to Washington State, a little geography primer will help you determine the best spot for your vacation.  The state has eight major geographic areas, each one offering a number of perfect vacation opportunities:

Seattle & the Puget Sound – The largest in population, although not in geography, this is the urban core of the state.  With Everett at the north end, Olympia at the south, it extends to the east to include Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.  It provides an exciting mix of museums, art, sports, theaters, restaurants and nightlife, balanced against the serenity of the water and the smaller communities to the west of Seattle.  This is the hub of the state for business and culture.

Northwest Washington & the Islands – Located to the north of Seattle, Northwest Washington is situated at the foot of the Cascade Mountain Range, and serves as our border with Canada.  From the peak of Mount Baker, providing plenty of outdoor fun all year round, to the quiet life of the San Juan Islands, a popular spot for boating, kayaking, and whale watching, this is a great spot for outdoor recreation.  The Skagit Valley is also famous for it’s Tulip Festival, is full of family farms, has a quirky little art community in La Conner, and is the gateway to the North Cascades Highway.

Southwest Washington – This area includes two of Washington most well-known mountains – Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens.  Around here everyone knows where they were when the mountain blew!  Heading to sea level, you’ll find the Columbia River, important for commerce and for power, but equally popular with boaters, windsurfers, and a replica of Stonehenge.  The Columbia River provides the border to Oregon.

Olympic Peninsula & the Pacific Coast – With its beaches, rain forest, and the mountains of the Olympic Range, this is our coastline to the Pacific Ocean.  This is home to the charming city of Port Townsend, the Dungeness Crab, the beach community of Ocean Shores, fishing at Ilwaco, and the town of Forks, made popular by the Twilight Saga of books and movies. This is nature at some of its finest.

North Central Washington – Transitioning between the two halves of the state, this central area is full of contrasts.  The more western side is forested, and home to the Bavarian-styled town of Leavenworth.  This is a popular area of snow enthusiasts in the winter and hikers in the summer.  The more eastern side is rugged and relatively undeveloped.  Lake Chelan is a popular summer weekend getaway, and Grand Coulee Dam provides plenty of family activities in addition to hydroelectric power.

Spokane & Northeast Washington – Extending to the Canadian border to the north and the Idaho border to the east, the Inland Empire is home to both city and country living.  You’ll find lots of agricultural crops, wineries, and plenty of spots of year round outdoor activities.  It’s the perfect area for a day of outdoor recreation, following by an evening of fine dining and culture.

South Central Washington – The Yakima Valley and Walla Walla area is home to some superb wineries, and is also known for its agricultural crops.  This is wide open spaces, and includes some significant Native American and historical sites.  It’s also home to the Tri-Cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland.

Southeast Washington – This is where Lewis & Clark first entered Washington, along the Snake and Columbia Rivers, and it is still home to deep canyons, rolling farm country, and the grandeur of the Palouse  It is also home to Washington State University.  With the exception of the University, you’re likely to find more cows than people.

Which Washington experience do you want on your next visit?

Photo credit: Caveman (Kickin’ 66 with Pete Zarria) @flickr