WashingtonState
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Washington State gives you the essential Pacific Northwest experience, from the extraordinary summit snowfields of Mount Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, to the vibrant waterfront city of Seattle with Pike Place Market and the finest coffee culture in America, and the extraordinary Olympic Peninsula rainforest. This route covers the heart of Washington. The extraordinary Paradise meadows of Mount Rainier National Park alive with wildflowers in summer, the extraordinary Pike Place Market and Space Needle of Seattle, the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park with its extraordinary Hall of Mosses, and the finest salmon and Dungeness crab on the Pacific Coast.
Best Time To Visit
July to September for Rainier wildflowers and clear summits
Getting There
Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Getting Around
Rental car essential for national parks
Budget Per Day
Approx $130 to $210 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some high-altitude hiking
DAY 1
SEATTLE
MORNING
PIKE PLACE MARKET, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC MARKET IN AMERICA
Pike Place Market is the most extraordinary public market in America, its extraordinary 9-acre waterfront complex of fishmongers, flower stalls, artisan food vendors and craftspeople operating continuously since 1907. The extraordinary fish toss at Pike Place Fish Company, the first Starbucks, Rachel the bronze piggy bank and the extraordinary lower levels of the market with their maze of small shops are all unmissable. Arrive before 9am for the extraordinary atmosphere before the crowds. Free. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
SPACE NEEDLE AND CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS
The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, is the most extraordinary observation tower in America, its extraordinary revolving glass floor at 520 feet giving 360-degree views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. The extraordinary Chihuly Garden and Glass museum immediately below contains the finest collection of Dale Chihuly glass sculpture in the world, its extraordinary outdoor garden of glass installations unmissable. Space Needle approx $37, Chihuly approx $32. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
SEATTLE WATERFRONT AND CAPITOL HILL
The Seattle waterfront along Elliott Bay is the most extraordinary urban waterfront in the Pacific Northwest, its extraordinary aquarium, ferry terminals and seafood restaurants stretching beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. The extraordinary Capitol Hill neighborhood is the finest dining and nightlife district in Seattle, its extraordinary density of independent restaurants, coffee shops and music venues giving the best of the city's legendary food scene. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Underground Tour of Seattle explores the buried street-level of the original 1889 city, preserved intact beneath the modern sidewalks after the Great Seattle Fire. The extraordinary Victorian-era storefronts, sidewalks and infrastructure sealed underground when the streets were raised 22 feet are the finest hidden history in the Pacific Northwest. Entry approx $28.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Biscuit Bitch, Seattle The finest biscuit sandwiches in the Pacific Northwest. Queue before 8am for the extraordinary gravy biscuit. | Lunch: Pike Place Chowder The most celebrated chowder in Seattle. Extraordinary Dungeness crab and clam chowder in a bread bowl. | Dinner: Canlis, Seattle The most legendary fine dining restaurant in Seattle since 1950. Extraordinary Pacific Northwest cuisine and wine list.
DAY 2
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
PARADISE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SUBALPINE MEADOW IN AMERICA
Paradise at 5,400 feet on the southern flank of Mount Rainier is the most extraordinary subalpine meadow in America, its extraordinary wildflower meadows of paintbrush, lupine and avalanche lily blooming against the backdrop of the Nisqually Glacier in July and August. The view of the summit at 14,411 feet from Paradise on a clear morning is the most extraordinary mountain vista in the Pacific Northwest. Entry $35 per vehicle. Book timed entry at recreation.gov. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SUNRISE, THE HIGHEST POINT ACCESSIBLE BY ROAD IN THE PARK
Sunrise at 6,400 feet is the highest point accessible by road in Mount Rainier National Park and gives the most extraordinary close-up view of the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous United States. The extraordinary Burroughs Mountain Trail above Sunrise gives views of the summit and the Cascades that are extraordinary on clear days. Sunrise is less visited than Paradise and gives a more extraordinary wilderness experience. Open July to September. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
GROVE OF THE PATRIARCHS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OLD-GROWTH FOREST
The Grove of the Patriarchs near the Stevens Canyon entrance is the most extraordinary old-growth forest trail in Mount Rainier National Park, its extraordinary suspension bridge over the Ohanapecosh River leading to an island of ancient Douglas fir, western red cedar and Sitka spruce trees up to 1,000 years old and 25 feet in diameter. The most extraordinary trees in Washington State. Trail 1.5 miles round trip. Free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Spray Park trail on the remote northwest side of Mount Rainier is the finest wildflower meadow hike in the park, its extraordinary 8-mile round trip through ancient forest to open subalpine meadows giving a more extraordinary and completely uncrowded version of the Paradise experience. Accessible from Mowich Lake. Free with park entry. Almost entirely unknown to visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Whittaker's Bunkhouse Cafe, Ashford Coffee and hearty breakfast before the Rainier drive. Local eggs, smoked salmon and strong Pacific Northwest coffee. | Lunch: Paradise Inn Dining Room Outstanding mountain lunch at 5,400 feet. Local salmon, Dungeness crab cake and Washington craft beer. | Dinner: Alexander's Country Inn, Ashford The finest restaurant near Rainier. Extraordinary local trout, wild mushrooms and Washington state wine.
DAY 3
OLYMPIC PENINSULA
MORNING
HOH RAIN FOREST, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY TEMPERATE RAINFOREST IN AMERICA
The Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is the most extraordinary temperate rainforest in the United States, its extraordinary Hall of Mosses trail winding through ancient big-leaf maples draped in extraordinary curtains of club moss in a cathedral of green unlike anything else in North America. The Hoh receives up to 140 inches of rain annually, creating an extraordinary primeval forest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Entry $35 per vehicle. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
HURRICANE RIDGE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN DRIVE IN THE OLYMPICS
Hurricane Ridge at 5,242 feet gives the most extraordinary panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains in the entire national park, its extraordinary subalpine meadows alive with Olympic marmots, black-tailed deer and wildflowers in summer. The road from Port Angeles gains 5,200 feet in 17 miles with extraordinary views at every turn. The Olympic Mountains are the most extraordinary isolated range in the contiguous United States. Free with park entry. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
RUBY BEACH AND THE OLYMPIC COAST
Ruby Beach on the Olympic Coast is the most extraordinary Pacific coastline in Washington State, its extraordinary sea stacks, drift logs and tide pools giving a wild and primeval beach experience unlike the developed coasts to the north and south. The extraordinary Kalaloch area with its Beach 4 tidepools and the extraordinary Tree of Life root system hanging over the eroded bank are the finest hidden gems on the Olympic coast. Entry free with park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lake Quinault Rain Forest Lodge on the southern Olympic Peninsula is the finest historic lodge in Olympic National Park, its extraordinary 1926 lodge on the shore of glacier-carved Lake Quinault surrounded by the world's largest Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and western red cedar trees. Non-guests can hike the extraordinary Rain Forest Loop trail for free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: First Street Haven, Port Angeles The finest breakfast in Port Angeles. Extraordinary omelets, local smoked salmon and strong coffee. | Lunch: Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center picnic Pack lunch from Port Angeles. The extraordinary picnic tables beside the river in old-growth forest are free. | Dinner: Next Door Gastropub, Port Angeles Outstanding Pacific Northwest gastropub cuisine. Local Dungeness crab, oysters and Washington craft beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Seattle, Night 1 Edgewater Hotel on the waterfront or Kimpton Hotel Monaco. Approx $150 to $300 per night. Ashford near Rainier, Night 2 Stormking Spa at Mt Rainier or Whittaker's Motel. Approx $100 to $200 per night. Port Angeles, Night 3 Lake Crescent Lodge inside Olympic NP is extraordinary. Approx $130 to $220 per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Mount Rainier Paradise timed entry permits at recreation.gov the moment they open. They sell out instantly.
2. Pike Place Market at 7am before the tourists arrive is the most extraordinary food market experience in America.
3. The Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Mosses trail is most extraordinary on a rainy day. The mist through the maples is extraordinary.
4. Sunrise at Mount Rainier gives a higher and less-crowded view than Paradise. Open July to September only.
5. Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP at sunset gives the most extraordinary view of the Olympic Mountains. Free.
6. Original Starbucks at Pike Place: skip it. Instead try Victrola or Lighthouse Coffee for the finest Seattle espresso.
Total Budget
$130 to $210/day