Seattle Weekend Getaway Ideas

Whether you are a visitor looking to add on to your Seattle vacation experience, or a local looking for a quick escape, the Seattle area is blessed with many possibilities for day trips and getaways. You can head to the forest, the mountain's top, or even to a quiet island. Or, visit a National Park or enjoy small-town shopping -- it's all right here.These Seattle getaways will take you to islands, forests, or mountains, to places lively or places remote.

You'll be able to relax and know when the getaway is over, it's only a short drive home.

Seattle Getaways Within a 2-Hour Drive

These destinations make great Seattle getaways, whether you're looking for a short mini-vacation or even an ambitious day trip.

• Bainbridge Island
  Lots of waterfront, Winslow's walkable shopping and dining district, and lovely parks and natural areas are at a premium here.
• Bellingham
  There's so much to see and do in Bellingham, you can have equal amounts of fun visiting for a weekend or for an entire summer.
• Birch Bay
  Get that remote waterfront feeling just a short drive away from the full range of visitor amenities.
• Fairhaven
  Charming shops, galleries, and eateries abound just south of downtown Bellingham.
• Lake Quinault Lodge
  Take a relaxing step back in time at this idyllic lakefront lodge adjacent to Olympic National Forest.
• Leavenworth
  Washington's Bavarian-themed mountain escape offers fun and frolic for the active and for those ready to relax.

• Mount Rainier National Park
  Stunning scenery, historic lodges, old growth forests, and a range of hiking trails make up this landmark site.
• Port Ludlow
  A small resort community with great golf and access to Olympic Peninsula attractions.
• Port Townsend
  A Victorian seaport town rich in historic attractions, unique shops, and scenic beauty.

• San Juan Island
  Exceptional island scenery, bountiful local cuisine, and outdoor recreation on land and water.
• Skagit Valley
  Rural charm and year-round fun between the water and the mountains.
• Suncadia Resort
  Upscale resort community on the sunny side of the Cascades.
• Tulalip Resort Casino
  Full-service casino resort provides a high-end Vegas experience that is a whole lot closer.
• Whidbey Island
  Wander and enjoy the rural island scenery, historic towns and attractions, and incredible food.
• Woodinville
  One of Washington's major wine regions just a short drive east of Seattle.

Seattle Getaways Within a 3-to-4-Hour Drive

If you're willing to add a couple more hours to your drive, these destinations become viable Seattle weekend getaways.

• Columbia River Gorge/Hood River
  Stunning scenery, waterfall hikes, river recreation, and local food and drink.
• Lake Chelan
  Family-friendly resort community around a humongous lake on Washington's sunny side.
• Long Beach Peninsula
  Miles of hard-packed sand beach, charming communities, and local delicacies that include oysters and cranberries.
• Methow Valley
  Year-round recreation on the south side of the North Cascades.
• Mount St. Helens
  Learn about the history of this active volcano while experiencing the still-recovering landscape.

• North Cascades National Park
  Tour and hike amazing scenery as you road-trip it along North Cascades Highway.
• North Oregon Coast
  Rugged coast scenery, sandy beaches, historic sites, and lots of hiking, from Astoria to Cannon Beach.
• Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge
  A gorgeous drive packed with photogenic viewpoints and trails.
• Portland
  Fabulous food scene, tax-free shopping, wonderful parks, and quality museums and visitor attractions.
• Spokane
  Spokane is focused around a river strung with parks and trails, as well as a varied wine and golf scene.
• Tri-cities
  A reliably dry and sunny destination popular with golfers, boaters, and wine lovers.
• Wenatchee
  Access to year-round recreation and regular sunshine.
• Willamette Valley
  Wander and savor Oregon's major wine country.