Back in 2007, I took a trip with my mom to visit my 100-year-old great-great-aunt and her 97-year-old sister. They lived in a stunning home right on the Puget Sound, and ever since, it’s been one of my favorite states because of its natural beauty, friendly people, and fun activities to try. Below you will see how Washington State offers an incredible variety of experiences for solo female travelers.
Washington State is known for its diverse landscape, ranging from mountains to coastlines, making it a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Below you will find a multitude of activities to try for the outdoorsy or “indoorsy” traveller. Whether you love museums, art, national parks, or sightseeing, I’ve got you covered!
Sights to visit on your first trip to Seattle, Washington:
Seattle is a fantastic starting point for any trip to Washington. It’s a city that’s often ranked highly for solo travelers. The largest city in Washington State, Seattle, offers a vibrant culture that attracts travelers from around the world. It’s walkable, has great public transportation, and offers a huge number of things to do on your own.
Pike Place Market
One must-visit destination in Washington State is the iconic Pike Place Market, where you can experience the local food scene. A staple in the Seattle area – it’s best to go early so you can walk through the stalls, experience the famous fish-throwing, and grab delicious coffee and pastries.
The Gum Wall
Located below Pike Place Market lies the (in)famous Gum Wall – as the story goes, a patron was waiting in line for a show and stuck a piece of gum with a penny on the alley wall. Since that time, thousands of visitors have put their gum with coins on the wall, creating a unique and interactive art installation.
Space Needle
Another landmark in Washington State is the Space Needle, which offers breathtaking views of the city and beyond. This is an architectural feat and a landmark in Seattle’s culture and skyline.
International Fountain
Built for the 1962 World Fair, the International Fountain is a gorgeous dome-like fountain at ground level.
Fun fact, the fountain was built the same year as the Space Needle, which is within walking distance of each other. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Space Needle.
The Museum of Flight
This small but mighty museum has one of the most sought-after aviation artifacts in its collection. If you’re an aerophile, make sure to buy tickets to see the YF-17. It’s one of only two models in the world.
For the Art Lovers visiting Washington state:
Similar to Savannah (one of my favorite cities), Seattle has numerous art museums you should visit if you love learning about the state’s art scene.
The Triad of Seattle Art Museums:
Three museums stand out in Seattle: The Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. All are unique and highlight the eclectic art scene that makes Seattle stand out. Make sure you book your tickets in advance to get a ticket discount.
One Washington museum I plan on visiting is the Chihuly Garden and Glass is at the top of my to-do list. I love blown glass. It’s one of my favorite art forms because it’s not forgiving, but has the potential to stand out against the more traditional mediums. I studied Chihuly in college, and his use of glass, with its constant swirls and angles, makes it feel like the art installations are continuously moving.
Suppose you’re looking to dive into pop culture history at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). In that case, they have exhibitions and collections that range from sports, comics, instrument galleries, science fiction, and more. One exhibition I know my family would love to see is the Nirvana exhibition – I’m a 90’s baby, so the punk rock/grunge is what I grew up hearing everywhere.
Washington State’s National Parks
To fully appreciate its beauty, a visit to Washington State’s national parks is essential for any traveler.
Mount Rainier National Park
This is the most iconic park in the state. Mount Rainier National Park is a crown jewel of Washington State and offers some of the best hiking trails in the region.
While solo hiking can be risky, you can still experience the park’s beauty by driving to scenic viewpoints like Paradise and Sunrise. Enjoy the spectacular views, take short, popular walks, and check out the visitor centers.
Olympic National Park
My favorite national park is a trifecta of different ecosystems: rugged coastline, temperate rainforest, and snow-capped mountains.
In Washington State, Olympic National Park showcases diverse ecosystems that draw nature lovers and adventurers alike. You can drive the park’s perimeter and take short hikes to places like the Hoh Rainforest or Ruby Beach. Always choose well-trafficked trails and let someone know your plans.
Hurricane Ridge: The most accessible mountain area in the park, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and, on a clear day, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada. The Hurricane Hill trail is a popular hike from the visitor center.
Olympic National Park is a vast and diverse park with three distinct ecosystems: mountains, rainforests, and the Pacific coast. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular places to visit, grouped by region.
The Temperate Rainforests
- Hoh Rain Forest: One of the most famous parts of the park, known for its lush, vibrant green scenery. It receives an average of 14 feet of rain annually, which creates a magical world of moss-draped trees and ferns. The Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail are two popular, short, and family-friendly loops.
- Quinault Rain Forest: Located in the southern part of the park, this area is home to record-setting trees, including the world’s largest Sitka Spruce. A scenic 30-mile loop drive takes you around Lake Quinault and through the rainforest.
- Sol Duc Valley: This area is known for its serene, lush forests and the beautiful Sol Duc Falls, a three-pronged waterfall accessible via a short hike. The valley is also home to the popular Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
- Lake Crescent: A deep, clear, glacially carved lake surrounded by old-growth forests. It’s a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. The area also features several excellent hiking trails, including the easy hike to Marymere Falls and the more strenuous climb to the top of Mount Storm King. (It reminds me of home).
- Other recommended sights:
- Staircase: A heavily forested area located in the southeastern part of the park, known for its old-growth Douglas firs and a family-friendly trail along the North Fork Skokomish River.
- Cape Flattery: While technically on the Makah Reservation just outside of the park, it’s a popular side trip and the northwestern-most point in the contiguous United States. A short boardwalk trail leads to stunning views of sea caves and stacks.
Other Cities to Visit as a Solo Traveller Visiting Washington State
Leavenworth, Washington
For a taste of Bavaria in the heart of Washington, head to this charming mountain town. You can spend a day or two exploring the alpine-style village, enjoying a giant pretzel and a local beer, and browsing the unique shops.
I heard a great place to stay in Leavenworth is Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. As a German town, it feels like you are in Europe, because of the mountains, German cuisine, and the comfortable sound of the rivers. The resort is designed to make you feel like you’re living in a treehouse, and based on the reviews, people love this place!
Places to eat:
- To keep with the German theme, one of the top restaurants in this area is München Haus—a German restaurant with 5,000 five-star reviews. They specialize in Bavarian sausages, where you can order from their long list of options, or you can order a la carte.
- Another visitor favorite is Rhein Haus Leavenworth, with the same cuisine but a wider variety of options.
- When I read the menu for Andreas Keller Restaurant, my mouth started watering. I feel like they have some decent kids’ options too.
- If you want something outside of German cuisine, I would visit Wildflour. They had me at Caprese, and they have Chicken Piccatta!
San Juan Islands
Just 1.5 hours northwest of Seattle, take a ferry to one of the San Juan Islands, such as San Juan Island or Orcas Island. These islands are perfect for a relaxing getaway. You can go whale watching, sea kayaking (with a guided tour for safety), or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery and small-town charm. It’s in the very top northwest corner and is the most northern point in Washington. This San Juan Islands Scenic Byway is a great place to
A place to stay in the San Juan Islands is pretty simple – most have great views, and are within walking distance to great restaurants. I would stay at Friday Harbor House with its great location and excellent views. The other great option, which can provide quiet and isolation, is Snug Harbor, a Resort with private cabins and beautiful scenery. People come to the San Juan Islands for the bird watching, but I would go for whale watching. Another great activity is kayaking, where you can see the rocky landscape and the beautiful scenery that makes the area so special.
Now for the fun part – the food! The San Juan Islands are known for fresh seafood.
For example, Westcott Bay Shellfish is a great place to grab lunch, and if you want to learn about oyster farming, they have professionals who can show you their process for creating delicious, fresh oysters.
If you are looking for local, fresh ingredients, give Duck Soup a try because it’s the best part of the San Juan Island’s restaurant scene for almost 50 years.
Bellevue, Washington
Sandwiched across Lake Washington from Seattle, Bellevue is another excellent option for solo travelers. It’s known for being clean, safe, and walkable, with a vibrant downtown, great shopping, and beautiful parks like the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Bellevue, Washington, is a blend of outdoorsy and city lovers. Sandwiched across Lake Washington from Seattle, Bellevue is another excellent option for solo travelers. It’s known for being clean, safe, and walkable, with a vibrant downtown, great shopping, and beautiful parks like the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is a 53-acre space that encompasses the dramatic gardens of the Pacific Northwest. With a Japanese Garden, suspension bridge, and dramatic woodlands and wetlands, it sounds like a fairytale to me! These parks offer swimming, sunbathing, and picnic areas.
If you are looking to roam through a more touristy or urban area, give the Bellevue District a try. The Bellevue District is home to Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, and Lincoln Square, which are connected by skybridges. It offers over 200 shops, 50 restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The area is also full of great restaurants like:
- Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi: Located on the 31st floor, this restaurant is known for its incredible panoramic views of the Pacific Northwest. It offers a high-end dining experience with a menu featuring prime cuts of steak and innovative sushi dishes.
- John Howie Steak: This is a premier steakhouse known for its custom-aged steaks and extensive wine list. It’s often recommended for special occasions and is a go-to for high-quality American cuisine.
- El Gaucho Bellevue: This is an iconic, upscale steakhouse that provides a classic, elegant dining experience. It is famous for its tableside service, including a flaming sword brochette of tenderloin.
- Daniel’s Broiler – Bellevue: A classic steakhouse offering prime steak and seafood with a reputation for bold seasoning.
- Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar: From the same owner as John Howie Steak, Seastar is a temple to seafood, offering the best of the Pacific Coast. Reviewers praise its wide range of options, including fresh sashimi, maki, and crab cakes.
- Water Grill: This restaurant specializes in seafood and is located in downtown Bellevue. It’s a great option for fresh catches and has a variety of private dining options.
- Takai by Kashiba: If you’re looking for an upscale sushi experience, this is a top choice. The menu is entirely omakase, offering a multi-course dining experience crafted by the chef.
- Wild Ginger Bellevue: Known for its flavorful Thai and Shanghai cuisine, this restaurant is praised for its consistently good food, drinks, and service.
- Carmine’s Bellevue: A spin-off of the legendary Il Terrazzo Carmine in Seattle, Carmine’s offers old-school, white-tablecloth Italian food in an elegant and timeless setting.
- Bis on Main: Located in Old Bellevue, this restaurant is known for its creative Northwest cuisine with an Italian and American twist. Reviewers have highlighted dishes like the crab cakes, salmon, and duck.
Finally, don’t forget to take time to relax and enjoy the peaceful moments that Washington State offers its visitors—looking for other places to visit? I have several travel destinations, both national and international, for you to explore!