Sometimes the hustle and bustle of city life can get to you. If you need a relaxing weekend getaway, there are several charming small towns near Seattle that can be reached with a short drive (or in some cases, a ferry ride). Read on for our recommendations!
Here are our 12 favorite small towns for a spring trip near Seattle:
1. Woodinville
If you’d like to spend your weekend sipping wine and relaxing in nature, head to Woodinville. This small city in King County is only a half hour’s drive from Seattle and has a reputation as the place to go for wine in Washington State. Be sure to enjoy wine tastings and live music at the stunning Chateau Ste. Michelle! There are plenty of other wineries and cellars that host events and live music as well.
2. North Bend
Fans of the TV show Twin Peaks only have to drive a half hour outside of Seattle to find themselves in the town where it was filmed. If you’re a fan of the show you can visit the Double R Diner in North Bend for some damn fine coffee and cherry pie. In real life it’s called Twede’s Cafe but it looks just like its fictional counterpart. See our guide to a self-guided Twin Peaks tour.
If you’re more into the outdoors there’s plenty of stunning natural settings to explore in North Bend, from Mount Si and Little Si to Twin Falls and Rattlesnake Lake.
3. Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie is another bucket list destination in Washington state for Twin Peaks fans. You’ll likely recognize the iconic Snoqualmie Falls from the opening credits of the show. This small city is only a half hour’s drive from Seattle. We highly recommend booking a room at the cozy Salish Lodge right above the falls so you can relax after a day of exploring the scenic outdoors. They also have an award-winning spa!
4. Vashon
Vashon is a charming island that can only be reached via a short ferry ride from Seattle, which gives it a peaceful small town vibe. Once there you’ll find plenty of outdoor recreation, as well as delicious food, wine tasting, and shopping available in the quaint downtown area. See our guide to visiting Vashon.
5. Bainbridge
Bainbridge is another popular island town near Seattle. The ferry ride is only about half an hour long, and the island’s downtown hub is a short walk from the ferry dock so you can leave your car at home if you want. The island is full of wineries and vineyards, museums, charming boutiques, and peaceful gardens and parks. We highly recommend exploring the beautiful Bloedel Reserve (although it’s best to have a car for getting there).
6. Coupeville
Coupeville, WA is a small waterfront town located on Whidbey Island. It’s about two hours from Seattle, with a ferry ride included. It’s actually the second-oldest community in Washington State. Even cooler, it was where the movie Practical Magic was filmed! Read more about visiting Coupeville.
7. La Conner
La Conner, WA is a great place to visit in the spring thanks to the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that takes place there very April. It’s about a two-hour drive from Seattle so you should plan to spend a full weekend there exploring the tulip fields, historic museums, charming wineries, and U-pick farms. They also offer amazing whale tours!
8. Sequim
Sequim, WA is about two and a half hours from Seattle and is known for its fields of lavender. In the spring, you can enjoy fresh local food, shop at charming boutiques, and explore the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. If you go back in July you can partake in the Sequim Lavender Festival and go home with bundles of fresh lavender.
9. Leavenworth
You may be surprised to find a Bavarian-style mountain town just two and a half hours from Seattle. Leavenworth has been the setting for movies due to its unbelievable charm. Leavenworth is at its most festive during the fall and winter months, so be sure to visit for Oktoberfest or Christmastown if you can. That said, there’s still plenty to do there in the spring and you’ll avoid the crowds. You can eat, shop, explore the outdoors, and even ride the alpine roller coaster at Leavenworth Adventure Park.
10. Port Townsend
Located about two hours from Seattle on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is a charming small town with historic Victorian buildings and miles of beaches. You can enjoy wineries, museums, and stunning parks while you’re there. There’s even a 19th-century castle!
11. Langley
This quaint town on Whidbey Island is easy to reach via ferry from Seattle. It boasts a vibrant art scene, featuring galleries, performing arts, and charming cafes and restaurants. Most uniquely, Langley is known for their wide outdoor offerings – visitors can explore trails, admire bald eagles and observe marine mammals at the overlook on Main Street. Langley also proudly houses the Langley Whale Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about Pacific Northwest whales and their need for healthy habitats.
12. Bellingham
Bellingham is a charming little coastal city in Washington not far from the Canadian border. You can usually drive there from Seattle in under two hours. Here you can enjoy mountain and waterfall hikes as well as a cute downtown with shops, restaurants, and excellent museums.