Washington family vacation guide:
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. Washington is the north western most state of the contiguous United States. The state is bordered by the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, Oregon to the south, with the Columbia River forming most of the boundary, Idaho to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The state is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States and is sometimes called Washington state to distinguish it from Washington, D.C., the US capital.
The state estimated population (2006) is estimated at 6,395,798. The capital of Washington is Olympia with an estimated population of 42,514. Largest city Seattle has an estimated population of 580,000 and an estimated metropolitan area population of approximately 3.3 million.
Washington is a land of contrasts. The deep forests of the Olympic Peninsula, such as the Hoh Rain Forest, are among the only temperate rainforests in the continental United States, but the semi-desert east of the Cascade Range has not one single tree. Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state is covered with more glacial ice than any other peak in the lower 48 states.
Washington's climate varies greatly from west to east. A mild oceanic climate also called ‘marine west coast climate’ predominates in western Washington, and a much drier climate prevails east of the Cascade Range.
Washington state is a place to discover. Here you'll find sophisticated cities and lots of outdoor variety like the high desert, the rain forest, the alpine wilderness, the inland waters of Puget Sound, islands, mountain ranges and rivers.
Washington offers many opportunities for your family vacation.
The Washington Coast is a popular destination and full of sights not found anywhere else. For example Washington’s coast includes the spectacular Olympic Peninsula, with 57 miles of glorious beaches. This is a haven for hikers, beachcombers, sea kayakers, wildlife watchers, surfboarders, and families with children fascinated with beaches. The area brings an unique opportunity for watching whales and other outdoor activities.
The Columbia River Plateau region offers a contrast of high desert lands. Here you'll find an enormous amount of recreation.
The Rocky Mountain Gateway is a dense forest and mountain region and home of the city of Spokane and the Colville National Forest.
Again there is plenty of outdoor fun and recreation to be found here.
In the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas region you'll find unique wilderness beaches and you can enjoy the lush greenery and mountains. In this area you can participate in a wide variety of activities ranging from scuba diving to llama trekking.
Puget Sound is another very popular vacation destination. The Islands Region of Washington state is part of the Puget Sound area with islands such as Camano, Fidalgo, the San Juan Islands and Whidbey.
The Island Region receives about half as much rain as Seattle and is a ideal vacation destination that the entire family can enjoy anytime of the year.
Whidbey Island has gorgeous beaches, five state parks with lots of outdoor activities for your family vacation. Beautiful San Juan Islands is a must see destination too, where you can go explore the wild outdoors and even see an amazing orca or whale. Camano and Fidalgo are popular vacation spots too.
Seattle, the largest city of Washington state offers a wealth of very interesting places to visit but also offers stunning views of Puget Sound and snow-capped Mount Rainier. There are major attractions like Pike Market Place, the Space Needle, Seattle's waterfront, The fish market on the water in downtown Seattle. But Seattle is also famous for it's harbour with ferry boats, cruise liners and sightseeing tour boats. Another major draws of Seattle are world famous restaurants, nightlife, museums and performing arts and the International Film Festival. Seattle offers lots of activities for your family vacation and surely is worth visiting.
The capital of Washington state, Olympia, is home to some great family activities too. Here you find a variety of museums, theaters, parks, restaurants and more.
Spokane is a popular family vacation destination too. Spokane offers lots of attractions and amenities associated with a big city. Here you can play at 76 lakes, or enjoy one of the ski resorts, go rafting on the Spokane River and many more outdoor activities.
Tacoma also has many family and other attractions and is considered to be a perfectly located 'jumping off' point for the Olympic Peninsula and ocean beaches.
Choosing Washington state for your next family vacation will bring a grand experience in the outdoors. The beaches, waterways, snow capped mountain ranges, wineries, parks, and urban centers guarantee excitement.
Washington state is surely a family friendly vacation destination that you must experience to fully appreciate.
Important cities and towns in Washington:
Some of the most important and popular cities and towns in Washington are: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Spokane Valley, Federal Way, Kent and Yakima.
Washington accommodations:
Washington offers lots of accommodations suited for your family vacation. Almost everything in Washington is family-friendly! Washington has a strong reputation of putting vacationers first. In Washington you'll find lodging accommodations ranging from child friendly bed and breakfasts to secluded cabins to resorts to family hotels and motels to caravan and campgrounds and you find it all over the state. Or why not choose a vacation rental. Washington vacation rentals range from cosy mountain cabins to waterfront condos to family-sized vacation homes to urban apartments, there’s a Washington vacation rental that will meet all your needs and is suited for your family vacation.
Washington attractions:
Washington state is an outdoor paradise that offers many attractions for your family vacation. Skiing, hiking, take a driving trip through the snow capped mountains, tour volcano country and wine country, see a whale, walk along the beaches, visit one of the Washington State Parks, are just some possibilities that Washington state has to offer.
Amusement and Theme Parks:
Fun Forest
Riverfront Park
Wild Waves Theme Park
Waterparks and water fun:
Birch Bay Waterslides
Slidewaters
Wild Waves
Washington Zoos:
Cat Tales Conservation Park
Cougar Mountain Zoo
NorthwesTrek Wildlife Park
Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Woodland Park Zoological Gardens
Seattle Aquarium
Other Washington sites and tours to see:
Whidbey Island Garden Tours
Hanford Reach National Monument
Hells Canyon
Grand Coulee Dam
Cascade Loop driving tour
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Long Beach Peninsula
Museum of Flight
Snoqualmie Falls
Space Needle
Skagit Tours
Pike Place Market
Experience Music Project Museum
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