Seattle is an amazing city to explore, but sometimes even a local like myself wants to get out of the city. The great part about the area’s location is how accessible numerous weekend trips from Seattle are. Whether you want to go a few hours away to the beach or head north to Canada, you’ll find plenty of Seattle weekend getaways to choose from.
It’s honestly shocking how many options are just beyond your doorstep if you’re looking for weekend trips from Seattle. With that said, you don’t want to be driving half the time! That’s why we kept this list pretty reasonable and didn’t go beyond five hours. For any of the trips that are around four to five hours, it might be best to leave those for a long weekend where you have a Friday or a Monday available to tack on.
1. Whidbey Island
One of the closest getaways from Seattle is Whidbey Island, which is also one of the best scenic drives in Washington. While this is one of the closest day trips from Seattle, it’s best to spend the weekend here to fully enjoy your time. You’ll get to take a scenic ferry ride across the water, which cuts down some of your driving time. I’ve been here dozens of times at this point because it’s such a short weekend getaway from Seattle.
There are so many things to do on Whidbey Island, so it’s not hard to please everyone in your group. Many people come here to enjoy the dozens of different wineries on the island, and there are several breweries for beer lovers. You can also grab a bottle of wine during your 3 day trip from Seattle and take it back to your accommodation to enjoy a view of the water. While this may a short trip from Seattle, you’ll feel like you’re far removed from the city during one of the most relaxing weekend getaways near Seattle.
2. San Juan Islands
Exploring the San Juan Islands is a premier weekend getaway from Seattle, inviting a feeling of distant travel only a short ferry trip away. Common aspects of San Juan weekend trips include whale watching, fresh seafood, and some of the best smoldering sunsets in the country. And thanks to the scenic boat ride required to visit, and the distinct island vibes, it feels like you are truly getting away from Seattle.
The San Juan Islands are also a popular weekend getaway for couples. San Juan Island is the most populated island of the archipelago, home to the highly walkable and tourist-friendly Friday Harbor, where a charming downtown district greets visitors departing the ferry.
Orcas Island also tends to be a popular destination, and it’s excellent for those looking for a small community and plenty of chances to connect with nature. Specifically, head to Moran State Park on the island’s east side. This top spot is home to one of the best campgrounds in Washington and the highest point of the archipelago, Mount Constitution, offering a life-changing view (especially come sunset).
3. Mount Rainier National Park
The Skyline Loop Trail is probably the most famous one, and while it’s quite challenging, it’s only 6.2 miles and boasts some of the best views in the state. This spot is located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier, and there are several other hikes to enjoy here.
However, if you’re looking for the absolute closest areas to Seattle, you’ll want to head to Mowich Lake and hike up Tolmie Peak or head to one of our favorites, Tipsoo Lake and the Naches Peak hike. Mount Rainier National Park is a popular place for camping, making it a dreamy weekend break from Seattle.
4. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse places in the Pacific Northwest in terms of geography and geology. If you’re looking to experience that “mountains meet the sea” idea that we mentioned in the introduction, this is an excellent example. Within an hour of each other along US-101, you have the snowy peaks of the Olympic Range and the rugged, rocky coastline of the Pacific beaches.
The biggest problem with Olympic National Park is figuring out what to do and see, and how to organize your time (lucky for you, we have an entire Olympic National Park itinerary dedicated to helping you do just that). It’s a huge park, which means lots of driving if you end up having to backtrack.
5. Gig Harbor
A romantic getaway near Seattle is Gig Harbor, which is a cute town on the water. Booking a weekend in Gig Harbor makes for a relaxing vacation where you can take your time strolling around the water on this overnight trip from Seattle. I felt like I was somewhere much further away when I visited this quiet town.
There are many places to eat with a view of the water during your weekend getaway in Seattle, including Tide’s Tavern for pub food and Netshed No 9 for breakfast food. Many of the restaurants here are small, which gives them a cozy feel as you sit among locals. This is just one reason Gig Harbor is one of the more popular short getaways from Seattle.
To feel like you’re in Italy without spending the same amount, you’ll want to book a gondola ride. The gondolier imported a gondola from Italy and sing Italian songs as you glide along the water. You can see why this is one of the best getaways from Seattle when you want a little romance. I also recommend checking out 7 Seas Brewing for a sample of local beer and an appetizer during your weekend trip from Seattle. They have a new location by the water and are kid-friendly, so you can bring the whole family.
6. Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town complete with annual celebrations and high mountain backgrounds. It’s along Highway 2 and opposite Stevens Pass from Seattle, approximately a 2.5-hour drive from the city. The town incorporates an unmistakable Bavarian motif, adding a certain old-world charm to its many attractions and things to do and blending well with its alpine surroundings.
The annual Oktoberfest is a trendy time to visit when the streets are lined with live polka music and lederhosen. Several other cultural celebrations and festivals occur in Leavenworth annually, typically every month. During December, the town comes under a new glow for its annual Christmas Lighting Festival and Village of Lights.
Outside of festivals, Leavenworth also provides a reason to visit with world-class mountain recreation surrounding the town. One of the first places to head is Icicle Gorge on the north side of the town, home to many of the best hiking trails in Leavenworth. This selection includes the world-famous Enchantments day hike or backpacking adventure – a reason for a weekend trip on its own.
7. Orcas Island
The largest island in the San Juans also happens to be our favorite. We like San Juan Island, which is significantly more “commercialized” (for lack of a better word), but the laid back nature of Orcas combined with the plethora of outdoor activities puts it right in our wheelhouse.
The journey begins from the ferry terminal in Anacortes, where you’ll board the ferry (we’d suggest boarding with your car, which you really need to get around on the island) and embark on a scenic boat ride through the San Juans to the ferry terminal on the southwest end of Orcas.
As soon as your feet touch down on the island, you’ll be transported to a different world, where work emails don’t seem so pressing, and you’re not in a rush to get to your next stop. After two or three days of island time, you might find yourself wondering why you don’t live like this all the time.
8. Port Townsend
The Olympic Peninsula of Washington provides many landscapes to explore and gateway towns to spend the night. Port Angeles and Port Townsend are two towns on the northeast corner of the peninsula, easily accessible from Seattle by ferry. Both towns have a distinctive charm and are great launching points for bigger weekend adventures.
Port Angeles is an excellent locale for those looking to dive deeper into Olympic National Park. It’s home to the Olympic National Park Visitor Center and provides quick access to iconic places like Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge. This proximity to the national park makes Port Angeles a great place to rest between full days of adventure.
Port Townsend, 45 minutes east, is a charming Victorian seaport town with plenty of opportunities to walk, eat dinner, and stay the night at a stylish hotel. The city is also home to the stunning Fort Worden State Park, with campgrounds, hiking trails, seaside views, and music festivals throughout the year.
9. Westport
Westport is a chilled-out beach town that’s perfect for a coastal break. The town is cozy and inviting, with plenty of places to grab a beer and seafood restaurants. Out in the water, take to the waves with a board , or head out on a marine life cruise to see whales and dolphins.
There are also a few trails in town, including the 4.5-mile Westport Lighthouse Trail hike. With plenty of accommodation options in the town center, Westport’s the ideal place for a well-rounded beach break from Seattle!
10. Mount Baker
Mount Baker was the unsung hero of our recent Washington Road Trip. We loved it! Neither of us had ever been, although we had visited the North Cascades, and some of our favorite hikes in Washington are on the north side of Mount Baker. And, to be clear here, we are talking about the north side of Baker along Highway 542. Especially the area around Artist Point, where you’ll find spectacular views of both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, along with the rest of the North Cascades.
The thing we really like about Mount Baker is the lack of crowds, even in the height of summer. We were up there in August and saw a tiny fraction of the people we saw in the North Cascades just on the other side of the mountain.
