11 Reasons Why You Should Come Visit WA State

Even if you've lived here for decades, there is always something cool to discover in Washington State.

We have islands to hop, volcanoes and mountains to climb, award-winning wines to taste, walking trails with views like you've never seen before, fun major sports teams to cheer on, and I could keep going.

Our weather is varied, too, like for instance, there's desert lands, rainforesty nooks and crannies, and wetlands that lead to sightings of orca whales!

StateofWaTourism.com gives you excellent reasons to come visit, but I'll throw in some reasons of my own.

THE FOOD

Washington State has a great selection of James Beard Award winning restaurants, Top Chefs, MasterChefs, and even Junior MasterChefs that with eateries and restaurant pop-ups worth checking out!

RELATED: Stuntin' Like His Daddy: Asher Niles from Yakima on Masterchef Jr

THE CULTURE

Our Washington State vibe is well-known for its laid back, somewhat angsty, slightly hippie, and pretty friendly demeanor (except maybe in Seattle).

SEATTLE

Some say you might get "freezed" out by Seattle locals, but I've only come across friendly types, thank goodness. Seattle is the birthplace of Grunge music, an episode of The Real World and Top Chef, Starbucks coffee, Amazon, and the rudest seahawks ever (they will steal your French fries on the Pier even when you ARE looking).

SEE ALSO: Calling All Grey's Anatomy Fans: See 4 Seattle Filming Locations

THE FESTIVALS

You've got to attend a concert at The Gorge at least once in your life (put it on your bucket list now). Other notable festivals of Washington State include Hoopfest and Bloomsday in Spokane, Fresh Hop Ale Festival in Yakima, White Pass Winter Carnival in White Pass, the huge Packwood Flea Market (held during Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends respectively, and Oktoberfest in Leavenworth.

THE BEVERAGES

From world-famous coffee brands to drink to sipping on adult beverages from our swanky, posh wineries (including one of our regions that was just voted #1 Wine Country in America by readers of USA Today), breweries, and distilleries with magnificent views, Washington state is worth the vacation stay.

Okay, that's five reasons you should visit Washington. In case none of those moved you, let me see if I can come up with six more!

THE MAJOR SPORTS TEAM GAMES

Washington is the proud home of the Seattle Sonics R.I.P., Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Kraken, and the Seattle Sounders.

VIEWS OF MOTHER NATURE

Get blown away by the beauty of Rimrock Retreat, Puget Sound, Snoqualmie Pass, and any of the island towns on the Western side of the state. There are pretty views in parts of the Lower Yakima Valley, too. Drive along the coast of Washington for breathtaking "ooh" and "ahh" views!

FUN ROADTRIPS

Take a ferry ride for a water road trip, drive around the curvy, nature-filled roads through Naches, get lost on your way to one of the state and national parks. These are road trips that I recall loving the most.

Get our free mobile app

THE LANDMARKS

The Space Needle is our biggest landmark draw for visitors to Washington, but you can add these to your must-see list, too: Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, the Big Four glacier ice caves in Granite Falls, Spokane Dam (Riverfront area), Lake Chelan, Pike Place Market in Seattle, and even a Hobbit Airbnb that looks straight outta Lord of the Rings.

THE BRIDGE TO CANADA

You'll find speckles of Canadians living in and visiting Washington state, which is a joy for me because I love most Canadians, and I love that some of them speak French. Head to Blaine, Sumas, and Port Angeles if you want to cross the border. Bring your passport (and hope to the maple leaf gods that you don't have a DUI or a felony on your criminal record) or you ain't getting in!

THE RESORTS

I've only been to Alderbrook and Suncadia, but there are a handful of other soothing resorts to discover in Washington. Staying at a resort will melt your cares (and your money) away!

MORE TO READ: Guy Fieri Says You Must Try These 10 Flavorful Seattle Food Spots