~ Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Washington, USA ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Washington, USA

Washington State in the Pacific Northwest is a great combination of nature's wonders and man's endeavour. Great cities sit amongst the snowy mountains, small towns nestle on the fresh and sea water and forest and greenery abound. Dive in and start your trip with with these top ten places to visit:


1. Olympic National Park   



Also often visible from the Space Needle, the Olympic National Park has nothing to do with the Olympic Games ... it's all to do with the mountains. The Olympic Mountains rise dramatically out of the Pacific Ocean and, though they're not as high as those around Mount Rainier, they contain three unique biospheres. Much of this wilderness is temperate rainforest. Then, there are stunning stretches of coast with 60 miles along the ocean. Finally, rising from pristine valleys are glaciers and snow topped mountains. To get off the beaten track is very easy in the 1,4000 square miles ... as for the most part there are no roads and no development. In the three very different environments there is a huge variety of flora and fauna. In the temperature rainforest, you can find ancient trees and ferns, broad-leaved trees and elk, otter, black bears, cougars, deer and many more mammals and birds. Marmots live amongst the glaciers, while trout swim the waters. So Olympic is all about nature ... and getting back to it. Don't expect concession stands and souvenirs, though you can enjoy luxurious natural hot springs, camping and boating.

[MysteRy]

2. San Juan Island National Historical Park   



Where the USA meets Canada at the Salish Strait is the San Juan Island National Historical Park. It's right opposite Vancouver Island, so it is one of the best possible places to watch Orca (killer whales). You don't even need to take to the water to spot orca, sea otters and porpoises. Just head for the bluff trails in the American Camp. Why the American Camp? Well, the park is also unique as the site of the Pig War, where the British and the Americans almost went to war over the island in 1859. Amazingly, war was averted by common sense and the prairie island was happily divided between the two camps. The only death was, sadly, a British owned pig. It had trespassed into an American garden and was shot. But the crisis was averted through diplomacy, leaving San Juan as a shining example of how peaceful cohabitation between nations can work. One of the best ways to get here is by ferry from Anacortes on the mainland, or from Sidney in Vancouver Island on the Canadian side. These scenic cruises are one of the very best ways to go marine wildlife spotting.

[MysteRy]

3. Snoqualmie Falls   



The falls are one of the most visited spots in Washington State. They were made even more famous by their starring role in Twin Peaks! This scenic sight is around 35 minutes by road east of Seattle, straight along the I90. The waterfall crashes 270 foot down and creates an incredible noise and spray. The Salish Lodge and Spa has stood proudly above it for almost 100 years and is a great place to stay, or just enjoy the renowned breakfast right over the falls. The top of the cascade is nice and accessible, being under a hundred metres walk from the car park. You can grab a coffee and comfort break, and bring a picnic to enjoy on Centennial Green.

[MysteRy]

4. Space Needle, Seattle   



Seattle is simply a fabulous city and its iconic landmark is the Space Needle, dominating the picturesque skyline. Constructed for the World's Fair in 1962, it stands 184 metres high, withstanding wind, lightning and earthquakes. Take the high speed lifts up to the observation deck at 160 metres or take a meal in the SkyCity restaurant, which rotates constantly half a kilometre above the ground. Either will give you outstanding views of the skyline plus the mountains, Elliot Bay and the islands ... all across Puget Sound which leads to the Pacific. The Needle is open until around 11.00 pm every night, 365 days a year. Don't forget to reserve your table at the restaurant for a real meal with a view!

[MysteRy]

5. Tillicum Village   



Right on the waterfront in downtown Seattle is Tillicum Village, a place to come and eat, cruise, learn about the history of Seattle and be entertained. First off is the eating. The fantastic local salmon are slow roasted for over an hour, just as the Native Americans have always done it. An authentic clam chowder is also on the menu, along with many other delights. Then, you can take a cruise out over Elliot Bay for two to three hours. Make sure you visit the Heritage Room with its great displays of artefacts from the Native Americans of this region - the Coast Salish. Totems also dot the grounds. Then round off the whole day with a dance show that celebrates the Coast Salish people and their traditions of music and dance, performed by tribes people.

[MysteRy]

6. Mount Rainier National Park   



You should be able to see the volcanic Mount Rainier from the Space Needle, but you also need to get up close to it. This national park is breathtaking, and only 77 miles south of Seattle. 370 square miles encompass some of the most impressive scenery in North America, as well as the main star, the stratovolcano which towers to 4,390 metres above sea level and is usually capped with snow.  Around it, there are over twenty-five glaciers, snowfields, meadows full of subalpine wild flowers and waterfalls galore. The area known as Paradise, on the southern slopes of the volcano, is one of the most visited parts of the park. It is a forested, green land that lives up to its name in summer ... and experiences as much as 28 METRES of snow in winter! You can drive, camp, hike, climb and join ranger-led activities. Or just take in the awesome natural landscape.

[MysteRy]

7. Olympia   



The town of Olympia is the closest major centre to the Olympic National Park, just 54 miles south on the 101. It may surprise many to know that this is the state capital: not the much larger city of Seattle. Olympia has under 50,000 residents and is a great base from which to explore Puget Sound as well as the many parks and wildlife reserves in the surrounding countryside. It's also just an hour from the Pacific coast at Hoquiam. There are loads of parks even within the capital itself, including places to skate, to walk along the Budd Inlet shores, to hike through forest and much more. It's also a cultural centre, with a thriving arts scene, six high-quality theatres, its own symphony orchestra and a lively jazz community. It's family friendly and a good choice for those who want to explore the wider region.

[MysteRy]

8. Tacoma   



Another of the Puget Sound cities, Tacoma lies some thirty miles south of Seattle, almost half way to Olympia. This was the end of the Northern Pacific Railroad, a major port and something of a boom in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was named after Mount Tacoma ... though they then renamed that Mount Rainier. The volcano is nearly always visible, looming up behind the city, some fifty miles south east of the downtown. The city has been through boom and bust and, since the Nineties, is definitely on the up. The centre has been revitalised with a complete makeover and clean up, with museums and trade centres, theatres and old buildings brought back to life. Tacoma is now a very pleasant place to live and visit. There are plenty of parks including beaches at Point Defiance and an English-style arboretum in Wright Park. For exploring Mount Rainier and its national park, its a great place to be based.

[MysteRy]

9. Bellevue   



Across Lake Washington from Seattle via one of two bridges is a city of some 125,000 denizens that has boomed in recent years. It's made the top 5 of places to live and start a business and has a stunning lake front setting. City planners are keen to ensure Bellevue remains beautiful, as per its name, so there are more than ten square kilometres of park and recreation land, including swimming ponds, fountains, beach parks and a botanical garden.

[MysteRy]

10. Seattle Central Library   



Its not often that a library makes our top ten, but Seattle's is something else. Only opened in 2004, it's an architectural wonder that has welcomed millions of visitors. Almost 1.5 million books can be housed here in 34,000 square metres of glass and steel, where glass platforms seem to float inside a metal mesh. It's been voted one of the favourite buildings or architects in the USA. It's also a highly practical public space, with underground parking, superb planning and 400 PC terminals available for public use. Just two years after it opened, the management realised people were coming here not just for reading and research, but to explore the building's unique creation. You can now take architectural tours either by yourself with a free mobile phone tour or in groups.