Up in the northwest corner you'll find the town of Port Angeles, an artistic enclave situated near Olympic National Park. The park includes many trails, from easy to challenging, as well as the Hoh Rainforest and the Sol Duc River Valley. Snowshoe in the winter, hike in the summer, or just enjoy the visitor center. The town has a Victorian feel to it, with many shops and galleries. You're also just a short ferry ride away from Vancouver or Victoria, B.C. if you decide to stay longer. The 4-day Juan de Fuca festival over Memorial Day weekend is a sure bet for fun.
The Denny Creek Waterslide and Waterfalls is a great hiking trip. From Interstate 90 take exit #47 and turn north, going over the Interstate. Take a right at the 'T' in the road, and then turn left on Denny Creek Road #58. Two and a half miles later you're at the Denny Creek Campground. The trailhead is only a quarter mile beyond, but parking is limited, so consider parking near the campground, or getting a camping spot if you plan to stay. A Northwest Forest Pass is required, but well worth the $5.00 daily or $30.00 annual charge. Large slabs of exposed bedrock create a natural waterslide, and there are numerous waterfalls along the hiking trail. Bring the kids and grandkids! The water is glacial melt, but very refreshing on a hot summer day.
Want water, but something a little less thrilling? Try the ocean beaches. From Long Beach, a 20-mile peninsula in the southwest corner of the state with a thriving tourist trade, to Grayland, Westport, Ocean Shores, Moclips, Taholah, and more, there are beaches galore. You can find deserted stretches even in summer, or arrive during a big festival, like Ocean Shores' Razor Clam Festival in March or the numerous Fourth of July celebrations. There are plenty of RV parks scattered along the coast as well, but plan ahead in summer as they can be very popular.
Just over the Cascade mountains you'll find Ellensburg on the east side of the state. Situated in the Kittitas Valley, this cowboy town features a well-known rodeo every Memorial Day weekend. One of the top 25 professional rodeos in the country, you're sure to be entertained by the cowpokes, bronc busters and clowns. This is also a college town, with Central Washington University's campus and beautiful architectural buildings one of the main tourist attractions.
North-Central Washington is a huge area, covering roughly the area north of Interstate 90 to the Canadian border and well over 10,000 square miles. From Moses Lake to Coulee City and the Grand Coulee Dam (with its laser light shows on summer evenings) to the ghost towns of Monsie, Bodie, and Nighthawk, you'll see vast expanses of rolling wheat and other crops, broken only by intermittent settlements. There are state campgrounds along the way as well as rest areas, or you can pull over in a small town and dry camp. This is a part of Washington State that few have experienced, and it's overwhelmingly beautiful.
Walla Walla. The town that Bugs Bunny made famous lies in the southeast corner of the state and is now a top wine-producing area. Alder Street is the 'main drag' through town, curved because it follows the old Nez Perce trail. Alder Street is now lined with shops from the various wineries that dot the area. Spend some time shopping, then park in Pioneer Park at the corner of Alder and Division, and eat your lunch beneath the shade trees or walk through the aviary. The Blue Mountains are in the distance, Kooskooskie offers a green getaway with creeks and lush greenery, and you'll think you've found heaven on earth.
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