The 15 Best Seattle Day Trips (with itineraries)

Last updated on April 11th, 2026

Looking for Seattle day trip ideas? We’re sharing 15 of our favorite Seattle day trips, from small towns, to islands, to nature escapes. Ready to plan your own Seattle day trip? Keep on reading!

One of the best things about our time living in Seattle was how close the city is to so many incredible places! Being travelers on a budget, we LOVED taking cheap day trips around the PNW. We enjoyed road trips to the cutest small towns, trying different restaurants and coffee shops, and exploring new parks.

It honestly felt like a nonstop vacation! Throughout our 3 years of living in Seattle, we took countless Seattle day trips and although the days were sometimes a bit jam packed, we had so much fun seeing more of the state!

We are excited to share 15 of our favorite Seattle day trips, all within 3 hours or less from the city, perfect for your next weekend adventure! These are all listed in order of closest to the city, to furthest away.

Seattle Day Trips Map

This map below shows where all of our Seattle day trips recommendations are located so you can have a good idea of where they are in relation to the city!

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!

These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

1. Snoqualmie, WA

Distance from Seattle: 28 miles
Drive Time: 35 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Fall
Who would like it: Someone who wants a short drive

The town of Snoqualmie is a super fun and easy day trip from Seattle! With just a 30 minute drive, this day trip is easily doable as a full or half day adventure. And there are a ton of great hiking trails in this area!

However, with the close proximity to Seattle, they will likely be some of the busiest trails in the state. So the farther you go from Seattle, the less busy they will be.

Snoqualmie Day Trip Itinerary

1. Grab coffee in Seattle and hit the road! We love Milstead or Seattle Coffee Works, but we have a full list of our favorite coffee shops in Seattle if you want more ideas!
   
2. Start the day by hiking Rattlesnake Ledge. If you get going early enough, then this could be a great option for sunrise! It’s a 5.3 mile hike with 1,459 feet of elevation gain. We love this hike, it is one of our favorite hikes in Washington and a must-do on our 3 days in Seattle itinerary! It’s also one of the closest hikes to Seattle so it’s super popular. The earlier you go the better!
   
3. After your hike check out the nearby Snoqualmie Falls. Take a peek at the falls at the lookout at the parking lot, then hike the 1.4 mile Snoqualmie Falls Trail down to get a closer look. This is also a great rainy day activity from Seattle because the falls are even more impressive with the extra rain water!
   
4. After all of that exploring you’ll probably be hungry for lunch, so head into the town of Snoqualmie and have lunch at Caadxi Oaxaca. Make sure to stop at Snoqualmie Ice Cream after for dessert!
   
5. Explore downtown where there’s some cute little shops and the Northwest Railway Museum you can visit.
   
6. If you’re feeling up for more hiking, you could choose from the short and easy Gold Creek Pond, a 1.2 mile paved trail that leads to a gorgeous pond with mountain backdrops. It’s also a great place for snowshoeing, and one of the best winter hikes in Washington for this reason.
   
   Note: Gold Creek Pond will be closing in 2025 for up to 10 years for a restoration project. They will likely be reopening it for the winter season, but make sure to check its current status here.
   
7. Once you’re done exploring the Snoqualmie area head back to Seattle for dinner.

2. Tacoma, WA

Distance from Seattle: 33 miles
Drive Time: 35 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Fall
Who would like it: Art lovers

Tacoma is Seattle’s underrated little sister with great museums, trendy coffee shops, beautiful waterfront parks, and so much more! Although it is so close to Seattle and makes for an easy Seattle day trip, Tacoma doesn’t get enough love!

Tacoma Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle after breakfast and head towards Tacoma.
    
2. For a fun photo opp, check out the umbrella mural on 216 Puyallup Ave.
    
3. Get a caffeine boost at Anthem Coffee & Tea, Bluebeard Coffee, or Lift Bridge Coffee.
    
4. Visit both the Chihuly Bridge of Glass (free!) and the free Chihuly installations at Union Station. If you’re a car fan, then make sure to visit the LeMay – America’s Car Museum ($18).
    
5. Afterward, grab lunch at Burger Seoul (burger food truck), Red Hot, or Dirty Oscar’s Annex.
    
6. If you’re beer drinkers, then grab some post-lunch drinks at Odd Otter Brewing or 7 Seas Brewing.
    
7. ​​Wander around Point Defiance Park. We suggest checking out both the Outside Loop Trail (4.3 miles) and Owen Beach. The park is also home to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
    
8. If you want stick around for dinner, then check out Over the Moon Cafe.
    
9. Head back home! ​

3. Bainbridge Island, WA

Distance from Seattle: 10 miles
Drive Time: 55 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer – We love jumping on the ferry to Bainbridge in the summer because the weather is gorgeous, it’s a great way to spend the summer in Seattle!
Who would like it: Someone who likes boat rides

When planning your next Seattle day trip you must consider hopping on the ferry to the beautiful Bainbridge Island. There’s history, hiking trails, shops, wineries and so much more here to explore. It’s one of the best things to do in Seattle, and one of the great cheap options in the city.

It’s a short 35 minute ferry ride, so sit back, relax and enjoy the views of the island, the water and the bustling city of Seattle disappearing behind you.

Bainbridge Day Trip Itinerary

1. Park at the Seattle Ferry Terminal and take the Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island. You can walk on or bring your car, but we don’t recommend bringing your car. To walk on the fee is about $10 per adult and kids 18 and under are free. You can check the most current rates here and the ferry schedule here.
   
2. Start off your day on the island at Blackbird Bakery for breakfast.
   
3. Continue walking along Winslow Way, popping in the cute shops!
   
4. You can grab more coffee afterwards at Pegasus Coffee. The building is adorable and Pegasus has been there since 1980!
   
5. Call an Uber and explore one of the hiking trails on the island. A few options are the Grand Forest Park Trail or the Gazzam Lake Park Trail. Both are easy 2-3 mile hikes.
   
6. After the hike stop for lunch at Bruciato for pizza or Ba Sa Restaurant for Vietnamese cuisine.
   
7. Next, spend a few hours exploring one of the museums on the island. There’s the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum or the Kids Discovery Museum.
   
8. Walk back to the ferry terminal and hop on the next boat back to Seattle. Time it with sunset for the best views over the water!

4. Olympia, WA

Distance from Seattle: 60 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour
Best time of year to visit: Spring
Who would like it: Someone who likes small cities, or visiting state capitals!

Olympia is the capital city of Washington state, despite its smaller size! It’s actually the 25th largest city in the state with a population of 55,000!

The city is located an hour south of Seattle, so it makes for super convenient and easy Seattle day trips! There’s not a ton to do here, so we think one day is perfect. Or, add it on to an Olympic Peninsula road trip instead for an awesome weekend adventure!

Olympia Day Trip Itinerary

1. Make the short drive from Seattle to Olympia.
   
2. First thing’s first, get coffee and breakfast at Olympia Coffee Roasting Company, we love their lattes and Americanos. While you’re here you can watch them work in the roasting facility.
   
3. Visit Percival Landing Park where you can walk the boardwalk along the Marina. There’s sculptures to look at along the way.
   
4. From there, you can walk one block over to Heritage Park which is also along the water and will lead you down to the Capitol Building.
   
5. Once you make it to the Capitol Building, stop and take a free tour. You’ll learn interesting facts and visit some areas that aren’t open to the public. You cannot make reservations in advance and the tour schedule can be found here!
   
6. After the tour, grab lunch at Los Tuleños for Mexican or Old School Pizzeria for, you guessed it, pizza!
   
7. After lunch jump in the car and head out to explore some nature nearby! Start at Tumwater Falls Trail just outside the city. It’s a super short and easy 0.9 mile loop to see the falls.
   
8. If you want to continue with easy walks, then visit the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk. It is 4.6 miles out and back, but you can turn around whenever you’d like. Bonus, it’s in the direction of Seattle so you can head home from here if you’d like.
   
9. For something a little more challenging, hike the Mima Falls Loop, a 6.1 mile trail that’s rated as moderate.
   
10. If you want to grab dinner in town before heading home, we recommend Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill with a stop at Sofie’s Scoops for gelato!

5. Whidbey Island

Distance from Seattle: 35 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes from Seattle to Langley (including the ferry), 1 hour 30 minutes from Deception Pass back to Seattle.
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Beach lovers

One thing that makes the Seattle area extra special are all of the islands! Driving your car onto a ferry is such a unique and fun experience (especially for us former Texans) and you immediately feel more relaxed the second you get off the boat.

We have spent many days exploring Whidbey Island and love the mix of cute small towns with waterfront parks. There are lots of things to do on Whidbey Island, but if you’re short on time, here’s our typical day trip from Seattle to Whidbey!

Whidbey Island Day Trip Itinerary

1. Take an early ferry from Mukilteo over to Whidbey Island.
    
2. Explore the cute town of Langley. Since you’ll be arriving early, many shops will be closed. But it’s still worth walking around town to see the cute buildings and beautiful scenery. Make sure to keep an eye out for whales too! After leaving the main part of town, swing by Flower House Cafe for coffee and breakfast!
    
3. Next up, visit either Fort Casey State Park or Fort Ebey State Park, which are both waterfront parks with military bunkers and epic views! You need a Discover Pass to get into the park and you can get a day pass on site.
    
4. Drive up to Coupeville and walk around the town. While you’re there, grab lunch at Goldie’s and get ice cream at Kapaw’s Iskreme.
    
5. Later, head up to Deception Pass State Park. Note: you need a Discover Pass to get into the park and you can get a day pass on site. Some of our suggested stops in the park:
   1. Make the both quick and easy walk down to North Beach.
   2. Walk across the bridge. The views from the bridge are beautiful! There are places to park on either side of the bridge.
   3. Hike the Headlands/Rosario Head/Lighthouse trail. It’s 5.0 miles and only a 350 ft elevation gain. You get to walk down to beaches, on cliffs, and get more views of the bridge.
       
6. Instead of taking the ferry, drive back home from Deception Pass.

6. La Conner + Mount Erie

Distance from Seattle: 66 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Spring
Who would like it: Anyone who likes charming towns and beautiful views

We visited La Conner shortly after we moved to Seattle. Adam planned us a surprise day trip from Seattle to the area and it was so fun! The town, similar to many on this guide, is super cute and waterfront, and is near great hikes.

La Conner + Mount Erie Day Trip Itinerary

1. Start your Seattle day trip with a hike up Mount Erie on Fidalgo Island. It’s 5.0 miles and 1,000 ft elevation gain with beautiful views of both the Puget Sound and surrounding islands.
    
2. After your hike, head to Calico Cupboard in La Conner for both coffee and brunch (they serve breakfast all day!).
    
3. Walk around the cute town of La Conner and explore the shops. Some cool shops include Nasty Jack’s Antiques and Handmade in La Conner.
    
4. Walk over to the Rainbow Bridge, which just happens to look like the Pennybacker Bridge from our hometown of Austin, TX. There’s a little park near the bridge with cool views of both the bridge and of the town.
    
5. If you have time and it’s nice out, then rent some kayaks from La Conner Kayak and explore the Skagit River.
    
6. If you stay until dinner time, Coa Mexican Eatery is a great option!
    
7. Head back home!

PS: If you visit La Conner during the spring, make sure to check out the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!

7. Bellingham

Distance from Seattle: 89 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Anyone who likes small towns, hiking and lakes!

Bellingham is our favorite medium sized city in Washington! There are so many gems in this area! From the cute little towns of Bow/Edison, the Fairhaven district, and downtown Bellingham, to the beautiful scenery and hiking, it is the perfect day trip getaway from Seattle.

Bellingham Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave the Seattle area around 7 AM and drive towards Bellingham.
    
2. On the way to Bellingham, take exit 231 to drive along the scenic Chuckanut Drive.
    
3. Stop at Breadfarm in Edison for coffee and delicious pastries! We love their kouign-amann and almond bostock.
    
4. Head back onto Chuckanut Drive and stop for a hike (we suggest bringing a picnic lunch)! Some hike options:
   1. Oyster Dome Hike–6.5 miles, 1,865 ft elevation gain if you start off Chuckanut drive (there is another trailhead that is easier) *This hike is our top pick!*
   2. Fragrance Lake–3.9 miles, 1,082 ft elevation gain
   3. Chuckanut Mountain–6.1 miles, 1,945 ft elevation gain
   4. Not feeling a hike? Hang out at the beaches at Larrabee State Park, Washington’s first state park. We really like both Clayton Beach (requires a quick 0.75 mile walk down to the beach) and the beach by the boat ramp.
       
5. After your hike, continue along Chuckanut Drive to the historic Fairhaven District. Spend a little bit of time walking around this cute area. We highly recommend walking along the Taylor Dock Boardwalk too!
    
6. If you have time, check out the beautiful waterfalls at Whatcom Falls Park! The most famous waterfall is just a minute walk from the parking area.
    
7. Walk around downtown Bellingham and get dinner at one of the local spots. Pel’meni Restaurant, Cafe Rumba, or Black Sheep are some good restaurants. Want a post-dinner drink
    
8. Finally, after a jam packed Seattle day trip, head back home!

8. Ashford, WA

Distance from Seattle: 83 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Hikers with Dogs

About 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Seattle sits a little town called Ashford. It’s known as being the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park as it is located right outside the entrance. It’s also included on our list of the most romantic destinations in Washington state, because it is just that, romantic!

Ashford might be often overshadowed by the national park, but don’t skip out on this cute little town. A day trip from Seattle to Ashford is a great way to spend your day! The town itself is fun to explore and there’s some great nearby hiking that isn’t inside the park boundaries. And a bonus is that everything around here is dog friendly as opposed to inside the park!

Ashford Day Trip Itinerary

1. Drive south out of Seattle to get to the town of Ashford. Once you make it to town you can grab coffee and breakfast from Rise & Grind, a tiny drive up spot, perfect when you’re on the go!
   
2. Start your day by hiking to High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Getting here for sunrise is ideal, but any time of the day provides gorgeous views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding area. The hike is 3.2 miles long with 1,328 feet of elevation gain.
   
3. If you still have some energy before lunch, hike the Teeley Creek Trail that leads to Bertha May Lake. It’s only 1.9 miles and you get to see two beautiful lakes along the trail.
   
4. For lunch, get a table at the Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Co. for a unique experience having lunch inside a historic train!
   
5. Then visit the shops in Ashford including the Ashford General Store and Ashford Creek Pottery!
   
6. For one last hike on your way back to Seattle, stop at the Charles L. Pack Experimental Forest and hike the 4.6 mile Little Mashel Falls Trail.
   
7. After a long day of exploring, finish driving back to Seattle for dinner.

9. Mount Rainier National Park

Distance from Seattle: 89 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer – It’s one of our favorite National Parks to visit in August!
Who would like it: Active Adventurers

At exactly 2 hours away from Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect Seattle day trip! So throw on your hiking boots and get in the car.

It’s no secret that we love Mount Rainier. You can see the mountain all the way from Seattle on a clear day, which just makes you want to head there even more. There’s so much to do in Mount Rainier National Park, but we will help you narrow it down to some of the best activities for just a day trip from Seattle with this itinerary.

Be sure to buy the America the Beautiful Pass before you go, especially if you plan on exploring a few national parks this year!

Mount Rainier National Park Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle as early as you can to get as much time as possible in the park.
   
2. You’ll likely be driving through Tacoma, so pick up coffee and/or breakfast while you’re there. Some places we recommend are Anthem Coffee & Tea or Lift Bridge Coffee.
   
3. Once you arrive at the park, start off with a hike in the Ohanapecosh area of the park. The Silver Falls Trail is an easy 2.9 mile loop that will take you about an hour and a half to complete. There’s no Rainier views, but the forest you explore on this trail is stunning. Not to mention the waterfall!
   
4. Then, hike the Naches Peak Loop. It’s 30 minutes from Silver Falls and includes views of Mount Rainier.
   
5. Finish the day off with a drive up to the Sunrise area of the park. It will take about an hour.
   
6. This is where you’ll hike to the Mount Fremont Lookout. Plan to get to the top for sunset, you won’t be disappointed, especially if it’s a clear day! 

10. Olympic National Park

Distance from Seattle: 111 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Spring – We think it’s one of the best National Parks to Visit in May because the weather is starting to warm up and the busy season hasn’t hit yet!
Who would like it: Outdoor Lovers

Just east of Seattle you’ll find the Olympic Peninsula, home to the stunning Olympic National Park. It’s another wonderful day trip from Seattle, but the drive is a little over two hours so be prepared for a long and busy day. But it will be worth it, we promise!

The best part about this park is the variety of ecosystems. From the epic coastlines, to the rugged mountain ranges and all of the moss, ferns and towering trees in between. There’s something for everyone here, and a great Seattle day trip no matter what you enjoy doing!

Olympic National Park Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle before sunrise and make the 2+ hour drive to the park.
   
2. You can pick up coffee on the way in Tacoma (Anthem Coffee & Tea) or in Olympia (Olympia Coffee Roasting Company).
   
3. Drive to the Staircase section, it’s the closest area of the park. If you have an extra day, consider the Hoh Rainforest or Hurricane Ridge instead!
   
4. If you’re up for a challenging hike, then consider Flapjack Lakes or Wagonwheel Lake. Both include a lot of elevation gain and are strenuous hikes! We also love Mount Ellinor, which is outside of the park’s boundaries, which means it is dog friendly!
   
5. For a more relaxing hike option, plan to do the Staircase Rapids Loop instead. This hike is 2.1 miles with 213 feet of elevation gain. It is very doable for any hiker!
   
6. If you’re still feeling up for more exploring, hike the Dry Creek Trail for some opportunities to see the beautiful moss and fern that this park is known for! The trail is 6.8 miles but only 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
   
7. Head home at sunset or head to another area of the park to explore tomorrow if you have the entire weekend!

11. North Cascades National Park

Distance from Seattle: 107 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Fall – Visiting in early fall is perfect, as everything is still open but the fall foliage starts to arrive, so we think it’s a great national park to visit in October.
Who would like it: Outdoors enthusiasts

Another national park that is just over 2 hours away from Seattle is North Cascades National Park. This one makes for an especially awesome Seattle day trip because it’s a free national park, so you don’t feel like you absolutely have to get your money’s worth each time you go. Enjoy a day trip here every once in a while instead! But don’t get me wrong, we would never say no to a weekend in the North Cascades either.

While this is easily one of the most beautiful places we have ever been, it’s surprisingly one of the least visited parks in the country. But this means it’s never overly crowded, there’s always somewhere to park and you can have many of the trails and overlooks to yourself!

North Cascades National Park Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle early, grab some coffee along the way, and be sure to pack a lunch.
   
2. Start by driving the North Cascades Highway. There’s lots of great stops along the way!
   
3. The first stop along the highway is the Gorge Creek Falls Overlook. Here you’ll see views of a waterfall and beautiful lake.
   
4. Next up is the Thunder Knob Trail, a 3.6 mile hike with 635 feet of elevation gain. Along the trail you’ll get to see mountain and water views plus it is a pretty easy hike that anyone can do! A few other hike options we recommend are:
   
   1. Blue Lake, a 4.4 mile trail with 1,050 feet of elevation gain. Fall is the best time for this hike to see the the larches!
   2. Heather-Maple Pass Loop is a 7.2 mile hike with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, also great in the Fall!
   3. Hidden Lake is a more difficult 8.0 mile trail with 3,300 feet of elevation gain.
      
5. After the hike, see the jaw-dropping turquoise water with a stop at the stunning Diablo Lake Overlook.
   
6. If you keep driving the North Cascades Highway be sure to make a stop at the Washington Pass Overlook to see the breath-taking peaks of the North Cascade Mountains.
   
7. Make a final stop at the town of Winthrop to wander the streets and pop into the shops.
   
8. If you want to stay long enough for dinner in Winthrop, some restaurant options are East 20 Pizza and Old Schoolhouse Brewery.
   
9. Then stop at Sheri’s Sweet Shop for dessert before you hit the road back to Seattle!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails Plus membership? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!

We use AllTrails Plus on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

12. Leavenworth

Distance from Seattle: 135 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Winter
Who would like it: Someone who wants the European experience without the long flight!

Leavenworth is by far both our favorite little town in Washington and one of the best Seattle day trips. Not only is it Bavarian themed (so cool!), but it’s also nestled among the mountains and full of gorgeous scenery. We love spending a day here hiking, walking around town, and eating bratwursts.

Leavenworth Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle early and head to Leavenworth for a day trip.
    
2. Get coffee at J5 Coffee a popular spot in town.
    
3. Hike one of Leavenworth’s gorgeous trails! Some of our favorites:
   1. Colchuck Lake 8.0 miles, 2,280 ft elevation gain. By far one of the best hikes we have done in the PNW! Note: no dogs allowed!
   2. Eight Mile Lake 6.6 miles, 1,300 ft elevation gain. Note: no dogs allowed!
   3. Icicle Ridge 4.8 miles, 1,800 ft elevation gain
       
4. Enjoy a picnic lunch on your hike.
    
5. Later, head back to the main street in Leavenworth and walk around the shops. We love Pine Hill Mercantile, Paprika, and Kris Kringl!
    
6. Dinner at Munchen Haus and then grab drinks at Icicle Brewing.
    
7. Head back home after a great day trip from Seattle.

Looking for more things to do in Leavenworth? Check out our guide with 19 things to do in Leavenworth in the summer for more ideas. And if you’re visiting in the winter, find out how to have a magical Christmas in Leavenworth!

13. Vancouver, Canada

Distance from Seattle: 143 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Travelers who wants to visit another country

When we lived in Seattle, one of our favorite things was how close we were to Vancouver. Many people would spend the weekend in Vancouver, with lots of time to explore this great Canadian city. But we usually would make it a day trip so we didn’t have to pay to spend the night.

But there’s a lot to do in the city and nearby, so plan to come back a few times if you can!

Vancouver Day Trip Itinerary

1. Start the 2.5 hour drive early to get to Vancouver with plenty of time. We usually leave at 5am.
   
2. Once you get to Vancouver, enjoy Brunch at Jam Cafe! The place is small and gets busy so get here as early as you can.
   
3. One of our favorite coffee shops is Revolver Coffee, so grab some fuel before you start exploring.
   
4. Stanley Park is located in the city along the water. It’s similar to New York’s Central Park but even bigger! Rent bikes from Spokes and enjoy the views of the city, water, mountains, beaches, and more! The path around the park will take you about 1-2 hours to bike depending on how often you stop.
   
5. Next, head to Prospect Point viewpoint. From here you can see the Lions Gate Bridge and North Vancouver. If you walk behind the cafe, there’s a short trail where you can walk along the bridge!
   
6. Head across the city to Granville Island. Here you can walk and shop at the indoor/outdoor public market, there’s a lot of vendors. Some good spots to visit are Stuart’s Bakery, Sen Pad Thai, The Lemon Square, Siegel’s Bagels, Kaylin & Hobb’s pickles and Lee’s Donuts. But be sure to carry some Canadian money as some vendors don’t accept cards or US dollars.
   
7. There’s lots of stores on the island to explore, something for everyone: paper items, clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, toys, and even a broom store where you can see them make brooms!
   
8. Go to Kitsilano beach and watch the sunset. There are beautiful views of the city and mountains from this beach!
   
9. After sunset, eat delicious tacos for dinner at La Taqueria Pinche.
   
10. Round out the perfect Vancouver day with ice cream at Rain or Shine before driving back to Seattle.

14. Portland, OR

Distance from Seattle: 174 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Foodies and artsy travelers

While Portland, Oregon would best be explored for a weekend, a day trip from Seattle is still possible! It’s located just under 3 hours from Seattle so be prepared for a bit of driving today.

Portland has so much to offer from delicious restaurants, to awesome food trucks, and has an artsy culture similar to our hometown of Austin, TX!

Portland Day Trip Itinerary

1. Leave Seattle as early as possible to give yourself ample time to enjoy Portland.
   
2. You can stop along the way in Tacoma or Olympia for coffee, but save room because Portland is known for having some of the best coffee in the country!
   
3. If you get into town early enough for breakfast, visit Pine State Biscuits. We love the Reggie Deluxe!
   
4. Grab coffee at one of these awesome spots: Good Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Coava Coffee Roasters or Tōv.
   
5. Visit the International Rose Test Garden which boasts over 8,000 roses! 
   
6. Make a quick stop at Pittock Mansion, it’s free to visit the outside! You’ll be able to get great views out over Portland from here.
   
7. A super famous spot you need to visit in Portland is Powell’s City of Books. It is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.
   
8. For some popular photo-ops in Portland, visit the Keep Portland Weird Wall and then the White Stag Sign along the waterfront.
   
9. Once you’ve gotten hungry for lunch, visit the Thai restaurant Nong’s Khao Man Gai. Get the Khao Man Gai. It’s SO good!
   
10. For a sweet treat, grab a doughnut at VooDoo Doughnuts or Blue Star Donuts (maybe both?).
    
11. With whatever time you have left in the afternoon, check out some of Portland’s cool neighborhoods and streets. There’s plenty of restaurants, breweries and local shops to visit. Our favorites are: Alberta Arts District, Pearl District, Mississippi Avenue, Division/Clinton, Hawthorne.
    
12. If you want to stay for dinner, then get a table at Por Que No?, a great Mexican spot in Portland!
    
13. Finally, grab ice cream at Salt & Straw. They make some of the best ice cream we have ever had!
    
14. After a long day exploring Portland, make the drive back to Seattle.

15. Orcas Island

Distance from Seattle: 103 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes–Note: 50 minutes of this includes time on the ferry.
Best time of year to visit: Summer
Who would like it: Someone who wants to whale watch!

This one is pushing it for a Seattle day trip, but we love it so much that we had to include it! Orcas Island is home to Eastsound, a cute little town with shops and restaurants, and a great state park, Moran State Park.

We have mostly spent time camping on the island, but have also squeezed in a day trip from Seattle. It’ll be a long day, but very beautiful and worth it!

Orcas Island Day Trip Itinerary

1. Take the early ferry (times change based on season, but we recommend one in the 7:00 hour).
   
   Note: You need to make a reservation for the ferry.
    
2. Grab coffee and a delicious pastry from Brown Bear Baking. We love this coffee shop and bakery so much!
   
   They make everything from scratch and it all looks insanely delicious. We recommend grabbing something to-go for lunch as well.
    
3. Walk around Eastsound for a little bit before heading to Moran State Park.
    
4. At Moran State Park, hike the Mt. Constitution trail (6.7 miles, 1,833 ft elevation gain) for an awesome view of the San Juan Islands.
   
   You can also park halfway up Mount Constitution Road and take a trail to the top for less miles (see map here) or drive up to the top if you don’t feel like hiking.
    
5. After Mt. Constitution, hike the quick, 0.8 mile trail (137 ft elevation gain) to Cascade Falls.
    
6. Some other activity options on Orcas Island: whale watching (if visiting between May-September) or kayaking!
    
7. Head back towards Eastsound and grab a quick dinner at New Leaf Cafe or Mijitas before taking the ferry home.

Looking for escape Seattle for the day?

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