
Afar
The 9 Best Historic Hotels in the United States in 2026 and Why Each Is Worth Traveling For
Book a storied stay at one of these winners of the 2026 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence.
See. Orcas Island Explore rocky coasts, dense evergreen forests, and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Two Rivers Heritage Museum Discover local history of Camas and Washougal, including Native American history and early industries. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) Immersive gallery experience with props and costumes from horror films. Pike Place Market Seattle's crown jewel, a historic market with diverse vendors and local culture.
Eat. Mee Sum Pastry Grab a curry beef hum bow at Pike Place Market. Pasta Casalinga Find wild sockeye salmon at Pike Place Market. Hellenika Enjoy a unique frozen treat near Pike Place Market. Zig Zag Cafe A staple of the Seattle cocktail scene, perfect for a nightcap.
Stay. Marcus Whitman Hotel A historic landmark in Walla Walla with original details and a rich past. Populus Hotel Artfully designed, mid-range hotel in Seattle's Pioneer Square. Four Seasons Hotel Seattle Luxury hotel with views of Elliott Bay, located inside Pike Place Market.

Afar
Book a storied stay at one of these winners of the 2026 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence.
Lonely Planet
Why you should consider this mid-range hotel for your next stay in the Emerald City.

Outside
Every October, hundreds of revelers in witch costumes float on lakes and bays, ponds and harbors. Instead of brooms, they opt for paddle boards. From Sleepy Hollow to Seattle, here's our coast-to-coast guide on the best ones.

National Geographic
Home to Mount Constitution, the highest point in the archipelago, it is a paradise for hikers, bikers, kayakers, and whale watchers—and anyone who loves slow-paced time spent outdoors.
Lonely Planet
See the best of the USA with our picks of America

Atlas Obscura
It’s nice to imagine death as an endless deep sleep, but not everyone is so lucky. In cemeteries across the U.S., you’ll find souls whose final resting places are not, in fact, restful at all. Perhaps they died with scores unsettled or, perhaps, their graves were ravaged by greedy developers. Sometimes, heartbreak rendered them unable to move on peacefully; in other cases, they simply couldn’t…

Condé Nast Traveler
From learning how to bake Southern biscuits in Georgia to tracking urban beavers in Seattle, these experiences will add excitement to any trip.

Condé Nast Traveler
With views of Elliott Bay, easy access to public transportation, and local culture woven into every element, these are the best places to stay near Seattle's incredible historic market.

Atlas Obscura
When you see this museum from the street, you might assume that it's a little one-room operation, but you couldn't be more wrong! Two Rivers is truly bigger on the inside, in a way that makes everyone remark, "It just keeps going...!" And this museum is jam packed with local history, but it's also brimming with all sorts of oddities. Ever seen a working player piano? How about art made entirely…

Outside
From ancient mineral springs to quiet lake shores, these under-the-radar destinations offer a restorative escape without the heavy crowds or high prices.

Condé Nast Traveler
From overwater bungalows in Washington to hilltop hideaways in Greece, these Airbnbs are the ultimate blue escapes.

BBC Travel
From cultural investment to cutting-edge technology, the 2026 Global Cities Index reveals what makes the world's leading cities such compelling places to live and visit.

Outside
UUrban living doesn’t mean you’re beholden to a gym. Cities can be awesome outdoor playgrounds for fitness. Whether you’re considering a move or looking for some inspiration for your next trip, here’s an Outside take on the best places to get moving outdoors in the country's fittest cities.

National Geographic
Find out more about the props, practical effects and artistry behind some of cinema’s most imaginative worlds.

Condé Nast Traveler
From Amtrak routes along California’s coast to the wild beauty of the Alaska Railroad, the best way to see the vast natural beauty of the US is by train.

Atlas Obscura
America’s geography is unmatched in diversity, spanning from scorching, sandy deserts to snow-capped mountains and dense swamps; coastal wetlands to high, grassy plains. There’s perhaps no better way to experience this incredible variety than by taking a back to basics approach and living in harmony with the land. In other words: camping. So grab your hotdogs, tents, hiking poles, and potable w…

Condé Nast Traveler
How to experience the best beans in city that invented latte art—and why you won't find them at the original Starbucks.
National Geographic
In Seattle, where lush parks, snowcapped peaks, and miles of shoreline are all within city limits, the long way is often the best way.
Lonely Planet
Navigate the permit systems and secure a spot on these top hiking trails in the USA.

Afar
Walking down the hall at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center in Walla Walla, Washington, I pass a vendor selling skull-shaped pendants and a tattoo artist inking a custom ...

Outside
From mellow rafting to swimming holes to backcountry lakes, these national parks offer a refreshing cool-down before autumn arrives.

The New York Times
A summer swim in wild waters can bring escape and exhilaration. Here are six places on state and national park land across the United States to backstroke, butterfly or just beat the heat.

Afar
SoDo may be the city’s sports hub, but beyond T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field is an industrial neighborhood full of craft drinks, great food, vintage finds, and Seattle eccentricity. The neighborhood of ...

Afar
Washington’s green-and-white ferries have carried commuters across Puget Sound for 75 years. To a former resident of the region, their slow journeys are still one of the great pleasures of the Pacific ...
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National Geographic
Blending urban exploration with outdoor adventure, Seattle invites families to experience its waterways, neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks in exciting ways. Families can head to Kerry Park, a ...

Condé Nast Traveler
Writer Heather Greenwood Davis hops aboard Windstar's Star Seeker in Costa Rica as the ship makes its way from the Caribbean to Alaska.

Atlas Obscura
The Outer Rim is a sci-fi themed coffee shop in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, boasting fan art spanning multiple sci-fi franchises! Opened in late 2023, The Outer Rim is the passion project of graphic designer Martin Kuenn, combining a clean mid century interior design aesthetic with his collection of sci-fi art. You can admire the unique interior design and lovingly curated collection…

Condé Nast Traveler
Browse rental homes and hotels with jaw-dropping mountain views, trail access, and reinvigorating spa treatments.
Lonely Planet
There are few experiences that feel as spectacularly "summer" as sitting on a dock. We love these lakes for swimming, kayaking, sunning and golden hour docktails.

National Geographic
From specialist roasteries to quirky, hole-in-the-wall stores, you’re never far from a good brew in the hometown of Starbucks.

Outside
A veteran television meteorologist shares her favorite under-the-radar U.S. towns where summer temperatures stay comfortably under 80 degrees—and are full of outdoor adventure.
The New York Times
From a restored warehouse in Seattle to a former prison in Nara, Japan, these accommodations offer intriguing surroundings with modern comforts.

Atlas Obscura
If you’re looking to liven up your weekend plans, we’ve got you covered, with unique event listings around the world. Find more exciting events in Amsterdam , Berlin , Boston , Chicago , London , Los Angeles , New York City , Paris , Prague , Rome , San Francisco , Seattle , Tokyo , and Washington, D.C. Flevopark becomes an unlikely stage for the unconventional when No Art Festival takes over t…

Afar
As the peanut butter in the multigenerational sandwich that includes my young daughters and my septuagenarian and octogenarian parents, I’ve learned that one of the easiest ways to make everyone happy ...
Lonely Planet
Escape the crowds and fill your spirit at these nine of the least visited national parks in the USA.

Atlas Obscura
Yakima (pronounced "YAK-uh-maw") Canyon, where the Yakima River traverses a water gap through Manastash Ridge, is an obvious thoroughfare and was used by Native Americans for thousands of years, and then by Euro-American trappers and settlers into the 19th century. It was also an obvious route for a railroad, and the Northern Pacific Railway was built through it in the early 1880s, along the we…

Condé Nast Traveler
The can't-miss highlights of a seven-night MSC Poesia sailing through Alaska.

National Geographic
Trade crowded highways for winding waterways that showcase everything from towering canyons and vineyard-lined shores to charming river towns and vibrant cultural landmarks.

National Geographic
It’s 11 p.m. at Voyageurs National Park, and the wildlife night shift has been running at full capacity for hours, heralded by a lone, haunting wolf howl, the quintessential call of the north.

BBC Travel
From roadside convenience stores to lonely landscapes, travellers are discovering little-known slices of Americana away from the host cities.

Condé Nast Traveler
From historic lodges to sprawling ranch resorts, these stunning spots are worth planning your next trip around.
AI answers grounded in the 59 recent stories about Washington shown on this page. It can be wrong — the linked articles are the source of truth.