You Must Visit These 8 Awesome Places In Washington This Winter
It’s tempting to cozy up at home and hibernate all winter… but if you do that, you’ll miss out on some serious seasonal beauty here in Washington. The Evergreen State looks amazing sitting dusted with snow under the glow of the winter sun. Here are some of our favorite destinations for winter recreation in Washington. We challenge you to visit as many of these spots before spring and see for yourself.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
We all know that our favorite Bavarian village is especially incredible during winter. But most people don't know that the beautiful holiday lights stay up until Valentine's Day, meaning you don't have to brave the tree lighting crowds to see them.
2. ZooLights, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
This is truly the most wonderful time of the year at Tacoma's zoo, when ZooLights illuminates the night through New Year's Day. There are several amazing light shows in Washington, but this one is an absolute must-see. No worries if you miss the event; this attraction is amazing to visit all winter long... and you'll probably see some cold-weather creatures, too!
If you've ever seen this beautiful waterfall in the winter, you know how amazing it looks in its frozen state. Palouse Falls is a place that was made for winter recreation in Washington!
4. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Mead
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N Mt Spokane Park Dr, Mead, WA 99021, USA
Washington's most popular lakeside town is as gorgeous in the wintertime as it is in the summer; in our opinion, it's the very best winter town in Washington!
We've previously mentioned that this is one of the best places to go for a Washington winter hike. When cabin fever kicks in, just bundle up and head to the Columbia River Gorge for the most breathtaking winter scenery ever!
7. Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue
Bellevue Botanical Garden Trails, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Every year, the Bellevue Botanical Garden hosts this dazzling display of over half a million lights. If you miss out on the holiday fun, don't despair; Bellevue Botanical Garden is an amazing place to visit all year long -- and admission is always free!
The Methow Valley isn't the easiest place to reach in the wintertime thanks to unpredictable weather and road closures. But if you make it, you'll be amazing by how serene and beautiful everything looks!
We love the way Washington celebrates winter. But now we want to hear from you: what’s your favorite winter recreation in Washington? Did we miss it on the list? If so, be sure to nominate your favorite spots to be featured in an upcoming Only In Washington article!
Address: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Address: Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
Address: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N Mt Spokane Park Dr, Mead, WA 99021, USA
Address: Beacon Rock Trail, Washington 98648, USA
Address: Methow River, Washington 98846, USA
Address: Bellevue Botanical Garden Trails, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Address: Lake Chelan, Washington, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
winter recreation in Washington
December 19, 2021
Sarah
What are some fun winter hikes in Washington?
Hiking season doesn’t always end when the weather cools down in Washington… in fact, you’ll find plenty of locals who prefer to hike through the cold winter air and trek through the fresh snow (possibly in show shoes). For a moderately challenging and positively breathtaking seasonal hike, head to Eastern Washington and check out the Quartz Mountain Lookout Trail. The Quartz Mountain Lookout Trail is located in Mount Spokane State Park, a part of the state that s sometimes overlooked by hikers, especially in the winter. Don’t make this mistake — it’s a beautiful place to visit for winter recreation in Washington!
Are there any frozen waterfalls in Washington?
Washington State is positively overflowing (pun intended) with gorgeous falls. But as it turns out, these beauties are just as lovely when they’re not moving at all – frozen into breathtaking natural ice sculptures that glitter in the sun and showcase their impressive magnitude. One of Washington’s most iconic icy lookers is not only absolutely magnificent when temperatures drop, but is surprisingly easy to enjoy as well: Franklin Falls. This icy gem is something truly special in winter, when it seems to freezer almost mid-air! Of course, there’s Snoqualmie Falls. This is one of Washington’s most popular attractions, drawing over 1.5 million visitors per year, and during the winter, this cascade puts on a magnificent show when the conditions align *just so* and the falls freeze over.
What are some unique things to do during the winter in Washington?
We’ve all done bumper cars, and gone ice skating, but have you ever tried ice bumper cars? Washington’s Ice Bumper Cars are one of the most delightful wintertime activities in Washington, and you won’t want to miss this exhilarating activity — especially with the addition of Ice Lights! This activity is for both children and kids at heart, and you’ll see people of all ages enjoying them. You’ll be able to simply roll around the ice using the two joysticks on either side, competitively bump into each other, or you can add a ball and some hockey nets and host a game on the ice. This is easily the most fun you’ll have all winter here in Washington! Learn more about this high-speed activity here.
Address: Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA
Address: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Address: Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
Address: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N Mt Spokane Park Dr, Mead, WA 99021, USA
Address: Beacon Rock Trail, Washington 98648, USA
Address: Methow River, Washington 98846, USA
Address: Bellevue Botanical Garden Trails, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
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