10 Incredible Hidden Gems In Washington You’ll Want To Discover This Year
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
This list of 10 hidden gems in Washington includes secret spots beloved by locals. Whether you’re green to the Evergreen State or hoping to uncover more of what our beautiful home offers, these destinations are the ideal place to start. Lace up your hiking boots and pack up your car. Washington adventure awaits!
1. Stehekin Valley
Stehekin, WA 98852, USA
Sometimes, the best place to start is in the middle of nowhere. With only 100 year-round residents, this isolated Washington community is also one of our state's most beautiful. In the local Indigenous language, Stehekin translates to "the way through," a title evoking its meaning to the rare and lucky travelers who visit. Located at nature's backdoor, this rugged place attracts folks with adventure at their heart, making it one of the coolest places to visit in Washington.
2. Bob's Java Jive, Tacoma
2102 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409, USA
Don't mistake this joint for paying homage to a tea kettle! Since it debuted as the Coffee Pot Restaurant 92 years ago, this humble Grit City establishment has come a long way from its diner roots. Now a favorite watering hole, Bob's Java Jive offers guests good drinks, decent seats, and lousy singing with round-the-clock karaoke.
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3. Edith Macefield's House, Seattle
1438 NW 46th St, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
It may not be the inspiration for Pixars Up, but this famous domicile has come to symbolize what some call "old Seattle." Before developers transformed Ballard from a boisterous dockyard to a hipster sanctuary, it was the beloved home of Edith Macefield, a woman who resisted her community's erasure the only way she could: by refusing to sell the house where she and her mother had lived for decades. It still stands today and visiting is easily one of the best non-touristy things to do in Washington.
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4. Wayside Chapel, Monroe
98272, Monroe, WA 98272, USA
Dating back to the 1962 World's Fair hosted by Seattle, this minuscule place of worship off Steven's Pass Highway implores visitors to "Pause, Rest, and Worship." Supremely charming and slightly bizarre, it's undoubtedly one of the most unique places to visit in Washington.
5. Halls Hill Lookout And Labyrinth, Bainbridge Island
Northeast Halls Hill Road, NE Halls Hill Rd, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, USA
Explorers hunting for secret getaways in Washington shouldn't sleep on this island oddity. With its beautiful view of Blakely Harbor, Halls Hill Lookout and Labyrinth is a space of reflection designed by locals Debbi and Paul Brainerd. Though reaching the labyrinth's center may not bring you somewhere else entirely, it's guaranteed to transport you to a different state of mind through the power of meditation.
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6. The Tree of Life, Forks
Forks, WA 98331, USA
Located near the Kalaloch Campground, the Tree of Life, or the Tree Root Cave as it's alternatively known, is one of the best-kept secrets in Washington. This indomitable spruce tree is famous for staying alive despite erosion carving out the soil from beneath its roots. Visitors are left speechless and inspired by the spruce's will to survive.
7. Camlann Medieval Village, Carnation
10320 Kelly Rd NE, Carnation, WA 98014, USA
Every day is 1376 at Camlann Medieval Village. This engrossing recreation of 14th-century England makes for a delightful excursion. Time your visit to coincide with one of Camlann's numerous events, or go in blind for the closest you'll likely ever come to experiencing daily medieval life. Perfect for the old souls among us, this Washington gem is worth getting your girdle on for.
8. Beckler Peak, Skykomish
Beckler Peak Trailhead, FS RD 6066, Skykomish, WA 98288, USA
Embrace the majestic beauty of Washington at Beckler Peak. This challenging route winds adventurers through old-growth forest, rewarding them with unparalleled summit views. If you've got the chops and the gear, it's worth your sweat and tears.
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9. The Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth
735 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826
This resting place for the world's most ridiculous household appliance is either your idea of good, quirky fun or your worst nightmare. Founded by Leavenworth local Arlene Wagner in 1995, this house of oddball history is now home to over 7,000 nutcrackers. I encourage you to visit; the museum will surprise you. Far from being monotonous, it includes some genuinely incredible artifacts, including a bronze Roman piece dating back to 200 B.C.!
10. The Junk Castle, Pullman
500 Armstrong Rd, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
A castle made almost entirely of junk. Need I say more? Victor Moore, an ambitious art student, crafted the Pullman Junk Castle in the late 1960s from refuse he sourced in Whitman County. Though homes in Washington are infamously pricey, this palace reportedly only set Moore back $500.
If you want to discover more in the Evergreen State, I recommend starting with these hidden gems in Washington. What are your favorite spots?
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