Washington Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without These 7 Charming Small Towns

Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainier lies one of the oldest towns in Washington. It doesn’t get more hometown than Orting. With one of the largest pumpkin festivals in the fall, and the annual Daffodil Festival and parade in the spring, Orting is all about community. And did we mention those stunning Mt. Rainier views?

The tiny coal-mining town of Roslyn is located 80 miles east of Seattle and is the perfect place to get away for the weekend. You might recognize Roslyn as the filming location for the 1990s television series, "Northern Exposure", but it’s the quaint shops and friendly people that draw visitors to this small town.

Ellensburg is known as the most centrally located city in the state of Washington. Visitors are drawn to the area for its quaint and historic downtown and the yearly Ellensburg Rodeo considered one of the best rodeos in North America. But did you know that the third rarest gem in the world, the Ellensburg Blue, can only be found in this small-town region?

Olalla is a tiny, historic town surrounded by Puget Sound, rich with picturesque farms lining scenic country roads, forested hiking trails, local wineries, and beautiful beaches. Summertime brings the immensely popular Olalla Americana Music Festival showcasing talented local musicians and artisans in a celebration of all things Americana.

In the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, you’ll find Forks, Washington, the rainiest city in the contiguous United States. Don’t let that fact deter you. Remember, we’re Washingtonians. We don’t let a little inclement weather slow us down. We all know that Forks is the backdrop for the Twilight series of books and movies, but did you know that Forks is surrounded by verdant, tropical rainforests, endless sandy beaches, and sweeping meadows? You may not encounter any vampires in Forks, but you will observe the area’s abundant natural beauty and we think that’s better.

Poulsbo, the Little Norway of the Kitsap Peninsula is a popular year-round destination. With a walkable and picturesque downtown, a growing arts district, and diverse waterfront dining, Poulsbo is one family and pet-friendly small town all Washingtonians know and love.

Another small town with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier is Packwood, Washington. Summers bring visitors to Packwood for trail biking, fishing, kayaking, and world-class hiking trails. Packwood in winter is the place to be for snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing without the crowds of major area ski resorts. If you’re into treasure hunting, head to Packwood during Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends when Packwood is host to the largest flea market in the Northwest. Thousands of people flock to the area to shop for unique finds from more than 800 vendors.