Washington State is a beautiful and diverse state with something to offer everyone. From the towering mountains of the Cascades to the lush rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, there is no shortage of natural beauty. But Washington is also home to a number of hidden gems, lesser-known places that offer a unique experience.

WA License Plate from 1964
staff.washington.edu
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We’re headed to the Washington cities of Colfax, Seattle, Port Angeles, Granite Falls, and Forks for this edition of hidden gems. How many of them have you been to? It’s time for a road trip!

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5 Cool Hidden Gems You’ve Got to See in Washington

 

1 . COLFAX, WASHINGTON

STEPTOE HILL

Steptoe Hill, WA
maggie_fischer via TikTok
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The narrow, winding volcanic basalt rock land that makes up Steptoe Hill is known for the amazing views of rolling green hills during the springtime. Visitors can check out the views from 6am (dawn) til dusk. I’ve heard that Steptoe Hill is also a great place for picnics and hikes.

@maggie_fischer Steptoe Butte, Washington 📍 #pnw #washington #palousehills #fyp #foryourpage #xyzbca #explore #travel #hikingadventures ♬ Still Don't Know My Name - Labrinth

 

2 . GRANITE FALLS, WASHINGTON

LYLA'S CAFE

Lylas Cafe in Granite Falls, WA
Lylas Cafe via Google Maps
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Lyla’s Cafe reviews on Yelp brag about how delicious the Sweet Granny sandwich is as well as the Danish pastries and other sweets, coffee, lattes, and the “English Muffin brekky sammie”. The pies at Lyla’s Cafe are also a popular menu item.

@lylascafe2021 We also have Redbull and Lotus Flights! 😍 #smallbusiness #coffeetiktok #coffeeaddict #pnw #washingtoncheck #supportsmallbusiness #redbull ♬ ily (i love you baby) - Surf Mesa

 

 

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3 . SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

LANCE V. MURROW FLOATING BRIDGE

Lance V. Murrow Floating Bridge on I-90 in Seattle
vane.1686 via TikTok
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The views from Lance V. Murrow bridge that links the I-90 freeway to Seattle is one of the most scenic and gorgeous views I’ve ever seen. It is a floating bridge, so on either side, you can view the vast waters of Lake Washington. Directly in front of you are rows of picturesque homes sitting on the hill. FUN FACT: The Lance V. Murrow bridge is the second largest floating bridge in the globe and it has won a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark award.

@vane.1686 #seattle #floatingbridge #ontheroad #whashington #i90 ♬ Way Back Home (feat. Conor Maynard) [Sam Feldt Edit] - SHAUN

 

4 . PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON

SALMON CASCADES WATERFALL

Salmon Cascade Waterfalls in Port Angeles, WA
travelmakingmemories via TikTok
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The waterfall at Salmon Cascades is considered one of the most beautiful in Washington state. It’s located near the famous Forks, Wash. sites where the Twilight movies were filmed, so that should give you an indication of the natural beauty that is found here. In addition to admiring the scenery, visitors like to watch coho salmon leaping the waterfall during migration season.

@travelmakingmemories In Olympic National Park don’t miss the Salmon Cascade overlook. In September or October you can see the iconic leap of determined salmon up a waterfall on their way to spawn. #nextdestination #familyadventure #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #traveladdict #momentsmatter #adventuretrip #travellife #leavenotrace #familytravel #makememories #onceinalifetime #roadtrip #travel #nature #travelphotography #shotoniphone #nationalparks #hike #travelgram #findyourpark #stayontrail #adventureseeker #optoutside #olympicnationalpark #travelblogger #instatravel #travelmore #salmon #travelmakingmemories #tiktoktravel ♬ original sound - Christina Biehl Nuss

 

 

5 . FORKS, WASHINGTON

THE TREE OF LIFE

Kalaloch Tree of Life in Forks, WA
feliciadiane via TikTok
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The Kalaloch Tree of Life defies gravity as the roots of this tree grow above the ground. It makes for a great place to propose to someone you love, or to stand there in awe and watch it. It looks like a magical tree, too!

@feliciadiane Tree of life! #pnwadventures #treeoflife #washingtoncheck #washingtonstate #pnw #getoutside ♬ Flowers (feat. Nori) - In Love With A Ghost

 

So next time you're planning a trip to Washington State, be sure to add these cool 5 hidden gems to your itinerary. You won't be disappointed!

 

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[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

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