Top Reasons to Visit Washington State this Summer

Seattle

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the gateway to Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. Nonstop flights are available from the UK via British Airways, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines (autumn 2022). A brand new International Arrivals Facility will welcome visitors with incredible scenic views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains and state-of-the-art services. SEA is the proud winner of SkyTrax’s Best Airport North America for 2022!

Seattle celebrates summer with festivals, concerts and fun in the sun.  Known for top attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle at the Seattle Center, the city offers a variety of outdoor activities well into September. 

Summer Fourth - Join the locals at Gas Works Park to watch the annual Independence Day fireworks on Lake Union.  Voted one of the nation’s best fireworks shows by USA TODAY, Summer Fourth takes place in one of the best natural amphitheatres in the Pacific Northwest.  There are a host of pre-show activities during the day, including food trucks, beer gardens and live music before a fully choreographed fireworks presentation accompanied by a musical score at 10pm.   

Seafair Weekend Festival - Beginning with the Torchlight Parade through downtown Seattle on July 30, Seafair is a weeklong celebration culminating in the Seafair Weekend Festival August 5-7.  Set along the shoreline of Lake Washington, participants can see performances from stunt pilots, hydroplanes racing at over 220 MPH and an amazing aerial display by the US Navy Blue Angels. 

The Port of Seattle is the Gateway to Alaska.  This summer there will be over 200 sailings to Alaska via seven major cruise lines as well as expedition ships such as Uncruise.

Yakima Valley

Home to more than 90 wineries and five American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) in just 70 short miles, the Yakima Valley contains more than 18,000 acres of producing vineyards, and produces over half of Washington State’s wine grapes. As you would expect with all those vineyards, there's lots going on!  Here's a few events taking places this summer:

Unique Wine Tasting Tours (summer) From e-bikes to horse-drawn wagon excursions or a trip on the Little Hopper, a Hop On, Hop Off minibus, discover Yakima Valley wine country from a new perspective. While riding and learning, you’ll be sure to view some spectacular scenery, sip excellent vintages, hear fascinating facts from knowledgeable guides and capture some stunning photographs.

The annual Sunnyside Summer Ale Festival usually takes place on the third Saturday in June in Sunnyside. This event celebrates Sunnyside’s fantastic summer weather and the world-class hops it produces, showcasing the beauty and bounty of the community with incredible beer, wine, food and live music in the heart of hop country.

Fun on the Farm: Berries, Cherries and More (from summer until October) Yakima is home to more than 3,000 farms, including more than 130 organic ones. Throughout the summer, find more than 40 crops at farmers markets, stands and pick-your-own locations. Berries and cherries kick off the season all around the valley, then come strawberries, peaches, apricots, apriums (aprium are small, round fruits with red-blushed, orange skin. They are a hybrid fruit resulting from a cross between an apricot and a plum), peppers, corn, heirloom tomatoes, and speciality drops. Don’t forget to stock up on handcrafted baked goods at the markets.

Walla Walla

Recognised among the finest wine regions in the nation, Walla Walla features more than 120 wineries and 2,800 acres of grapes that welcome you to taste.

8th Annual Celebrate Walla Walla (July) Wine lovers can immerse themselves in social and educational festivities at Walla Walla Valley, with guest producers from the world’s leading wine regions and esteemed speakers. Participate in rare vintage tastings, reserve a seat at intimate winemaker dinners and more.

Bar Bacetto (July) Mike Easton is coming to the Walla Walla Valley. The James Beard Award–nominated chef will open a pasta bar in Waitsburg, 20 miles north of Walla Walla, this July. The 20-seat restaurant will be open only four days a week, with a couple of antipasti and three or four handmade pastas on the menu.

The Shindig at Yellowhawk Resort (August) The second-annual Shindig returns to Yellowhawk with even more wineries, delicious appetisers and an exclusive magnum tent at the Friday night reception. The Saturday night Grand Gallop will feature a spectacular multi course seasonal menu paired with some of Walla Walla’s favourite wines, music and dancing, and a live auction to benefit the local agricultural and winemaking community.

6th Annual Walla Walla Movie Crush (July) The Walla Walla Movie Crush showcases the best American short films of the past year, screening at the historic Power House Theater in the heart of Washington wine country.

Twisp

Twisp is the Methow Valley's largest town and it is full of character. It has the most commercial enterprises and basic services, but it still is a rural place. Agriculture and ranching remain important parts of the local economy, but they are not large-scale employers. Today's Twisp is a place of numerous small businesses. The Methow Valley News, founded in 1903, continues to publish weekly. 

Methow Valley CiderGrass Festival (June) The first annual CiderGrass Festival in Twisp featured local cider paired with bluegrass bands, delicious food and fun for all ages.

Methow Valley Farmers' Market On Saturday mornings from  April to October, the Methow Valley Community Center's parking lot is ablaze with colour and scents, courtesy of the Methow Valley Farmers Market. A variety of farmers and artisans provide locally homegrown and handmade products.

Methow Valley is just one stop on the Cascade Loop. Known as the best road trip in Washington, the Cascade Loop is a 440-mile route that winds through a large part of the state, including North Cascade National Park. The park is defined by jagged peaks and valleys, waterfalls and more than 300 glaciers. Several peaks rise well above 9,000 feet in elevation! Not surprisingly, hiking, climbing and camping are hugely popular here. (A nice perk about North Cascades National Park is that there is no entry fee, a rarity among national parks).

Olympic Peninsula

You can’t put a price on the natural wonders and one-of-a-kind sites, events and activities the magnificent Olympic Peninsula offers.  Events take place throughout the year.  Here's a few suggestions:

Take a walk back in time in the charming seaside town of Port Townsend.  Explore Victorian history and architecture along bustling Water Street and walk residential neighbourhoods where pretty homes have been restored with the utmost care and consideration.

Surrounded by natural beauty and full of small-town charm, Sequim is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and lavender lovers and is one of the driest places in western Washington. An active arts community, vibrant downtown, and diverse culinary options make Sequim the cultural and commercial heart of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.  Sequim Lavender Weekend takes place in July and offers visitors a plethora of activities to enjoy over the weekend; including a visit to the beautiful local lavender farms, attending the Lavender Festival Street Fair, and a host of community events.

One of the Northwest's premier chamber music concert series featuring an array of world-class performers, the Olympic Music Festival takes place on various days from August 13 through to September 11, 2022.

Celebrating the ten-year anniversary of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, Make all your Twilight Renaissance dreams come true at the biggest Twilight celebration in the world, Forever Twilight in Forks Festival 8-11 September.

Located on the Port Angeles waterfront, CrabFest, The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is the annual celebration of the Olympic Peninsula’s diverse bounty — the seafood, agriculture, history and culture.  The festival takes place from 7-9 October 2022.

Long Beach

The Long Beach Peninsula, in beautiful Pacific County, is located in the very southwest corner of Washington state. It’s an easy and scenic drive from both Portland and Seattle as well as a classic Highway 101 destination and part of two scenic byways.

Long Beach Peninsula Historic Trolley Tours (summer) - Embark on a narrated journeys around the Long Beach Peninsula. Guests can choose between historical or haunted tours that include entertaining insights, from sailing ships to railroads, from lighthouses to Lewis & Clark. The haunted tour also includes ghost stories and folklore surrounding “the Graveyard of the Pacific.” The tours begin and end in downtown Long Beach.

Waikiki Beach Concerts (every Saturday night, June until August) - The Waikiki Beach Concert Series, situated in an outdoor amphitheatre in Cape Disappointment State Park with spectacular scenery, features performances by renowned musicians.