Best Small Towns in Washington to Raise a Family
Part mountains, function dense forests, function rugged, intricate coastline, Washington lies on the edge with Canada and features all the natural beauty you lot could wish for in America's Pacific Northwest.
With its history rooted in trapping, fishing, logging, and mining, the small towns in Washington deed similar mirrors to the wealth of their respective pasts.
At the aforementioned time, equally one of the most liberal states in the country, y'all can look to find art galleries, fun festivals, and friendly, open-minded communities in the dank and charming small town Americana of this state.
15. Anacortes [See MAP]
dreamstime/© Lembi Buchanan
Officially condign a town in 1891, Anacortes is assault Fidalgo Isle in Skagit County. With all the water and little islands in the area, Anacortes is rightfully well known for the Washington Land Ferries dock, with services to nearby places like San Juan Island and even Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada.
This small town is known for Mount Erie, where hiking and walking on its scenic trails is prime for mountain and water views. For some maritime history of the surface area, head to Anacortes Wt Preston Museum, consummate with a rare and historical steamboat to explore.
14. Bainbridge Island [Come across MAP]
dreamstime/© Peter Fuchs
The beautiful Bainbridge Island has found fame in recent years every bit being the setting for scenes from the hit American Tv set series Greyness'southward Beefcake.
Non just a location for fans of the evidence, the town is likewise a hit with fashionable Seattleites, who make the half-hour ferry journey from Downtown Seattle to take time out in the laid-back, waterside town.
Bainbridge Island is the ideal getaway for outdoor lovers, with plenty of nature to lap up in the surrounding area. Renting a cycle to pedal effectually the town and stopping off at one of Bainbridge Island's many chic eateries is the guild of the day here.
13. Northward Curve [Meet MAP]
dreamstime/© Chris Boswell
The beautifully picturesque North Bend is dominated by the imposing effigy of Mount Si. This impressive tiptop may be a piddling too much to hike upwardly, just there's a popular trail that leads to the peak of a much smaller tiptop – Petty Si. Hike upwards hither for incredible views of the town and the mountain itself.
North Bend has the perfect small-town feel, made even more than perfect given that it is the filming location – and inspiration – for David Lynch's cult Goggle box series, Twin Peaks.
12. Coupeville [See MAP]
Located on Whidbey Isle, Coupeville sits on the south shore of Penn Cove and is the second oldest boondocks in Washington.
Named subsequently Thomas Coupe, who settled the island in 1850, the town is abundant with historic buildings and nature. The waterfront area of town is where many of the 19th-century oak buildings tin be seen, many of which are at present high-stop B&Bs and restaurants.
The town'south Front Street has a distinctly old fashioned, laid back atmosphere and is habitation to numerous museums, shops, and cafes, making for a perfect area to stroll around.
eleven. Roslyn [Run into MAP]
Originally founded in the tardily 19th century as a coal mining town, Roslyn had to feature a watering hole to keep workers from going thirsty; thus, The Brick Tavern opened in the 1880s and is still going strong. This is the oldest tavern in continuous operation in the state of Washington.
Other celebrated buildings abound in picturesque Roslyn, like the Old Metropolis Hall & Library, the Immaculate Conception Church, and the Roslyn Museum, where you can learn a thing or two about the town'southward history.
Nearby is Lake Cle Elum, a perfect spot for year-round outdoor activities.
10. Gig Harbor [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Marilyn Gould
The modest waterfront town of Gig Harbor stretches for just a mile along a bay virtually Puget Audio. Fix in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the town is located in proximity to many state parks and labels itself as "The Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula."
Whether you're you are a keen hiker or h2o sports enthusiast or just desire to spend time by the water, Gig Harbor provides a getaway from the stress of the modern world.
The boondocks has an in-depth Harbor History Museum and quondam boatyard to explore, as well as numerous waterfront restaurants. Information technology'southward the ideal place to stop off and bask a long, leisurely luncheon.
9. Sequim [Run into MAP]
dreamstime/© Cory Hibbert
Featuring a unique climate, Sequim is famous for its lavender production, with the title of the "Lavender Capital letter of North America."
This unique climate as well makes Sequim an splendid starting point for exploring some of the wettest temperate rainforests in the US (bar Alaska). Hoh Rainforest is an first-class place to experience an almost prehistoric forested landscape.
Even closer, Sequim Bay State Park is ripe for hiking, crabbing, and birdwatching. Want to know more? Caput to the informative Museum & Arts Heart, housed in a quondam mail service office building.
8. Snohomish [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Jackbluee
The town of Snohomish was founded on the banks of the Snohomish River by early on Washington settler Eastward.C. Ferguson in around 1858.
Ferguson prepare upward home hither and built the town store and hotel. People began to follow suit and settle in Snohomish to develop their ain stylish homes.
The town'southward 19th-century architecture remains much the same equally it always has. The mismatch of architectural influences of the early settlers of Snohomish can be seen along the boondocks's small lanes – from English cottages to Dutch homes.
Each of the historic buildings has a fashion and charm of its own, merely at present they firm chic shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
7. Poulsbo [SEE MAP]
Founded in the 1880s by Jørgen Eliason, a Norwegian immigrant, Poulsbo soon attracted waves of other Scandinavian settlers relocating from America's Midwest. In fact, until Earth State of war Ii, many residents used Norwegian as their get-go language.
Yous'll find remnants of this beginnings dotted around town; at the corner of Viking Avenue-Lindvig Way, there's a 12-foot tall statue of a Viking, called the Norseman.
This minor town in Kitsap County is famous for its staff of life – named Poulsbo Bread, inspired by a passage in the bible. This used to be sold worldwide, but now yous can only get it at the source in Poulsbo.
vi. Langley [SEE MAP]
flickr/Jasperdo
The small-scale, quaint town of Langley is located on Whidbey Island and covers a mere 0.viii square miles. Founded in the 1800s, the town's original bunkhouse for loggers remains today, as a museum defended to the history of the area.
The boondocks'southward sunny waterfront and New England mode compages ha relaxed, liberal atmosphere and is dwelling to a thriving arts customs.
Notably, shortly subsequently women were given the right to vote, Langley elected its first female Mayor; its liberal attitude led it to become domicile to a vibrant hippie customs during the 1960s and '70s.
This laid back lifestyle lives on; now Langley's lanes are abode to studios and galleries displaying local arts. In that location are as well numerous creative community events and quirky cafes for visitors to enjoy.
5. Leavenworth [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Wcjhodream
Leavenworth began life as a logging boondocks, boasting the second largest sawmill in Washington past 1903. Afterward seeing the success of the Danish-themed town of Solvang, California in 1965, Leavenworth became a popular tourist destination soon afterward, when it was rebranded and modeled on a Bavarian village.
Adopting this theme also meant putting on an annual Oktoberfest, of course, which it still does every year. It'southward too famous for the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, a drove of more than than 5,000 nutcrackers through the ages – from thousands of years sometime to modern twenty-four hour period iterations.
4. Port Townsend [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Hellen8
Port Townsend is fix on the very tip of the Olympic Peninsula and boasts a number of Victorian-era buildings.
Walking around this small city, you lot tin can go a experience for the 19th-century heyday. The officially designated Port Townsend Celebrated District is packed total with beautiful buildings, from the impressive Canton Courthouse to the motion picture-perfect St. Paul's Episcopal Church, built in 1865.
For fifty-fifty more history, and a piece of natural dazzler, caput to the 1879 Indicate Wilson Lighthouse, which is besides the place to go for breathtaking views overlooking Puget Sound.
3. Winthrop [Meet MAP]
dreamstime/© Pierrette Guertin
Officially dating dorsum only to 1924, the boondocks of Winthrop originally grew when aureate was found in the late 19th century, prompting many a white settler to move here permanently to find their fortune.
The history of gold and the people who settled here trying to get rich from it is documented at the historic Shafer Museum.
For a spot of skiing – both regular and cantankerous-country – caput to Methow Trails. If you'd prefer something more laid dorsum, how about some vino tasting at the Lost River Winery?
2. Ellensburg [SEE MAP]
flickr/Jasperdo
Downtown Ellensburg is well known for its hefty helping of historic buildings, including the ornate Davidson Building (1890) and Central Washington University'south cute Barge Hall.
Only you might want to beginning your journeying at the Kittitas County Historical Museum, where you tin learn the story of the area.
Art is big here, every bit evidenced by galleries from the Clymer Museum of Art – complete with Western-themed paintings – and the decidedly more modern 420 LOFT Fine art Gallery.
For a slice of in-metropolis serenity, head to Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park for a stroll.
1. La Conner [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Denise P. Lett
Information technology doesn't get much more scenic than this; the river, the pines, the mountains – all of it combines to create a picture show-perfect postcard of a Washington town.
It'due south non just about the natural dazzler of La Conner; it's as well about the culture. You tin swing by The Museum of Northwest Fine art – charting the artistic motion of the Northwest School of artists – The Skagit Historical Museum – which also boasts a fantastic view, or the Quilt Museum, gear up in one of La Conner'due south oldest houses – the Gaches Mansion.
This small boondocks also hosts many events featured in the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, also.
Source: https://www.touropia.com/small-towns-in-washington/
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