Matthew Lombardi - Moon Washington

Skyline Trail at Mount Rainier.

Tucked away in the upper left corner of the map, Washington exists on the fringes of the United States. That remoteness is key to the unique character of the placeyou sense it in the landscape, the climate, and the people.

The fascination starts with the terrain. Consider the view from the observation deck of the Space NeedleSeattles signature landmark, the citys sci-fi answer to the Eiffel Tower. Looking west you see Puget Sound, plied by massive cargo ships and ferries, and beyond it the peaks of the Olympic Mountains, glistening like a mirage on the horizon. To the north, skirting the sound, are hilly residential neighborhoods and little Lake Union, bustling with pleasure boats and seaplanes. To the east is larger Lake Washington, a cluster of satellite towns on its far shore, and, on a clear day, a glimpse of the Cascade mountain range. Pivot south to take in downtowns office towers, which seem diminutive against the backdrop of mighty, ominous Mount Rainier, arguably the most impressive peak in North America.

What you see in that 360-degree panorama is the essence of Washington: mountains and water. The state has other worthy allurescharming towns, exceptional food and wine, some world-class cultural institutionsbut you havent made the most of your visit until youve been up on a mountainside (whether by car, bike, or foot) and out on the water (whether by ferry, kayak, or whale-watching cruise).

sculpture at Dick and Janes Spot in Ellensburg

Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens on Whidbey Island

Beach Haven Resort on Orcas Island

Of course, the water is bound to find you whether you like it or not. Washington is notorious for its rain, and that reputation is well earned in the western part of the state. The Olympic Peninsula is truly the rainiest place in the United States: For three seasons out of four the Puget Sound area is frequently drizzly and overcast. (In contrast, large swaths of less-traveled eastern Washington are desert dry. The Cascades in between hold world records for snowfall.)

There are two ways to contend with western Washingtons rain. Embrace it like a localbring your waterproof shoes and hat and go about your business. It often sprinkles but rarely pours, and after all, its the rain that makes the Olympic Peninsula a mossy, otherworldly wonder, with some of the tallest and oldest trees on the planet. Or come in the summer, when the clouds disappear, the temperatures remain mild, and the place feels a lot like Eden.

Pelindaba Lavender Farm on San Juan Island

North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin.

Vista House on the Columbia River Gorge

Volcanic Peaks: Washingtons Cascade Range is studded with eye-catching peaks where outdoor recreation reigns, from Mount Baker (

San Juan Islands: Watch the whales, kayak, bike, hike, or just sit back and count your blessings in the San Juans (), an old-school summer idyll.

The Museum of Flight: You dont have to be an aeronautics buff to be blown away by this giant collection of flying machines (

Columbia River Gorge: This National Scenic Area on the Washington-Oregon border offers access to natural beauty on a grand scale ().

Seattles Dining Scene: Chefs are the stars of Seattle culture today the way grunge rockers were in the 1990s ().

Lake Crescent: Its hard not to feel serene while standing on the banks of this glacier-carved lake in Olympic National Park ().

Pike Place Market: Seattles old-timey market is home to quirky shops, the worlds first Starbucks, and vendors selling beautiful fish, flowers, and produce ().