Washington State holidays

Washington State holidays

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The ‘Evergreen State’ sits up on the upper west coast of the USA, bordering Canada. It’s the birthplace of grunge and specialty coffee, a producer of world-renowned wine, and home to a volcano. Washington is a state of contrasts. To the south is the hot and dry Wine Country and Walla Walla; to the west, the cosmopolitan ‘Emerald City’ of Seattle sits in the shadow of the snow-tipped mountains.

Things to do

If distinctive urban style is what you’re looking for, Seattle is ideal - it’s regarded as one of the coolest cities in the USA. No wonder; it made coffee fashionable, and is the birthplace of the grunge music scene. For a more easy-going vibe, head south to sophisticated Vancouver, with its elegant architecture and tranquil scenery. Those seeking something different will love warm and sunny Yakima Valley, where you can wander around the vineyards and stay in a rustic bed and breakfast.

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Map of Washington State

world_map
30-40 ℃

Best time to visit: July to August, when the infamously rainy skies are clearer.

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7 hours

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for Seattle, and Portland International Airport (PDX), which is around 17km from Vancouver.

Washington State is best for...

WINE LOVERS
Sample the best of the Washington brewpubs or tour the Yakima Valley wineries to get the real local flavour.

EXPLORERS
Enjoy outdoor pursuits in the San Juan Islands, or see the resting Mount St. Helens volcano from a safe distance.

KIDS
The kids will delight in digging for real treasures, and seeing killer whales frolicking in the sea.

Fast facts for Washington State

Language: The language spoken in the USA is English.

Currency: The currency used in the USA is the Dollar ($).

Local time: Washington State is 8 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for Seattle, and Portland International Airport (PDX), which is around 17km from Vancouver.

Flight time from UK: 9-10 hours.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found here.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Washington.

Getting around Washington State

Walking: Make sure you have a map for Seattle – the streets can be a bit confusing.

By public transport: The Seattle Center Monorail is the perfect way to reach the main attractions in the city. Other rail and bus systems are operated by Sound Transit. The transit services on Vancouver are run by C-TRAN.

Events in Washington State

The fun of the fair: The Washington State Fair (September) and Spring Fair (April) have a fun party atmosphere, and have the added benefit of being both in the spring and early autumn – so you’ll catch them at the best times of year. The fairground is situated in Puyallup, 35 miles (56 km) south of Seattle.

Fly away: Young kids will enjoy the Long Beach Washington State International Kite Festival (August), where they can fly their own kites, and watch the amazing colourful displays.

On the hop: Downtown Yakima hosts the Fresh Hop Ale Festival (October), which has been rated one of the top beer festivals in the USA.

Washington State weather

Temperature: Winter temperatures range from 11 °C on the warmer Pacific and 4 °C in the northeast, and can soar to mid-30s°C to low 40s°C in the western region. The climate is generally mild and while it does rain, it’s usually light. Summers are warm with the occasional heat wave.

Best time to visit: July to August, when the infamously rainy skies are clearer.

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