Every year, I aim to discover more of the best small towns in Washington state, and I’ve always had a blast doing it. Washington is massive, and between miles of vast, open landscapes lies countless picturesque towns that almost take you back in time. From towns rich with historical architecture to hidden gem mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, the small towns in Washington really have it all.
Curious to learn more? I’ll break down all the best towns to visit that have enough to do for at least a full day of exploring, but are also quaint enough to let you slow down and relax. Let’s dive in!
Best Small Towns in Washington State
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll add more of the best small towns in Washington state as I discover them!
Want to explore a bunch on an epic road trip? Let me plan you a custom itinerary that fits in all the best ones that match your exact preferences.
If you’re early in your travel research or want to plan a trip on your own, here’s the full list of Washington’s best small towns!
Bow & Edison
distance from Seattle: ~1 hrs (get directions) | combined population: ~650 | best for: art & restaurants
Bow and Edison are two of my favorite small towns in the Skagit Valley, an area already heavily populated with other adorable small towns like Burlington and Mt. Vernon. Edison is the bigger of the two and has a thriving art scene, with several galleries lining the downtown.
Bow is smaller and doesn’t really have a downtown. However, it does have some of the best restaurants in Skagit Valley, along with one-of-a-kind shops and quaint cafes. Neither town is big enough for a full day, so you can dedicate a few hours to exploring and then move on to more off-the-beaten-path activities in Skagit County.
La Conner
distance from Seattle: ~1 hrs (get directions) | population: ~1,000 | best for: shopping
La Conner is my second favorite town in Skagit County. It’s one of the oldest towns in the valley, just south of Bow & Edison along the Swinomish Channel. Its proximity to the water makes it a popular spot for water sports, and its Victorian-esque downtown is peppered with boutiques, restaurants, and even a few wineries. I love spending the afternoon combing the streets and picking up cute souvenirs.
If you’re open to kayaking, you can rent one and explore Goat Island. It’s a small island just off the coast, home to the abandoned WWII Fort Whitman. Plus, it gives you a great vantage point of the bay.
Anacortes
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr 20 min (get directions) | population: ~18,000 | best for: shopping & outdoor adventures
Anacortes is one of the best small towns in Washington state that most locals will find themselves in at some point. That’s because it’s home to the ferry terminal between the mainland and San Juan Islands. Many people drive right through Anacortes, but it’s worth exploring all on its own.
I love strolling Commercial Avenue and popping into the cute shops and antique stores. There are also a bunch of restaurants and an excellent farmers market.
Just beyond the downtown are a ton of outdoor adventures. The most famous is probably Deception Pass State Park, but I also love catching the views at Mt. Erie. However long you stay, you’ll find a ton of things to do in Anacortes.
Eastsound & Friday Harbor
distance from Seattle: ~3 hrs 15 min (Eastsound directions) | (Friday Harbor directions) | combined population: ~9,000 | best for: island views
Eastsound and Friday Harbor are the main towns on Orcas Island and San Juan Island, respectively. To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry from Anacortes, and I suggest going to Friday Harbor first since you only have to pay a ferry fee to travel west. That means your ferry to Orcas Island and back to the mainland will be free because you’ll be traveling east.
Eastsound on Orcas Island, considered one of the best islands near Seattle, is known for its shopping scene, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It’s also where you’ll find most of the B&Bs in case you want to turn your Orcas Island day trip into a weekend getaway.
Friday Harbor is where the ferry delivers you on San Juan Island. Once you disembark, you’ll find a walkable town with waterfront restaurants, cafes, and even a Whale Museum. There are also a few tasting rooms, which I break down in my guide on how to spend a day in San Juan Island.
Bellingham
distance from Seattle: ~1.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~94,000 | best for: lively downtown
The drive from Seattle to Bellingham is one of my favorite scenic day trips because you get to see so much, including several small towns on this list as you make your way through Skagit Valley north to Whatcom County.
Bellingham is a college town, so there’s no shortage of cute cafes, breweries, boutiques, and vintage thrift stores. There are also a number of nearby hikes and waterfalls, like Whatcom Falls Park and Boulevard Park, both of which are minutes from downtown.
One town south is Fairhaven, another adorable small town with old brick buildings and seemingly a bookstore on every corner. Check out my guide to Bellingham for even more ways to explore the city!
Pro tip: Bellingham is the last major town before the Canada border, so it’s a great jumping off point for exploring all the things to do in Vancouver, BC!
Edmonds
distance from Seattle: ~25 min (get directions) | population: ~42,600 | best for: eating & art
Edmonds is one of the best small towns in Washington state close to Seattle. It’s right along the water with a ferry taking commuters to the peninsula. In fact, its adorable main street leads right to the water like a promenade.
I love exploring Edmonds’ restaurants because it’s a low-key foodie town. It’s also full of art, whether it be the colorful murals on the buildings or the countless art festivals throughout the year. There’s even an excellent community theater that I’m a member of.
Chelan & Manson
distance from Seattle: ~4.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~4,400 | best for: wine tasting and water sports
Chelan and Manson are two small towns surrounding Lake Chelan. It’s the deepest lake in Washington, with gorgeous blue water reflecting the surrounding mountainscape. It’s a popular destination year-round, but most visit in the summer to kayak, jet ski, or paddle board. That said, there’s still plenty to do in Lake Chelan over the winter.
Of course, the number one reason I visit Lake Chelan is for wine tasting. There are over 40 wineries, including some big names as well as some hidden gems. When you’re hungry, there’s no shortage of great restaurants in Chelan.
Winthrop & Twisp
distance from Seattle: ~4.5 hrs (get directions) | combined population: ~1,600 | best for: outdoor adventures
Winthrop and Twisp are two teeny towns in the Methow Valley. I first discovered them when I heard they had some of the best cross-country skiing in Washington, but I continue to visit for their abundance of small-town charm.
Winthrop’s Old West downtown can be explored in under an hour, as it’s mostly restaurants and outdoor gear outfitters. As you drive, you’ll pass signs for Twisp and Mazama, which you could easily tack on in a day. Combined, the three towns have some of the best restaurants in the Methow Valley.
One of the draws to visiting the area is exploring nearby North Cascades National Park. It’s Washington’s only free national park and it offers incredible hiking, particularly during larch season.
Pro tip: If you visit during March, check out Winthrop’s Hot Air Balloon Festival!
Port Townsend
distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs (get directions) | population: ~10,400 | best for: Victorian architecture
The drive along the Olympic Peninsula is another one of favorite road trips from Seattle because the view is gorgeous, and you pass by so many small towns, like Port Ludlow, Sequim, Port Angeles, and one of the best small towns in Washington state, Port Townsend.
Port Townsend is quite literally oozing with charm. Its Victorian-era downtown has a lot to do, whether you’re in the mood for wine tasting, seeing an old film in the historic Rose Theater, or sipping on a milkshake at the soda fountain. There’s also Fort Worden State Park, which is minutes from downtown and includes over 400 acres of forest, beach, and a historic fort. Read my full guide on things to do in Port Townsend for even more reasons to visit this quaint town.
Coupeville
distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs (get directions) | population: ~2,000 | best for: hiking & wine tasting
If you’re checking out Port Townsend, you might as well take a ferry to Whidbey Island. It’ll drop you in the center of my favorite town on the island, Coupeville. From there, you could drive to Langley, which is the bigger, more touristy town on the island, but I prefer the small-town energy of Coupeville. And ok, maybe I also love that it’s where they filmed the cult-classic witch movie, Practical Magic.
Coupeville is really small, but there are a lot of great restaurants, shops, and a few Whidbey Island wineries worth checking out nearby. You’re also minutes away from several parks, including Fort Casey, which is great since hiking is one of the best things to do on Whidbey Island.
Vashon
distance from Seattle: ~30 min (get directions) | population: ~11,000 | best for: restaurants
I go to Vashon often since it’s the easiest island to get to from Seattle. A 20-minute ferry from West Seattle is all it takes, and there’s a lot to do on the island. Since the town is small (only 13 miles long), you can venture past the downtown area and really experience the entire island in a single day.
Being so close to Seattle, Vashon has a lot of great restaurants, and most are within walking distance of downtown. There are also several wineries, breweries, and cideries open for tasting and countless hikes to stretch your legs and get a good vantage point of the Puget Sound.
Bainbridge
distance from Seattle: ~35 min hr (get directions) | population: ~25,000 | best for: good food, wine tasting & shopping
Bainbridge Island is another one of my favorite day trips from Seattle, especially when the winter gloom hits. What’s even better, if you’re only looking to eat at the best restaurants and go shopping, you don’t even need to bring a car since the ferry drops you off right in town.
Of course, if you do bring a car, you can explore some of the island’s wineries, beaches, and hiking trails. Check out my guide on how to spend a day on Bainbridge that’s off the beaten path.
Vancouver, WA
distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs 45 min (get directions) | population: ~195,000 | best for: good food & wine tasting
I was surprised to learn how many people live in Vancouver, Washington because its downtown area is so dang small and cute. But I guess being 10 minutes across the Columbia River from Portland in a state without income tax attracts a lot of people. However, you’d never really know it by spending an afternoon combing the storefronts and gorgeous waterfront trail.
There is lots to do in Vancouver, whether you want to explore a historic fort, walk the waterfront, or go wine tasting. The downtown is densely populated with shops and restaurants, and most of it can be explored on foot. Its proximity to Portland and lack of crowds also make it a perfect jumping off point for exploring the Rose City.
Leavenworth
distance from Seattle: ~2.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~2,500 | best for: Bavarian mountain town vibes
I freaking love Leavenworth, as does pretty much everyone that ever visits. It’s a small, Bavarian-themed town known for having a ton of things to do in the winter and hiking adventures during the warmer months. Yes, Leavenworth is a bit kitschy, but we all just can’t enough of its architecture and famous Christmas lights.
The town is very walkable, but you could still spend a whole day or two exploring the best restaurants and wineries. From here, you could also spend a day in Wenatchee, a larger but still underrated town with plenty to do.
Seabrook
distance from Seattle: ~2.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~100 | best for: beach relaxation
I visit Seabrook every summer, and it’s my favorite home base for exploring the Washington coast. It’s a planned community with about 500 homes, most of which are vacation rentals. It was built to be a family-friendly walking town, so there is plenty to do in Seabrook by foot.
It’s basically one giant community, with a quaint main street lined with shops, restaurants, playgrounds, mountain bike trails, and tennis/pickleball courts. Of course, having beach access is a highlight, and while you have to walk down a number of stairs, it’s worth it for the view and lack of crowds.
Roslyn
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr 20 min (get directions) | population: ~1,000 | best for: cute downtown
If you’re ever inspired to drive to eastern Washington, you’ll likely pass a few of my favorite small towns, like Snoqualmie, North Bend, Cle Elum, and Roslyn. Roslyn is my favorite for its cute downtown, boasting interesting spots like a distillery, the Historical Museum, and the Old Westbury Gardens. It’s also right next door to my favorite resort in central Washington, the Suncadia Resort.
Walla Walla
distance from Seattle: ~4.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~33,500 | best for: wine tasting
Walla Walla is small but densely populated with wineries, second only to Woodinville. It’s one of my favorite romantic getaways in the PNW, especially if you enjoy gorgeous vineyard views, wine tasting, and good eats. Check out this list/map of Walla Walla for a breakdown of my favorites. Or check out my guide to Walla Walla activities for more ideas of what to do in the area.
If you’re really into wine tasting, you might as well stop by Tri-Cities. It’s 45 minutes outside of Walla Walla, and it’s not technically a small town; rather, it’s three interlinked cities at the confluence of the Yakima, Snake, and Columbia Rivers. There are tasting rooms dotted all around here and even a food truck hub in Kennewick.
Wilkeson
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr (get directions) | population: ~500 | best for: Mt. Rainier
If you’re planning a trip to Mount Rainier, you’ll need to find a good home base. Ellensburg, Ashford, and Packwood are popular towns for accessing the mountains, and while they’re also quaint, Wilkson is a hidden gem.
For starters, it’s located near the park’s north entrance, Carbon River, which is one of two entrances kept open during the winter. This means it’s the perfect jumping-off point if you’re planning a winter getaway.
The “downtown” is a whopping two blocks of Old-West-style, hundred-year-old brick buildings. While there’s not much to do, there’s a pizza joint that’s worth the drive from Seattle alone.
White Salmon
distance from Seattle: ~3.5 hrs (get directions) | population: ~2,600 | best for: Columbia River Gorge & hiking
White Salmon is one of the best small towns in Washington state that boasts quite a few boutique shops, wineries, and breweries. It’s also just a hop, skip, and a jump from Hood River, which has even more restaurants and tasting rooms.
Visiting White Salmon also means you’re in perfect proximity to check out the Columbia Gorge’s countless waterfalls, go on a hike, or try go skiing at Mt. Hood if it’s winter. Check out my full guide to visiting Columbia River Gorge for more ideas of how to make the most of the area.
Poulsbo
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr 20 min (get directions) | population: ~12,000 | best for: shopping & eating
Located in the Kitsap Peninsula 25 minutes from Bainbridge, Poulsbo is one of the best small towns in Washington state strictly because its downtown is so stinking cute. Affectionately called “Little Norway,” it’s very walkable and lined with a variety of shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants. It’s enough to keep you busy for a few hours or to stretch your legs on your way to the Olympic Peninsula. Check out my guide on all the best things to do in Poulsbo for specific ideas on how to pass the time.
Pro tip: If you visit in May, they host an annual Viking Fest with a parade, live music, and even a strong-man competition.
Snohomish
distance from Seattle: ~45 min (get directions) | population: ~10,150 | best for: antique shops & walking trail
Snohomish has a small but eclectic downtown, with architectural influences ranging from small old brick to English and Dutch-style buildings. The downtown is mostly lined with boutiques, antique shops, and a few mom-and-pop restaurants. Once you’ve explored the downtown, check out the Centennial Trail. It’s a 30-mile paved trail that leads straight into the heart of Skagit Valley.
Gig Harbor
distance from Seattle: ~45 min (get directions) | population: ~12,500 | best for: picturesque view
With the Puget Sound waterfront and Mt. Rainier visible in the distance, Gig Harbor wins for the best view of any small town in Washington. It’s only 12 miles from Tacoma, and a majority of its residents are commuters looking to embrace that small-town lifestyle.
The downtown is fairly lively, with a handful of upscale restaurants serving fresh seafood from nearby Hood Canal. There’s also Bremerton and Port Orchard nearby, but I prefer Gig Harbor for its proximity to state parks and nature areas, like Kopachuck State Park.
More places to explore
After you visit all the best small towns in Washington state, here are ideas for more adventures!
