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Washington is one of the most geographically diverse states in the country. Within a single week, you can explore a vibrant city, stand beneath a glacier-covered volcano, walk through an ancient rainforest, and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
After living in Washington for more than four years, I’ve learned that the state’s biggest challenge isn’t finding things to do – it’s narrowing down what to prioritize. As an avid hiker, backpacker, and foodie, I’ve spent countless weekends exploring Western Washington, hiking many of the state’s most popular trails, road-tripping across the Olympic Peninsula, and eating my way through Seattle’s neighborhoods.
If I only had one week to show someone Washington for the first time, this is exactly where I’d take them.
Mount Rainier National Park
This 1 week Washington itinerary focuses on the three destinations I believe best showcase what makes Washington special: Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park.
Together, they offer an incredible mix of city life, mountain scenery, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, rugged coastline, and old-growth rainforest.
Rather than trying to squeeze every corner of the state into a single trip, this itinerary gives you enough time to actually experience each destination. Over seven days, you’ll explore Pike Place Market, stroll along Alki Beach, hike beneath Mount Rainier, visit the Sunrise and Paradise regions of the park, wander through moss-covered rainforests, relax at Lake Crescent, and discover some of the most beautiful coastline in the Pacific Northwest.
Day 1: Explore Seattle & Pike Place Market
Start your Washington adventure in Seattle, Washington’s largest city and home to some of the state’s most iconic attractions.
Spend the morning exploring Pike Place Market. Watch the famous fish throwing, browse local vendors, sample smoked salmon, grab a coffee, and enjoy views overlooking Elliott Bay. Pike Place is one of those places where it’s worth slowing down and simply wandering.
👉 Curious on where to eat at Pike Place? I wrote this blog on allllll my favorite places a this iconic market!
Standing in front of Kerry Park with friends
In the afternoon, head down to the waterfront and take the passenger ferry to West Seattle. The short ride offers beautiful views of the skyline and Puget Sound.
Once you arrive, spend the rest of the afternoon at Alki Beach. On a clear day, you’ll have incredible views of downtown Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, and passing ferries!
Return downtown for dinner and spend the night in Seattle. If you have extra daylight – head to Kerry Park for a great skyline view!
Overnight: Seattle
For an amazing stay near the market, check out the Inn at the Market.
Day 2: Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise
Reflection Lake at Mount Rainier National Park
Leave Seattle early and drive to Mount Rainier National Park. Your destination today is the Paradise area, which is famous for its sweeping mountain views, wildflower meadows, waterfalls, and glacier-covered landscapes.
Spend the day exploring highlights such as Paradise Visitor Center, Myrtle Falls, Reflection Lakes, and portions of the Skyline Trail. Even visitors who don’t plan on hiking can enjoy incredible scenery from many of the viewpoints and short walking paths.
After your visit, drive to Packwood for the evening.
Overnight: Packwood
I highly recommend staying at the Historic Packwood Hotel. It’s within walkable distance to most of Packwood and such a cozy spot. Just be aware: it’s often booked up!
Day 3: Sunrise & Tipsoo Lake
Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier
Today you’ll explore a completely different side of Mount Rainier.
The Sunrise area sits higher in elevation and often provides some of the most dramatic views in the park. Spend time exploring Sunrise Visitor Center, Fremont Lookout, and the Burroughs Mountain viewpoints if you’re looking for a longer hike.
Be sure to stop at Tipsoo Lake and Chinook Pass. During summer, the wildflowers here can be spectacular, and the reflections of Mount Rainier on calm mornings are some of the most photographed scenes in Washington. If you want an easier trail than Fremont or Burroughs, check out Naches Peak Loop.
Return to Packwood for a second night.
Overnight: Packwood
Day 4: Olympic National Park
Trail at Hurricane Ridge
Millie and me at Hurricane Ridge
Today is your longest driving day, so plan for an early start as you make your way across Washington to the Olympic Peninsula.
👉 Need a rental car? I shopping for the best prices using Discover Cars.
Upon arriving in Olympic National Park, head to Hurricane Ridge. The panoramic mountain views here feel completely different from Mount Rainier and offer one of the best overlooks in the state.
Later, visit Sol Duc Falls, one of the park’s most beautiful waterfalls. The short forest walk is easy and rewarding.
Spend the evening near Forks.
Overnight: Forks
For your stay near Forks, consider 3 Rivers Resort. It’s a quaint spot, just like the town. The diner here is worth a stop – filled with Twilight decor and known for their milkshakes.
Day 5: Hoh Rain Forest & Pacific Coast
Today you’ll experience two of Olympic National Park’s most famous landscapes.
Start your morning in the Hoh Rain Forest (go early!). Walk the Hall of Mosses Trail and Spruce Nature Trail to experience one of the largest temperate rainforests in North America. The towering trees and moss-covered forest often feel like something out of a fantasy movie.
In the afternoon, head toward the coast and explore some of the park’s most scenic beaches.
Visit Kalaloch Beach before continuing to Rialto Beach. Massive driftwood logs, sea stacks, and crashing waves create some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Washington. If you visit Rialto Beach during low tide, you may be able to explore some tide pools!
Return to the Forks area for the evening.
Overnight: Forks
Day 6: Lake Crescent & Return to Seattle
Mount Storm King – Short and challenging, very worthwhile
Devil’s Bridge, Lake Crescent. Popular for jumping off.
Before leaving Olympic National Park, spend the morning around one of the most beautiful lakes in Washington.
Start with the short hike to Marymere Falls before spending time at Lake Crescent. During the summer months, the crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing along the shoreline. If you’re up for a spectacular, short but difficult hike, try Mount Storm King.
In the afternoon, begin your journey back toward Seattle. I recommend returning via the ferry route across Puget Sound, which adds another scenic experience to the trip and often provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and waterways.
Overnight: Seattle Area
Day 7: Explore Seattle
My friends and I, visiting the Space Needle
For your last day, explore the city a bit more. My top recommendation is visiting the Space Needle. The observation deck offers incredible views of the city, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier on clear days. Chihuly Garden and Glass is right next door and worth a stop as well.
These are great FAQ opportunities because they’re questions people actually ask before booking a Washington trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Washington?
For this itinerary, I recommend visiting between late July and early August.
This is typically the sweet spot when most of the snow has melted from Mount Rainier’s higher elevations, making trails in both the Paradise and Sunrise areas more accessible. It’s also peak wildflower season, which transforms many of the meadows into some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
Another bonus is that Lake Crescent is generally warmer during this time, making swimming and kayaking much more enjoyable.
If you can only visit Washington once, late July through early August would be my first choice.
Is one week enough time in Washington?
Yes. While you could easily spend several weeks exploring Washington, one week is enough time to experience many of the state’s biggest highlights.
This itinerary allows you to visit Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park without feeling like you’re constantly packing, unpacking, and driving.
What is the weather like during summer in Washington?
Many first-time visitors assume Washington is cool and rainy year-round, but summer is often surprisingly warm.
Seattle frequently reaches the 80s and occasionally the 90s during July and August, especially during sunny stretches. Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park are usually cooler than Seattle, particularly in the mornings and evenings, but you should still be prepared for warm afternoons.
I always recommend packing layers. It’s not uncommon to experience temperatures ranging from the 50s in the morning to the 80s or 90s later in the day.
Do I need a rental car for this itinerary?
Yes.
While some public transportation exists in Seattle, a rental car is essential for visiting Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park. Many of the highlights in this itinerary are spread out, and having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to stop at viewpoints, trailheads, beaches, and scenic pullouts along the way.
Note: downtown Seattle is known for car break ins. Do NOT leave anything within sight in your car. This can also be a problem at popular trailheads, but generally there’s not a huge issue within the National Parks, especially near Visitor Center’s.
Are wildfires common in Washington?
Wildfires can occur anywhere in Washington during the summer and early fall.
While smoke is never guaranteed, the most predictable wildfire season typically occurs from late August through September. If minimizing your chances of encountering wildfire smoke is important to you, visiting in late July or early August is often a safer bet.
That said, every year is different, and it’s always worth checking air quality and wildfire conditions before your trip.
Which national park is better: Mount Rainier or Olympic?
If I could only choose one, I’d pick Mount Rainier National Park.
The mountain is incredibly dramatic, the hiking is fantastic, and the wildflower displays are some of the best I’ve seen anywhere in the United States.
However, Olympic National Park is arguably the more diverse park (and accessible). Within a single trip, you can experience alpine mountains, old-growth rainforest, crystal-clear lakes, and rugged Pacific coastline.
That’s exactly why I recommend visiting both.
Is this itinerary good for first-time visitors?
Absolutely.
After living in Washington for more than four years, hiking throughout the state, backpacking many of its trails, and taking countless road trips around Western Washington, this is the itinerary I recommend most often to friends and family visiting for the first time.
It showcases the landscapes that make Washington unique while giving you enough time to actually enjoy them instead of spending your entire vacation in the car.
Final Thoughts on this 1 week Washington itinerary
Even after more than four years of living in Washington, these are still some of the places I return to again and again.
Mount Rainier remains one of my favorite places in the state, whether I’m hiking through wildflower meadows in summer or returning for another section of the Wonderland Trail. Olympic National Park continues to amaze me with its diversity, offering glacier-capped mountains, rainforest trails, crystal-clear lakes, and rugged beaches all within a single park. And whenever friends or family visit, Seattle is still one of my favorite places to take them for great food, waterfront views, and a taste of local culture.
What I love most about this itinerary is that it showcases the landscapes that make Washington unforgettable without spending your entire vacation in the car. You’ll experience iconic destinations, but you’ll also have enough time to slow down and appreciate them.
While there is plenty more to explore – including the San Juan Islands, Leavenworth, North Cascades National Park, and dozens of incredible hiking destinations – this itinerary provides what I believe is the best introduction to Washington for first-time visitors.
If you’re looking for a trip that combines incredible scenery, great food, outdoor adventure, and some of the state’s most iconic destinations, it’s hard to beat this route. I recommend it often, and after years of exploring Washington myself, it’s still the itinerary I’d choose for someone experiencing the Evergreen State for the very first time.
Hi, I’m Amber —
A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.
