9 Washington attractions have been named among the 150 best things to do in the United States this summer by Travel Lemming, with Leavenworth and Olympia both ranking in the Top 10. Overall, Washington has more attractions in the Top 10 and Top 50 than any other state on the list.
The annual list aims to help Americans discover unique attractions around the country and in their own backyards. It emphasizes human-curated recommendations over AI chatbots.
Alongside Leavenworth (#2) and Olympia (#10), a diverse array of attractions made the article’s Top 10 designation, including a wild animal sanctuary in Colorado, a hot air balloon festival in New Jersey, and the world’s largest musical instrument in Virginia.
Coming in at #2, the article offers Leavenworth as a more economical alternative to an overseas vacation, inviting travelers to “reroute to this charming Bavarian-themed town in the Cascades.”
Jessica Stoller, Marketing and PR Director at Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce reacted: “We want to thank the travel experts at Travel Lemming for recognizing the charm, natural beauty, and unique activities our little Bavarian Village offers travelers worldwide. We are thrilled and honored to be included in their annual summer list of the “Best Things to Do in the USA.”
9 Washington attractions made the list of best things to do in the USA:
#2 - Leavenworth - a small town nestled into the eastern slopes of the Cascades that offers a bit of Bavaria in America.
#10 - Olympia - Washington’s capital city featuring an artistic community, friendly locals, and countless opportunities to explore nature.
#21 - Gig Harbor - a small city less than an hour outside of Seattle that offers excellent opportunities for paddle boarding on Puget Sound.
#30 - The Church Cantina - a South Tacoma bar featuring Cuban food and ‘80s horror aesthetics.
#32 - Seafair - a month-long festival in Seattle with airshows, boat parades, fireworks, and pirates.
#35 - Friday Harbor - a San Juan Island port town with pristine forests, abundant wildlife, and zero stoplights
#79 - Brewery Hopping in Yakima - the United States' top hop-growing region, where small-town breweries craft flavorful beers.
#95 - Chuckanut Drive - 22 miles of scenic highway nestled between mountain and sea.
#136 - 2 Fingers Social - Seattle’s only movie bar with unique film lineups.
The full list of 150 best things to do can be found at: https://travellemming.com/best-things-to-do-in-usa-2023/.
Ranking #32, the article praises Seafair as “the Seattle summer event with various festivities from July into August.”
Lauren Carter, Marketing Director for Seafair commented: "We are thrilled to be recognized by Travel Lemming's Best of USA summer feature series. We are committed to fostering inclusivity by showcasing the rich diversity and cultures of the Pacific Northwest through our free community events. Join us as we celebrate summer, unity, and the vibrant spirit of Seafair."
Each year, Travel Lemming’s team of two dozen writers and editors handpick the list, with the goal of highlighting the USA’s many hidden gems.
Travel Lemming’s Washington-based writer Chelsea Booker commented: “I'm thrilled that Washington State ranked so highly in our Best of Summer series! After living here for over a decade, I can't say I'm surprised.”
“Washington's stunning mountains, waterfalls, forests, plains, and deserts are enough to turn anyone into an outdoors lover. And the big cities and small towns are eclectic and distinctive. You'll find a world of difference between Olympia and Yakima or Friday Harbor and Leavenworth, but each offers a glimpse into how rich and interesting Washington is.”
Travel Lemming is an online travel guide with more than 10 million annual readers. It publishes guides written by local and expert travelers who have first-hand experience in destinations across the United States and the world.
