Washington

Often referred to by its full title, Washington State, to distinguish it from national capital Washington, D.C. on the other side of the USA, Washington offers rugged coastline, deserts, forests, mountains, volcanoes, and hundreds of coastal islands to explore. The Cascade Mountains bisect the state, with the damp forested coastal areas to the west, and pine forests, deserts and irrigated farmland of the Columbia River Plateau to the east.

There are many cities in Washington; these are some of the more popular.

• Olympia. — State capital in the fast growing South Sound area. Home of The Evergreen State College and St Martins College
• Bellevue. — Seattle's suburban cousin across Lake Washington, a commercial center with a growing downtown area.
• Bellingham. — Home of Western Washington University. Near the Canadian border and Vancouver, B.C.
• Seattle. — Largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Home of the University of Washington and Seattle University.
• Spokane. — The heart of Eastern Washington, unofficial capital of the Inland Empire and home of Gonzaga University and Whitworth University.
• Tacoma. — Port city with several good museums downtown. Home for the University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, University Washington Tacoma (downtown), and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a major army and air force base.
• Vancouver. — Just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Not to be confused with the larger Canadian city of Vancouver, BC.
• Walla Walla. — Small eastern city in the heart of Washington's blooming wine country.
• Yakima. — In the Yakima Valley, the major agricultural and wine region of the state.

Olympia. — State capital in the fast growing South Sound area. Home of The Evergreen State College and St Martins College

Bellevue. — Seattle's suburban cousin across Lake Washington, a commercial center with a growing downtown area.

Bellingham. — Home of Western Washington University. Near the Canadian border and [[Vancouver|Vancouver, B.C.]]

Seattle. — Largest city in the [[Pacific Northwest]]. Home of the University of Washington and Seattle University.

Spokane. — The heart of Eastern Washington, unofficial capital of the Inland Empire and home of Gonzaga University and Whitworth University.

Tacoma. — Port city with several good museums downtown. Home for the University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, University Washington Tacoma (downtown), and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a major army and air force base.

Vancouver. — Just across the Columbia River from [[Portland (Oregon)|Portland]], Oregon. Not to be confused with the larger Canadian city of [[Vancouver]], BC.

Walla Walla. — Small eastern city in the heart of Washington's blooming wine country.

Yakima. — In the Yakima Valley, the major agricultural and wine region of the state.

• Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. – preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from the 19th century to the present. Historic farms, still under cultivation in the prairies of Whidbey Island, reveal land use patterns unchanged since settlers claimed the land in the 1850s.
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. – Between May 1804 and September 1806, 32 men, one woman, and a baby traveled from the plains of the Midwest to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They called themselves the Corps of Discovery.
• Mount Rainier National Park. – a 14,410 feet volcano. Contains more snow and ice than all other Cascade range volcanos combined, and is the most "prominent" mountain in the lower 48 states.
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. – At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and life in the area was altered for better and for worse
• North Cascades National Park. – Home to 50% of all glaciers in the lower 48 states
• Olympic National Park. — Temperate rain forest, rugged Olympic Mountains and wild coastline, this is the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the Pacific Northwest.
• San Juan Islands. — in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains in Puget Sound these islands are famous for abundant eagles and Orca whales and includes the newly formed San Juan Islands National Monument as well as the San Juan Island National Historical Park.
• Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. – An overlook where you can see the remains of the end of the last ice age where a flow of up to 10 times of all the present-day rivers of the world merged into a huge waterfall. While not as deep as the Grand Canyon, you can get dizzyingly close to the edge.
• Washington Coast. – scenic, wild and interspersed with quaint towns the coast includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States.

Itineraries

• The North Cascade Loop. is a very scenic drive that loops around this area through pristine mountains, grand rivers, crystalline lakes and scenic islands. If you can't do the loop, at least go as far as Mazama (eastbound) or the visitor center near Newhalem (westbound) on State Hwy 20. The most spectacular parts of the drive are not where the highway is sandwiched between the two halves of the national park, but further east in the Okanogan National Forest. Washington Pass is the highest point at . As the park has virtually no roads, non-hikers should stay on the main highway unless clearly marked signs are visible (such as the visitor center which is about a mile to the south).

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. – preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from the 19th century to the present. Historic farms, still under cultivation in the prairies of Whidbey Island, reveal land use patterns unchanged since settlers claimed the land in the 1850s.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. – Between May 1804 and September 1806, 32 men, one woman, and a baby traveled from the plains of the Midwest to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They called themselves the Corps of Discovery.

Mount Rainier National Park. – a 14,410 feet volcano. Contains more snow and ice than all other Cascade range volcanos combined, and is the most "prominent" mountain in the lower 48 states.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. – At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and life in the area was altered for better and for worse

North Cascades National Park. – Home to 50% of all glaciers in the lower 48 states

Olympic National Park. — Temperate rain forest, rugged Olympic Mountains and wild coastline, this is the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the Pacific Northwest.

San Juan Islands. — in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains in [[Puget Sound]] these islands are famous for abundant eagles and Orca whales and includes the newly formed [[San Juan Islands National Monument]] as well as the [[San Juan Island National Historical Park]].

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. – An overlook where you can see the remains of the end of the last ice age where a flow of up to 10 times of all the present-day rivers of the world merged into a huge waterfall. While not as deep as the Grand Canyon, you can get dizzyingly close to the edge.

Washington Coast. – scenic, wild and interspersed with quaint towns the coast includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States.

The North Cascade Loop. is a very scenic drive that loops around this area through pristine mountains, grand rivers, crystalline lakes and scenic islands. If you can't do the loop, at least go as far as Mazama (eastbound) or the visitor center near Newhalem (westbound) on State Hwy 20. The most spectacular parts of the drive are not where the highway is sandwiched between the two halves of the national park, but further east in the Okanogan National Forest. Washington Pass is the highest point at . As the park has virtually no roads, non-hikers should stay on the main highway unless clearly marked signs are visible (such as the visitor center which is about a mile to the south).

The skeletal remains of Kennewick Man, one of the oldest and most complete human remains ever found in North America, were discovered in Washington. Prior to the arrival of explorers from Europe, the region had many established tribes of Native Americans, notable for their well developed economy, complex trade agreements, elaborate and generous culture and ornate art forms and carving. Prominent among their industries along the coast were salmon fishing and, notably among the Makah, whale hunting.

The first recorded European landing on the Washington coast was by Spanish Captain Don Bruno de Heceta in 1775. He claimed all the coastal lands up to Prince William Sound for Spain, which they maintained made the Pacific a "Spanish lake" and all its shores part of the Spanish Empire. Early European explorers unwittingly introduced smallpox which decimated the native culture.

In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook sighted Cape Flattery, at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but Cook did not realize the strait existed. It was not discovered until Charles William Barkley, captain of the Imperial Eagle, sighted it in 1787. The straits were further explored by Spanish explorers in 1790 and 1791, and British explorer George Vancouver in 1792. The British-Spanish Nootka Convention of 1790 ended Spanish claims of exclusivity and opened the Northwest Coast to explorers and traders from other nations, most notably Britain and Russia as well as the fledgling United States. American captain Robert Gray (for whom Grays Harbor County is named) then discovered the mouth of the Columbia River. He named the river after his ship, the Columbia. Beginning in 1792, Gray established trade in sea otter pelts. The Lewis and Clark Expedition entered the state on October 10, 1805.

Britain and the United States agreed to what has since been described as "joint occupancy" of lands west of the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean as part of the Anglo-American Convention of 1818, which established the 49th Parallel as the international boundary west from Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. Resolution of the territorial and treaty issues, west to the Pacific, were deferred until a later time. Spain, in 1819, ceded its rights north of the 42nd Parallel to the United States, although these rights did not include possession.

Negotiations with Great Britain over the next few decades failed to settle upon a compromise boundary and the Oregon boundary dispute was highly contested between Britain and the United States. Disputed joint-occupancy by Britain and the U.S. lasted for several decades. With American settlers pouring into Oregon Country, Hudson's Bay Company, which had discouraged settlement because it conflicted with the fur trade, reversed its position in an attempt to maintain British control of the Columbia District.

The growing populace of Oregon Territory north of the Columbia River formally requested a new territory, which was granted by the U.S. government in 1853. The boundary of Washington Territory extended farther east than the present state's, including what is now the Idaho Panhandle and parts of western Montana, and picked up more land to the southeast that was left behind when Oregon was admitted as a state. The creation of the Idaho Territory in 1863 established its eastern border at 117 degrees west. Washington became the 42nd state in the United States on November 11, 1889. It was the final state in the contiguous U.S. that has a coastline.

While Washington (and especially Seattle) is often portrayed as an extremely rainy place, the climate of Washington is actually very diverse. The part of the state east of the Cascades is quite dry and arid. In the Puget Sound area, it rains often but the volume is not as much as many other major cities, and in the summer several weeks in a row can have no rain. Being in a convergence zone the weather can change very quickly and is often times difficult to predict. The west coast of the Olympic peninsula is the rainiest part of the state and sustains lush rain forests.

Washington observes all the federal holidays, except Columbus Day. However, some cities and towns that have a large population of federal workers or military personnel might observe Columbus Day anyway.

The Pacific Northwest accent spoken in Washington State is considered very similar to the General American standard accent (native to the Midwest), popularized in the 20th century by radio, TV and movies. People in the area generally have little to no problem understanding different accents of the English language. The Pacific Northwest attracts tourists from around the world, and it is common to hear many foreign languages being spoken in public in major tourist areas.

There are ethnically diverse neighborhoods in some of the larger cities where many languages are spoken, including Seattle's large International District where many Asian languages are spoken. Washington is the thirteenth most populated state for example, but by comparison has the fourth highest Asian population. Spanish is spoken by the majority in some smaller pockets in eastern Washington and Oregon. Seattle's 98118 zip code centered on the Columbia City neighborhood in South Seattle is considered the most ethnically diverse zip code in the country by the US Census bureau with 59 languages regularly being spoken.

Chinook Jargon was a pidgin or trade language established among indigenous inhabitants of the region. After contact with Europeans, French, English, and Cree words entered the language, and "eventually Chinook became the lingua franca for as many as 250,000 people along the Pacific Slope from Alaska to Oregon." Chinook Jargon reached its height of usage in the 19th century though remained common in resource and wilderness areas, particularly but not exclusively by Native Americans and Canadian First Nations people, well into the 20th century. Chinook Jargon was still in use in Seattle until roughly the eve of World War II, making Seattle the last city where the language was widely used. Today its influence is felt mostly in place names and a handful of localized slang terms. Pronunciation of some of these terms is difficult and often separates the visitor from the local.

Many of the area names from Native American culture and may be difficult for outsiders to pronounce including Alki, Seattle, Kitsap, Yakima, Duwamish and Lummi. While still other areas were named by early Spanish and English explorers.

The iconic snow packed Mount Rainier towers over western Washington and is symbolic of the natural beauty of the area which includes both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges which extend into Oregon and even down into northern California. However Washington has several other national parks including the North Cascades National Park famous for having most of the glaciers in the lower 48 states and Olympic National Park which is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pacific Northwest and famous for its glacier peaked mountains, vast rainforests and the longest undeveloped beach in the lower 48. Mt. St. Helens was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded United States history and shed ashes over dozens of states. However Washington is also a very diverse region including rugged coastlines, sparkling streams, huge rivers, wide deserts and picturesque islands. The Columbia Gorge Scenic drive and its waterfalls follows along the mighty Columbia river which divides Washington from Oregon.

A Discover Pass is required for all private vehicles entering a state park. There are some exceptions for camping, fishing, and hunting, which have their own fees, plus a few annual "State Parks free days." The pass applies only to vehicles--there's no per person admission charge to the parks. A daily pass is available for those staying only a day or two; otherwise it's valid for one year (no upgrades) for two vehicles. (Only one vehicle at a time, and you can fill in the second license plate number later.) Dealers, such as sporting goods stores, and online sales add a surcharge. As most state parks have no staffed entry booth, there's been confusion over whether it's allowed to enter without a pass, then purchase one at the ranger station or visitors center. Only do so during daily business hours, going promptly from the main entrance without any recreational stops in between. Calling the park ahead of time, and inquiring about the pass is a good idea if you don't already have one. Some smaller state parks, and even larger ones at off-peak times are completely unattended, requiring the pass be purchased elsewhere in advance. There's no additional fees for out-of-state vehicles entering the parks, but there is a non-resident surcharge for camping.

Unlike many areas of the country, the prehistory of the region is rich and evident. Areas such as Suquamish still actively practice Native American traditions and Northwest Native American art is a common theme even in contemporary urban public artworks. The city of Seattle is named after Chief Seattle and many other natural and manufactured features bear the names of the areas first peoples which are often difficult for outsiders to pronounce.

Areas such as Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve have kept large areas preserved much as they were when the first european settlers came to the area. Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park - Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves the story of the 1897-98 stampede to the Yukon gold fields and Seattle's role in this event

Most of the areas architecture can of course be seen in urban areas such as Seattle's Smith Tower which although now dwarfed by Seattle's modern skyscrapers stood for years as the tallest building west of the Mississippi. But interesting architecture can be seen even across rural areas such as Puget Sounds first lighthouse in Hansville.

There are many museums in the region and although most of the well known one's such as the Seattle Art Museums and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma tend to be in the larger cities, many quality museums can be found scattered across the area and are often a rewarding and enriching break when exploring. Even small towns will sometimes offer their own regional art and historical museums that offer glimpses of local art, history and culture.

• Visit the San Juan Islands, famous for sailing, fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, bicycling and fine vistas and sunsets.
• Go killer whale watching in Haro Strait and Lime Kiln State Park
• Go bird-watching and see some of the 400+ species of birds with a local birding guide who knows all the best locations.
• Go fishing for salmon, albacore tuna, or bottomfish while visiting the Washington Coast
• Go hiking in the Ape Caves
• Go skiing at Mount Baker
• Go rock climbing at Frenchman Coulee
• Tour wineries in Washington's wine country
• Pick farm fresh produce at Yakima Valley farms

The Pacific Northwest is best known for its salmon, but a large variety of other seafood is available in the area. Oftentimes seafood comes in short bursts with seasonal migrations available for only short amounts of time so watch closely for seasonal specials in restaurants and markets.

Shellfish are the prized resources of the Puget Sound. The cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation's leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, mussels and oysters) but other specialties like Geoducks are sometimes available for the more adventurous.

The Dungeness Crab is a popular seafood prized for its sweet and tender flesh and high ratio of meat. Its common name comes from the port of Dungeness, Washington where the first commercial harvesting of the crab was done. The Dungeness Crab is a commercially important crab in the state of Washington's territorial waters and was the first shellfish harvested commercially in the area but other crab species are also common.

The area's mild climate, rich soil and abundant water resources have created a bountiful climate for the many varieties of fresh produce available across the region. Farmers' markets are common in both urban and rural areas and a great way to experience local culture as well as local foods.

Apples are one of Washington State's biggest exports with over 100 million boxes of apples picked every year and shipped around the globe but a wide variety of other crops are grown in abundance every year from wheat and potatoes to nuts and vegetables making fresh local produce abundant.

Few, if any, American regions can challenge the Pacific Northwest's love of coffee. According to a group of industry market researchers, there were an amazing 1,640 coffee shops in the Puget Sound region in 2011, ranking it the most popular coffee region in the country but coffee is popular all across the region. It is not surprising that such coffee giants such as Starbucks have exported the Pacific Northwest's coffee culture around the globe.

High quality Arabica coffee beans roasted with greater emphasis on taste and freshness, brewed with dripped water or "espresso" steam) arguably has its birthplace here. Starbucks and Tully's are apparent brands that most associate specialty coffee with Seattle. However, many small local companies are the ones that have paved the way (and continue to do so) in pioneering the specialty coffee industry. When you visit Seattle, be sure to check out these renowned coffee roasters (in no particular order): Cafe Allegro (Seattle's original espresso bar, tucked away in an alley in the U-District), Espresso Vivace, Caffe Vita, Zoka Coffee, Victrola Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Caffe Appassionato, Caffe Umbria, Caffe Fiore, Fonte Coffee, Pura Vida, Vashon Island Coffee, Lighthouse Coffee, Caffe D'Arte, Tony's Coffee/Caffe Ladro, Top Pot Donuts & Coffee, Batdorf & Bronson, Mukilteo Coffee, Moka Joe Coffee, Pioneer Coffee

Microbreweries and beer in general are a Northwest specialty, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. In 2012 Washington had 158 craft breweries making it second only to California in the number of micro breweries. The larger brewers, like Redhook and Pyramid, distribute their products regionally or nationally like their coffee cousins, while other brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Ask your servers for local beer recommendations and search out regional microbrews in stores. Hops are the key ingredient in beer making and Washington State's fertile Yakima Valley is by far the biggest exporter of hops in the US giving area brewers another edge in making the best beers.

Eastern Washington is known for its wines. Walla Walla alone boasts over one hundred wineries – including some of the area and nation's best cellars – with tasting rooms downtown this area is popular for winery tours. But don't expect the stodginess of elitist wine areas elsewhere; eastern Washington has many affordable and welcoming communities with small town roots.

Do not litter along the freeways or highways. The fines for littering can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the scenario. It is an offense that the state takes very seriously. If you are caught in the act you will know what the state means by the "Litter and It Will Hurt" signs which frequently decorate its roadways.

Like many western states, Washington State has had cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome, 41 confirmed cases in the state since 1993. Realistically, however, hantavirus is of very little concern to the traveler; but sensible precautions should be applied. Do NOT venture in a wild animal's den or handle any dead animals; particularly rodents, as rodents seem to be the primary vector of the illness. There is no cure for the disease, treatment mainly consists of supportive therapies. The main defense against the virus is prevention.

For more information on prevention and transmission, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website on hantaviruses.

In the Cascade Mountains (which divide the state into halves) there can be significant snow accumulations during the late fall and winter months. This poses a danger for avalanches whenever these areas experience warm up periods, regardless of how brief they may be. Mountain passes are sometimes closed for avalanche control and may effect travel plans, especially along I-90 from Yakima to Seattle. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation website for information regarding Avalanche control.

If going into the mountains during winter and early spring months, refer to the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center website for information regarding the current avalanche dangers throughout the Cascade region of the state.

Washington is generally very safe and the chance of you running into any trouble is very, very unlikely. Certain areas of Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Yakima can become seedy after dark and it is therefore advised that one avoid being out alone very late at night; this is especially true in unlit places where you are an easy target for any crime or other illegal activity. See the "Stay Safe" section of the Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Yakima articles.

Always be confident, or at least fake confidence. Obviously, pick pockets and such tend to target people who look vulnerable. Avoid wearing excessive amounts of jewelry and other expensive items which might catch a robber's eye. Be sure to secure personal belongings where they will not be tampered with or stolen. Property crime is the largest threat in the state to a tourist.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation (of any kind), dial 9-1-1 on your phone or for free from any available payphone.

East of the Cascade Mountains, the state's terrain begins to turn into desert and temperatures often exceed 100 °Fahrenheit in regions such as the Yakima Valley and the Columbia River Plateau. If are planning on hiking into these locations, follow desert survival guidelines. Be sure to take plenty of water (at least one gallon per person, per day), sunscreen and wear light clothing. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get return.

Also, it is best to hike during the earlier part of the day, as thunderstorms tend to develop suddenly during the afternoon. In the event you encounter inclement weather conditions, seek high ground immediately. Thunderstorms can cause flash flooding in canyons and other low laying areas.

Washington is one of a handful of states where recreational marijuana use is legal. Under state law, any adult aged 21 or over may possess up to 1 ounce (28 g) of usable marijuana (the harvested flowers or "bud"), 16 ounces (450 g) of marijuana-infused product in solid form, 72 fluid ounces (2.1 L) in liquid form, or any combination of these. You can buy marijuana only at retail stores licensed by the state to sell marijuana.

Smoking in public and driving while high are still illegal. The DUI limit is 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. It's also illegal to take any marijuana into military bases in Washington state or out of Washington, including to Washington's marijuana-friendly neighbor, Oregon; this is considered drug trafficking. And it's still a federal crime to keep or smoke marijuana, despite what Washington's laws say, though enforcement is in a state of flux. If you choose to partake, inform yourself of the risks.

There are a few scattered "clubs" in the state allowing patrons to smoke, and medical marijuana shops are prolific, but the state legislature is still working out the details and taxation. Hempfest, an annual summer rally in Seattle, is the largest pro-marijuana rally in the world.

The drinking age in Washington is 21, and the DUI limit is 0.08% blood alcohol content.

Earthquakes and tsunamis are unusual but not unheard of in Washington State including the possibility of a Subduction Zone or Megathrust Quakes which are the largest type of earthquakes in the world. Most coastal areas have well marked evacuation routes so always be aware of your surroundings.

During the winter months, the western side of the state often receives significant rainfall which soften the grounds to such a point that landslides sometimes occur. Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible landslides or debris flows.

If you encounter a landslide, leave the area immediately if it is safe to do so and call the local fire, police or public works department.

You must be 18 years of age to legally smoke tobacco. It is illegal in Washington state to smoke in a workplace, restaurant, bar, bowling alley, non-tribal casino, and bus stop (though everyone does ithe latter). Smoking is also banned within 25 feet (8 meters) of a door or window that can open or a ventilation intake.

Volcano safety is, to put it mildly, a controversial subject; see the article on Volcanoes (and, particularly, its discussion page) for some of the issues. Washington state is home to five major, active volcanoes, plus one just across the border in Oregon: Mount St. Helens (1980), Mount Rainier (1894), Mount Baker (1880), Mount Hood, Oregon (1866), Glacier Peak (c. 1700), and Mount Adams (c. 550 B.C.). The majority of these are considered to be tourist destinations, particularly Rainier and St. Helens.

If planning to visit one of these locations, follow the policy regarding any road and/or trail closures that at first glance may appear unnecessarily conservative, but it is not. The closures aren't there simply to inconvenience and irritate you. If a trail is closed due to eruptive hazard then stay off the trail.

• Oregon - The state's southern neighbor is known for lush forests and craggy mountains.
• Idaho - Washington's eastern neighbor is a rugged state, with snow-capped mountains, whitewater rivers, forests, high desert, and plenty of wilderness.
• British Columbia - Crossing the state's northern border into Canada leads into the mountainous terrain of British Columbia and the seaside city of Vancouver. There's also a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
• Montana - While Washington does not share a border with Montana, due to the narrow panhandle you can pass through Idaho in just over an hour on I-90, US 2, and Route 200. However, allow more time on US 12 in the southern part of the state, as Idaho is significantly wider here.
• Alaska - Though quite far, Washington State has been the gateway to Alaska for well over a century, with ferries and cruise ships connecting the two today. In addition, there are dozens of flights to Alaska's four main cities from Sea-Tac Airport, mostly on Alaska Airlines.

[[Oregon]] - The state's southern neighbor is known for lush forests and craggy mountains.

[[Idaho]] - Washington's eastern neighbor is a rugged state, with snow-capped mountains, whitewater rivers, forests, high desert, and plenty of wilderness.

[[British Columbia]] - Crossing the state's northern border into Canada leads into the mountainous terrain of British Columbia and the seaside city of [[Vancouver]]. There's also a ferry from [[Port Angeles]] to [[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]] on [[Vancouver Island]].

[[Montana]] - While Washington does not share a border with Montana, due to the narrow panhandle you can pass through Idaho in just over an hour on I-90, US 2, and Route 200. However, allow more time on US 12 in the southern part of the state, as Idaho is significantly wider here.

[[Alaska]] - Though quite far, Washington State has been the gateway to Alaska for well over a century, with [[Alaska Marine Highway|ferries]] and cruise ships connecting the two today. In addition, there are dozens of flights to Alaska's four main cities from Sea-Tac Airport, mostly on Alaska Airlines.