240 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Washington - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Washington

Seattle, Washington

Fremont Troll

A giant Troll lurks under a Seattle bridge overpass.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Underground

A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of Seattle.

Seattle, Washington

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

A 100-year-old purveyor of curiosities, curios, and kitsch featuring mummies, shrunken heads, and a Fiji Mermaid.

Forks, Washington

Hall of Mosses

Stroll through a wonderland of stupendous moss-covered trees.

Seattle, Washington

Museum of Pop Culture

A museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Metaphysical Library

An underground library specializing in underground knowledge.

Seattle, Washington

UPS Waterfall Garden Park

This secluded, man-made waterfall marks the birthplace of the United Parcel Service.

Skamania, Washington

The Ape Cave

The longest continuous lava tube in the continental U.S. offers 2.5 miles of dark explorations for the adventurous.

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Upcoming Washington Experiences

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The Secret of Seattle's Disappearing Hill

A virtual walk through a Seattle land alteration project.

Tour of a Shoemaker's Workshop

Seattle, Washington

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Washington

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Meowtropolitan Cat Café

Make your reservation to have coffee with some kitties.

North Bend, Washington

Twede's Cafe

Twin Peaks' real life Double R Diner has been restored to its damn fine television look.

Seattle, Washington

Blue Moon Tavern

This popular bar has been blurring the line between normal and edgy for more than 75 years.

Seattle, Washington

Orient Express Restaurant

This Seattle joint serves food inside an old train car once used by FDR.

See all 21 places to eat in Washington See all 21 places to eat in Washington

Itinerary Sponsored by Nissan

Rogue Routes: The Road to Camp Colton

Lush rainforests filled with ethereal shades of green; foggy beaches that stretch on for miles; towering mountains that dominate city skylines. It’s hard to think of a region with more diverse natural beauty than the Pacific Northwest. Take a journey from Seattle to Colton through the environments that have inspired artists, musicians, and storytellers for generations. From ancient mountains to reclaimed lands, these places are filled with excitement, intrigue, and maybe even a little off-road mystery.

A road winds through Mount Rainier National Park.

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Stories About Washington

Protection Island has long been an important breeding ground for several species of gull.

How Washington's Protection Island Became a Haven for Wildlife — And One Man

The small island was supposed to be a vacation destination. Now it's a refuge for birds, seals, and Marty Bluewater.

by Michelle Harris

Mount Hood and Mount Adams*.

A Massive Earthquake Is Coming to Cascadia—And It Can't Be Stopped

But it can be anticipated and mitigated. Meet four guardians of the Pacific Northwest.

by Kaitlyn Schwalje

August 25, 2020

Creating an artificial log jam in 2012.

How Constructing Enormous ‘Log Jams' Is Saving a Native Salmon

For the Quinault Indian Nation, restoring their fisheries is a multi-generation project.

by Lucia Whalen

The peak a day before it erupted, devastating the surrounding landscape for miles in every direction.

Mount St. Helens Is Going Green Again

Forty years of satellite imagery chronicles a remarkable floral comeback.

by Isaac Schultz

West Coast sea otters are picking up <em>Sarcocystis neurona</em> from opossums via clams—a complex transmission chain exacerbated by human-induced "pathogen pollution."

What Do California Otters and Virginia Opossums Have In Common?

A pathogen that doesn't care about social-distancing rules.

by Jennifer S. Holland

The avalanche-prone Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.

The Birth of Avalanche Forecasting in North America

In 1910, the deadliest snowslides in U.S. and Canadian history occurred just days apart.

by Justin Franz

A baby Washington pygmy rabbit at the Oregon Zoo.

After Nearly Going Extinct, Washington’s Pygmy Rabbits Need Room to Grow

Recovering the endangered critters will test society’s willingness to let nature reclaim a landscape.

by Carl Segerstrom

Places to go, things to do!

A Convenient New Commute for Washington's Coyotes

Above a busy highway, a safe new wildlife crossing in an area that will soon see many more.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

December 21, 2018

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