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

Unusual
Attractions
in Washington

Seattle, Washington

Mystery Soda Machine

An old vending machine serves up unpredictable beverages from its seemingly magical insides.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Underground

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

Seattle, Washington

Fremont Troll

A giant Troll lurks under a Seattle bridge overpass.

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.

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.

See All 231 Things to Do in Washington See All 231 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Washington

Potato Doughnuts

The first American doughnut chain used spuds.

Dutch Baby

Fluffy, crispy, and large enough to share, it's no ordinary pancake.

Seattle Dog

The city loves hot sausage slathered with cold cream cheese.

Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

This savory-sweet pairing is a classic school lunch.

See all 12 things to eat in Washington See all 12 things to eat in Washington

Upcoming Washington Experiences

Explore Historic Murals of West Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Denny Hill: History of the Regrade

Seattle, Washington

Bug-Eating Adventures with The Bug Chef

Shoreline, Washington

Japanese Incense and Tea Experience

Seattle, Washington

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Stories
About Washington

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

Illustrated chum salmon.

Why Did the Chum Salmon Cross the Road?

Every year, these fish block traffic in Washington State.

December 4, 2018

Follow along with this orca by hydrophone.

You Can Now Eavesdrop on Orcas on Your Computer

Listen to the peaceful, and sometimes not-so-peaceful, sounds of the sea for the sake of science.

by Matthew Taub

November 12, 2018

Goats at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

Why Helicopters Are Flying Mountain Goats Over Washington State

The salt-loving, tourist-stalking goats of Olympic National Park are moving out.

September 19, 2018

The modern winemaking operation at Hedges Family Estate.

How the Chernobyl Disaster Sold Europe on Washington Wines

Nuclear tragedy created opportunity a world away.

by Jonathan Kendall

August 23, 2018

An intrepid snail at Little Gray Farms in Washington.

The Complicated Business of Farming Snails in America

A burgeoning industry faces one big obstacle.

Lidar reveals the places the Sauk River once flowed.

These Beautiful, Swirling Images Are Maps of Washington's Geology

Lidar mapping reveals the land's secrets, usually hidden beneath thick forests.

by Sarah Laskow

November 21, 2017

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