It's not a fun park unless you're a kid. Then it's a blast with a playground that has those weird…read morecircular htings that swing you around with your weight and other fancy playground items. But this park is more about the sunset. I was in town as a day trip and the weather was so nice that I wanted to check out the sunset. We sat there people watching on the bench as the sun started sinking over the water. People walked out down the pier and it made for really nice pictures. Once the sun went down, people left because there was a chill in the air, but until that moment, the sunset was magical. Definitely glad we hung around for twilight.

Washington Park is beautiful. The scenic loop is a great drive (go slow 10 mph there are…read morepedestrians on the paved road too). There are spots for cars to park on the loop to enjoy the view (and a disability parking spot). Take advantage of the easy and beautiful access to epic views of Burrows Island and the pass at this park before getting on the ferry to the San Juan islands or staying in Anacortes.

When I'm in the mood for some gorgeous views over Anacortes, Cap Sante Park is one of my go-to…read morespots. Perched high on a point across the harbor from downtown, it's the perfect spot to take it all in. And with its northerly views, you can not only watch the boats arrive at the marina far below, but peer across the mountains for breathtaking sunny day views of Mount Baker, too. It also has a "lover's lane" vibe, so I'll give it an extra star for romance potential. There are a view benches, as well as rocky outperches, to sit and ponder all the beauty. Fall potential is high, so I wouldn't let little ones wander around on their own here. Parking can be a hassle on sunny days.

Went during a sunset and it was spectacular. Even saw a rainbow. There were parking spots when we…read moregot there though it was also a lot of people concerning it was already past 9PM. Wonderful views of the marina and the islands! And beautiful Mountain views.

Deception Pass State Park is a top tier gem of a state park. There's so much to see! This park…read morespans multiple islands, and of course is connected by a bunch of bridges that traverse sheer ocean cliffs with rocky beaches at the base. More inland, there are quiet old growth forests, lakes, and bluffs. I visited the tide pools at Rosario Head during one of the lowest tides of the year. From the parking lot, it's about a 10 minute walk to the tide pools, crossing a conveniently located washroom as well. Since it's so heavily trafficked, there are ropes strung about to keep visitors from trampling on recovering habitats, and also ropes that guide the way to see some tide pool critters. Some staff members were also there to answer any questions and give more information. I did a hike around Rosario Head after my tidepool visit-you get to stand on top of the bluffs and admire the bluest water and the most fluffy clouds for miles. Of course, it's among one of the most trafficked state parks in Washington, so come early if you want to easily snag a parking spot.

First, don't let the name scare you. This was our first thought when planning to come here. It was…read moregiven since there are a ton of waterways which was deceiving to visitors. Those waterways are what make this place so amazing though. Beautiful state park. Lots of scenic trails. Hike down to the water or stay high and explore the views. You can go in through the whidbey island side or the fidalgo island side. We came in through the whidbey island side and it was pretty easy. Recommend checking out the bays too. It's a nice relaxing beach day with actual sand! We camped at bowman bay. During low tide, explore the rocks and you'll find a ton of crabs. Kids loved it! Pet friendly as well. We brought our huge bernedoodle and she loved it too. Dogs must be on leash but the trails were doable with her. Mostly dirt trails without many rocks or obstacles. Weather is always hit or miss in the PNW. It did rain on us the first night but it was actually very relaxing. Remember, no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. So gear up, come prepared, and get ready to enjoy some beautiful exploration.

We spent the morning at this beach and had a lovely time. The beach itself is sort of a pebble…read morebeach and although low tide was around 7:00 this morning, when we arrived just before 9 the tide was still quite low. It was perfect for viewing the tide pools. We saw lots of crabs, tadpoles, shrimp, fish and even a little sea urchin. I had forgotten how much fun it was to do things like this and it made me super nostalgic for my childhood. There were lots of people with dogs, walking along the beach and the pathways. I also really loved the Maiden of Deception Pass; both the statue and the story. On the walk from the parking area, we saw lots of birds and rabbits and it is just a really beautiful place to visit. If we lived in the area I would come here often and I recommend a stop to anyone who hasn't yet had the pleasure.

Absolutely stunning views from the bluff at this beach. A short trail that leads above the beach…read moreand gives you the opportunity to see up and down the coast. All the way towards the bridge at deception pass. And there are clean restrooms here too. Always a must when I take a drive here. Discovery Pass required. Do it! Get outside and enjoy the wonderful experience of the PNW. SYOY!

It's a hike that you must do in the Bellingham area, hell, in the state. It's one of those gems…read morethat everyone talks about - and I know in Washington, everyone talks about hiking trails, but this is one of those that you have to do...if you like hiking and are in the area. We spent a weekend in Bellingham and not gonna lie, Oyster Dome was one of the primary reasons for spending time up north. Located along the Chuckanut Drive on Blanchard Mountain, it's a hike with a rewarding view at the end. So yes, it's worth it. This hike is about a five-mile, round-trip trail with an elevation gain of just over 1000. It's a good climb, but not difficult or challenging. The parking area can get filled up quickly, and you'll likely see many people along the trail and definitely up at summit. It's dog-friendly; we saw a lot of dogs on the trail and brought our little hiker, too. You'll need a Discover Pass to park here and in the lot is where there are restrooms. The hike goes through a forested area, providing tree canopy and cooler temperatures. But some parts can be rocky, especially towards the summit. Descending was worse as it can be sore on your knees, so it felt longer going down than up in my opinion. The views are incredible. You can see the mountains, the valley and even Canada. Pretty amazing.

Yet another great hiking trail we softly explored, to help our toddlers calm down before we headed…read moreback home. Oyster Dome Trail has multiple markers for guidance throughout it. Now that we've all thawed out from the winter, exploring WAs beautiful trails, parks, and landmarks come naturally; investing in a Discovery pass could be helpful. We will definitely return, and recommend!

We were exploring Deception Pass State Park and stumbled onto this county park and hopped out to…read morecheck it out. We didn't hike too far, but enjoyed a nice walk down the path and back. I left me phone charging in the car after too many pictures earlier- so no pictures from this run- just memories of brisk, forest air & lush, dense fauna. The meadow at the entrance of the park would be fun for a picnic!

A hidden gem in Anacortes! This hike is right near Deception Pass State Park, but still part of the…read moreSkagit county park system. The parking lot is not huge but good sized and has a pit toilet. Day use only and dogs are permitted on a leash. This trail has a lot of different trails on it. You can get a map at the kiosk but I recommend downloading the Avenza Maps app and getting the map for this trail. It has markers on the trails but I still would have got lost without the app. It works offline and shows exactly where you are on the map. If you just want to see some spectacular views, then take the easy route down the Sares head trail to the Sares head overlook. The views are just breathtaking. I did some other trails in the park but some were really tough and climbing over rocks and branches and going up some hills. And at one point it was a very sketchy spot that dropped off right by the water. Next time I will make sure I look up the difficulty of the trail before attempting all of it. But it is definitely worth it just for that main viewpoint. Be sure to check it out if you are in the area.

Beautiful place to take an easy to moderate stroll among the miles of hikes that this magical place…read morehas to offer. Wonderful for children and friends. We hiked the Whistle Lake loop trail, which took under two hours and was moderate. It was easy to find and park, and the greenery was absolutely breathtaking. I can not recommend this place enough!