Everything You Should Know About Washington State (That the Brochures Won’t Tell You)
- NERDNCO TEAM
- Jul 3
- 8 min read
LOCAL
Discover Washington: A State of Surprises, Beauty, and Balance
Washington State is more than just Seattle and the Space Needle - it’s a land of incredible variety, from lush forests to desert canyons, bustling cities to quiet corners. Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, dive into vibrant cultural scenes, or experience a lifestyle shaped by our natural surroundings, Washington has something for everyone. Let's highlight the landscapes, people, and experiences that make our state unique, showcasing hidden gems, local favorites, and all the reasons we call this place home. Join us as we uncover what makes Washington truly unforgettable.
A Landscape for Everyone: Washington’s Natural Diversity
No matter what kind of scenery speaks to you - towering peaks, mossy forests, sunlit plains, or coastal cliffs - Washington has it all. We’re lucky to live in a state where a few hours in the car can take us from snow-covered mountains to rolling vineyards, from saltwater shores to high desert canyons. Our landscape isn’t just beautiful - it’s incredibly diverse, and it shapes the way we live, play, and connect with the outdoors.
In the west, the Olympic Peninsula invites us into lush temperate rainforests and dramatic ocean coastline, perfect for foggy hikes and tide pool wanders. The Cascade Mountains, running like a spine through the state, offer year-round adventure - skiing in winter, wildflower hikes in spring, alpine lakes come summer. And east of the mountains, the Columbia River Basin opens up into wide skies, dry air, and desert hues, where rocky trails and riverfront towns create a totally different vibe.
What’s especially unique about Washington is how sharply our climates shift across regions. Western Washington is known for its moody, misty charm, while the east boasts more sunshine and distinct seasons. That East vs. West divide gives us four-season living in a way that few other states can match. Whether you’re craving the green serenity of the Hoh Rainforest, the snow-packed slopes of Stevens Pass, or the golden grasslands near Spokane, there’s a landscape here that feels like home.
And it’s not just weekend hikers or road-trippers who benefit from our surroundings—our students do, too.
Education with a View: Washington’s Colleges & Universities
In Washington, higher education isn’t just about lecture halls and textbooks - it’s about learning in places that inspire. Our state is home to an impressive range of colleges and universities, each shaped by the landscapes and communities around them. Whether you’re drawn to groundbreaking research, creative exploration, or tight-knit campus life, there’s a place here for every kind of student - and every kind of visitor, too.
The University of Washington in Seattle is our largest and best-known institution, where innovation, medicine, and tech meet against the backdrop of Mount Rainier and cherry blossoms in the quad. Across the state in Pullman, Washington State University brings together Coug spirit, agricultural roots, and rolling Palouse hills that stretch to the horizon. Western Washington University in Bellingham blends a coastal college-town feel with a deep connection to the outdoors, while The Evergreen State College in Olympia offers a progressive, interdisciplinary approach surrounded by forests and quiet inlets.
But these aren’t just places to study - they’re hubs of creativity and community. Our college towns are full of hidden gems: quirky coffee shops, indie bookstores, local art galleries, and lively farmers markets. Bellingham buzzes with student energy and coastal charm, Ellensburg combines academic life with small-town hospitality, and Pullman’s wheat fields give way to some of the best sunsets in the state.
Whether we’re alumni, current students, or visitors just passing through, these schools remind us that education in Washington doesn’t exist in a bubble - it’s shaped by the people, places, and values that make this state feel like home.
Community Spirit: The Washington State Fair & Local Events
If Washington’s landscapes ground us and our schools help us grow, then it’s our local events that bring us together. Across the state, we celebrate our roots, our seasons, and each other - with a little flair, a lot of food, and a deep sense of pride.
One of the biggest gatherings of the year is the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. For many of us, it’s more than just rides and fried dough (though we love those too) - it’s a tradition. Whether you’re cheering at the rodeo, strolling through the livestock barns, or watching local performers take the stage, there’s a real sense of shared history here. Generations of Washingtonians have made memories at the Fair, and it’s still one of the best places to experience the heart of our state’s agricultural and community spirit.
But the State Fair is just the beginning. All across Washington, you’ll find local festivals that reflect the richness and variety of our towns and regions.
Skagit Valley bursts into color for the Tulip Festival, drawing visitors to fields that look like they’ve been painted by hand.
Wenatchee hosts the Apple Blossom Festival each May, a celebration of orchards, parades, and small-town charm.
Seafair brings hydroplane races and summer parties to Seattle’s lakes.
The Irrigation Festival in Sequim - yes, that’s really what it’s called - is the longest-running festival in the state, honoring the ingenuity that helped local agriculture thrive.
These events, big and small, remind us that Washington is a patchwork of cultures, industries, and traditions. No matter where we are in the state, there’s always something worth gathering for - and always a story behind it.
Off the Beaten Path: Underrated Places to Explore
While cities like Seattle and Spokane tend to grab the spotlight, some of Washington’s most unforgettable experiences happen in the places you won’t find on a typical travel brochure. These are the small towns, hidden trails, and quirky landmarks that locals treasure - and that often surprise first-time visitors.
Take Leavenworth, for example - a Bavarian-style mountain town tucked into the Cascades where bratwurst, beer halls, and alpine charm come with a backdrop of forested peaks. It’s festive year-round but especially magical during the holidays when lights drape every rooftop. Or head further east to Palouse Falls, where a dramatic 200-foot waterfall carves through ancient basalt - an unexpected desert wonder that feels almost otherworldly.
If you’re up for a scenic drive, the North Cascades Highway delivers big mountain drama with far fewer crowds than its southern cousins. The route winds through jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and peaceful overlooks that remind us why Washington is called the Evergreen State. For island time, the San Juan Islands offer a quiet escape with whale watching, kayaking, and artsy, walkable towns like Friday Harbor.
Our history lives in these lesser-known corners, too. Port Townsend, with its Victorian seaport vibe, is a reminder of Washington’s maritime roots. Walla Walla, once a trading hub, is now a destination for wine lovers and foodies alike. And then there are the places that feel almost prehistoric - like the lava-carved Ape Caves near Mount St. Helens, the towering Dry Falls (once thought to be the largest waterfall on Earth), or the Ginkgo Petrified Forest where fossilized trees line the Columbia River.
These aren’t just stops on a map - they’re the kinds of places that surprise us, stick with us, and give our state its wild, layered personality. For every famous landmark, there’s a quiet gem waiting just down the road.
Culture, Creativity & Local Flavor
There’s a lot more to Washington than tech giants and coffee chains - though we’re proud of those, too. What really makes our state shine is the creative energy that lives in every corner, from big-city art walks to small-town jam sessions, homegrown theater to experimental food trucks.
Seattle may be our most famous cultural hub (and for good reason - it’s a music, art, and innovation powerhouse), but look a little further and you’ll find that creativity is alive and well all across Washington. In Spokane, the arts scene is growing fast, with local galleries, murals, and theater companies bringing fresh life to historic buildings. Tacoma’s museums - like the Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum - are some of the most engaging and community-focused in the region. And in Bellingham, creativity shows up in the form of independent bookstores, live music, and a serious love of craft beer.
Our food scene is just as diverse as our landscapes. From coastal oysters and fresh salmon to Filipino bakeries, Ethiopian cafes, and apple cider straight from the orchard, Washington is a patchwork of flavors rooted in both tradition and reinvention. Farmers markets and food festivals thrive here, driven by a statewide passion for local ingredients and sustainable practices.
Music runs deep in our culture, too. Washington helped give rise to grunge, yes - but it also nurtures indie artists, classical composers, jazz ensembles, and powwow drums. Indigenous cultures, including the Coast Salish and Yakama peoples, continue to influence art, music, and storytelling throughout the state. Their traditions add an essential thread to the larger fabric of who we are.
From murals on brick walls to music echoing through the trees at summer festivals, Washington’s cultural scene reflects the same diversity, resilience, and spirit we see in its people. It’s not just something to visit - it’s something to participate in.
Why People Really Love Washington
Ask a dozen Washingtonians what they love most about living here, and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers - but every one of them will speak to the balance this state offers. We have the buzz of cities and the calm of forests. We have innovation and tradition, tech and trailheads, rain and sun - and somehow, it all fits together.
Some of us stay for the mountains, where we can wake up in the city and still hit the slopes by lunch. Others fall for the small towns with big personalities, the ones that surprise you with their charm and generosity. For students, it might be the chance to learn in a place that feeds both curiosity and creativity. And for families, it’s the communities that show up for each other - at the farmer’s market, the local parade, the high school football game under the lights.
Travelers tell us they come here for the views but end up remembering the feeling: the warmth of a cup of chowder on a rainy day in Port Angeles, the sound of live music drifting from a patio in Spokane, the way the light hits the trees on a ferry ride back to the mainland.
Washington isn’t just one thing - it’s a place where a lot of different lives make sense. That’s what makes it special. That’s what makes it ours.
Come One, Come All!
Washington State isn’t just a place to visit - it’s a place to explore, connect, and call home. Whether you’re drawn to the mountains, the arts, or the tight-knit communities, there’s a spot here that feels like it was made for you. So why not start your own journey? Plan a trip, attend a festival, or discover a hidden gem - Washington is waiting to show you all the ways it’s more than meets the eye. We invite you to dive in, explore, and see for yourself why so many of us are proud to call this stunning state home.
LOCAL
Welcome to the LOCAL Topic of the blog, where we celebrate the small businesses and localized news that make your community special. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the people and places that make our neighborhood unique, and to provide a platform for local voices to be heard. From highlighting the best local shops and restaurants to reporting on important community issues, we aim to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in staying connected to their community. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you enjoy reading about all the amazing things happening in your neighborhood.
Comentarios