Just when you think you’ve seen everything Washington has to offer, you make a new discovery and realize you haven’t even come close to seeing it all. Out state is full of hidden gems most people don’t even know about. Is this the first time you’re hearing about any of these places?
- The Junk Castle, Pullman
YouTube.com In the 1970s, Vic Moore, a local high school art teacher, built a 1,200 square foot home out of junk. Over the years he and his wife Bobbie added other whimsical dwellings to the property. It has since been sold, but you can still see it perched on a hill on Armstrong Road.
- Stehekin Valley
Ron Sipherd / Flickr Unless you live in Chelan or the Wenatchee area, you may not have heard of the Stehekin Valley. This one-of-a-kind remote town is only accessible by boat, plane or by a very long hike. It’s as amazing as it sounds.
- The Dining Dog, 9635 Firdale Ave., Edmonds
The Dining Dog Facebook Dog lovers, rejoice. This restaurant caters to your pups’ dining needs, and they recognize that your pets are part of your family. They serve everything from doggie cocktails and appetizers to special birthday treats.
- Iller Creek Conservation Area, Spokane
Kitri Doepker / Flickr When people think of enjoying the great outdoors in Spokane, they often head for the beautiful Centennial Trail. But Iller Creek is a slightly more off the beaten path gem that’s about 4.8 miles in length and equally as lovely. Plus, it’s dog-friendly.
- Spencer Spit, San Juan Islands
Noel Page / Flickr Two sand spits joined together and formed a lagoon, and that lagoon is located inside Spencer Spit State Park in San Juan County. It’s a special kind of natural attraction most people don’t know about.
- Archie McPhee, 1300 N 45th St., Seattle
Erin K / Yelp This is not your typical toy store by any means. Since 1983, this eccentric shop in Seattle has sold things like bacon flavored toothpaste, rubber chickens and inflatable unicorns. Ben & Jerry’s Wavy Gravy ice cream was even introduced at a party on the property in 1993.
- Wayside Chapel, Sultan
Sean O’Neill / Flickr If you’ve ever been driving down Highway 2 outside of Sultan, you may have spotted this tiny chapel… or you might have blinked and missed it. This minuscule house of worship is not staffed, but it is open to people of all faiths at any time. There’s just one room inside with a pulpit and a few two-person pews.
- Pee Wee Falls, Pend Oreille County
YouTube.com Most people aren’t familiar with the northeast corner of Washington (excluding those who live there, of course). But just south of the Canadian border and near the town of Metaline Falls, you’ll find Boundary Dam and Crawford State Park. If you have a boat, you’ll see the beautiful Pee Wee Falls located just around the corner from the boat launch on the right side of the Pend Oreille River.
- Meerkerk Gardens, Whidbey Island
Karen / Flickr Meerkerk is an incredibly gorgeous park on Whidbey Island with 10 acres of nature and four miles of nature trails to explore. It costs $5 to visit, but children 16 and under get in free.
- The town beneath Lake Washington in Seattle
Peacock Modern / Flickr There’s a lot going on at the bottom of Lake Washington. It’s a graveyard for wrecked boats and ships, and for centuries it has been a dumping ground of oddities. According to divers, there is also an ancient forest, a bridge, airplane wreckage and an entire Native American settlement.
From quirky shops to hidden natural wonders, Washington is full of these little known gems. And when you’re feeling adventurous, here’s a list of beautiful places you can see.
YouTube.com
In the 1970s, Vic Moore, a local high school art teacher, built a 1,200 square foot home out of junk. Over the years he and his wife Bobbie added other whimsical dwellings to the property. It has since been sold, but you can still see it perched on a hill on Armstrong Road.
Ron Sipherd / Flickr
Unless you live in Chelan or the Wenatchee area, you may not have heard of the Stehekin Valley. This one-of-a-kind remote town is only accessible by boat, plane or by a very long hike. It’s as amazing as it sounds.
The Dining Dog Facebook
Dog lovers, rejoice. This restaurant caters to your pups’ dining needs, and they recognize that your pets are part of your family. They serve everything from doggie cocktails and appetizers to special birthday treats.
Kitri Doepker / Flickr
When people think of enjoying the great outdoors in Spokane, they often head for the beautiful Centennial Trail. But Iller Creek is a slightly more off the beaten path gem that’s about 4.8 miles in length and equally as lovely. Plus, it’s dog-friendly.
Noel Page / Flickr
Two sand spits joined together and formed a lagoon, and that lagoon is located inside Spencer Spit State Park in San Juan County. It’s a special kind of natural attraction most people don’t know about.
Erin K / Yelp
This is not your typical toy store by any means. Since 1983, this eccentric shop in Seattle has sold things like bacon flavored toothpaste, rubber chickens and inflatable unicorns. Ben & Jerry’s Wavy Gravy ice cream was even introduced at a party on the property in 1993.
Sean O’Neill / Flickr
If you’ve ever been driving down Highway 2 outside of Sultan, you may have spotted this tiny chapel… or you might have blinked and missed it. This minuscule house of worship is not staffed, but it is open to people of all faiths at any time. There’s just one room inside with a pulpit and a few two-person pews.
Most people aren’t familiar with the northeast corner of Washington (excluding those who live there, of course). But just south of the Canadian border and near the town of Metaline Falls, you’ll find Boundary Dam and Crawford State Park. If you have a boat, you’ll see the beautiful Pee Wee Falls located just around the corner from the boat launch on the right side of the Pend Oreille River.
Karen / Flickr
Meerkerk is an incredibly gorgeous park on Whidbey Island with 10 acres of nature and four miles of nature trails to explore. It costs $5 to visit, but children 16 and under get in free.
Peacock Modern / Flickr
There’s a lot going on at the bottom of Lake Washington. It’s a graveyard for wrecked boats and ships, and for centuries it has been a dumping ground of oddities. According to divers, there is also an ancient forest, a bridge, airplane wreckage and an entire Native American settlement.
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