This section of the Washington Visitors Network focuses on the northwest region of Washington. The urban-oriented traveler will find a host of attractions and activities including concerts, festivals, dance and theatre. The outdoor-oriented visitor will enjoy a wide variety of activities including bicycling, hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, boating, sailing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing.
More than 170 islands comprise the San Juan archipelago, which lies off mainland Washington at the juncture of the straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, and is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. (There are reputedly an additional 300 rocky "islands" at low tide.) The San Juan Islands were once part of a mountain range connecting Washington State to Vancouver Island. Eighty-three islands are protected as part of the San Juan Wildlife Refuge, home to seabirds, seals and sea lions. About 90 Orca whales are year round residents of the area.
The four islands served by the Washington State Ferry System - Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw - are the usual destinations for, weekend getaways and extended stay vacations for relaxation and such activities as whale watching, kayaking, bicycling and gentle sightseeing. To reach any of the other islands, about 40 of which are inhabited, you will need to arrange your own transportation.

On the main islands, the farming and fishing communities have been joined by "urban refugees" including many artists, perhaps drawn by the natural beauty and solitude of these islands. During the summer months, the main islands receive as many visitors as they can accommodate, so be sure to book your stay in advance.

For maps of counties and towns visit the individual counties using the drop-down boxes below the map on the left and then go to the MAPS/DIRECTIONS page. To find the location and maps for ANY town in Washington CLICK HERE.

Search The Washington Visitors Network Select a category OR enter a Keyword. Our Search Engine will find links for any listings in our database anywhere in Washington             Keyword: Town or ZipCode: Categories Advertising/Marketing Amusement Parks Antique Shops Art & Craft Shops Art Galleries Assisted Living Communities Attractions Auto Racing Balloon Rides Baseball Bed & Breakfast Associations Bed & Breakfasts Boating Book Stores Bowling Cabins - Cottages Campgrounds Casinos Catering Chambers of Commerce Charter Boats Community Information Computer - Internet Cruises Day Spas Farm Markets Fishing Florists Furniture Gardens Genealogy Gift/Specialty Shops Golf Guest Houses Guest Ranches Guide Services Health Care Historic Places Historical Information Hockey Horse Racing Horseback Riding Hostels Hotels - Motels Hunting Ice Skating Kayaking Libraries Lighthouses Lodges Malls Marinas Microbreweries/Pubs Moving Companies Museums Music/Night Clubs Nature Centers Outfitters Outlet Stores Performing Arts/Theatre Professional Services Property Management Quilt Shops RV Parks RV Sales Rafting Real Estate Agencies Resorts/Spas Restaurants Retirement Communities Sailing Scuba Diving Skiing Sport Shops Summer Camps - Retreats Swimming Tours Trains Transportation Vacation Rentals Visitors Information Weddings Whale Watching Where to Worship Wineries Zoos