Washington may be fairly "new" compared to some of our other states, but it’s not without its history. You’ll find ghost towns and abandoned buildings all over this great state, and this road trip was designed to show you some of the most interesting options. These places go from west to east and back, but you’re welcome to take the trip in reverse or add your own stops.
Redmond’s Nike Missile Site is fascinating. During the Cold War, the nuclear-tipped missiles here were our last defense against a Soviet attack. The site was decommissioned in 1974, and many buildings remain intact.
Next, head east to Liberty, a small ghost town north of Ellensburg. Liberty is considered to be the oldest mining town in the state and the founder Thomas Meager’s cabin is still standing.
The Govan schoolhouse was once the place where children of railway workers would go for their education. It hasn’t been in use for the better part of a century, but somehow the creepy building still remains standing.
Drive a bit further east and you’ll find Sherman, an abandoned town from the late 1800s. Not much of the town remains, but you’ll be able to see the remnants of a few century-old buildings.
You’ll find what remains of Elberton in southeast Whitman County. Founded in 1886, the town was a popular place in the late 1800s, but the population dwindled to nothing during the Great Depression. The railroad bridges, cemetery and United Brethren Church are all that remain.
Drive west toward I-90 and you’ll see plenty of old abandoned buildings, especially old barns and houses. You’ll pass LaCrosse, Washtucna and other old farming communities.
If you’re up for a little hike, end your trip with a visit to Lester. This old railroad town from 1892 still has some abandoned buildings that are remarkably well-preserved despite their age. The road to reach it is closed to cars, so you'll have to walk for about two miles to get there.
If you do a search for the best small towns in Washington, there are so many suggestions that, while it is a compliment to this state, it makes it hard to know where to start. So, let’s begin with a scenic drive around the northwest part of the state that offers a little bit of everything. You’ll travel through the beautiful Cascade Mountains, along the Columbia River, and into Puget Sound, visiting little towns along the way that are full of charm, history, and cool things to do. I’ve included a great option for an overnight stay in each place so you can decide how long you want to hang out in each town, how to break up the trip, etc.
The entire trip covers 367 miles and just over seven hours of driving time, with the towns spaced out along the route and plenty of scenery in between. Click on the map for directions or to customize your trip.
We are starting our journey in the Old West, or at least it feels that way. The remote little town of Winthrop has a long, rich history that goes back well beyond the arrival of gold-seeking settlers in the 1800s. Though most of what you see now was part of a major Western-themed restoration in the 1970s, the spirit of this historic town has remained intact. Stroll the wooden boardwalk to visit the galleries, shops, and restaurants in town, and consider a stop at Old Schoolhouse Brewery for a cold beer and maybe some live music right on the Chewuch River. If you decide to spend the night in Winthrop, check out the comfy cottages at River’s Edge Resort; they each have a private deck with a hot tub overlooking the river!
Next, we head south along the Columbia River and into the mountains. Once a humble logging town, the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth is now one of the most charming towns in the state. With the stunning architecture and majestic mountains surrounding the town, you may have to remind yourself that you are not, in fact, in the Alps. As you can imagine, Leavenworth is beyond dreamy in the winter, with snow on the mountains and twinkling lights all over town, but this is a stunning place to visit any time of year.
You’ll enjoy incredible food and drink, horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown, and events happening throughout the year. Make sure you go to The Gingerbread Factory, a 30-year-old landmark bakery offering up all sorts of homemade goodies (and lunches, too!) Carry over those Alpine vibes with an overnight stay at the beautiful Abendblume bed and breakfast, voted “Leavenworth’s Finest Lodging.”
Our next stop is the itty-bitty historic town of Roslyn. If you were a fan of the show "Northern Exposure," (am I dating myself when I say I was?), what most of us thought was a little town in Alaska was, in fact, filmed in Roslyn. It won’t take long to explore the town, but it is definitely worth a stop. From a cool movie theater to a historic brewery to a Sunday farmers market, there is plenty to do for the day. Stop at Basecamp Books and Bites, a coffee bar and bookshop with a speakeasy downstairs. Or grab a bite and a cold one at The Brick Saloon, the oldest continuously operating bar in Washington. If you’re a history buff, be sure to visit the Roslyn Museum.
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Just about halfway between Roslyn and our next town, you could take a short detour (it will add about 4 miles and 15 minutes to your trip) to see the amazing Snoqualmie Falls!
About 30 miles south of Tacoma near the foot of Mount Rainier, you’ll come to Eatonville, a quaint, laid-back town surrounded by natural beauty. The walkable downtown is full of character and home to shops, galleries, restaurants, vintage and antique shops, and more to discover. Just outside of town is a cool opportunity to experience life as it was for Native Americans and early settlers at the Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village. Eatonville is also known as a gateway to Mount Rainier National Park, so there are endless ways to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of this area. You could easily spend more than one day here and a historic townhouse in downtown Eatonville makes a perfect home base.
Poulsbo
Poulsbo’s historic Little Norway is one of the Kitsap Peninsula’s favorite and most popular destination for visitors of all ages and interests.
We’ll end our trip along Liberty Bay in Washington’s “Little Norway,” the town of Poulsbo. Explore the walkable historic downtown area near the water on Front Street. It is incredibly cute and lined with lots of charming cafes and coffee houses, book and vintage shops, art galleries and museums, and boutique shops. Duck into a winery, brewery, or cider house for drinks, grab some treats from a chocolatier, and dine at one of the many restaurants offering nearly any kind of cuisine you’re craving. And be sure to take a stroll along the scenic Liberty Bay waterfront boardwalk. Not ready to head home just yet? Book a Scandinavian-themed stay at the charming boutique inn, Hotel Scandi, right on Front Street.
Are you ready to hit the road? Share this article with a travel buddy, grab the keys and some road trip snacks (a necessity, obviously), and head off on your next scenic small town adventure in Washington!
We're so lucky to live in such a geographically diverse state. Washington boasts everything from ocean beaches to rolling wheat fields, with plenty of mountain ranges and glacial lakes in between. And nothing makes us appreciate our diverse beauty more than a good old-fashioned scenic drive on the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway. The Evergreen State is a road trip lover's paradise. You're bound to find lots to love on this amazing trip.
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This part of Highway 530 in Washington is a drive that can easily be accomplished in a day, as long as you live a few hours from Darrington. This underrated stretch of highway will make you fall in love with this state all over again. It's bound to become one of your favorite Washington road trips. If you are wondering what to bring with you, check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide.
At 53 miles, you can certainly do this scenic drive in a day. Here is a Mountain Loop Highway map you can use for directions.
This pretty road is truly one of the best scenic drives in Washington. But because it's not easily accessible to most, it's extremely underrated. We love a good hidden gem! It's nice to avoid the crowds and enjoy the scenery along the road.
The name suggests that this is a full loop. It isn't, but you'll love it anyway.
So many hiking trails, including the Big Four Ice Caves trail, which is pictured here, originate from this area. You'll love all the lovely outdoor adventures you will have.
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In spite of the route's location, you won't see a lot of sweeping mountain views.
What you’ll find instead is a plethora of lush green trees, and they only get more abundant if you leave Mountain Loop Highway and decide to stretch your legs. Majestic views await you wherever you go..
Eventually, you'll reach the charming little city of Granite Falls.
It's even more beautiful in person. Just wait until you see it!
The Mountain Loop Highway isn't a true loop, so it doesn't really have an ending... but if you start in Darrington, you'll end up in the small community of Verlot.
Verlot is near the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, surrounded by lush green trees. This forest is the perfect place to take beautiful photos that you will want to frame and look at for years to come.
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Have you gotten the chance to take the fun and pretty Mountain Loop Scenic Byway? We would love to hear all about your experience in the comments section. Do you have a favorite scenic road trip route? What are your other favorite road trips in Washington?
