Seattle's Olympic National Park Fun: 3-Day Itinerary

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Advisor - Gauri Kapoor
Curated By

Gauri Kapoor

  • Seattle

  • Active Travel

  • Nature Escapes

  • Mountains

  • National Park

  • Outdoors

Falls in Olympic National Park
Curator’s statement

Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and is known for stunning natural surroundings, nestled between the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east.

Goes without saying, it took tough choices to create a 3 day action packed trip to Seattle. After much deliberation we decided to do a self guided city tour followed by a drive up to the Olympic National Park (any Twilight fans around?).

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Day 1: Explore Seattle

The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle.

If you are flying in from the Bay Area, a one and half hour flight to Seattle will get you there around noon. A perfect way to start the trip is a nice brunch at Portage Bay Cafe.

Let's start our Seattle excursion with the world famous Space Needle. There’s no better place to be a tourist in Seattle with amazing 360 degree views of the city.

Next stop is the stunning, highly recommended Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum tucked neatly next to the Space Needle. One of the highlights of the exhibit is the Glasshouse, a large conservatory with a 100-foot-long glass sculpture suspended from the ceiling. This piece, known as the "Glasshouse Ceiling," is inspired by the colors and forms of the Pacific Northwest's natural environment.

By the time we are done with the Museum it will be time to eat again, so the next logical step is the Pike Place Market. With its many local restaurants and varied food offerings, this Seattle institution is bliss for food lovers and a treat for the senses. It’s also just a short walk from there to the waterfront.

Day 2: Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park offers outdoor adventures, cultural experiences and serene, natural splendor.

Start early and commence a 4 hour drive to Olympic National Park! For this Itinerary we will be taking the path from Olympia, so driving south from Seattle.

There are many beautiful points of interest along the way to Ruby Beach, our first stop. If you have more time, I would highly recommend making a stop at Olympia Historic District.

Ruby beach has a serene natural beauty and is known for its driftwood-strewn shores and rocky outcrops. 


The next stop for today is one of the seven temperate rainforests in the world, The Hoh Rainforest.

It is one of the most famous and well-preserved temperate rainforests in North America. The Hoh Rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity, moss-draped trees, and pristine natural beauty. 

The Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center serves as an informative starting point for visitors.

The Hall of Mosses Trail and the Spruce Nature Trail are two popular and relatively short trails that provide an immersive rainforest experience. 

Find more details and interesting information here:

We will end day 2 in Port Angeles, tucked in the Olympic Mountains and considered as a gateway to the Olympic National Park.

For some locally sourced food check out Spruce.

Day 3: Unparalleled view

Hurricane Ridge is a mountainous area in Washington's Olympic National Park.

Start your day early for a magical drive through the clouds to the other most famous spot in the Olympic National Park, The Hurricane Ridge.

With its unparalleled beauty and marvelous panoramic views, this is a must stop and a bucket list worthy destination.

Time seems to stop while you are there, so make sure to leave enough time to explore this natural gem.

After getting your fill of serenity at Hurricane Ridge, start your drive back to the hustle and bustle of Seattle.

Based on the amount of time you have, you can visit the Boeing Factory or spend time at one of the most popular scenic attractions, The Snoqualmie Falls

Click here for a mapped look of this itinerary.

Places to eat in Seattle:

Advisor - Gauri Kapoor

Travel Advisor

Gauri Kapoor

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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Breathtaking Bay Area: Part 1.

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Seattle.