9 of the BEST Day Trips From Seattle (Under 1.5 Hours Away!)
Seattle is a great city, but the best part might be how fast you can leave it. Within an hour or so, you can be on a ferry to an island, standing under a roaring waterfall, or hiking up to a view of Mount Rainier.
The trick is picking day trips that are actually day trips. Nobody wants a “day trip” that’s six hours of driving. So everything on our main list is within about 1.5 hours of the city, ordered from closest to farthest. Then we added a few bigger trips that are best done with a tour.
📌 BEFORE YOU GO
- Where: Everything on the main list is within about 1.5 hours of downtown Seattle
- Getting around: You’ll want a car for most of these. Bainbridge and Whidbey Island are a ferry ride away
- Passes: Many state parks and trailheads need a Discover Pass. Franklin Falls needs a Northwest Forest Pass
- Best time: Summer for hiking and beaches. Waterfalls are at their biggest in spring
- Tours: Seattle tours and day trips
🏨 Where to stay: Seattle (best base) · Bellevue (east side, easy I-90 access) · Tacoma (south)
Map of Day Trips From Seattle
Here’s every day trip on this list. They’re numbered from closest to farthest, so it’s easy to see what you can pair up.
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Where to Stay for Day Trips From Seattle
Base yourself somewhere close to the highway so you’re not sitting in city traffic every morning. Downtown and the waterfront put you right by the ferries, while Fremont and Ballard are quieter with easy access north. Heading east to the mountains and waterfalls a lot? Bellevue saves you the I-90 bridge traffic.
A few places to stay in and around Seattle:
- Private cabin in the trees: A newly renovated little cabin for up to 4 people, tucked away in the woods but still close to the city.
- Hotel Hotel Hostel: A budget-friendly spot in artsy Fremont with private rooms and dorms, and easy transit downtown.
- Ballard’s Sweet Suites: Pet-friendly apartments in Ballard with kitchens, laundry, and a shared living room.
✋ HOLD UP! Don’t Forget…
You need some wheels! It’s nearly impossible to get around the USA and check out the best adventures without a car! Here are our top recommendations…
🚗 Rent a car
If you don’t have your own, renting a car is your best bet!
🚐 Rent a home on wheels
For the more adventurous, rent a van or RV and ditch the hotel.
1. Bainbridge Island
About a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle
Hop on the ferry at the downtown waterfront and you’ll have amazing views of the Seattle skyline (and Mount Rainier on a clear day) the whole way over. You don’t even need a car. The ferry drops you right by Winslow, the island’s walkable little downtown with cafes, shops, and a waterfront trail.
Don’t miss the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, which tells the story of the island’s Japanese American families who were the first forced from their homes during World War II. Then explore the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, walk the trails at Grand Forest, or hang out on the beach at Fay Bainbridge Park.
🏨 Where to stay in Bainbridge Island:
👉 Read the full guide: Best Beaches in Washington
2. Lake Sammamish
About 20 miles, a 25-minute drive from Seattle
Locals love Lake Sammamish, and it’s one of the easiest escapes from the city. The lake is about seven miles long, and Lake Sammamish State Park sits at its south end with two sandy beaches, picnic areas, and trails.
On a sunny day, go for a swim or rent a paddleboard or kayak at Tibbetts Beach. Prefer to stay on land? Walk or bike the trails, or just grab a spot on the sand. The state park needs a Discover Pass.
3. Tiger Mountain State Forest
About 30 miles, a 30-minute drive from Seattle
Tiger Mountain is part of the Issaquah Alps, and once you’re in the mossy forest, you’ll feel a million miles from Washington’s biggest city. It’s packed with trails, from short forest loops to all-day hikes.
The favorite is Poo Poo Point, a steep 3.8-mile round trip up the Chirico Trail to a hilltop where paragliders launch. On a clear day, you’ll see Mount Rainier too. (The name comes from the steam whistles loggers used to use here.) Want a big day? The Tiger Mountain Trail runs the length of the mountain.
🏨 Need a place to crash nearby?
From rustic cabins to boutique inns—check prices and availability in just a click.
4. Chase Waterfalls (Our Favorite Seattle Day Trip!)
About 30 to 60 minutes from Seattle
Our favorite day trip from Seattle is a waterfall loop off I-90. Start at Snoqualmie Falls, where the Snoqualmie River plunges 268 feet into a canyon. There’s a free parking lot across the road with a footbridge over to the viewpoints, and a trail down to the bottom.
Next, hike to Twin Falls near North Bend (Discover Pass), then head up the highway to Franklin Falls, a short forest walk to a waterfall right under the freeway (Northwest Forest Pass). In winter, the road to Franklin Falls often closes, which turns it into a much longer snowshoe.
🏨 Where to stay in North Bend:
👉 Read the full guide: Waterfalls Near Seattle
5. Tacoma
About 34 miles, a 35-minute drive from Seattle
Tacoma is just south of Seattle, and it’s got a lot going on. Wander the waterfront, check out the Museum of Glass and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, or see hundreds of classic cars at the LeMay car museum.
Need some green space? Point Defiance Park is one of the biggest city parks in the country, with forest trails, beaches, and a zoo. Nearby, Dash Point State Park has a sandy beach, trails, and camping if you want to stay the night.
🏨 Where to stay in Tacoma:
6. Whidbey Island
About 1 hour from Seattle, including a short ferry ride
Drive north to Mukilteo and take the quick ferry over to Whidbey Island. It’s a long, skinny island with farms, little seaside towns like Langley and Coupeville, and some of the best state parks around Puget Sound.
Explore old military bunkers at Fort Casey State Park and the bluff trails at Fort Ebey State Park, where you might even see paragliders. At the north end, Deception Pass State Park has a famous bridge over a narrow, swirling channel and tons of trails. Drive back over the bridge to make it a loop.
🏨 Where to stay in Coupeville:
👉 Read the full guide: Things to Do on Whidbey Island
7. Wallace Falls State Park
About 47 miles, a 1-hour drive from Seattle
Wallace Falls is a classic Seattle waterfall hike. The main falls drop 265 feet, and the trail climbs through the forest along the Wallace River, with viewpoints of the lower, middle, and upper falls as you go.
The middle falls viewpoint is the most popular turnaround. Keep going to the upper falls if you want a full workout. Bird lovers can add the Wallace Lake loop. The park needs a Discover Pass, and the lot fills fast on summer weekends.
8. Snoqualmie Pass (A Popular Seattle Day Trip)
About 54 miles, a 1-hour drive from Seattle
Snoqualmie Pass is Seattle’s go-to for winter fun. The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski area to the city, with night skiing too. Rather leave the driving to someone else? Plenty of tours from Seattle also stop at Snoqualmie Falls, some with a winery or two added on.
In summer, it’s all about hiking. Climb up to Rattlesnake Ledge for a view over Rattlesnake Lake, or hike to alpine lakes like Mason Lake or Annette Lake.
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9. Bellingham
About 89 miles, a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle
Bellingham is a fun college town up north, with street art, coffee roasters, craft breweries, and a big Saturday farmers market downtown.
Then get outside. Whatcom Falls Park is a forest park with waterfalls right in town, and Larrabee State Park on scenic Chuckanut Drive has tide pools, coves, and sunsets over the San Juan Islands.
🏨 Where to stay in Bellingham:
BONUS: Longer Day Trips From Seattle (Best With a Tour)
These three are farther away, and they make for a long day. Driving there and back yourself is a lot, so we really recommend booking a tour. Someone else handles the driving, and you can nap on the way home.
10. Mount Rainier Day Tour From Seattle
Mount Rainier is the big one. On a Mount Rainier day tour from Seattle, a guide takes you into the national park with stops at viewpoints and waterfalls like Narada Falls and Christine Falls. Dress in layers and wear good shoes, since there are some short walks.
11. Olympic National Park Day Trip From Seattle
Olympic National Park has mountains, rainforest, and wild coast all in one. On an Olympic National Park tour, you’ll see highlights like Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls without worrying about ferry times or the long drive.
12. Leavenworth Day Tour From Seattle
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style mountain town in the Cascades, with German food, beer halls, and painted buildings. A Leavenworth tour from Seattle gives you plenty of free time to shop, eat, and wander, and the drive over Stevens Pass is gorgeous.
Tips for Day Trips From Seattle
- Leave early: I-90 and I-5 get slammed, especially on summer weekends. An early start beats traffic and gets you a parking spot.
- Get a Discover Pass: If you’re hitting a few state parks, an annual pass is worth it. Keep it in the car.
- Check ferry times: Bainbridge and Whidbey ferries can have long waits on sunny weekends. Walk on to Bainbridge to skip the car line.
- Pack layers: It can be sunny in Seattle and pouring at Snoqualmie Pass.
- Check conditions: Mountain roads and trails can close for snow or repairs, so look before you go.
Where to Stay Near Seattle
FAQs About Day Trips From Seattle
Our favorite is a waterfall loop off I-90: Snoqualmie Falls, Twin Falls, and Franklin Falls, all within about an hour of the city.
Yes! Walk onto the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The ferry drops you right by downtown Winslow, and you can explore on foot. For farther trips, book a tour.
Yes, but it’s a long day, about 2 to 2.5 hours each way to Paradise. A guided tour makes it much easier.
Many state parks and trailheads need a Discover Pass, and some national forest trailheads, like Franklin Falls, need a Northwest Forest Pass.
Final Thoughts on Day Trips From Seattle
Seattle isn’t short on great escapes within 90 minutes of downtown. The hard part is choosing. Want hiking? Go to Tiger Mountain or Snoqualmie Pass. Islands? Bainbridge or Whidbey. Waterfalls? Snoqualmie or Wallace Falls.
Have more time? Check out our favorite weekend trips from Seattle.
Read more of our Seattle guides:
- Seattle in Winter: 17 TOP Things to Do!
- 19 Amazing Weekend Trips From Seattle (1-5 Hours Away!)
- 9 of the BEST Day Trips From Seattle (Under 1.5 Hours Away!)
- 45 Outdoorsy Things to Do in Seattle, Washington!
We hope this helps you find the best day trips from Seattle without spending all day in the car!
