Washington's Premier Family Retreats Await Your Discovery
Popular cities
Cottage Lake
Discover Cottage Lake, Woodinville, WA - a serene getaway with lakefront homes, outdoor activities, and scenic trails. Find your perfect vacation spot on Lake.com.
Greenwood
Discover Greenwood, Seattle's charming neighborhood, with its vibrant shops, local theater, and the renowned Woodland Park Zoo, all awaiting your next visit.
Lakeland North
Discover Lakeland North Urban Nature Park, a 20-acre oasis between Auburn and Federal Way, featuring trails, playgrounds, and natural beauty in King County, Washington.
Seattle
Discover serene lake houses, cozy cabins, and waterfront retreats in Seattle on Lake.com. Perfect for family getaways, romantic escapes, or solo adventures near the city.
Fairwood
Discover Fairwood, Washington, with its serene landscapes and cozy vacation rentals. Find your perfect stay in houses, cabins, and more, all waiting for you on Lake.com.
Lacey
Discover Lacey, WA: urban oasis with lakes, parks, golf courses, and outdoor adventures, nestled near Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier.
Martha Lake
Discover Martha Lake near Lynnwood and Mill Creek, a serene oasis with fishing, boating, and scenic trails, perfect for a tranquil getaway.
Olympia
Discover Olympia, Washington’s vibrant culture, scenic waterfront, and outdoor adventures. From historic downtown to kayaking in Woodard Bay, find your perfect getaway.
Travel Tips
Embrace the Local Culture
Embrace the Pacific Northwest's culinary scene by savoring fresh, locally sourced dishes at farm-to-table restaurants.
Respect Nature
Explore the Olympic Peninsula's diverse ecosystems to encounter unique wildlife and pristine landscapes.
Be Flexible
Seattle's 2.5-hour drive to Mount Rainier offers hiking, camping, and RV parking; Spokane's 2.5-hour drive to Palouse Falls provides hiking and camping.
Support Local Businesses
Savor gourmet cuisine at BluWater Bistro in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood, offering lakeside dining with mahogany booths. Explore outdoor adventures at Alderbrook Resort & Spa in Union, featuring a saltwater pool and two marinas. Experience Bavarian charm at Leavenworth's Waterfront Park, offering scenic views and cultural festivities.
Washington’s Cascade Lake Jewels
Lake Chelan stretches 55 miles through glacial canyons where 1,500-foot depths cradle waters so pure that visibility reaches 60 feet, revealing kokanee salmon schooling beneath kayakers paddling to Stehekin’s roadless wilderness. Families discover Diablo Lake’s otherworldly turquoise created by glacial flour, where children count 30 shades of green from the overlook while parents photograph Instagram-worthy reflections of Colonial Peak’s 7,771-foot summit. Ross Lake’s 24-mile expanse beckons couples to floating cabins accessible only by water taxi, where morning coffee comes with bald eagle serenades and evening brings alpenglow painting the North Cascades crimson. Pet-friendly Lake Wenatchee State Park welcomes huskies to splash through designated swimming areas before hiking the Dirty Face Trail’s 4,000-foot ascent to panoramic wilderness views.
Alpine Festival Waters
Seafair transforms Lake Washington’s August surface into hydroplane racing’s championship course, where 250-mph boats chase the Gold Cup before 400,000 spectators lining Seattle’s shores. The Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival brings 15,000 music lovers to Pearrygin Lake’s natural amphitheater each July, while September’s Lake Chelan Crush draws 5,000 oenophiles for harvest parties at 40 lakefront wineries pouring estate Syrah. Groups reserve entire resorts during Ironman Coeur d’Alene, launching at dawn from floating docks before cycling past Lake Crescent’s emerald depths where Roosevelt elk graze shoreline meadows.
Pacific Northwest Lake Lodges
Washington’s 7,500 waterfront rentals include restored Forest Service cabins ($150 nightly) overlooking alpine tarns to contemporary steel retreats ($3,200 nightly) cantilevered above Puget Sound’s island-dotted waters. Lakefront compounds near Mount Baker accommodate 25 guests across cedar lodges featuring outdoor saunas, dock-mounted hot tubs, and boathouses storing everything from vintage mahogany runabouts to modern wakeboard boats equipped for Pacific Northwest adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to see what Washington has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Olympic Peninsula offers rainforest magic from $165. Mount Rainier provides alpine adventures starting at $145. San Juan Islands deliver ferry fun under $195. Lake.com showcases Washington’s incredible natural diversity.
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North Cascades area offers mountain cabins from $125. Olympic edges provide beach access starting at $175. Deception Pass features island views under $155. Lake.com connects families with Washington’s park gateways.
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Absolutely! Leavenworth charms with Bavarian village, river tubing, and rentals from $160. Winter brings sleigh rides. Summer offers hiking. Lake.com features properties perfect for mountain town adventures.
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Puget Sound islands offer orca views from $185. Lake Chelan provides sunny escapes starting at $170. Pacific beaches deliver storm watching under $140. Lake.com helps families find Washington’s water wonders.
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Eastern Washington offers bargains from $95. Methow Valley provides Nordic trails starting at $110. State park yurts book fast under $75. Lake.com’s budget filters identify Washington’s affordable nature escapes.
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Whidbey Island welcomes pets from $155. Cascade foothills offer trail access starting at $135. Many include mudrooms for rainy adventures. Lake.com’s pet search shows Washington’s dog-friendly properties.
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July-September brings driest weather for hiking. May-October suits whale watching. August offers warmest lake swimming. October delivers fall colors. Lake.com’s Pacific Northwest guide optimizes Washington outdoor timing.