Washington, Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. St. Helens

Seattle is a good base for visiting this diverse region, and is considered one of the most livable U.S. cities, both for its urban offerings and for its proximity to world-class nature. Its surroundings include four National Parks and historic and picturesque islands.

Travel Tips and Ideas for Planning a Vacation

Base yourself out of Seattle for a few days and add on day trips to nearby islands. Multiple-day trips to the Cascades and Olympic Peninsula are also good excursions to take.