What Is Washington Known For? 12 Things Washingtonians Love About Themselves

Washington, also known as the Evergreen State, is the tip of the Pacific Northwest. As the 42nd state admitted to the union, Washington is full of rich history, beloved sports teams, stunning landscapes, and residents who adore where they live. Let’s take a look at some of the things the state of Washington is most known for.

1. Starbucks

When you think of places to stop and grab a cup of coffee, Starbucks is likely the first to come to mind. With over 35,000 locations in more than 80 countries, this company is a leader in the coffee industry. It all started in Pike Place Market in Seattle in the early ’70s.

Starbucks has completely changed the way Americans drink coffee. They were one of the first companies to introduce a variety of coffee bean origins, blended sugary drinks, and more. 

The first shop still stands today and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seattle. 

People come from all over the globe to see where this coffee empire planted its roots. While the original location is quite small, it is definitely a sight to see. 

2. Apples

Washington state is the leader when it comes to apple production in the United States. This is thanks to the fertile soil there and plenty of rain to keep apple trees hydrated and flourishing. Nearly 60% of the apples people eat in America are grown in Washington state. 

This adds up to roughly 12 billion apples each year. Some of the most popular varieties are Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. Many people visiting the state of Washington can tour an apple orchard in the autumn months to truly take in the season. 

3. Mount Rainier 

Mount Rainier is a sight to behold. As part of the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier towers more than 14,000 feet into the sky and is the highest point in the state. Although it hasn’t erupted in nearly 200 years, Mount Rainier is still considered an active volcano. 

Because of its overall size and the landscape surrounding it, Mount Rainier is thought to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. This doesn’t stop outdoor enthusiasts from taking advantage of the stunning environment around the famous mountain.

From dense forests to quaint lakes, you can truly feel at peace when you immerse yourself in nature here. 

4. Rainy Weather

If there is one thing the state of Washington is known for: it is rain. While precipitation ranges across the state just like any other, Washington experiences anywhere from 70 to 150 inches of rain per year.

Believe it or not, this does not make it the rainiest state. Hawaii has that title. This doesn’t stop tourists and locals from donning rain jackets and umbrellas for when it inevitably starts to pour down. 

This amount of rain helps all of the plants thrive. The weather helps Washington represent its nickname of “The Evergreen State.”

5. Amazon

There are few companies as famous and successful as Amazon. Originally started in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in Bellevue, WA, Amazon was originally a website that sold books. Now, as one of the most used online shopping platforms in the world, Amazon sells just about everything. 

Beyond the World Wide Web, Amazon has brick-and-mortar stores, subscription services for music and movies, electronics such as televisions and speakers, and its own line of everyday goods. 

In 2022, Amazon generated over 500 billion dollars in net sales. There are nearly two million employees within the company and they always seem to be expanding. 

6. Columbia River

The largest river in this portion of the country is the Columbia River. It flows from the Rocky Mountains in Canada down to Washington and then into the ocean. In total, the Columbia River covers over 1,200 miles. 

Most locals recognize it as the river that separates Washington from Oregon. Many people will live in Vancouver, WA, and work in Portland by simply crossing one of the numerous bridges that traverse the Columbia River. 

In addition to being a popular body of water that runs through Washington State, the Columbia River is one of the largest in the country. The state benefits from the tributaries and people have been utilizing the Columbia River for trading and power generation for years. 

7. Olympic National Park

It is hard to beat the pure beauty that is Olympic National Park. While it is one of the most popular and visited parks in the country, locals still can’t get enough. It’s situated on the Olympic Peninsula and has everything from hiking trails to camping to exploring tide pools. 

People of all ages love visiting Olympic National Park to immerse themselves in nature and get away from busy city life. Because of its central location near both Portland and Seattle, this beloved park couldn’t be easier to enjoy. 

Just make sure you bring the proper footwear, as the trails can get slick after heavy rain. 

8. Space Needle

The Space Needle is one of the most iconic structures in the world. Located in the heart of Seattle, the Space Needle is an observation tower that has been around since 1962. Due to its popularity, it is situated by other popular tourist attractions such as the Museum of Pop Culture.

The Space Needle is 605 feet tall and over one million people enter its doors each year. The Loupe is a level of the structure unlike anything else you’ve seen before. Not only does it have a glass floor, it has massive windows that nearly stretch from the floor to the ceiling. 

This gives visitors the illusion that they are walking above the city. The Space Needle has a cafe and a wine bar to keep you satiated during your visit. It’s hard to beat the view of Puget Sound, the mountains, and the Cascade Range all around you. 

9. Whale Watching

Another thing that the state of Washington is known for is whales. There are several ferries you can take to go whale watching around the state. One of the most popular is a ferry that leaves from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

Many locals use these ferries to travel to and from work each day. Relaxing on the vessel and whale watching sure beats sitting in traffic on the 5. The trip takes roughly one hour each way and gives Washington residents and tourists the opportunity to spot a variety of whales in Puget Sound. 

You can see a variety of animals including humpback whales, sea lions, and orcas. Orcas are truly a sight to see, as these massive creatures can weigh up to 12,000 pounds.

10. Seattle

When you think of the state of Washington, you likely think of Seattle. Over three million people live in the Seattle metro. Believe it or not, the original city of Seattle is actually under Pioneer Square. There was a massive fire in 1889 that destroyed early Seattle. 

When they rebuilt the city, they did so on top of the original. Home to delicious coffee, freshly caught seafood, and an infamous gum wall that is one of the germiest attractions in the world, there is surely something special about this metropolis. 

11. Seattle Seahawks

It’s hard to beat the dedication of a Seattle Seahawks fan. Both locals and people around the country love this football team. So much so that in 2011, the crowd went wild during a gain, and it caused a mini earthquake. 

The Seattle Seahawks have some of the loudest and most passionate fans in the world. With a stadium in Seattle, the city becomes even more lively anytime a home game is happening. 

12. Grapes

Second to apples, the state of Washington is known for grapes. There are more than 1,000 wineries throughout the state, and it is the second-largest wine-producing area in the United States. 

There are more than 80 varieties of grapes that grow in the state, and they are used for both eating and making wine. Several individuals from around the world will visit Washington simply for wine-tasting tours. This juicy fruit is also turned into jams, jellies, and a variety of tasty desserts and juices. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kirk Fisher/iStock via Getty Images