With its towering mountain ranges and breathtaking bays and inlets, the state of Washington has always been renowned for its geographical splendor; however, there is much more to this jewel of the Pacific Northwest than its natural beauty. Washington–or ‘The Evergreen State,’ as it is colloquially known–contains a wealth of small towns, villages, and hamlets with a well-earned reputation for welcoming visitors from all walks of life. For outsiders, though, it can be difficult to ascertain exactly where these communities are, what attractions they feature, and what other characteristics make them so special.
Leavenworth
Officially incorporated in 1906, Leavenworth, Washington (population 2,263), was originally settled around the region’s lucrative timber industry and was largely built in support of the state’s second-largest sawmill. As the decades passed, though, the town’s residents thought it wise to diversify their economy and began to focus on attracting tourists. In 1929, a ski jump was unveiled, taking advantage of the community’s location next to the stunning Cascade Mountains.
Beginning in the 1960s, Leavenworth made a concerted effort to highlight its Germanic roots. From that point onward, most of the town’s new buildings were designed with a Bavarian Alpine theme, giving it a distinctive and folksy charm that has lasted through to the present. These days, Leavenworth is famous for its ski lodges, bed and breakfasts, and an annual Oktoberfest festival that has gained national recognition. For those who love to celebrate the winter holidays all year round, the town is also home to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which contains over 5,000 nutcrackers from around the world, some of which date back centuries.
Coupeville
Coupeville is a small seaside town of 1,831 in the center of Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, and it is the county seat of Island County, Washington. Named after Thomas Coupe (a sea captain and early settler of the region), the first incarnation of the town was laid out in the 1850s, making it one of the oldest communities in all of Washington. One of Coupeville’s most well-reviewed attractions is the Island County Museum, which houses artifacts and exhibits chronicling the region’s rich history. The wharf along Penn Cove is another popular tourist destination, as is the downtown area, which is dotted with lovely restaurants, cafés, and interesting shops. Then there is Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve, which is a rural historical district with a mandate to preserve the historicity of Whidbey Island. The reserve is filled with wildlife and gorgeous maritime scenery and has the distinction of being one of only three such designated areas in the United States.
And if there was ever any question as to the town’s picturesque beauty and quaint charm, Hollywood put such doubts to rest by choosing Coupeville as the backdrop for the 1998 feature film Practical Magic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
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Read More: 10 of the Most Welcoming Towns in Washington