Things to do in Washington, United States: The Best Visitor Centers

May 9, 2022 Alice Mieles

Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including Toppenish Visitors Center, Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Newhalem Visitor Center, Sunrise Visitor Center, Port Townsend Visitor Center, Dry Falls Interpretive Center, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Interpretive Center, Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor Center, Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center.
Restaurants in Washington

1. Toppenish Visitors Center

504 S Elm St, Toppenish, WA 98948-1682 +1 509-865-3262 https://www.visittoppenish.com/visit-toppenish
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Toppenish Visitors Center

2. Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau

3914 Pacific Way, Seaview, WA 98644-4209 +1 360-642-2400 https://www.visitlongbeachpeninsula.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau

3. Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

Hwy. 504, milepost 5, Castle Rock, WA 98611 +1 360-274-0962 http://parks.state.wa.us/245/Mount-St-Helens
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 483 reviews

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

This Forest Service facility gives an overview of Cascade Range volcanism and the events before and after May 18, 1980.

Reviewed By Tiztaz - Whidbey Island, United States

We left Whidbey Island for a road trip to Castle Rook to check out the Mt. St. Helen's Area. Although there was a $5 entrance fee to the center, it is worth it. We always take advantage of the movies that centers like this often have, showcasing the area and we weren't disappointed. Movie showed the volcano and area prior to it erupting and flooding aftermath. You just can't imagine what it must have been like to be near such a catastrophe waiting to happen and how it affected the area. Very interesting displays of everything leading up to and after the eruption. Also next to the center is a trail leading to a nature boardwalk over Silver Lake with views of the mountain in the distance. Lots of blooming lily pads and birds along the walk. Enjoyed the gift shop as well. Well worth the visit to this center (museum and theatre).

4. Newhalem Visitor Center

Marblemount, WA +1 206-386-4495 http://www.seattle.gov/light/damtours/night.asp
Excellent
53%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Newhalem Visitor Center

The visitor center offers information and an audio/video presentation of the area.

Reviewed By rogersober - Clermont, United States

This is a must not miss stop that has gardens and a trail unmatched in the area that is lit from the power plant and has a hanging bridge. The restrooms were closed and bridge over falls trail closed. The the place was wonderful and we got our NP stamp at the gift shop.

5. Sunrise Visitor Center

Mount Rainier National Park, WA +1 360-569-6575 http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 295 reviews

Sunrise Visitor Center

Tourist center located on the eastern side of Mount Rainier National Park.

Reviewed By 607megank - Wenatchee, United States

Amazing hikes of all varieties. Many travel up the surrounding mountains for a close up look at the majestic Mt. Rainer. The trails slope through sub-alpine meadows, filled with birds, marmots, and the occasional mountain goat. Some parts of the trail are covered in snow (early August) so be careful.

6. Port Townsend Visitor Center

2409 Jefferson St, Port Townsend, WA 98368-4637 +1 360-385-2722 http://visitjeffersoncountywa.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Port Townsend Visitor Center

7. Dry Falls Interpretive Center

34875 Park Lake Rd NE, Coulee City, WA 99115-9607 +1 509-632-5214 http://www.parks.wa.gov/298/Sun-Lakes-Dry-Falls
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Dry Falls Interpretive Center

Offers information on the geology and history of Dry Falls.

Reviewed By Shaked007 - Hod Hasharon, Israel

Dry Falls is probably one of the most impressive places on earth, if you use some imagination. The interpretive center will do exactly that for you......Help you use your imagination to understand the enormity of events that occurred here a few thousand years ago. An ice dam broke during the last ice age and released a body of water the size of the great lakes...!! This resulted in a 300 foot wave that stormed downward at over 60 mph. The resulting waterfall, located opposite the Interpretive Center, was the largest waterfall ever, and flowed with a current stronger than all the world's rivers put together!!! Wow!! Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area, or even a big detour if you aren't...... Very Impressive!! Great Views!!

8. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Interpretive Center

Vantage, WA http://parks.state.wa.us/1113/Ginkgo-Petrified-Forest
Excellent
32%
Good
63%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Interpretive Center

Nature center displaying a diverse collection of petrified wood.

Reviewed By DeeTeeSeattle - Brisbane, Australia

Just off I-90 near Vantage, the Ginko Petrified Forest - Interpretive Center was very interesting, with many examples of different petrified trees. Large ones were outside and were interesting to touch and look at closely. Inside, examples were in display cases all around the room. A very comprehensive collection. Good views of Lake Wanapum from the back of the center as it fronts the lake. A surprise was the group of Native American petroglyphs on display outside. They were brought from elsewhere when the lake was created as they would have been underwater. Don't miss this - it's a separate path from the front of the Center around the right side at the back. Staff were friendly and informative. We didn't do the trail to see petrified trees in situ, but could see it from the Interpretive Center. It's a State Park, so we bought a 12 month Discovery Pass for all State Parks in WA.

9. Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor Center

103 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501-1328 360-7040-7544 http://www.visitolympia.com
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor Center

10. Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center

3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Olympic National Park, WA +1 360-565-3131 http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 371 reviews

Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center

Offers great views of Mount Olympus, Bailey Range and Mount Carrie.

Reviewed By cbrummy125 - Tacoma, United States

It is a bit pricey, but if you plan to go see more National parks in the next year, the annual pass for $80 is worth it. ($30/day pass) Driving the switch backs is beautiful and you see a lot of green and fog. When you approach the top-on a clear day you can see for miles and it is gorgeous. You can see several mountain peaks in the Olympic National Forest, beautiful flowers & fields this time of year. The deer are everywhere ! They are not afraid and come very close to you. Many of the trail hikes are long/strenuous for younger children or older people. There are some easy paths to follow for that group. There is something for everyone there. A gift shop, restaurant (not open currently bc of Covid) and restrooms. They are doing construction near the tourist area but even with all of that we got amazing pictures without the machines/dirt piles/cones. Highly recommend bringing a lunch and having a picnic there, it’s breathtaking and worth every penny and windy road!

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