Discover the Evergreen State: Top 16 Fun Facts About Washington You Can't-Miss!

1. Apple Capital of America

If Isaac Newton had been chilling under a Washington State apple tree, he might have discovered gravity a lot sooner – or simply enjoyed the juiciest snack of his life: Washington State leads the nation in apple production, contributing a whopping 60% of all American apples, thanks to its heavenly climate, fertile soil, and ample water resources, particularly in the regions of Yakima Valley, Wenatchee Valley, and Okanogan. So take that, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California – Washington is the true apple of America's eye!
Source => worldpopulationreview.com

2. Giant Octopus' Playground

In the murky depths of Puget Sound, a true heavyweight champion lurks: armed to the teeth with 8 massive appendages and unmatched master of disguise, the ultimate sushi ingredient—giant Pacific octopus—awaits its oohs and aahs from awestruck visitors: Puget Sound is home to Octopus Protection Areas like Alki Beach Junkyard and Les Davis Marine Area 12, where these massive creatures, weighing up to 150 pounds and boasting a 20-foot arm span, can change color, texture, and even express emotions, all while being safeguarded from the reach of intrepid seafood enthusiasts.
Source => wdfw.wa.gov

Discover the astonishing depths of Crater Lake in Oregon, the United States' reigning champion of depth, and learn what makes it stand out among the world's deepest lakes. Dive into more fun facts now!

=> Fun Facts about Oregon

3. One Square Inch of Silence

Need a break from the deafening cacophony of the city? Why not step into nature's hush-hush hideaway where silence isn't golden, it's downright rejuvenating by immersing yourself in a world that even Keanu Reeves would deem breathtaking: Washington state's Hoh Rain Forest is home to the quietest spot in the United States, marked by a small red stone placed by acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton in 2005. This serene sanctuary, dubbed the One Square Inch of Silence, is visited by those seeking to tune into nature's soothing soundtrack, rather than drowning in man-made noise pollution.
Source => olympicpeninsula.org

4. Frosty Embrace at Big Four Ice Caves

For those seeking a chillingly cool getaway from the everyday humdrum of life, Big Four Ice Caves have you covered – both literally and metaphorically – with a frosty embrace: This must-see destination in Washington State's North Cascades offers a picturesque 2.2-mile roundtrip hike, reaching an elevation gain of 220 feet and peaking at 1,938 feet, but be warned, the access to this icy wonderland is seasonally blocked for trail work from May 15 to June 30.
Source => wta.org

5. Explosive Mount St. Helens

If Mount St. Helens were a person, it might be considered rather "explosive" with a "short fuse": Washington state's most active volcano, Mount St. Helens, went through a catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, causing the largest landslide in U.S. history. This eruption not only obliterated the nearest forest but also took the lives of 57 people and continues to serve as a living, breathing reminder of Mother Nature's fiery temper.
Source => earthsky.org

6. Bavarian-style Leavenworth

In the mountains of Washington, there's a town where "lederhosen" and "bratwurst" are the locals' favorite pastimes, and the hills are alive with the sound of polka: Leavenworth, Washington is a charming Bavarian-style village that transformed itself in the 1960s to save the town, and today, it boasts an array of attractions like skiing, festivals, mountain biking, and even a nutcracker museum, drawing in about two million visitors annually.
Source => mindfultravelbysara.com

7. Trees Turned to Stone

Ready, petri, go: Washington State is home to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, a place where trees have quite literally turned into stone! This national natural landmark boasts over 30 varieties of petrified wood and a rare collection of petrified Ginkgo trees, all sitting pretty along the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail.
Source => parks.wa.gov

8. Tying the Knot at Bridal Veil Falls

It's no secret that Washington State holds the keys to wedded bliss, but did you know that hikers can "tie the knot" with nature at Bridal Veil Falls? We're not talking about exchanging rings, but rather exchanging stunning views with every step you take: This cascading beauty descends for 1,328 feet from Lake Serene and is tucked beneath the ever-watchful eye of Mount Index, with a 3.7-mile moderate hiking trail that boasts an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. Best used between June and September, you can take a nostalgic trip to the Honeymoon Mine and climb the steps alongside the roaring falls – just don't forget to leash your "best man" if you're bringing along your furry friends!
Source => seattlenorthcountry.com

9. World's Largest Building

If Disneyland ever feels cramped, there's a plane-tastic place to accommodate the entire magical kingdom: Washington state is home to the Boeing Everett factory, the largest building in the world by volume, covering 98.3 acres and boasting 472 million cubic feet of space - more than enough to house Disneyland with room to spare!
Source => history.com

10. Ape Cave Eruption Adventure

Who let the apes out?: Washington state's Ape Cave was formed by a rare Mount St. Helens eruption, producing fluid basaltic lava instead of the usual thick, sticky stuff. Measuring an impressive 13,042 feet long, it’s the third longest lava tube in North America and the cave is now popular for day hikes, but don't forget to decontaminate your gear first, to help stop the spread of White Nose Syndrome!
Source => fs.usda.gov

11. Bigfoot Bonanza

If you're itching to play a game of "Where's Wally, Sasquatch Edition," look no further than Washington state, where trees, trails, and hairy hominids abound: With a whopping 676 reported sightings, Washington takes the Bigfoot cake, not only leading the nation but beating the per capita odds with 8.9 sightings for every 100,000 residents – making it the ideal destination for all Bigfoot believers and bushwhackers!
Source => satelliteinternet.com

12. Energizer Bunny's Power Plant

If the Energizer Bunny ever needed a recharge, it would definitely hop on over to Washington State: Home to the mighty Nathaniel "Nat" Washington Power Plant at Grand Coulee Dam, this powerhouse boasts a mind-blowing capacity of 4,215 MW and generates a whopping 21 billion kWh per year, enough to keep Seattle buzzing for an entire year with just two of its generating units!
Source => usbr.gov

13. UFO-inspired Flying Pancake

If Roswell and a pancake had a baby, it would look like this: Washington state proudly hosts the National Air and Space Museum's Vought V-173 Flying Pancake, an oddly-shaped experimental aircraft that bears an uncanny resemblance to the mysterious flying objects reported by pilot Kenneth A. Arnold in 1947.
Source => airandspace.si.edu

14. Stylish Sea Otters

Who needs a million-dollar coat when you can have a million hairs per square inch instead? Washington's sea otters were once the ultimate fashion victims: Sea otters were hunted to extinction in Washington state for their incredibly dense fur, which boasts up to one million hairs per square inch of skin. However, in a coastal comeback story, sea otters were reintroduced in the late 1960s from Alaska, and are now making a splash in Washington waters with a special mission: keeping sea urchin populations in check to protect the vital kelp forests that other marine critters call home.
Source => seattleaquarium.org

15. Suciasaurus Rex

In Washington state, even the dinosaurs don't want to be left out at sea; enter Suciasaurus rex: a theropod dinosaur fossil, the first and only one found in the region, discovered by Burke Museum paleontologists on Sucia Island State Park shores in 2012, dating back to 80 million years ago and possibly soon to be named the state dinosaur.
Source => seattletimes.com

16. Winthrop's Wild West Wonderland

Hold onto your cowboy hats and saddle up for a wild ride: Winthrop, nestled in Washington's Methow Valley, was transformed into a blast-from-the-past, early 1900s western theme town in the 1970s, all thanks to Kathryn Wagner who hired architect Robert Jorgensen and convinced local business owners to pitch in $2,000 each, turning Otto Wagner's dream of an Old West village into a kitschy reality.
Source => travelyesplease.com