Washington State (Page 4): Totally agree. Downtown Seattle no longer feels safe especially after hours. Agressive panhandlers, public urination, etc. Used to love going to a fine jazz...

dreff Loc: Bow, WA

Totally agree. Downtown Seattle no longer feels safe especially after hours. Agressive panhandlers, public urination, etc. Used to love going to a fine jazz club (Jazz Alley). We seldom go now.

I am a Western WA native and have been just about everywhere. Here are my #1 and #2 choices for Mid-May: First, the Olympic National Park at LaPush and Rialto Beach. This time of year the colleges and common schools are still in session so crowds are usually down. The Columbia Gorge on both the Washington and Oregon sides are amazing. Oregon side has more waterfalls and indigenous flower species.

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

As long time Washington resident I would recommend rain gear. You can get 4 day good windows in May. Good luck.

theoldman

That question is a bit like "Where is a good place to eat?" It depends largely on your taste and location.

My grandfather homesteaded in Washington and I have lived here many years. I might help, but I can't begin unless I know your tastes.

Suppose you want images of vast deep canyons with sheer cliffs, and waterfalls with spring flowers in abundance.....like Paloose Falls. Or perhaps alpine meadows at the foot of a volcano, or 100's of vintage automobiles in one of America's largest collections, or abandoned school houses, or rolling hills of wheat behind a pioneer home, or a fishing village, elk, abundant waterfowl, a ferry approaching a city, or a remote island, a town out of Norman Rockwell's pages.....the possibilities are endless.

What are your tastes and where will you be?

Dave

le boecere

theoldman wrote:

That question is a bit like "Where is a good ... (show quote)

Maybe the best clarifying questions, yet, Dave. Excellent!

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

Thanks everyone for the great tips.

papaluv4gd Loc: durham,ct

State is too large to see much in a week. If you are doing the space needle in Seattle, you might as well stay in the genera area.Tried something similar many years ago. tried to see too much in too little time. spent more time driving pass not so well known , but some quite beautiful sights trying to get to the well known ones. If i was going to do a number of sights in the seattle area,I would do the needle ,olympic penninsula.and such.Get a more thorough experience in a smaller area. Those memories will last longer than the fleeting glimpses passing by the windshield. IMHO.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Zaydewise wrote:

We will be going out to Washington State in the middle of May and we were hoping some of the UHH members would have recommendations for things to do especially relating to photography. Right now I have a list that includes the Space Needle, Palouse Falls, Chihuly Gardens, Snoqualmie Falls and Deception Pass Bridge.

We will be there for at least a week.

I found the area around Walla Walla to be incredibly beautiful. The city is very photogenic as well.

zdncer Loc: Vancouver, WA

If you have time the Columbia River Gorge

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

There are a great many good suggestions and warnings here. 1 week will only allow you to scratch the surface of our corner of paradise. I grew up in Pullman (eastern Washington, 70 miles south of Spokane, home of Washington State University). Palouse falls will take a full day from Seattle due to the time required to get there, enjoy and return to Seattle. Plus, remember that it is a state park and you will need a pass to park there. My wife shared a video someone shot in the past few days from a boat looking up and the tremendous volume of water going over the falls right now. Impressive.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

Zaydewise wrote:

We will be going out to Washington State in the middle of May and we were hoping some of the UHH members would have recommendations for things to do especially relating to photography. Right now I have a list that includes the Space Needle, Palouse Falls, Chihuly Gardens, Snoqualmie Falls and Deception Pass Bridge.

We will be there for at least a week.

Everything you have listed on your want list is relatively close together (1.5 hr± drive) in Western Washington EXCEPT Palouse Falls. If you take the 5± hr drive east to Palouse Falls PLEASE don't pass up the opportunity to drive another hour ot so to Steptoe Butte for expansive views of rolling green grain fields and distant grain elevators at the golden hour and blue hour. (I'd pass up all the others if it meant that I could spend another day or two in Palouse country. IMHO it's that special) Do a search for Palouse or Steptoe Butte, or Colfax and see why I'm so enthusiastic about the place. I'd attach some of my Steptoe photos as evidence but the photos on the internet are better persuaders than mine could ever be.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Zaydewise wrote:

We will be going out to Washington State in the middle of May and we were hoping some of the UHH members would have recommendations for things to do especially relating to photography. Right now I have a list that includes the Space Needle, Palouse Falls, Chihuly Gardens, Snoqualmie Falls and Deception Pass Bridge.

We will be there for at least a week.

Don't forget the evenings, too. There are are great opportunities at night. The view from Stanley and Seaforts as well as the food is worth taking in. In the photo you can catch a glimpse of the LeMay Car Museum, which if you are interested in vintage cars, this is a must see. Hood Canal area is a good place for catching shots of bald eagles.

The link below is on my Instagram and is a view of Seattle from Gas Works park.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BezGAaPFj6W/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Tacoma viewed from Stanley and Seaforts...

(Download)

Visitation Catholic Church, Tacoma

(Download)

unduki

Probably not, but check on the Aurora Borealis. Sometimes we get it in WA.

Shutterbug57

I would start in Spokane and work my way west going around Mt. Rainer then up to the Olympic peninsula avoiding Seattle. Be sure to check on whether the passes are open and if there are restrictions regarding them.

Seattle is clearly on the decline. They have even gone so far as to erect a 16’ statue to their hero - AntonioReyna posted it above. For the historically challenged, that is V. I. Lenin and the results are trending the way history would predict. If you are looking to do some PJ work on a TWSH without leaving the USA, insure your camera (and life) and have at it. Personally, I would avoid Seattle for sure.

SpikeW Loc: Butler PA

Years ago we lived in Tacoma (Air Force). Everything there is outstanding. The only thing is the weather, it rains a lot. Not your gully makers but rain. I was told when we arrived there that if you can see Mount Rainier it is going to rain, if you can't see it ---it is raining. Besides that it is wonderful and there are trout in almost every stream plus the rhododendrons are spectacular. Wish I was going along. Miss those razor clams.I would recommend the ferry out of Anacortes and the gardens on Vancouver Islands. No matter what you are going to wish for more time. About two years should do it.

Jerry K Loc: oregon /michigan

I goofed, the flowers at Butchart Gardens may not be blooming that early.....mid-June would be better.