Washington State apartments - holiday apartments throughout Washington State

WASHINGTON STATE

Photo Credit: Sunny Walter

Washington State Rentals: If you're drawn to the wild natural beauty of western America, take a look at www.selfcateringhol.com's growing list of Washington State rental properties. Washington State has a rugged beauty unmatched by any other state in the US, making this an ideal destination for a holiday. From the bustle of Seattle to the serene natural beauty of the North Cascades, you're sure to find plenty to love in Washington State.

Read our mini guide to Washington State

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Washington State, the westernmost state of mainland America, is a place packed with natural beauty and incredible variety. Wide sandy beaches line the coast, while the interior ranges from postcard-perfect lakes and mountains, to rolling fields of grain, still-active volcanoes and powerful rivers. No matter where you choose to stay in Washington State, your rental property will be near an area of supreme natural beauty.

Seattle, the largest city of Washington State, is one of the most vibrant cities in America. Famous for its coffee culture (Starbucks started here) and its technology companies, Seattle is a thriving city set against the memorable backdrop of the Puget Sound, the Cascade mountain range and the Olympic Mountains. In the city, shopping, dining, and cultural events abound; Seattle has a major opera, a symphony and a city ballet company. Yet the close proximity of mountains and lakes means that even if you rent an apartment in the heart of Seattle, you're just a short drive from hiking, sailing, kayaking or mountain climbing. Here in the most cosmopolitan corner of Washington State, rentals for at holiday-goers give you the easy access to both the city sights and the state's natural attractions.

Though Seattle is a must-see destination, Washington State is even better known for its scenic beauty. One of the areas with most variety is the North Cascades, home to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. You can drive the North Cascades scenic highway for an overview, or hike one of the many trails here for an up-close view of one of the most beautiful and least explored regions of Washington State. Rentals available in this area are cosy cottages in the heart of the natural area.

Other areas worth seeking out include the San Juan islands, a great summer destination north of Puget Sound, and the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, a gorge carved by floods and adorned by dozens of waterfalls.

In southern Washington State, explore the quickly growing wine country, and area of green vineyards and small wineries that is gaining a reputation as the home of some of the best Pinot Noir grapes in North America. This area is also known for its apples, so be sure to stop by a local orchard.

Photo Credit: Sunny Walter

Washington State is a great destination year-round, with perfect weather for hiking in Spring and Summer, low crowds in Autumn, and world-renowned skiing in Winter. All year, and specially October through April, the Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being cool and damp, though the truth is that Seattle actually gets less rain per year than cities like Chicago, Miami, New York or Atlanta. Nevertheless, be prepared for possible rainfall with jackets, hats and umbrellas.

Average month-by-month high and low temperatures in Seattle, Washington are: Jan8ºC/2ºC, Feb 10ºC/3ºC, Mar 12ºC/4ºC, Apr 14ºC/6ºC, May 18ºC/8ºC, Jun 21ºC/11ºC, Jul 24ºC/13ºC, Aug 24ºC/13ºC, Sep 21ºC/11ºC, Oct 16ºC/8ºC, Nov 11ºC/4ºC, Dec 8ºC/2ºC

Photo Credit: Sunny Walter

Washington State has several small international airports; It's possible to fly into Spokane, Bellingham, Moses Lake-Grant County or Walla Walla. But the largest and busiest airport is the Seattle-Tacoma International airport. Travel time from London is about 15 hours.

Once in Washington state, the most popular way to get around is to hire a car and travel freely. Another good options is the state's excellent ferry system. Most of the larger towns and cities along Washington State's coast have a ferry port, and this is a fun and relaxing way to travel.

Limited train and motorcoach lines are available as well.

Photo Credit: Sunny Walter

Washington State is one of America's most rugged states, and outdoor activities abound. The coast, with its wide, smooth beaches, is a great place for windsurfing or sailing. Thanks to the abundance of open space, old-fashioned kite flying is popular here, and competitions are held annually. Off the northern coast of Washington State you can take a ferry to the islands of Washington, a jumble of small islands where you can kayak, cycle, hike or even join a whale-watching trip.

Inland, hiking is popular, and Washington state is filled with trails ranging from easy walking paths to challenging summit climbs. It's impossible to exaggerate the variety or the natural beauty you'll find here - lush rainforests, delicate waterfalls, glassy lakes, meadows of wildflowers, majestic mountain peaks… the list could go on and on. Great places for hiking in Washington State include forests like the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest or the spectacular Quinault rain forest, or parks like Olympic National Park (home to the rainforest) or the North Cascades National Park, where you can hike through the volcanic ash of Mount St. Helens. Other possible outdoor activities include salmon fishing, bird-watching, white water rafting, hang gliding or paragliding, and scuba diving.

In winter, snow skiing is popular in the North Cascades and Rocky Mountain gateway regions. For something different, try dog-sledding or sleigh riding, though the more modern snowmobiling is available here too. Snowshoeing is a great way to soak up Washington State's winter scenery too.