There’s no place more relaxing to plan a trip, than Long Beach on Washington’s southwestern coast. This small, quaint town is complete with attractions for the whole family, a sky dotted with vibrant kites during the warmer seasons, and mile upon mile of heavenly beach scenery along the Pacific Ocean. The perfect little getaway in The Evergreen State, Long Beach is the best summer day trip town in Washington! Here are 10 things you’ll definitely want to do while exploring this winsome Washington town:

1. The International Kite Festival.
Brian Williams/Flickr
For a week long, this family-fun celebration draws in visitors from all over the globe. The event features kite flying and kite making classes, amateur (and professional) competitions, lighted kite flying at night and more. Be sure to check the festival website for current information.
2. A relaxing stroll along their boardwalk.
Eliza Adam/Flickr
The wooden boardwalk in Long Beach is perfect for a brisk morning walk or sunny afternoon stroll. At only about a half-mile in length, this popular, wheelchair-accessible path winds through grass-covered sand dunes with endless views of the ocean.
3. Or along the Discovery Trail.
Gary Windust/Flickr
This paved bike path stretches for a little more than eight miles through the grassy dunes and seaside forest between Long Beach and Ilwaco. The "Discovery Trail" marks the old Lewis & Clark expeditions, which is how it had actually gotten its name. It parallels along the boardwalk with endless vistas of the ocean, interpretative displays, and all kinds of impressive public artwork.
4. Score weird curiosities at Marsh's Free Museum.
Brandy/Flickr
Despite the name, Marsh's Free Museum is actually a great place to pick up weird souvenirs. They do have a few strange exhibits to see, including the famous "Jake The Alligator Man" - a half man, half alligator - as well as vintage penny machines and music boxes you can still play.
5. And unique gifts from their many other local shops.
Felixro/Wikipedia
Their downtown is easy to wander for hours, with an array of shops featuring beach and kite souvenirs, as well as a fabulous art gallery with both regional and local artists. Check out the works at Campiche Studios, or pick up small gifts from Banana Books, Above It All Kites, or NIVA green to take back home with you.

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6. Try some of the freshest local food.
Flickr/kpetunia
Long Beach is filled with fantastic dining options for every kind of taste. And with their great location along the coast, the local ingredients are about as fresh as you can get. Try a bowl of Clam Chowder from Cottage Bakery and Delicatessen, a burger from Lost Roo, or one of these wood-fired pizzas from Pickled Fish (on the top floor of the Adrift Hotel).
7. Check out all of the family fun.
Lydia Brooks/Flickr
Whether you're a kid at heart, or have little ones of your own, you'll be happy to find all kinds of family entertainment here, like go-carts and carnival rides.
8. Get a photo with the World's Largest Frying Pan and Largest Spitting Clam
Flickr/kimli
These huge roadside attractions are a year-long reminder of the community's popular Razor Clam Festival. Even with the frying pan's title and massive size at 14-feet-tall, it isn't actually the largest in the whole world. But it does make for awesome photo opportunities, along with the "Largest Spitting Clam" beside it - which spits out water on demand if you put in a quarter.
9. Head down to Cape Disappointment State Park near Ilwaco.
Gord McKenna/Flickr
Cape Disappointment State Park is just south of the town on the Long Beach Peninsula, where the Columbia River meets the ocean. The huge park provides a scenic place to go hiking and camping by the water, with two historic lighthouses (North Head & Cape Disappointment), along with miles of beach, hiking trails and picnic tables.
10. And a peaceful walk (or drive) along their long, dreamy beach.
Jim Belford/Flickr
Darin Barry/Flickr
Long Beach is renowned for their 28-mile-long beach with sand packed so densely that it's capable of supporting most vehicles. Some parts of the beach are closed to automobiles through Labor Day, but it always remains open to pedestrians (and cyclists) looking for a quiet stroll by the water. The wide open landscape and serene oceanfront views make the long, continuous beach a complete summer paradise.

Have you been to Long Beach before? Do you agree that it’s the best summer day trip town in Washington? Where else would you recommend visiting in town? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

For more summer day trip ideas in The Evergreen State, check out these amazing beaches!

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More to Explore

Summer Day Trip Town In Washington

Sarah | June 01, 2021

What are some fun day trips I can take in Washington?

What is there to do in Washington, you wonder? Everything! Taking a break and getting away from it all is essential once in awhile, and you don’t have to leave Washington for a fantastic vacation -- we’ve got plenty of wonderful places to explore in just a day or two. From lovely LaConner and Walla Walla to Ape Caves in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Olympic Peninsula, Washington has so many amazing places that make for delightful day trips!

What are Washington's most charming small towns?

If the above summer day trip to Long Beach made you curious about other charming small-town destinations in Washington, then you will definitely want to check out these seven winsome Washington towns. Port Townsend is a town that almost everyone in Washington knows about. But because of its remote location the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, it's not easily accessible for most Washingtonians. But our Victorian village is a place everyone should see. Not only is it full of delicious dining, Victorian buildings, boutiques, theaters, and bars, it's brimming with local history and a unique character.

What are the best summer destinations in Washington?

In the summer, there's really nothing like a beach day in The Evergreen State. And happily, there are so many wonderful beaches in Washington from which to choose! Shi Shi Beach is almost something you would expect to see on a postcard. If you walk a few miles up to the southern end of the shore, you'll find Point Of The Arches - which consists of over 30 sea stacks, small caves, and tide pools. Another Washington favorite is Rosario Beach, one of the many beautiful stretches of shoreline in Deception Pass Park. Located on Fidalgo Island, the small cove offers a sandy beach and plenty of tide pools to explore at low tide. It's also a fantastic place to find sea glass. If you're looking for some thrilling summertime fun, check out Sidewaters. A long-time favorite, this Lake Chelan waterpark features fast-paced water slides and lazy rivers -- and most recently, they added the world’s largest standing wave, created by Citywave USA, to the party!

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