These 8 Washington Towns May Be Small, But They're Incredibly Lively
Some small Washington towns seem like they were meant to be a place simply to get away from it all. Others have a lot going on despite their size. From entertainment and events to fine dining and great nightlife options, these are a few of our small but lively cities.

Despite its tiny size, no one can deny that Leavenworth is lively. The annual Oktoberfest festival is certainly an energetic affair, but you'll find something on the local calendar every month of the year. And with more than 20 wine tasting rooms and plenty of breweries in the area, finding a place for libations is never an issue.

Since Ellensburg is a college town, you can always count on something going on in one of the local bars. But this charming Central Washington town has a lot more to offer — the First Friday Art Walk, Olmstead Place State Park, and the annual Ellensburg Rodeo, just to name a few.
Advertisement

Let's be real: La Conner has more character crammed into its 326 acres than the majority of our bigger cities in their entirety. From art galleries and antique shops to amazing restaurants and waterfront wine tasting, this little city will steal your heart.
Advertisement

Walla Walla is becoming such a hot tourist destination, it's easy to forget it's not a big city. But even if you don't drink wine, you'll love the shopping, entertainment, and dining options in the area. Catch a performance at the Power House Theatre or sing a little karaoke at Sapolil sometime.

You'd think Port Townsend would be a sleepy little town that closes at sunset... but it isn't. You can sip cocktails late into the night at Alchemy, catch a movie at the amazing Rose Theatre, or take a ghost tour through Twisted History Tours.

By day, Winthrop is a tourist-friendly place with inviting shops, galleries, ice cream and other treats. By night, you can catch live music at Old Schoolhouse Brewery or enjoy the atmosphere at Three Fingered Jack's.

Home to the Bremerton Boardwalk, the USS Turner Joy Museum Ship, the Kitsap Forest Theater and numerous bars and eateries worth checking out, this little city on the Kitsap Peninsula is highly underrated.

Most of the San Juan Islands consist of quiet, rural land, which is part of the reason we love to visit — it's a peaceful escape. But Friday Harbor is home to the shops, restaurants and galleries we like to see on vacations, not to mention their annual events, like the Memorial Day Parade.
Do you have a favorite city or town to visit in Washington? These charming waterfront towns are pretty amazing.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.