7 Cutest Small Towns Near Seattle In 2024 (2024)

Seattle, Washington, is a fabulous place to spend your time. Whether you live there or love to visit, you'll quickly notice that the hustle and bustle of the city never stops. This iconic Pacific Northwest city offers many incredible activities, a diverse culture, and incredible food.

Some of the best things to do in Seattle include visiting the famous Space Needle landmark or relaxing in one of the many coffee shops. In fact, Starbucks started in Seattle, so if you're a coffee fan, you'll soon grow to love this city's cafe culture.

However, the sweet chaos of city life here might get a bit too much from time to time. Your mind might desire to switch off and not listen to too much noise. Luckily, there are plenty of cute towns near the city within an hour's drive, not to mention there are also a number of fantastic beaches under an hour away by car from Seattle as well.

Most of these adorable little towns offer unwinding activities, natural spaces, limited noise, and fewer tourists, so they are ideal for escaping the energy of Seattle and delving into the calm and charm of the Pacific Northwest. Ready for something different? Consider visiting any of the cutest towns near Seattle in 2024.

7 North Bend

North Bend sits just outside cosmopolitan Seattle, offering fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and amazing coffee around 30 miles and 30 minutes from Seattle

Whether you're a fan of the Twin Peaks TV show or not, you'll love North Bend, famous for its Twin Peak mountain range, and especially Mount Si. The double Haystack Peak mountain is one of the first things you will spot when you drive in from Seattle. Visitors can hike the peaks from Mount Si Road and the many trails. The four-mile trail will take you to the top for beautiful valley views.

Other outdoor activities include visiting the Twin Falls at Mount Si and soaking up the serene natural beauty of Rattlesnake Lake. North Bend also offers visitors the chance to enjoy some rather incredible coffee. The Huxdotter Coffee Shop and Arete Coffee Bar are popular among visitors who want to try local coffee.

6 Woodinville

The intimate Woodinville makes for the perfect pit stop for wine lovers and nature lovers alike, around 20 miles and 23 minutes from Seattle

Looking for cheap long weekend trips from Seattle for under $500? Woodinville is a pretty affordable town that feels like a world away from Seattle (and is much cheaper). This town best known for its wine culture; visitors can indulge in the local wines through wine tours at Chateau Ste or at local bars like Village Wines or Purple Cafe and Wine Bar.

Woodinville also offers great outdoor activities for adults and children if you prefer nature or a mix of both. You can try cycling the river trail at Sammamish or head for outdoor swimming at Saint Edward State Park. It is a fairly quiet place, so don't expect many tourists while you enjoy the wine and nature in peace.

5 Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie might be small, but it's home to the almighty Snoqualmie Falls, around 29 miles and 31 minutes from Seattle

Snoqualmie is a place to add to your Washington bucket list if you want some peace outside of Seattle yet don't wish to travel too far. Who knew you could drive just 30 minutes outside the city and be met with a quiet, idyllic town home to a mighty waterfall?

Snoqualmie has plenty of things to do and is home to the most beautiful waterfall outside of Seattle. Snoqualmie Falls is breathtaking, and you can stay right on top of them at Salish Lodge. The 268-foot waterfall is one of the main natural attractions in Washington State, so you will want to pass by while visiting Seattle.

You can also spend your day here admiring the falls, checking out the unique stores, and learning about the railway's history at the Northwest Railway Museum.

4 Snohomish

Head to the antique capital of the northwest for Washington's best antique shopping spots, around 31.5 miles and 38 minutes from Seattle

Snohomish is best known for its antique stores and historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Antique fans and anyone interested in northwestern U.S. history will not want to miss this quaint town.

Visit Snohomish and see how many antique shops are full of hundreds and thousands of goodies. It is an antique lover's dream, so don't miss the chance to visit if you are in or near Seattle. Snohomish's historic downtown area is great for a stroll, where you can discover many restaurants, while Lord Hill Regional Park offers gentle hikes.

3 Black Diamond

Dive into the coal and railroad history of the northwest, around 33 miles and 41 minutes from Seattle

Black Diamond is a quiet and rural place with some of the most stunning mountain views in the northwest. Nestled among the Black Diamond Hills with a view of Mount Rainier, the natural landscapes here are picture-perfect. In particular, though, you'll love spending your time in Black Diamond delving into the town's history of coal and railroads.

Head to the railroad-turned Museum of Black Diamond Museum, spend your afternoon exploring old homes and cabins like Pagani House and visit the 109-year-old bakery in the Old Town District. The town is steeped in history and might make you feel like you have traveled back in time, which is incredible considering it's so close to the modernity of Seattle.

2 Carnation

Formerly known as Tolt, Carnation is famous for its Carnation Milk products and makes a great pit stop for medieval activities, located around 27 miles and 35 minutes from Seattle

Carnation, Washington

Carnation found its name in 1917 after being called Tolt for hundreds of years. The town's name change was to honor the Carnation Milk Product Company, which made the town flourish economically.

Carnation is a short drive from Seattle and allows visitors to bask in the beautiful nature of farms and medieval-like villages. Visit in the summer or early fall, and you can spend your time picking berries or pumpkins. Or, you can dive into the medieval past in the English village and step back in time at the Living History Museum.

1 Leavenworth

The longer journey to the Bavarian town of Leavenworth from Seattle is worth it when you see the Cascade Mountain scenery, around 117 miles and 2 hours from Seattle

Although Leavenworth is the longest drive on this list, it is one of the cutest towns near Seattle. Within just over two hours, you will be greeted with spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains. This logging town is also a Bavarian-style village thanks to its old-world charm, Germanic cuisine, and authentic Bavarian buildings.

It is ideal to visit in the winter for its festive charm and incredible Christmas markets. However, Leavenworth is gorgeous all year round. Head to the town in summer to explore the Bavarian buildings or Waterfront Park. In winter, you can enjoy the markets, the Reindeer Farm, and sleigh rides, as Leavenworth is one of the most festive places in Washington.