15 Reasons Sequim Should Be on Your PNW Bucket List
Author: Tammi from Wander Healthy
The city of Sequim is a charming little gem on the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula, just over 60 miles from Seattle. We stop here every time we’re heading in that direction, as there are many fantastic things to do in Sequim.
Living in the Seattle area, we’ve made many trips to the peninsula for hiking, beachcombing, and soaking in the natural beauty, and Sequim has become a favorite part of the journey. For us, it’s where the adventure begins.
This delightful town offers a peaceful escape with its relaxed vibe, stunning landscapes, and activities that work for all ages. Whether you’re drawn to its lavender fields, scenic trails, or quaint downtown, Sequim promises a memorable experience every time.
15 Fun Things to do in Sequim
There are many attractions in Sequim that you can enjoy, some even for free.
The outdoors are unparalleled in beauty on a sunny coastal day and offers a variety of opportunities for photography. On rainier, colder and cloudier days, the Sequim Museum is wonderful way to spend your time.
These are my favorites through the years, and my family’s favorites too. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
1. Visit the Lavender Farms
Sequim is the lavender capital of the United States and is overflowing with food, tours and demonstrations.
The Lavender Festival runs for a week in July and is a beautiful, aromatic celebration of all things lavender.
You don’t need to hit it on that particular week to enjoy the lavender, however. In fact, my preference is to avoid the crowds and go the week before the festival technically begins.
Many farms are open all summer and welcome visitors. Each farm has it own unique take on lavender, so it’s fun to see as many as possible.
Fun Fact: Sequim is one of the driest regions in the Pacific Northwest! It is often referred to as the Blue Hole as a result.
Best Lavender Farms
These are my four favorite lavender farms. There are many others however, and all of them have their own unique approach to lavender and farming.
You could easily spend an entire day happily immersed in lavender.
Purple Haze Lavender Farm
- Website
- U-pick lavender
- Lavendar ice cream & lemonade
- Flower garden bees, butterflies, chickens, ducks and peacocks
- Plenty of parking
- Shaded cover area for sitting
They also have a beautiful secret garden, overflowing with gorgeous flowers and photo opportunities.
B & B Lavender Farm
- Website
- Family owned and operated
- 12 acres of lavender
- Must-do tour
- Gift shop on site
The tour, which runs frequently throughout the day in summer, is short, sweet and fascinating. The only one like it in Sequim. Don’t miss it!
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
Jardin du Soleil
- Website
- Lavender fields and photo ops
- Flower garden and bee sanctuary
Quaint gardens with extensive grounds for exploring and picnicking. They also have a maze for little ones and Friday night concerts in July. This one is my favorite.
Lavender Connection
- Website
- Demonstrations
- U pick lavender fields
- Picnic area
I highly recommend the Lavender Italian Soda, but the latte is also delicious. Really you can’t wrong with anything lavender flavored!
2. Olympic Game Farm
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
The Olympic Game Farm is a wildlife exhibit in Sequim, in which you stay in your car and drive through the property viewing their hugely diverse population of animals.
The non-predatory animals roam freely, even coming to your car window for bread, while the predatory animals are kept enclosed but still within view.
The tour takes about an hour total, if you go just once. Admission is good for all day.
The farm started out as Disney’s Wild Animal Ranch, a place where animal actors were housed and trained for appearances in various Disney movies. They are not a game farm in the sense that they allow hunting but in the sense that they house game animals.
They also have a petting area, aquarium and feeding area but you must feed the animals using food purchased on the farm. For the animals safety.
If you’re looking for interesting things to do in Sequim, this should be at the top of your list. I’ve never experienced anything like it since and the kids, adults now, are still asking to return whenever we’re in the area.
Fun Fact: Sequim means “a place to shoot or hunt” in the S’Klallum language.
3. Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is over 100 years old. It provides and maintains habitat for 100s of species on its’ shores and in the water, including birds, seals and deer to name just a few.
The refuge covers nearly 800 acres of land and offers wildlife viewing, stunning photography opportunities and even a few low elevation hiking trails.
You can reach the New Dungeness Lighthouse by walking along the north side of the spit. It’s nearly 11 miles round trip, taking approximately 5 hours.
I suggest starting an hour or two before low tide, depending on how slow you plan to go or how easily sidetracked you are by driftwood and rocks along the way.
Also be aware that it is often windy with no protection from the sun.
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
Free tours of the lighthouse are available between 9 and 5.
4. Graysmarsh Berry & Lavender Farm
If you’re interested in picking your own berries, Graysmarsh Berry Farm is certainly worth a visit. The farm offers a wide variety of berries throughout the season, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
You can purchase a bucket and pick as much as you want, a fun activity for both families and friends.
In addition to berry picking, Graysmarsh Berry Farm has a farm store that sells freshly picked produce, jams, and other homemade goods. There’s also a small cafe on-site that serves fresh coffee and baked goods.
5. Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts
If you’re interested in music, dance, theater, and other forms of performing arts, the Juan de Fuca Festival of Arts is a great event to attend over Memorial weekend.
It’s an annual event that takes place in nearby Port Angeles. The festival is a celebration of the arts and features a wide range of performances and exhibitions from local and national artists.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Unique Things for Your Washington Bucket List
6. Sequim Museum and Arts Center
There is only one museum in all of Clallam County and it’s the Sequim Museum and Arts Center.
This may be the most unusual museum you’ve ever visited, and possibly the shortest visit too. It takes less than 30 minutes to see everything but will give you a wonderful perspective on the history of Sequim.
There’s a great deal of local flavor in the exhibits as well, but you will have to visit in order to find out exactly what that means.
Admission is free.
7. Sunsets on the Shore
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
Sunsets on west coast beaches are some of the best! Bring a jacket and a picnic and be ready to share the sunset with others who appreciate the same.
My two favorite spots for viewing the sunset are:
- Dungeness Landing Park
- Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge
8. Beach Combing
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
Is there anything more peaceful than walking along a beach in bare feet? Along the shores anywhere, search for treasures and unforgettable wonders.
Dungeness Spit is the perfect place to start.
9. Wildlife Watching
photo credit: Tammi Kaeberlein
Whales, seals, eagles, owls, deer and more can be found along the shores. Bring your binoculars and camera, go slow, keep your eyes open.
Chances of seeing wildlife are pretty high wherever you go.
10. Olympic National Forest
The Olympic National Forest is worth visiting, without a doubt! The forest covers over 628,000 acres and offers a wide range of outdoor activities, stunning natural beauty.
One of the main draws of the Olympic National Forest is its diverse ecosystems, which include old-growth forests, mountain meadows, and glacier-carved valleys.
There are many hiking trails throughout the forest, ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks that lead to stunning vistas and waterfalls.
In addition to hiking, you can also enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing in the Olympic National Forest. The forest is home to a variety of animals, including black bears, cougars, elk, and bald eagles.
Another highlight of the Olympic National Forest is the Olympic Hot Springs, a natural hot spring that is accessible via a 20 mile roundtrip hike (it used to be a short hike before the road washed out). Soaking in the hot springs is a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
11. Sequim Bay State Park
Explore Sequim Bay State Park, an oceanfront park with fantastic camping, hiking, and enjoying the scenic beauty.
The park also features a portion of the 130-mile Olympic Discovery Trail, perfect for biking and experiencing the natural splendor of the area.
12. Dungeness River Audubon Center
The Dungeness River Audubon Center is a great family destination, with educational exhibits and activities about local wildlife like being able to touch real fur, feathers, shells, and bones.
Walk on trails through a 75-acre forested park by the Dungeness River and cross the historic railroad bridge.
13. Historic Dungeness Schoolhouse
For a taste of local history, the Historic Dungeness Schoolhouse offers insights into the area’s past.
Built in 1892 and operational until 1955, it served students aged 5 to 20.
The two-story structure, featuring a red-roofed bell tower, symbolizes the history and community life of the Dungeness area.
A significant local landmark, it’s now a preserved community facility managed by the Museum & Arts Center. Recognized for its educational heritage and architecture, the Schoolhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
14. Art Galleries
Sequim is quite the artsy community and you can find creative pieces of art here.
The Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery displays arts and crafts by local indigenous peoples and is perfect for rainy days.
Another unique spot is the Blue Whole Gallery, a cooperative art gallery featuring works from various local artists.
15. Carrie Blake Park
Lastly, Carrie Blake Park is a family-friendly spot with an extensive variety of playgrounds and sports courts like:
- Bocce ball, pickleball, & shuffleboard courts
- Horseshoe Pits
- Skateboard park
- Soccer & softballs fields
- Olympic Discovery Trail & LifeTrail System
- Dog agility course & off-leash dog park
- Fishing pond & gardens
Local Sequim Events, 2025
- Juan de Fuca Festival of Arts, Port Angeles, May 23-25, 2025
- Strawberry picking at Graysmarsh, Sequim, early June
- North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Port Angeles, June 7-8, 2025
- Raspberry picking at Graysmarsh, early July through early August
- Loganberry picking at Graysmarsh, mid-July through early August
- Blueberry picking at Graysmarsh, mid-July through August
- Blackberry picking at Graysmarsh, mid-July through August
- Sequim Lavender Festival, July 18-20, 2025
- Boysenberry picking at Graysmarsh, late July through early August
- Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles, October 10-12, 2025
- Crabfest 5K, Port Angeles, October 12, 2025
Where to Stay in Sequim
Jardin du Soleil
You can tent camp, Jeep camp or RV camp at the Jardin du Soleil lavender field. How fun is that! There are only two spots for camping at any time, so you need to reserve early through Hipcamp.
I did this one summer and will always cherish the memory of waking up to the sound of birds singing as the sun rose over the lavender fields.
Check Rates and Book it Here! >>
Dungeness Bay Cottages
This is right on the water with access to a private dock. It’s just down the road from Dungeness Landing Park, mentioned earlier for spectacular sunsets.
We stayed here, absolutely loved it and would 100% do so again. We watched eagles from our dining room window while having coffee every morning.
Check Rates and Book it Here! >>
The Dungeness Barn House Bed & Breakfast
Simply incredible location overlooking the Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse
Absolutely beautiful accommodations and lovely hostess.
You can’t wrong choosing this place, only in not booking early enough.
Check Rates and Availability Here! >>
Where to Eat in Sequim
Some of my favorite places to eat in Sequim are:
- Nourish Sequim – they have organic and gluten free, garden-fresh food worth planning your trip around.
- Oak Table Café – classic down-home American cooking with something for everyone, but they’re not open for dinner.
Visiting Sequim: FAQs
Some commonly asked questions for those visiting Sequim, or just driving through.
How do you pronounce Sequim?
Sounds like “skwim.”
What is Sequim Washington known for?
Their lavender fields are the biggest draw for most people.
Is Sequim worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely for the lavender alone. And the wildlife. But the charm is in staying a while and exploring the rest of the area.
What are the most popular things to do in Sequim with kids?
Beachcombing, playing on the shoreline and the Olympic Game Farm are all good bets for little ones.
What is the “blue hole” in Sequim WA?
The Blue Hole of Sequim is a unique weather phenomenon where the area experiences significantly less rain due to a rain shadow effect created by the nearby Olympic Mountains.
Does Sequim have a downtown?
Yes, Sequim has a small downtown area with shops, restaurants, and local businesses, centered around Washington Street.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Things to do in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island
Things to Do in Leavenworth in the Summer
Final Thoughts on Sequim Things to Do
If you’re looking for things to do in Sequim, these could easily make the most of your entire list. They’re my personal favorites and I hope you enjoy them too.
Relax and let yourself get caught up in the slower pace of Sequim and enjoy everything there is to see.
🌲 Washington Travel Planning Guide 🌲
🚨 Should I buy Washington travel insurance?
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in Washington?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive in Washington. And unless you are planning to just stay in Seattle, renting a car is pretty much a necessity! Beware of tolls whether crossing bridges or driving in HOV lanes. I recommend Discover Cars as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work in Washington?
YES — All major cell providers work in Washington. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts like in the middle of the cascades.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Washington accommodations?
For Washington hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking at Airbnbs for a more home-like stay, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Washington flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Everett is cheaper than flying into Seattle.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Washington?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Washington is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to Washington?
Layers! Layers! Layers! Weather can get finnicky, so prepare for both rain and sunny warm days. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can go from city strolls to mountain hiking.
