Washington’s Best Wineries, Markets, More

Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington

Any proper list of the best U.S. markets has to include Pike Place, where, for more than a century, farmers, artisans, crafters, fishermen, winemakers, bakers, and more have hawked their wares to locals and tourists alike. Sample seasonal produce, like Rainier cherries and Honeycrisp apples; buy jewelry, clothing, and crafts; and dine at one of the many on-site restaurants and cafes with awe-inspiring views of Elliott Bay.

How to Get There: The market is in downtown Seattle, just east of the waterfront. Get directions and parking info on the Pike Place Market website.

When to Go: Pike Place Market is open year-round for 19.5 hours per day.

Soft Tail Spirits and the Woodinville Whiskey Co., Woodinville, Washington

The only thing better than one whiskey distillery? Two whiskey distilleries (plus a short walk between them)! In Woodinville, a smallish town in the Sammamish River Valley, Kentucky collides with Washington at small-batch distilleries. Take a tour of both Soft Tail Spirits and the Woodinville Whiskey Co., sampling their spirits (vodka, whiskey, limoncello, and grappa) along the way.

How to Get There: Drive, bike, or hop a public bus from Seattle to Woodinville. The two distilleries are just a half-mile walk from each other.

When to Go: Soft Tail's tours take place on Saturday afternoons at 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 p.m. Woodinville Whiskey Co.'s tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Washington

Chateau Ste. Michelle has been the big name in Washington wine for some time, and its chateau often tops lists for must-see wine getaways. The state's oldest winery sits on 105 acres and is the perfect place for a free tour, a themed tasting, or a chef-hosted dinner, where the vineyard's world-famous Columbia Valley wines are paired perfectly with seasonal fare.

How to Get There: Drive, bike, or hop a public bus from Seattle to Woodinville.

When to Go: Daily tours and tastings are held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The best time to visit is in the fall.

Redmond Saturday Market, Redmond, Washington

The Redmond Saturday Market bills itself as the "Cadillac of farmers markets," and we're inclined to agree. Some 80 vendors sell organic produce, cheese, eggs, honey, herbs, and more, while entertainers delight crowds with chef demos, hula dances, and wacky zucchini battles during which participants place fresh vegetables on wheels and race them (simply eating the vegetables is also encouraged).

How to Get There: Redmond is a quick 20-minute drive or bus ride from downtown Seattle, across Lake Washington.

When to Go: The market is open every Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., from May through December.

Elysian Brewing, Seattle, Washington

Since it opened in 1996, Elysian Brewing has crafted some 350 beers. While you can't sample them all, you can certainly give a few brews a try at one of Elysian's four beer halls and restaurants. Try year-round and seasonal drafts alongside menus of brewpub favorites (poutine, wings, and local Pacific cod cakes).

How to Get There: All four locations are in Seattle's bustling neighborhoods, easily accessible on foot, bike, or public transport.

When to Go: Go any time, but October is prime time at the original Capitol Hill location, which hosts the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival and has Punkuccino on tap (pumpkin beer with a jolt of Stumptown coffee—how Seattle is that?).

The Herbfarm, Woodinville, Washington

When Bill and Lola Zimmerman purchased a farmstead about 30 miles east of Seattle, they had no idea that one day it would turn into one of the nation's best farm-to-table dining destinations. After a fire, the restaurant moved to a new locale nearby, and these days, elaborate, themed, nine-course dinners featuring Pacific Northwest food and wine are served at the beautiful restaurant.

How to Get There: The Herbfarm is a 20-minute drive from downtown Seattle, accessible by taxi. The restaurant recommends Green Cab, the only all-hybrid fleet in the Puget Sound.

When to Go: Make a reservation well in advance through The Herbfarm's website.

Ballard Farmers Market, Seattle, Washington

The historical neighborhood of Ballard, with its Scandinavian heritage and seafaring flare, plays host to one of Seattle's most dynamic markets each Sunday. Aside from local produce, pastries, and other fun nibbles, buskers gather for live off-the-cuff performances of music, magic tricks, and even circus acts. At this eclectic market, no visit is quite the same as the last.

How to Get There: The market is located on historical Ballard Avenue NW, between Vernon Place NW and 22nd Avenue NW.

When to Go: Ballard Farmers Market is open every Sunday year-round (except for Christmas and New Year's Day), from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mac & Jack's Brewery, Redmond, Washington

The reason Mac & Jack's brews consistently top BeerAdvocate lists? They are seriously good. Not only is their short list of six premium beers pretty fantastic, but by using locally sourced grains and Yakima Valley hops (and providing spent grain to local farmers), sippers can feel like they're giving back to the Earth every time they finish a pint.

How to Get There: The brewery is located right outside downtown Redmond.

When to Go: Every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., you can join a tour of the brewery and grab a growler to go.

Columbia Winery, Richland, Washington

Some of the country's most distinctive wines come from this vineyard near Seattle, which has been around sine 1962. Columbia Winery proudly boasts the very first Pinot Gris, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc wines in Washington, and there is no better place to sample them than fireside in the on-site tasting room.

How to Get There: The winery is a quick drive up Highway 202 in Woodinville (and it's just about a seven-minute walk from Chateau Ste. Michelle).

When to Go: The winery is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, but visitors should kick off their weekends with the Friday happy hour, offering great deals on wines and flatbreads with seasonal toppings.

The Willows Inn, Lummi Island, Washington

Its website promises that your meal will be fished, foraged, and farmed from the region surrounding The Willows Inn's Lummi Island locale. Stay the night in the picturesque guesthouse, then work off your James Beard Award-winning meal by biking, hiking, and kayaking Lummi Island or visiting the local farms where last night's dinner was sourced.

How to Get There: Lummi Island is about two hours from Seattle. A short ferry ride can transfer you from Gooseberry Point to the island.

When to Go: Inn guests get first dibs at the restaurant; if you're not staying overnight, you must wait until two weeks before your desired date to make a reservation. Call early.

You Might Also Like:

• 21 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Seattle
• 10 Things Locals Want You to Know About Seattle
• Washington's Best Wineries, Markets, and More
• Seattle Travel Guide