COUPEVILLE

Population: 1,888

This Victorian-era port village on Whidbey Island is frozen in time—by order of Congress. Part of the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, the hamlet comprises more than 50 preserved buildings. Pad along the creaky wooden sidewalks and study the oldest house in town—indeed, one of the oldest houses in the state—the home of Captain Thomas Coupe, built in 1854. Or spy the Sedge Building, 1871, whose owner, a mortician, is rumored to have found the grim reaper’s visits to the island so infrequent that he tossed his embalming gear and opened a furniture shop instead. Too bad for the undertaker that the Oystercatcher restaurant’s chocolate and caramel gateau (so delicious you’ll want thirds!) had yet to hit the isle. But before flirting with death by cake, be sure to gobble some Penn Cove mussels, the restaurant’s specialty, and the bounty upon which Coupeville’s early fortunes—and all those awesomely preserved buildings—were built.

Drive time 1 hour, 30 minutes Sleep Compass Rose Bed and Breakfast, 508 S Main St, 360-678-5318; compassrosebandb.com Eat The Oystercatcher, 901 Grace St NW, 360-678-0683; oystercatcherwhidbey.com

 

SNOQUALMIE

Population: 9,851

Snoqualmie Falls, the 268-foot waterfall so stunning it practically brings highway traffic to a halt, may be the money shot, but the real payoff in this onetime sawmill town resides on Railroad Avenue, a mile away. That’s where you’ll find Isadora’s Cafe—a local crafts purveyor, cafe, and gossip hub all rolled into one. Across the street sits the former train depot (built in 1890) turned train treasury, the Northwest Railway Museum. The steam engines on display are fun to look at, but for the whole Casey Jones experience opt for the museum’s four-mile rail ride to the town of North Bend and back. The view out the train window will look familiar. David Lynch filmed his creepy Twin Peaks TV series in the area, which included, of course, that cascading money shot.

Drive time 30 minutes Sleep Salish Lodge, 6501 Railroad Ave SE, 425-888-2556; salishlodge.com Eat Woodman Lodge Steakhouse and Saloon, 38601 SE King St, 425-888-4441; woodmanlodge.com

 

WAITSBURG  

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Image: Lynn Suckow

Population: 1,254

Waitsburg looks like the set of a 1950s movie about rural life—red barns, lush barley fields, farmers in overalls steering John Deeres along Highway 12. But the village 20 miles north of Walla Walla is no act. Wheat still reigns in this community, as it has for the past century. It’s just that out-of-towners—particularly of the foodie persuasion—have tweaked the small-town script. Five years ago a trio of Seattle restaurateurs opened the Cajun-inspired Whoopemup Hollow Café. Across the street another Seattle expat set up a high-end cocktail bar, Jimgermanbar. Vintners followed with tasting rooms. The blend of agrarian culture and fine dining has attracted second-home buyers from the city—and hotels and art galleries are on the way—yet Waitsburg, for now, has dodged the dreaded G-word. It’s not gentrified when tractors still roll down the main street.

Drive time 4 hours Sleep Nothing New Lodging, 214 Main St, 509-337-6393; nothingnewlodging.net Eat Whoopemup Hollow Café, 120 Main St, 509-337-9000; whoopemuphollowcafe.com

NOTABLE AMERICANS FROM WASHINGTON'S SMALL TOWNS  

Jesus from The Passion of the Christ James Caviezel
—Mount Vernon

Late rock icon Kurt Cobain
—Aberdeen 

 

Right-wing commentator and Tea Party mascot Glenn Beck
 —Mount Vernon

 

Former The Price Is Righthost Bob Barker
—Darrington