Planner
What to Do in Washington State in March
Beer, birds, and gray whale season in Puget Sound—it's almost spring and already time to get outside.
A gray whale makes its presence known in Puget Sound.
Whales, mussels, and fermented beverages are making a splash on the state's social calendar this month.
Musselfest
March 5 & 6
Tasting tickets for this year’s Musselfest went fast; while the chowder competition tickets are already sold out, latecomers to the event can still celebrate bold, briny mussels in other events in Whidbey Island's Coupeville. Mussel farm boat tours take visitors close to the source, and legend has it mermaids will make an appearance at the street fair.
Old Town Kent’s Cider and Ale Trail
March 11
Roll into Kent with your own beer glass (forget the reusable straws, we’re on to bring-from-home glassware now) and wander downtown Kent for an evening of tastings at breweries and cideries. Ten brewers take part in the urban trek, a trail that doesn't require snowshoes or bear spray, or even muddy boots.
Quilters Anonymous Quilt Show
March 18–20
Quilters Anonymous celebrates 40 years of displaying artful masterpieces—not nearly as old as your grandmother’s quilted family heirloom, but impressive nonetheless. Running March 18–20 in Monroe, it's the largest quilt show in Western Washington. More than 400 works of art, some traditional and some promisingly modern, will be on display.
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival
March 18–20
Blaine hosts a gathering for birding aficionados. The event is returning to its regularly scheduled in-person programming for the first time since 2019, with guided birdwatching trips and raptor demonstrations.
Washington State Parks Fee-Free Days
March 19 & 26
These two days, visitors can access Washington State Parks without paying the typical $10 day-use Discovery Pass fee. That includes more than 100 parks and countless hikes.
Whale Watching
Late March
The latter part of the month into early spring is the best time for seeing gray whales as they migrate north, and the Whale Trail points out the best viewpoints like Shi Shi Beach on the Olympic Peninsula and the Langley Whale Center on Whidbey Island. Several boat companies operate sightseeing tours for those hoping for a front-row view.
