Whidbey Island salutes its signature food with live music and mussel tastings (including 10 top-secret mussel chowder recipes in the tasting competition) in a fest that turns 40 this year. Ticketed boat rides hosted by Penn Cove Shellfish show off where the shellfish are grown, and a mussel-eating contest is not for the faint of heart.

Winter is just getting started in Central Washington. Local ski resort Mission Ridge dumps truckloads of snow into the downtown Centennial Park so skiers and snowboarders can compete with tricks on metal features—in what is the largest annual rail jam competition in the country. Meanwhile, spectators can try more mellow outdoor experiences like snowshoeing and sliding on demo snowboards. The "ales" part of the event delivers with well-stocked beer gardens.

The 15th annual music event takes over downtown Walla Walla with performances at hotels, restaurants, wineries, and tasting rooms. Stages fill with over 30 touring and local acts and—this being Walla Walla—there are plenty of winery tastings and seasonal meals to be found between shows.

With some of the best bird-watching in the state, the Birch Bay area capitalizes on well-populated wildlife habitats. Between formal workshops, speakers, and live raptor experiences, bird-watchers can mingle, learn from experts, and spot new waterfowl. Plus, guided field trips cart birders to Skagit County and the Semiahmoo Spit under the guidance of expert bird spotters. 

Happy 113 years, state parks—be careful with all those birthday candles. To celebrate the anniversary of the Washington State Parks founding and Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, all entrance and parking fees that would usually require a Discover Pass are waived for these two March birthdays. Select from our favorites, or peruse the map of Washington's more than 140 separate properties.

Pacific treasures star in Ocean Shore's annual foodie fest, from elaborate whole Dungeness crab dinners to a Sunday crab Benedict breakfast. Outside of food, the festival boasts a clam gun decorating contest, live music, and a vendor village to peruse between seafood bites.