Washington State is levelling up in 2025/2026 – and it’s not just a glow-up, it’s a full-blown transformation. Picture this: waking up to birdsong and mountain views in a designer tent, sipping Washington wine at a 25th anniversary bash, exploring the rebirth of a volcano, and cheering with thousands of fans as the FIFA World Cup rolls through the Evergreen State. Sounds like a dream? It’s about to be reality.
Let’s start in White Salmon River Valley, where Under Canvas is setting up the glamping camp of your Pinterest dreams. Opening in May 2025, the new luxury site invites you to swap Wi-Fi for waterfalls—with curated dining, a cozy lobby tent, outdoor lounges, and a front-row seat to the stunning Columbia River Gorge and Cascade Mountains. It’s camping… but make it couture.
Just a scenic drive away, something historic is bubbling back to life. Mount St. Helens marks the 45th anniversary of its infamous eruption on May 18, 2025, with a fully revamped Visitor Center. It’s not just about lava and ash—this new chapter dives deep into the volcano’s comeback story and its wild, resilient surroundings. Bonus: programs from the Mount St. Helens Institute make it the perfect combo of nature, science, and storytelling.
TASTE WASHINGTON
Hungry? Good. Because Taste Washington popped corks for its 25th year. This isn’t your average wine fest—it’s an immersive culinary adventure with 200+ winemakers, 75+ restaurants, and 11 signature events from elegant dinners to wine-soaked brunches and expert-led seminars. Each event needs its ticket, so plan ahead and bring your appetite.
And then… it’s game time. Literally. Seattle’s Lumen Field takes the global spotlight as one of just 12 U.S. stadiums to host matches for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and World Cup 2026. But the soccer fever won’t stop there. Across 10 Washington cities, fan zones will deliver all the thrills—live entertainment, food trucks, interactive fun, and, of course, giant screens for the matches. From Spokane to Tacoma, the state is turning into a festival of footie.
On the waterfront, the Port of Seattle is cruising into a new era. Starting June 2025, the legendary Queen Elizabeth by Cunard sets sail for Alaska in 7–11-night voyages. Then Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady joins the fleet in May 2026 for up to 14 days of northern adventure. Also aboard: MSC Poesia, running weekly cruises from May 2026. What’s even cooler? All terminals use green shore power—so you can travel cleaner, too.
And flying in? Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) just smashed records with 52.6 million passengers in 2024, and it’s just getting started. From Summer 2025, Edelweiss connects Zurich to Seattle twice weekly. By 2026, SEA will be shinier, smarter, and greener thanks to a $5 billion upgrade, aiming to become North America’s most eco-friendly airport—just in time for the global crowd.
Text: Marco Kokkot
