South of Seattle lies the beautiful Mount Saint Helens, a national forest that houses a sleeping volcano. In close cooperation with the visitor center you can buy the necessary passes and permits to go camping and hiking. Additionally, they also pride themselves as a small museum with quite interesting exhibits. Leave the urban world behind you and dive back into nature by visiting this exquisite location.

The Philadelphia Zoo holds the distinction of being America’s first zoo, having opened its doors in 1874. It attracted over 228,000 visitors in its debut year and remains one of the city’s prime attractions, now welcoming around 1.2 million visitors annually. Home to more than 1,300 rare and endangered animals, the zoo is renowned for its innovative exhibits, such as the Zoo360 animal exploration trails. Visitors can also enjoy unique experiences like swan boat rides, camel safaris, and even tethered balloon rides, providing panoramic views of the zoo.

If you aren't squeamish, a visit to the Reptile Zoo could be a fascinating experience. Located northeast of Seattle, it may require a bit of a drive, but the journey is worth it. The zoo houses a variety of reptiles, including snakes, turtles, alligators, and even arachnids. For those interested in keeping reptiles as pets, the zoo offers expert advice on how to start as a beginner.

Boasting an impressive 13 floors and 11 exhibition spaces, the Munch Museum, known simply as Munch, houses a remarkable collection of 26,000 works by Munch, including 1,183 paintings, providing a comprehensive exploration of Munch's artistic legacy. Notably, visitors can marvel at the iconic painting "The Scream", which is on permanent display within the museum.