The Northwest corner of Washington boasts one of the most scenic drives in the state. Lined with snowy peaks and turquoise lakes, the North Cascades Scenic Byway begins in the heart of the Skagit Valley, where flower enthusiasts flock every spring to see colorful rows of tulips. 

The Tulalip, Stillaguamish, Nooksack and Lummi reservations are among the Native American tribes located in this area of Washington. Collectively, the tribes invest significant resources in maintaining local natural resources, including the restoration of chinook and coho salmon runs. 

The world’s largest building by volume — an airplane assembly plant owned by Boeing — sits in Everett, a city with rich diversity.

This region of Washington is also home to the UW’s Friday Harbor Laboratories, located on San Juan Island. Researchers from around the world use the facility to study a variety of marine topics, from scanning every fish in the sea to learning how piranhas regrow their teeth.