With 18 certified creative districts, Washington State is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in local art and culture. Creative districts are defined areas where there’s a high concentration of cultural attractions and programs. From Washington’s first creative district in Edmonds to new additions like Ellensburg, each has its own experiences, from art walks and live music to museums and galleries, all generally within a walkable distance for easy exploring.
Here are just some of the Washington creative districts to visit and learn about the artists who inspire innovation and creativity in their communities. Discover even more districts by visiting ArtsWA.
10+ Washington Creative Districts to Explore
Anacortes
This coastal city has a rich maritime history informed by its location on Fidalgo Island and is home to artists, craftspeople, boatbuilders, and more. Check out the annual Anacortes Arts Festival, which has more than 200 booth vendors and daily entertainment. There’s also an annual nautical treasure hunt, which invites you to explore Anacortes in search of prizes that can be exchanged for a nautical trinket created by an artist. Theater lovers can enjoy a performance at the intimate Anacortes Community Theatre or take part in a monthly writing workshop.
Throughout the year, you can catch the gallery art walk on the first Friday of each month in downtown. Visit local galleries like Scott Milo Gallery and MoonWater Arts, which have art pieces made with mixed media, pastels, metalwork, fused glass, and more. Browse ceramics and make your own pieces during a walk-in class at Clayhouse, or opt for one of their Claydates, which pairs claymaking with drinks.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Murals
Burien
South of Seattle, Burien’s creative district is known for its performing arts and robust Farmers Market on Thursdays, where you can enjoy live music and food during the summer. Browse seasonal offerings like honey, fresh flowers, and baked goods as well as handmade jewelry, textiles, and glasswork. Enjoy a show at the Highline Performing Arts Center, which features Hi-Liners Musical Theatre productions. You can also visit the Highlit Heritage Museum, where you can schedule a tour, join a monthly storytelling night, check out a permanent exhibit, or visit the Burien Arts gallery wall, which features a rotating selection of local art.
Bainbridge
A 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, the Bainbridge Creative District in charming Winslow is walkable and perfect for a day trip. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is free to the public, and its permanent collection highlights local artists using a range of mediums from paintings and sculptures to mixed metals. As you explore the island, keep an eye out for five public sculptures. They rotate every year, which means there’s always something new to discover. If you visit Bainbridge on a Friday, you’re in for a treat. Check out the art walk during the first Friday of each month, where you can stop into local businesses and galleries for small bites and conversation.
Chewelah
North of Spokane, tiny Chewelah invites visitors to explore its many murals, which often feature streetscapes, local flora and fauna, and tribal culture and lifeways preserved by the Spokane Tribe. The Chewelah Arts Guild hosts a number of annual events including the Taste of Chewelah fundraiser with local art and eats, quilt show, community art show, and more. Don’t miss the Chewelah Farmers Market with live music and farm-to-table food, and the First Thursday Art Walk. You can also find local, regional, and national art at the Trails End Gallery, which hosts a few shows a year.
CoWalla (Walla Walla + College Place)
CoWalla, comprising Walla Walla and College Place in Wine Country, is a relatively new addition to the list of Washington creative districts. In Heritage Park, you can find “Windows On the Past,” a colorful mural by local artist Jeanna McMenemy made of historic and contemporary photos. There are also over a dozen outdoor sculptures to discover, and this guide walks you through all of them on a 1.5 mile route. For a hands-on experience, Enable Art offers art programs for kids and kids at heart through monthly and evening art classes.
Edmonds
The first Washington creative district, Edmonds is full of opportunities to connect with local artists and makers. Visit studios, buy local art, and explore the area’s extensive public art, from paintings to wrapped utility boxes. Use this mural map as your guide. Time your visits for the third Thursday of every month to enjoy the Edmonds Art Walk, which features 40 galleries and businesses hosting local artists and performers.
The city also offers plenty of events throughout the year, including the Saturday Market from May to early October, the Edmonds Arts Festival and Puget Sound Bird Fest in June, Taste Edmonds (a block party full of food, music, and makers) in August, and self-guided studio tours in September,
Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, the city’s rich farming and ranching roots shine through in its art, museums, and events. Learn more about the history and tradition of the city through the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, where you can find artifacts donated by local and national competitors like photographs, prize buckles, saddles and more. The Clymer Museum offers a perspective from Ellensburg-born artist John Ford Clymer, who often featured wildlife and historical depictions in his paintings, as well as rotating pieces from contemporary artists.
Punch Projects, a rural arts collective, focuses on creating a dialogue between urban and rural communities. Immerse yourself in performing and visual arts at the First Friday Art Walk or head to the Ellensburg Night Market during summer for handmade goods from local vendors, food trucks, live music, and mini golf.
Port Townsend
Nestled on the Olympic Peninsula, this coastal town is home to more than a dozen galleries. Enjoy a monthly art walk on the first Saturday of each month. Stop into Aurora Loop Gallery + Studio or shop at Pendragon’s Labyrinth featuring whimsical art and goods from Pacific Northwest makers. Port Townsend is also home to the largest wooden boat festival in North America, where you take to the water on a sailboat, catamaran, or longboat, or try your hand at making your own wooden souvenirs. You can also find hand-tooled woodworking art at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, which has classes on carving panels, sculptures, spoons, and more to name a few.
For movie fans, the Port Townsend Film Festival offers dozens of film screenings as well as workshops, outdoor movie nights, a filmmaker parade, and more. You can also listen to local bands at Soundcheck or at the dock during the outdoor concert series that runs from mid-July to August. For history buffs, head to the Jefferson Museum of Art + History.
South Columbia Creative District, Kennewick
Located along the Columbia River in downtown Kennewick, this Washington creative district is home to tons of public art, from sculptures to murals. You can’t go wrong with the Creative Arts Festival, where you can shop small from local artists, listen to live music, and shop the woodworking street sale. The third Friday of the month also brings pop-up markets, live music, and late-night hours at select local businesses in downtown. Visit on a Thursday evening to enjoy the farmers market from June to October.
Tenino
This town south of Olympia has a historical connection with the sandstone industry, with the stone often making an appearance in local architecture. Learn about stone quarrying, cutting, and carving at the Tenino Stone Carvers Guild or on a self-guided walking tour. The Tenino Depot Museum, located in an old railroad building, houses the original printing press that can print commemorative wooden money, an homage to the wooden money that was used as local currency during the Great Depression. You can also visit the farmers markets on Saturdays from May to September, and check out the Tenino Arts Creative Markets that happen every summer, fall, and spring.
Twisp
Start your visit to Twisp at the Methow Valley Community Center, which is home to the public library, farmers market, Methow Valley Theater, and a number of other creative businesses. During summer, you can enjoy the annual Arts Fest featuring artist booths, live music, mural painting, and more. You can also learn more about the Indigenous peoples of the Methow Valley and Upper Columbia Region through exhibits and events at the Methow Valley Interpretive Center.
No matter which Washington creative districts you visit, you’re sure to leave inspired by the artists, small-business owners, and performers who call these communities home.
About the Author
Aleenah Ansari is a Seattle-based writer covering travel, entrepreneurship, wellness, and representation in media for Insider, The Seattle Times, Byrdie, and more. You can usually find her searching for murals in Seattle and beyond, reading a book by a BIPOC author, and planning her next trip. Learn more at aleenahansari.com.