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The stretch of Interstate 5 between Seattle and Portland is lined with landmarks. There’s the weird sculptures in Toledo, the roadside Minion figure in a field near Maytown, and of course the Uncle Sam sign, now under new ownership.

But on the 174-mile drive from one city to the other, where do you stop? We gathered the best parks, quick bites, and sights to use for a quick breather—all incredibly close to a freeway exit. Check out our I-90 version for a trip east to Missoula. And remember, traffic always sucks, so you might as well enjoy the drive.

Grandview Off-Leash Park indeed has one grand view.

21 minutes | SeaTac

Yes, it’s only a few minutes outside of Seattle. But any dog that’s about to undergo a long ride—or one that has patiently endured it with only a whimper or two—deserves to get their wiggles out. Grandview’s 34 acres spreads over a hillside with walking tails, agility structures, and big open fields; a killer view of Mount Rainier makes for  a good photo backdrop.

Tumwater’s Craft District crams a lot of variety under one roof.

1 hour | Tumwater

Though it sits on the edge of the large, old, and empty Olympia Brewery campus, the Craft District still has the sheen of new construction. The skinny main building evokes a farmers market, but it’s actually a collection of restaurants and boutique shops, plus a seafood market and several beer and spirits makers. But for all the booze and fancy flavors (Bar C’est L’eau does good French bistro fare), the ice cream shop is for everyone.

1 hour 20 minutes | Grand Mound

To open a distillery on tribal land, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation had to fight a nineteenth century law that forbid the practice on reservations. Today the complex includes a distillery and brewery, plus a restaurant. A small bar next to the entrance is open for beer pours as small as four ounces, and the bar serves spirits flights; the designated driver has a long menu of snacks.

Penny Playground takes play seriously.

1 hour 30 minutes | Chehalis

Look for the green; the play structures located in Chehalis’s larger Recreation Park are lime and emerald in color, reminiscent of an oversize garden. With lots of nets, slides, and climbing structures, it’s a giant obstacle course for little ones. In summer, the nearby aquatic center and spray park could rival a resort, but covered picnic tables are available year-round. 

1 hour 35 minutes | Chehalis

Just a few blocks past Penny Playground, a colorful neighborhood taqueria dishes Mexican classics, including fish and shrimp tacos. Dishes are saucy—a rich mole, or a bright chile verde sauce. A green retro fridge holds cold bottles of Mexican Coke and Jarritos, and the cheery space makes for a quick meal with zero fast-food vibes.

Mrs. Beesley’s knows what we need: to eat.

1 hour 45 minutes | Toledo

I knew this outpost’s big EAT sign as a dependable halfway point between Olympia and Portland for decades before finally stopping. It’s been a roadside burger stand near the banks of the Cowlitz River since before I-5 was built, and the menu is still classic: burgers, fried fish, patty melts. The all-day biscuits and gravy are a throwback, dense and satisfying, and fresh fruit milkshakes are a good reason to stop with every season.

Mountain Timber Market’s best art is upstairs.

2 hour 15 minutes | Kalama

Like Tumwater’s craft version, this chic building looks like an upscale farmers market but functions more as a food and gift shopping destination. Head upstairs to see the stunning 140-foot totem pole that was restored and laid horizontally here; it weighs 40,000 pounds. The Columbia River waterfront is just outside, with a beach and views of Kalama’s busy working waterfront.

Hulda Klager’s old house is a National Historic Site.

2 hours 20 minutes | Woodland

At some point, every driver and passenger on I-5 has wondered who the heck Hulda Klager is and why her gardens get such big billing on the freeway signs. The answer is that she was a German-born farm wife who bred such spectacular hybrid lilacs that Woodland became known for the flower. Now her 1880s farmhouse and surrounding acres is open to plant shoppers and history buffs; Lilac Days is in spring, but it’s a serene detour any time of year.

Paradise Point State Park: a little slice of paradise under I-5.

2 hours 25 minutes | Ridgefield

The Washington State Park system has some breathtaking gems and wilderness holdings…and it has this park, located under I-5 bridges. But its sandy beach on the East Fork Lewis River takes only a few moments to reach (and offers some stunning Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens views near the off-ramp) and I quickly bookmarked it as a good place to let a dog or kid get their feet wet on a hot day. There is also camping and a disc golf course. Where else can you recreate under I-5? 

Whether In-N-Out is worth the wait is a personal decision every driver must make.

2 hours 30 minutes | Ridgefield

The lines were hours long when the California fast-food chain finally opened in Washington state. But as soon as the hysteria dies down, the burger joint will make a good stop on the way in or out of Portland; fresh burgers, non-greasy fries, good shakes. Or the In-N-Out Burger will serve a different purpose for the haters; every time you pass the signature red and yellow sign, you can congratulate yourself on being above the hype and remind the other folks in the car that Dick’s is obviously better.

2 hours 35 minutes | Vancouver, WA

When researching the best restaurants in Washington state, former Seattle Met food editor Allecia Vermillion called this spot “a low-lit den of khachapuri, grilled kebab, and khinkali dumplings in a pocket of downtown Vancouver.” It celebrates the food of Georgia the country, and its honey cake dessert can, per Vermillion, soothe the road rage that comes from this stretch of I-5.

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