The Southwest region of Washington state is rich in history and recreational opportunities. Mount Saint Helens, which blew its top in 1980 and stirred again in 2004 is the most prominent feature of the area. To the West, the Pacific Ocean crashes against the Northwest coast. Its long, sandy beaches are a vacationer's playground offering chances to surf, fly kites, fish for wild salmon or halibut, dig for razor clams, oysters and more. To the south, the Columbia River carves a gorge on its way to the ocean, and through the Bonneville Dam provides power for much of the Pacific Northwest.

The hubs of the area include growing Vancouver and the state capitol, Olympia.

Olympia, which lies on the southernmost point of Puget Sound, bustles with government activity when the state Legislature convenes in the first quarter of the year. The Capitol Dome is reminiscent of the other Washington dome and it's campus grounds are surrounded by gardens planned by the Olmstead Brothers, famous for designing Central Park in New York. Other area attractions include one of Washington state's largest farmers markets and the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.

Vancouver, Washington is the state's fourth largest city across the Columbia River Gorge from Portland, Oregon. The Vancouver area was one of the last stops on the Lewis and Clark expedition and was noted by Meriwether Lewis as "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains." The city now is renowned for its preservation of historical sites as it still works to redevelop and revitalize its downtown core.