It's been 20 years since Twilight first graced bookstores across the country—17 since the first film—but the vampire series's fame has yet to wane, and many curl up with the story annually in the fall and winter months. Famously set in Forks, Washington, a small town in the Olympic Peninsula with an average rainfall of 10–12 feet a year, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest is well depicted in the pages and on screen.
While most of the films were actually shot in Oregon—including fictional locations like the Cullen House, the Port Angeles shops, La Push, and Bella Swan's house (which you can book a stay at)—there are plenty of places in Washington State that will give you a taste of Twilight. And as a travel editor that's also been a fan of the series for two decades, I've put together a list of activities, photo op spots, and even places to spend the night in this idyllic state that I'd recommend checking out if you're as obsessed with the franchise as I am—many of which I've personally visited myself.
From displays of the costumes used in the films to the trails that inspired the opening credits, here are some of my favorite spots in Washington State, in Forks and beyond, to visit as a Twilight fan. Start planning your trip now—the blue filter is unfortunately not included.
For more ideas on where to stay during your trip, check out our readers' favorite hotels in the Pacific Northwest.
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Attractions in Forks, Washington
"Welcome to Forks" sign
Most of the Twilight attractions in Forks (excluding the Treaty Line sign) are a few miles apart, taking no more than 10 minutes to drive between. The best place to start is at the “Welcome to Forks” sign, seen at the beginning of the first film when Bella arrives in town. It's on Highway 101 and is a great spot to snap a quick picture for Instagram—don't forget your camera to take advantage of all the photo shoot opportunities.
Forks Chamber of Commerce
The Forks Chamber of Commerce is the second place you'll want to go after officially entering Forks. It functions as the visitor center, but you can also snap a photo outdoors with Bella's red truck (there's both a book-accurate version and a film-accurate version to pose with). Inside, find life-size cardboard cutouts of all your favorite characters like Bella, Edward, and Jacob, as well as an extremely helpful map I recommend picking up with top Twilight attractions you'll want to hit before you leave town.
Forks High School
Another great spot for a photo op is at Forks High School, where Bella, her friends, the Cullens, and the Hales would have spent most of their time during the week. It's here that Bella first meets Edward, where she is almost run over in the parking lot, and where she and Edward make their debut as a couple. While they didn't use the actual Forks High School to depict the eponymous school in the films, it's still a fun place to see. If you have the time, you can take the over-four-hour drive to Kalama High School, in Kalama, Washington, to see the façade of the school used in the films. If you do, keep in mind that it's a real high school, so don't disturb the students!
Forks Community Hospital
Next, head to the Forks Community Hospital—and on the way, feel free to pretend you're Bella being rushed to the doctor after Edward saved her in the school parking lot. Forks Community Hospital is where Dr. Carlisle Cullen worked, and is also where Bella first tries to confront Edward about his true nature. Outside the hospital, in the parking lot, fans can find Dr. Cullen's parking spot, which features a sign that says “Reserved Parking, Dr. Carlisle Cullen.” It's a bit of a hunt to find it, but worth the effort. Just like Forks High School, this is a working building, so be respectful of the patients and staff when visiting.
Rainforest Arts Center
The main Twilight-centric activity in Forks (other than rushing around taking pictures) is exploring the Forever Twilight in Forks exhibit, a collection of Twilight paraphernalia that's free and open to the public year-round. Located in the Rainforest Arts Center, you can wander through displays featuring costumes and props that were used in the films, international editions of the books, and fan-made items. Also on display is “Chuckesmee,” the original (and quite creepy, in my opinion) animatronic doll created for the films. It gained its nickname due to its eerily similar look to the haunted doll, Chucky.
Treaty Line sign on Highway 110
Make your way to La Push on the 110 and keep your eye out for the Treaty Line sign, which is an essential photo op for Twilight fans. It represents the spot where Forks becomes La Push—and where Edward and Jacob would have coordinated their exchange of Bella in Eclipse. When leaving Forks, the sign readers “No Vampires Beyond This Point, Treaty Line,” while the side visible to those heading out of La Push says, “Welcome Twilight Fans, Treaty Line.”
Miller Tree Inn
The best place to bed down in Forks is undoubtedly The Miller Tree Inn, which is affectionately known as “The Cullen House” due to its close resemblance to the property described in the books. While you'll notice it's a far cry from the Cullen house seen in the films (which is actually located in Portland, Oregon), the classic, spacious home looks remarkably similar to the one described by Stephenie Meyer, with its white-painted exterior, wraparound porch, and timeless design. Inside, you'll also find a replica of the notorious graduation cap artwork that's seen in the film, as well as special “Cullen House” mugs on the tables. There's also a room on the second floor designed to look like Carlisle's office, with medical equipment alongside paintings and pictures pulled from the book's description of the room. According to the website, “the innkeepers speak Twilight" to help create an immersive experience for fans.
Other attractions in Washington
First Beach, La Push
While the film crew never actually set foot on First Beach to film the scenes in La Push—they're actually shot in Oregon—it's worth taking the trip over to this nearby popular beach that's managed by the Quileute Tribe and frequently mentioned in the books. Its here where Bella first hears about the “Cold Ones” from Jacob while on a trip with her school friends. This trip and the legend she hears on it is the seed that inspires so much of the rest of the series; its also essential to the development of her friendship with Jacob, and her interest in vampires. It's also one of the first (and last) real times that she bonds with her human friends before she starts drifting apart from them.
Bella Italia, Port Angeles
Grab a bite to eat at Bella Italia—a delicious Italian restaurant in Port Angeles, and the site of Bella and Edward's first date after he rescues her when she wanders away from Jessica and Angela to find a bookstore with information on vampires. For the full effect, order mushroom ravioli and request your dinner date read the minds of everyone in the room.
The Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Move on to the exceptional Hoh Rainforest, located in Olympic National Park. While this temperate rainforest isn't seen in the actual film, nor is it mentioned by name in the book, its lush, mossy expanse is thought to be the inspiration behind much of the book's Pacific Northwest atmosphere. It's also a wonderful place to explore if you want to get in touch with nature while feeling like you're running through the woods with the Cullen clan.
If you'd like to immerse yourself deeper in the Hoh Rainforest, consider booking a guided tour, like the one linked below, which takes you on a two-mile hike through two scenic nature loops. It also has a quick stop in Rialto Beach. Take into account that this tour leaves from Port Angeles, so you'll have the perfect excuse to stop at Bella Italia the night before.
For more information, check out our guide on where to stay near Olympic National Park.
Cape Horn Trail, Washougal
This gorgeous hiking trail in the Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular spot to reconnect with nature—and your secret vampire side. You might not recognize it at first glance from the film, but it's the location behind the famous tree-climbing scene from the first movie (maybe this will jog your memory: “hold on tight, spider monkey”). The two-mile hike takes you to Nancy Russell Cape Horn Overlook, is open year-round, and feels like it was pulled straight from Bella and Edward's dreamy forest date. For something longer and a bit more challenging, visit between July 16 and January 31 to enjoy the full six-mile loop, rife with even more wildflowers, waterfalls, and mountain views. If you plan to stay in the area overnight, I recommend booking this excellent nature-filled Airbnb in the Columbia River Gorge.
Guided tours
If you don't want to DIY your tour, you can book a guided tour that hits some of the top Twilight-themed locations in Washington. There are a variety of operators that will bring you to destinations that either appeared in or inspired parts of the books and films. The ones below will pick you up and drop you off in Seattle, winding through Bainbridge Island, Forks, Lake Crescent, and Marymere Falls in between.
