Review: Snoqualmie Falls, Gift Shop and Visitor Center

Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here?
The magnificent 270-foot waterfall just east of Seattle and the short walk to its base alone makes for a wonderful half-day trip. But since the ancestral caretakers of the land, the Snoqualmie Tribe, purchased their land back, they have made it even more meaningful in adding more to see. In 2023, the Snoqualmie added a visitors center that tells the story of the Snoqualmie (both the tribe and the falls) through cultural resources, including Indigenous art, with a gift shop that sells art by minority and women artists.

Fun! Any standout features or must-sees?
Snoqualmie Falls, is the main attraction here, both from the observation deck near the parking lot, and from below via the short walk down.

Got it. Was it easy to get around?
The trail is well-trod here, and clear signage marks the way if you somehow luck into a crowd-free day. The gift shop and visitors center, as well as the path between the upper parking lot and observation deck are completely accessible, though the hike to the lower section is not.

That sounds cool. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
Visiting Snoqualmie Falls is about the fastest way to get an idea of the Pacific Northwest's splendor without having to drive too far from the city or stay too long—it's a quick visit. That does crowd the site a bit with tourists and families on day trips, so committed travelers or passionate hikers may want to look a bit harder for something that gets them further from everyone else.