A bridge crosses over a stream in Tumwater, WA

UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.

#21. Tumwater

Finding outdoor adventure opportunities in Tumwater is easy. The city is situated where the Deschutes River enters Budd Inlet at the southernmost point of Puget Sound. Both tourists and residents visit Tumwater Falls Park, one of the city’s top attractions, between late August and early October to watch salmon swim upstream. The highly regarded Tumwater School District prepares students for the workplace and parents applaud many schools in Tumwater. Housing options in Tumwater run the gamut from exclusive to affordable.

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