One of the most fascinating places in Washington. The sprawling campus is beautiful, eerie, and packed with history—just remember the buildings are closed, so stick to the trails and roads. Opened in 1912, Northern State Hospital was once Washington's largest psychiatric hospital, caring for more than 2,000 patients at its peak. The campus was designed using the innovative "colony plan," with Spanish Colonial Revival buildings surrounded by farms and landscapes created by the Olmsted Brothers. Today, visitors can explore the grounds, admire the historic architecture, and hike or bike through what is now the Northern State Recreation Area.