Auburn is a city of around 80,000 in the Green River Valley, roughly halfway between Seattle and Tacoma. It sits at the edge of the Cascade foothills, which puts outdoor activities — hiking, skiing, and river sports — within easy reach. Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie are under an hour away, and Mount Rainier National Park is about 60 miles southeast.
The city is best known among visitors for Emerald Downs, the only thoroughbred horse racing track in Washington State, which runs a live racing season from April to September. The Muckleshoot Casino, operated by the tribe whose territory has covered this valley for thousands of years, is another major draw. The historic downtown has a modest main street with restaurants and shops; the historic Post Office is the most architecturally distinguished building on it.
The White River Valley Museum is the most rewarding stop in the city — it tells the story of the valley's Muckleshoot and Japanese American communities with particular care and is genuinely moving. The Neely Mansion, a Victorian farmhouse from 1894 along the Green River Trail, offers another window into the valley's history. Peter Reiquam's Crow with Fries sculpture near the library has become the city's most-photographed landmark and earns it.