8 of the Most Unique Towns in the Pacific Northwest
Often referred to as the Cascadia region, the American Pacific Northwest is most often considered to include Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Some definitions also include Alaska, and, in the spirit of inclusions, so will we here. This region is known for its temperate rainforests, gorgeous coastline, and rainy weather, and is one of the most enchanting places in the United States. This region has a diverse history during both the pre-colonial and colonial eras. With this region's collective 31 national parks and even more state parks and recreational sites, this region is an outdoor lover's paradise. While the Pacific Northwest may be best known for its natural beauty, many fascinating towns are also found across these states. From the many influential authors, musicians, and inventors born in small towns in this region to the fascinating American history of these small towns themselves, the towns we consider here are just the tip of the iceberg of unique communities in the American Pacific Northwest.
Healy, Alaska
Founded as a coal mining town during the first decade of the 1900s, Healy, Alaska, is the closest permanent community to Denali National Park and Preserve. Located 11.5 miles north of the park, along the George Parks Highway, Healy is the place to stay when exploring the protected lands around the tallest mountain in North America, known as both Mount McKinley and Denali. There are a few ways to get to the park when staying in Healy. There are full-service tours, including a guide, transport to and from the park, and a boxed lunch, or you can take a shuttle, these running daily during tourist season. You can also take a flightseeing tour out of Healy that offers a unique perspective of this park and its famous mountain from the sky.
Oregon City, Oregon
Beginning in Independence, Missouri, the traditional Oregon Trail ends in Oregon City, Oregon. The trail is approximately 2,170 miles long, with an estimated death toll of nearly 30,000 people who died along the journey west, which took around six months. Emigration westward was initially only possible by foot or by single-rider horseback. However, by the end of the 1830s, a wagon trail had been laid, making the trek marginally easier. For those visiting Oregon City, you can learn about the history of the Oregon Trail at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. There is also Abernethy Green to visit in town, where the traditional Oregon Trail concluded. The Museum of the Oregon Territory also recounts the history of the Territory of Oregon through to when it became an American state.
Mukilteo, Washington
Are you fascinated by the history of flight? Or did you dream of being a pilot as a child? If so, you are sure to enjoy a visit to the town of Mukilteo, Washington, where you will find the one of a kind Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center. Set in a 28,000 square foot airplane hanger, this facility includes the Boeing Museum, a flight simulator, and a hands-on EMAX Tiny Hawk drone experience. You can also access the flight deck with your admission to Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center. Once you have explored the Aviation Center, there is also the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum. Located on the other side of the same airfield that the Boeing Aviation Center sits next to. By the time your vacation is over, you will collectively be well-versed in aviation and the history of Boeing and airplanes.
Ketchum, Idaho
With many famous literary works, American author, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954, Ernest Hemingway wrote classics such as ‘The Sun Also Rises,’ 'A Farewell to Arms,’ and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.’ Throughout his life, Hemingway was constantly moving house, marrying his four wives, and then divorcing three of them. Including his childhood home, Hemingway lived in five different houses, with his final residence and the place where he tragically took his own life being in Ketchum, Idaho. Today, Hemingway’s Ketchum House is on the US National Register of Historic Places and has been lovingly restored to how it would have looked when Hemingway and his fourth wife, Mary, lived there. Now, under the control of the Community Library Association, this house is used as a residence for visiting writers, while the surrounding acreage has been made into a nature preserve.
In Ketchum, there are a range of Hemingway-associated sites to visit. The Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage & Ski Museum has an extensive Hemingway exhibit to explore. Other noteworthy sites include the Hemingway Memorial, located 6 miles northeast of town, while Hemingway’s burial place is in the Ketchum Cemetery, where you can visit the renowned author’s gravesite.
McCall, Idaho
By the end of a vacation in the Pacific Northwest, you are sure to be in need of a few days just to recuperate from all the fantastic places you have visited and explored. For that, a few days in McCall, Idaho, is just what you will need. In this small town, there are natural hot spring access points that you can hike out to, as well as many spas and recreation areas that offer access to hot spring water but in a setting with slightly more infrastructure and without the need to hike out into the wilderness. If you are looking for a luxurious experience, the Burgdorf Hot Springs will be what you are looking for, while those who do want to experience the natural hot springs should consider taking the Trail Creek Hot Springs Trail, which is a short 5 minute walk from the Trail Creek Hot Springs Trailhead. Either way, you will have a lovely and relaxing time in McCall.
Port Angeles, Washington
Olympic National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the Pacific Northwest and the entire country. The park has 1,442 square miles of land and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights of the park include the Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, Mount Storm King, and, of course, Olympic National Forest. With so much to do in Olympic National Park, you will want to set up your base camp as close to the park as possible. The nearest town to one of the most popular entrances to the park, the Hurricane Ridge Road entrance, is Port Angeles, Washington. Just 7 miles north of Olympic National Park, Port Angeles is known as the gateway to Olympic National Park. There are t some tremendous rustic accommodations in town, including A Hidden Haven and Emerald Valley Inn, both popular options.
Leavenworth, Washington
Do you love Oktoberfest? Do you dream of visiting the mountains of Bavaria? If so, visiting Leavenworth, Washington, will be the highlight of your vacation. Appropriately found in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range, this Washington town is considered one of the most charming communities in the entire state. Between the gorgeous scenery, excellent Bavarian food and drink, and, not to be missed, the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, this town has something for everyone. With its location being just 135 miles from Seattle, visiting Leavenworth as a day trip is possible. However, spending a weekend in this town, walking the streets lined with Bavarian alpine-style buildings, and enjoying the ambiance is best experienced over a few days. If you do choose to stay in Leavenworth overnight, check out the Bavarian-styled accommodations, including Hotel Pension Anna, the Bavarian Lodge, and Blue Elk Inn.
Friday Harbor, Washington
Whale-watching tours are some of the most popular tourist excursions that run out of the Pacific coastal states of Washington and Oregon. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will see any whales on these tours, especially not when it comes to orca whales. But, if you want your best shot at seeing a pod of orcas, touring the waters adjacent to Friday Harbor, Washington, as well as around the entire San Juan Island on which this town sits, is your best chance of a sighting. There are many options of tours that leave from Friday Harbor, however, to increase your odds of seeing orcas even more, as well as other local marine species, take one of the small boat tours, of which Maya's Legacy Whale Watching and Western Prince Whale and Wildlife Tours are great options.
The Take Home
Having a wide range of cultures, a storied history, diverse animal species, and astounding natural features, the Pacific Northwest region is filled with unique towns that facilitate the exploration of the fascinations of this region. With so much to do it is no wonder why the Pacific Northwest is such a popular tourist destination. Every year millions of tourists visit this region primarily to see the ‘big’ attractions. But, if you are looking for an off the beaten path vacation, a visit to any of these hidden gem towns will be a highlight of your visit to the Pacific Northwest.
