12 Of The Most Adorable Small Towns In The Pacific Northwest
The United States’ Pacific Northwest region abounds in small towns that go big in natural beauty, fascinating culture, and exciting adventures. In coastal areas, visitors can sail away to spot orcas, admire the wonder of North America’s most famous sea stack, and experience the power of the “Drainpipe of the Pacific.” Meanwhile, inland, travelers can taste world-class wines, discover the West’s own Bavarian-style mountain village, and even ski down a volcano.
Whatever your interests, this vast and glorious region opens up to a wide and wonderful world of possibilities. With this in mind, get ready to uncover the most adorable small towns in the Pacific Northwest.
Friday Harbor, Washington
Located on San Juan Island is the Washington town of Friday Harbor, a lovely maritime village that feels like a long weekend no matter when one’s visiting. Perhaps the top attraction is out on the Salish Sea, and All Aboard Sailing offers sailing excursions on their vintage 1956 42-foot pilot house sloop Peniel to see orcas, porpoises, seals, eagles, and other local wildlife in their natural habitat. To learn more about the local whale population, travelers can return to dry land and explore The Whale Museum, which features two floors of interesting exhibitions about these giant aquatic mammals.
On San Juan Island, it is even possible to do whale watching on dry land, particularly on the spectacular shores of Lime Kiln Point State Park. Even if one isn’t in the mood to do whale watching, there is much more to see at the park, including the historic (1919) lighthouse and the 19th-century lime kiln where miners once extracted and prepared limestone. Whatever one decides to do in and around Friday Harbor, the nearby Snug Harbor Resort makes a great place to stay with its secluded-feeling waterfront location and its collection of private and spacious suites and cabins.
Winthrop, Washington
Situated in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Range is Winthrop, a gorgeous four-season mountain town with no shortage of exciting activities. Around the area, the Methow Trails amount to a 130+ mile network of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. In addition, Pearrygin Lake State Park provides an exceptionally beautiful backdrop for Nordic skiing, hiking, and biking. Yet even for those who prefer an easier journey in town, discover tasty treasures at spots like Methow Valley Ciderhouse, a family-run operation making great ciders along with hearty pub fare.
After a long day in the mountains (or in town), visitors can retreat to the serene confines of River Run Inn & Cabins, a scenic lodge-style hotel located right on the banks of the Methow River.
Oroville, Washington
On the US side of Osoyoos Lake (which extends into British Columbia, Canada) lies Oroville, a Washington town that is always up to something good. Within a short and scenic drive is Sitzmark Ski Area, a down-to-earth and locally-owned place for skiing and snowboarding in the Okanogan Highlands. Also in the area is Highlands Sno-Park, a lovely park for cross-country skiing and taking in the grand Cascade views. For a change of scenery, all one needs to do is head to the Whistler Canyon Trail and enjoy the uniquely beautiful high desert landscapes, where local wildlife such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, marmots, and wild turkeys can be seen.
Back in town, Veranda Beach Resort not only offers cottage and cabin rentals in its prime location by the lake, but also provides fast fiber internet, a full fitness center, a fully equipped event space, and even a local winery in the vicinity.
Leavenworth, Washington
Around 120 miles east of Seattle is the uniquely festive town of Leavenworth, Washington’s own Bavarian-style village that combines German Alpine aesthetics and culture with authentic Cascade Mountain adventures. Right by town is Leavenworth Ski Hill, a cool family-friendly haven for Alpine skiing, ski jumping, snowtubing, and additional wintertime activities. Or, for a more thrilling experience on open snow, it is a short-ish drive to Mission Ridge, a resort with 55 trails across 2,000 acres offering up to 2,250 feet of vertical drop.
Once visitors return to town, they can witness the illuminating grandeur of Christmastown, when Leavenworth's central village turns on over 500,000 lights to display from November all the way to February. Even better, the town also hosts special concerts, variety shows, and kid-friendly arts-and-crafts workshops throughout December. And to make one’s Leavenworth stay even more special, Haus Rohrbach offers stunning rooms and suites, easy access to local hiking and ski trails, curated wine tasting dinners, free lightning-fast wifi internet, and a full breakfast for all guests every morning.
Vashon Island, Washington
Just a short ferry ride away from Seattle, and Tacoma is Vashon Island, an oasis at the heart of Puget Sound that gives a distinctly Washingtonian twist to “island time.” Point Robinson Park might afford spectacular views of the sound and the mainland, yet this 10-acre park also has a historic (1885) lighthouse, verdant woodland trails, and even the whimsical Oscar The Bird King troll sculpture by the famed Danish artist Thomas Dambo. And a short drive or ride south of Point Robinson, Maury Island Marine Park has one of the largest stretches of undeveloped Puget Sound shoreline, groves of rare Pacific Madrone trees, and great conditions for scuba diving offshore.
Beyond the shore, Vashon Island has become a key destination for fine wines and ciders, and Palouse Winery makes an ideal starting point for exploring the local craft beverage scene with its award-winning single-varietal and single-vineyard wines. No matter what guests decide to try while on the island, The Lodges on Vashon is an inviting place to stay with spacious cabins chock full of special locally-sourced amenities (like coffee, soap, and bath salts).
Seabrook, Washington
Seabrook may only be around 79 miles west of Olympia, yet it looks and feels a world away with its quaint small-town atmosphere and its “backyard” of ruggedly gorgeous Pacific Ocean beaches. No matter which vacation rental home travelers decide to stay in, they are an easy stroll, jog, or bike ride away from Seabrook Beach, a clean and wide sandy beach that is fun for the whole family to experience. Also within town is an extensive network of trails, from the family-friendly Gnome Trail to the Buck Lake mountain biking trail.
For even more natural thrills, it is a short drive north to Pacific Beach State Park, a cool coastal destination for kite-flying, birdwatching, shellfishing, and simple beachcombing. Even better, for those seeking a more rustic stay by the beach, this park also has campsites available to rent.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
It’s a roughly 80-mile journey from Portland to Cannon Beach, and the journey proves very worthwhile for this Oregon town’s iconic coastal scenery. It is an easy trek from the central village to the main beach that provides the best views of Haystack Rock. This is the oft-photographed 235-foot-tall basalt sea stack that anchors the ideal coastal habitat for tufted puffins, sea stars, anemones, crabs, and other local wildlife. For another view of Haystack Rock, there is also Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site, a perfectly laid-back beach for kite-flying, sandcastle-building, and much more.
Just north of town, there is far more to explore at Ecola State Park. Not only can visitors try surfing and tidepooling at Indian Beach, but they can also hike the trails into the Sitka spruce forest inland and take in the breathtaking views from Tillamook Point. Whenever one’s ready to call it a day, it is a nice drive back to Cannon Beach and the Surfsand Resort, a cozy and comfy oceanfront resort with generously sized guest rooms and suites, the delectable Wayfarer Restaurant, and extra special perks like fresh-baked cookies and Friday beer tastings.
Newberg, Oregon
Only about 25 miles southwest of Portland is Newberg, a vibrant Willamette Valley town worth savoring. For a great taste of Oregon’s premier wine country region, visitors can drive out to Knudsen Vineyards for their highly acclaimed Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and sparkling wines. In addition, Duck Pond Cellars is worth the trip for guided vineyard tours, tastings of their own wines, and even tastings of their craft spirits (like gin, vodka, and vermouth). Even for those who don’t want to drive out for an “adult field trip,” they can stay in town and try Domaine Lumineux’s award-winning wines at their Newberg tasting room.
Whether one’s a dedicated oenophile or just a traveler in need of a change in scenery, The Allison Inn & Spa has something to please just about anyone. For fine food and wine lovers, their JORY Restaurant has an award-winning wine collection and gourmet garden-to-table cuisine. For those wanting to rest and relax, this resort has a full-service spa, an in-house salon, and a year-round pool. And for everyone, The Allison has large, plush, and posh rooms and suites.
Mt. Hood Village, Oregon
Right by Oregon’s tallest mountain and only about 46 miles east of Portland is Mt. Hood Village, a place defined by explosive natural beauty and a free-flowing adventurous spirit. The main attraction here is Mt. Hood National Forest, a 1.1 million-acre preserve centered around the namesake 11,125-foot-tall stratovolcano with plenty of exciting hiking trails. If that is not exciting enough, Mt. Hood is also a prime location for winter sports: Mt. Hood Skibowl has the nation’s largest night ski area and multiple terrain parks for skiers at all levels, while Teacup Nordic Snow Park has almost 15 miles of well-groomed cross-country ski trails.
But wait, there is even more! Timberline Lodge has North America’s longest ski season (usually from November all the way to May), a whopping 418 inches of average annual snowfall, and 43 trails across 1,415 acres offering up to a staggering 4,540 feet of vertical drop. Timberline Lodge also has its own hotel and restaurants on site.
Sisters, Oregon
With a name like Sisters, one expects this Central Oregon town to provide some warm and welcoming family-style hospitality. Fortunately, this town, which is about 22 miles northwest of Bend, delivers that and so much more. During winter, Hoodoo Ski Area makes magic on the snow with 36 trails across 806 acres. For a more rustic experience in the mountains, the Ray Benson Sno-Park opens up to a wide network of trails in Deschutes National Forest suitable for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
In town, visitors have a number of enticing options for refreshment and refueling, and The Barn in Sisters houses several of them at one campus, from craft beers and ciders at the Tap House to Mexican cuisine at Carmelitas and vegan eats at Rootbound. And for the ultimate in local hospitality, guests can stay at FivePine Lodge and Spa, a unique resort set in a wooded forest with spacious cabins and suites, along with the soothing vibes of their Shibui Spa.
Yachats, Oregon
Travelers can venture approximately 88 miles northwest of Eugene to discover the “Gem of the Oregon Coast,” also known as the town of Yachats. While other Oregon beach towns have wide, sandy beaches, the Yachats coast is defined by its abundance of rugged black basalt. This, in turn, makes for striking geological wonders like the massive crashing of waves at the Devil’s Churn inlet, along with the “Drainpipe of the Pacific” at Thor’s Well. Yet for those seeking a more traditionally sandy beach to access, Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint has some secluded-feeling stretches of sand, as well as prime spots atop the bluffs for bird and whale watching.
After a busy day full of adventures along the shore, one can retreat to the cool and refreshing space that is the Overleaf Lodge & Spa. This oceanfront hotel features rooms and suites with dramatic Pacific views, as well as the expansive full-service Overleaf Spa.
Ashland, Oregon
About 15 miles south of Medford is the college town of Ashland, a town that earns high scores for amazing art, exhilarating outdoor recreation, and exceptionally world-class wines. At the Southern Oregon University campus, visitors can view a wide collection of contemporary visual art at the Schneider Museum of Art, then catch performances at the Oregon Center for the Arts. Meanwhile, for a dramatic change in scenery, drive to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, a nature preserve at the junction of the Cascade and Klamath Mountains, where lush fir and oak forests grow alongside stunning volcanic rock formations, such as the famed Pilot Rock.
Also around town are a number of highly acclaimed Rogue Valley wineries, including Grizzly Peak Winery, a stunning 40-acre farm of vineyards that produces award-winning Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs, and other varietals. Whatever one opts to do in and around town, it is always a great idea to cap off one’s trip with a stay at Green Springs Inn, a quiet sanctuary set on over 100 acres of forests on national monument land.
These Small Towns Have Plenty of Big Treasures Worth Adoring
With so much to see and do across the Pacific Northwest, it is easy to understand why many travelers fall in love with the small towns found throughout the region. After all, Washington has the beautiful maritime environment of Friday Harbor, the Bavarian-inspired mountain town of Leavenworth, and the relaxing beach town of Seabrook. In addition, Oregon boasts incredible land and seascapes, such as Cannon Beach, remarkable fine wines from Newberg, and explosive ski slopes at Mt. Hood. These towns are truly adorable, thanks to their ethereal natural beauty and high-flying adventurous spirit.
