7 Offbeat Towns To Visit in The Pacific Northwest in 2025
The Pacific Northwest is known for its towering forests, misty coastline, and quirky small towns that thrive off their rich histories and creative spirit. While major destinations like Portland, Seattle, and Boise attract many visitors, the region’s offbeat towns offer a more authentic experience. If you want to visit the region, consider escaping the usual routes and discovering these seven hidden gems, where history, adventure, and wildlife watching form a unique blend of opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a coastal town at the mouth of the Columbia River that gained popularity after it was featured in several movies, including Kindergarten Cop and The Goonies. The oldest settlement in Oregon, Astoria, was founded in 1811 and was called Fort Astoria. It was also the oldest permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
Start your tour of the city with a quick stroll along the Astoria Riverwalk, a scenic pathway that follows the riverfront, and pop into the Columbia River Maritime Museum to learn about the region's sea legacy, the treacherous Columbia River Bar, and features fascinating exhibits featuring shipwrecks and Coast Guard memorabilia. The Captain George Flavel House Museum, located in the 1885 mansion, offers a glimpse into Astoria’s Victorian past and the history of the Flavel family.
Head to downtown Astoria, home to local businesses like Fort George Brewery, Busu Astoria, and Rusty Cup for some incredible breakfast sandwiches. On rainy days, you can duck into local shops or check out the Oregon Film Museum in the old Clatsop County Jail, which celebrates movies filmed in the state. If you are in the city on a sunny day, a ride on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley is a must.
Hansville, Washington
Hansville is known as a gateway to some of the most popular destinations on the Kitsap Peninsula, but it’s also a great destination if you are looking for an eco-conscious, less-crowded getaway. Hansville is a quiet haven with sweeping views of Puget Sound and Whidbey Island, where you can spot seals and many birds. The Hansville Greenway has a network of trails perfect for biking and hiking, with well-maintained trails offering a glimpse of local flora and fauna.
Head to Norwegian Point County Park, which offers breathtaking vistas of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains for a great escape in nature, or the historic Point No Point Lighthouse and Park, the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound, that’s been operating since 1879. Another option is Buck Lake County Park, which is perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding. Or catch a sunset on a local beach to end your day on a good note - a free activity, perfect if you visit in summer.
Friday Harbor, Washington
Located on San Juan Island, Friday Harbor is a hidden gem of Washington State that feels straight out of a storybook. Often overlooked by tourists, it’s the main port of the San Juan Islands, and it can be accessed only by ferry. Whether you want to go shopping, dine, or enjoy the outdoors and watch wildlife, Friday Harbor has it all. The island is home to Lime Klin Point State Park, which boasts some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the world, and if you visit from April through October, you could even get a magnificent view of orcas breaching offshore.
Aside from that, Friday Harbor has a Whale Museum, which is dedicated to the preservation of these majestic animals and educating visitors about the dangers of plastic in the environment. Another storied institution of the area is the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, which showcases artwork by local and indigenous artists and is considered a creative hub. Kayaking tours are a popular pastime in this harbor town, and if you decide to take one, you will have a good chance of spotting all kinds of flora and fauna, including sea lions, eagles, dolphins, and even whales.
McCall, Idaho
High in the Payette National Forest, McCall is an all-season resort town on the shores of Payette Lake 100 miles north of Boise. McCall used to be a logging town, but it has reinvented itself as an outdoor recreation hub without losing its down-to-earth character. In the summer, Payette Lake becomes an outdoor playground with opportunities for boating, swimming, and hiking. Come December, McCall turns into a winter wonderland, with nearby Brundage Mountain Resort offering some of the best powder skiing in the Gem State.
One of the most popular annual events in McCall is the Winter Carnival, which is held each January, when snow sculptures take over the streets, parades wind through downtown, and hot cocoa flows freely from café counters. Ponderosa State Park offers scenic trails through forests and wetlands where you can see moose and deer. And don't miss a soak in the natural mineral waters at nearby Burgdorf Hot Springs, a hidden paradise accessible via a scenic backcountry drive.
Wallace, Idaho
With a population of 791 at the 2020 census, Wallace is a tiny town in the Idaho Panhandle. Founded in 1884, Wallace sits alongside the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River. Despite its small size, Wallace is one of the quirkiest and most historically interesting destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Silver Capital of the World,” this former mining boomtown clings to its colorful past with pride. Nearly the entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the ornate brick buildings and false-front architecture date back to the early 20th century.
Wallace, Idaho, is a city in and the county seat of Shoshone County, Idaho, in the Silver Valley mining district of the Idaho Panhandle. The Oasis Bordello Museum tells the story of Wallace’s more scandalous history - it was a working brothel until the late 1980s. Equally fascinating is the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, where visitors put on hard hats before descending underground to see how miners once toiled for treasure. Take a ride on the Route of the Hiawatha, a repurposed rail trail that now offers a fun bike ride through tunnels and over trestle bridges in the Bitterroot Mountains.
Joseph, Oregon
Joseph is a hidden gem in the northeastern corner of Oregon, surrounded by the Wallowa Mountains. Located well off the beaten path, this village is known as “The Little Switzerland of America,” thanks to its abundant outdoor opportunities. One of the most magnificent mountain towns in the Beaver State, Joseph boasts superb outdoor scenery and a quaint downtown chock-full of small businesses, including eateries, galleries, and boutique shops like Simply Sandy.
When it’s time to get outside, head to Wallowa Lake, a sparkling glacial reservoir popular for canoeing and swimming. Or catch the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the summit of Mount Howard, where you can explore many hiking trails and spectacular panoramic views. The nearby Josephy Center for Arts and Culture to get some context of the area through exhibits and community events. Arrowhead Chocolates is a can’t-miss stop in Joseph, as is Outlaw Restaurant, an old-fashioned saloon where you can grab a bite after exploring local trails.
Eureka, California
Though technically just outside the Pacific Northwest, Eureka and neighboring Ferndale on California’s North Coast are worth a stop if you are after offbeat coastal vibes and mystical charm. Eureka is the seat of California’s Humboldt County and the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland. Although it might not seem like much, it makes for a great stop along 101. Eureka boasts a historic Old Town full of incredibly well-preserved Victorian buildings that house antique shops and other local businesses. A definite highlight of the area is the famous Carson Mansion, which boasts the title of one of the most photographed Victorian homes in the United States.
Just 20 minutes south of Eureka, Ferndale is a pristine hamlet with elaborately painted Victorian storefronts and a fairytale-like main street. The town has long been favored by artists and filmmakers. The Ferndale Museum showcases the town’s pioneer roots, while the Lost Coast is home to one of the most rugged, undeveloped stretches of California coastline, which only a few travelers get to see. Finally, don’t leave without a stroll through the Fernbridge, a massive 1911 concrete bridge, a testament to the area’s resilience and engineering history.
Final word
While the Pacific Northwest has many famous destinations, it’s also full of towns that dance to their own rhythm and quietly fly under the radar. Whether you’re wandering through Victorian streets, soaking in backcountry hot springs, or watching whales from rocky cliffs, these seven towns offer unique experiences far from the tourist mainstream. In 2025, trade the crowds for charm and let these offbeat destinations surprise you with their stories.
