8 Best The Pacific Northwest Towns For A Weekend Trip
Weekend getaways are essential to avoid burnout or amp up your energy with new sensations and vibrant memories until the next one. From two riverfronts to a lakeside to coastal beach towns, it is time to pick one nearby and put another one on hold for the next stress-free escape in the fresh sea air, a misty, mystic waterfall, or even an island.
These eight provide all the highs of indulging in the best, wrapped in the PNW's majesty. The surreal Pacific Northwest delivers a lifetime worth of experiences and a little magic to make room for a quick, life-changing escape at small-town prices and affordable options, camping along the Long Beach Peninsula or Hayden's lakeside cabins.
Anacortes, Washington
Tipping the north shore of Fidalgo Island, this town is more than a hopping point to the San Juans. It is easy to while away a weekend in Anacortes among local artists, fishermen, and a few tourists, feeling inspired and recharged by the end. Poised above the ferry landing, the charming Ship Harbor Inn offers views of surrounding islands and drifting ferries. The nearby Guemes Channel Trail is a dog-friendly trail to stretch your legs on a stroll or bike along the waterfront.
Weekenders enjoy highway access, 1.5 hours from Seattle, to lunch at Gere A Deli, an airy shop plastered with mid-century tin signs. The 220-acre Washington Park offers camping along Fidalgo Head with a boat launch, picnic sites, and a scenic loop road. In addition to a stone castle and galleries throughout, you can find a beach or launch off to the nearby islet's historic lighthouse. Finally, Cap Sante Park tips off the island's hook with wildlife trails and elevated vistas of the marina.
Camas, Washington
Minutes across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, it is hard to fathom a better getaway, with urban-style attractions and waterfront wildlife. Lacamas Park lures birdwatchers with over 300 acres of scenic trails and dense woods for leaf-peeping, exercise, or quiet reflection at Camas Lily Fields and three waterfalls on Lacamas Creek. Easy access and convenience leave plenty of time to enjoy the town's arts, shopping, and dining scene along the shade-tree-laden downtown corridor.
From coffee shops to galleries and bookstores, Camas' cultural scene, indeed, rivals the city's. Cherry on top? The reputable Camas Boutique Hotel goes for under $100. Rent a bike or stroll along the lush landscaping and art-filled sidewalks of Downtown Camas, stopping for photos with bronze art, historic murals, and even artful bike racks. Finally, the Fallen Leaf Lake Park invites a scenic break from retail therapy, sifting through your thrifted treasures from the legendary Camas Antiques.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
There's a reason for the hype around touristy towns, like this iconic art town along Highway 101 on the northern Oregon coast. Luring beach lovers and art fans alike just 1.5 hours west of Portland, you'll skim the southern edge of the famed Ecola State Park. The RV resort is a popular option with laundry and amenities, while both Sea Breeze Court and Cannon Beach Hotel Collection go for roughly $150. Waking up early to the empty streets and shoreline, it is easy to see the source of inspiration.
Known for its wide sandy beach and scenic shoreline, the famous Haystack Rock rises from the sea in morning fog. You can access the ancient monolith on foot with tufted puffins atop and sea stars in tide pools, or views from the adjacent Tolovana Beach State Recreation Area, a sandy beachfront for swimming and picnics. Beyond the beaches, the picturesque and walkable downtown caters to every type of weekender or romantic getaway, with the most charming library, brewery, and cafe culture.
Hayden, Idaho
Perched above a lake near Coeur D'Alene, this charming little town offers easy access near the Washington border, with cheaper lodging, sans the crowds of the neighboring city. Wrapped in seasonal dress, Hayden Lake is as ideal for foliage peeping as fishing, tubing, and other summertime activities, like hiking along the 40-mile shoreside. Honeysuckle Beach is downtown adjacent, with a boat launch (for personal vessels), a fishing dock, a volleyball court, and picnic tables.
The nearby Silver Sands Beach is favored for swimming, while the town provides some rentals, dining, and entertainment, including a cinema and a retro-style amusement park. You can score a lakeside cabin or stay in style and on budget downtown at Silver Lakes Inn next to breakfast spots and gastropubs. From the picturesque marina promenade for strolls and pictures, Porch Public House is a laid-back lakeside alehouse with microbrews on tap and a creative pub-grub menu.
Hood River, Oregon
Luring Portlanders year-round, Hood River is a historic town along the Columbia's southern shore, just an hour from the city. Dating to the early 19th century, the turbulent current almost drowned Lewis and Clark, the first white men in their canoe. Tamed with locks and dams, Hood River has since turned into the artsy and adventurous Windsurfing Capital. Next to the Columbia Center for the Arts, the railway station offers scenic excursions with Mt. Hood as a backdrop, plus prepared meals.
The famous beauty unites history, water sports, and drink fans along the Columbia River Gorge with lookout points and Mt. Hood views. Opt for a treehouse B&B or Horsefeathers Hotel, blending contemporary and timeless at $200, near the marina, a crescent-shaped beach, and a watercraft launch. From hiking to kitesurfing, there's something for all by land or water, like kayaking and SUP, a designated Wine Trail, primarily along the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop, and scenic drives.
Long Beach, Washington
Washington’s southwest corner accentuates authentic experiences, with views of the northern Oregon Coast and whale watching. Just north of Cape Disappointment, this town, braced by the giant trees of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, offers access to 28 miles of pristine beach, fort remnants, and two active light aids, including the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast. Find a stretch that speaks to you along the dramatic basalt cliffs and beachfront state parks with deep old-growth forests.
From biking and horseback riding to wildlife photography, you can touch history on the metal Lewis and Clark Carved Tree along the Chautauqua/Discovery Trail. Pop right into the popular Corral Drive. After a delicious spread of pizza pies and oyster shooters, the nearby Cranberry Museum is an enduring attraction with history and tours of the cranberry bogs, gifts, and ice cream. If not camping fireside beneath the Milky Way, Oceanview Inn At The Arch offers local vibes and comfort for $100.
Port Orford, Oregon
This small, artistic fishing town in Southern Oregon boasts incredible geography where the mountains and the forests meet the ocean. Nothing is ordinary in the oldest platted town site on the state's coast, the most westerly city in the continental US. In addition to the local lakefront, galleries, and a Victorian mansion, Port Orford Heads State Park is downtown adjacent, where discoveries start at Port Orford Lifeboat Station before hitting unmarked trails with expansive sights beyond the rocky coast.
Down at Agate Beach, find precious souvenirs in the colorful stones on an engaging hunt with your pup. History fans can't miss the whitewashed landmark to the north, Cape Blanco Lighthouse, with tours, a gift shop, and sweeping vistas. From freshwater and saltwater fishing to boating and kayaking, there's also wind sailing, scuba diving, and camping just south. Moreover, you can drive for miles in the shifting views of coves and coastal rainforests, then back, to unwind at Wander Orford Cliffs.
Snoqualmie, Washington
This popular getaway town is a lovely 30-minute drive east of Seattle. Nature, history, and culture converge at the iconic falls. Though not the tallest, the 268-foot-tall Snoqualmie Falls is one of the PNW's most picturesque, cascading over granite cliffs. The sacred site of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is just 1.2 miles from the historic downtown. Enjoy free parking and explore the walkable sidewalks with art, antiques, and curated shops.
The 1890 Historic Snoqualmie Depot features antique train cars and locomotives, plus a boardwalk and Centennial Trail for strolls. It is easy to lose yourself in Gilmore Girls vibes at Railroad Park's charming gazebo. From BBQ to ethnic cuisines, save room for dessert at an enduring ice cream shop, a quaint evening at the local cellars, or imbibe culture over beer flights at the iconic Snoqualmie Falls Brewery. In addition to the nearby casino resort, Salish Lodge & Spa is a stylish riverside option.
We all know what we need on a getaway, whether it's that ideal adventure to stretch your legs, retail therapy, or the local haunts for arts and food. The urban sprawl has nothing on the majestic peaks or the expansive coastal views along Long Beach Boardwalk.
Washington's Long Beach Peninsula brings back the joy of feeling the freedom from the city chains. From the misty morning beaches to the vibrant sunsets, the undulating views to the horizon are only interrupted by haystacks and the Haystack in Cannon Beach.
