8 Best Towns In The Pacific Northwest For A Two-Day Recharge
Traversed by highways and trails, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is ideal for a two-day weekend escape year-round to change pace and scenery at your convenience and discover a new town. Travelers enjoy blasting scenery through the windows en route to its far reaches in just a few hours from Seattle, like the ocean-meets-mountain scenery of Port Angeles.
These eight merge the gap between the PNW you know and the undiscovered, like windsurfing and wining in Hood River with "gorge"-ous views and Mt. Hood. Joseph embodies a mind, body, and soul retreat in snowcapped mountains, pastoral green fields, and the beautiful Wallowa Lake, with seven sculptures of historical figures along the Bronze Artwalk downtown.
Ashland, Oregon
Close to Emigrant Lake and the California border, Ashland vibes with literary fans on a weekend escape. Home of the city's months-long Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the sunny weather, friendly locals, and laid-back atmosphere highlight its inviting art scene, producing classical and contemporary plays. The 100-acre Lithia Park is drenched in good vibes and scenic spaces, with a beautiful runway along the waterway for long walks, a breezy bike ride, sports courts, and a historic fountain.
Beyond the famous festival, founded in 1935, it is easy to spend the entire afternoon away with picnics, pictures, and recreation. Lined by venues, the flora-studded star attraction is just a stroll from under-$200 lodgings, like the favorite Peerless Hotel and Chanticleer Inn, or Bard's Inn Hotel for $100. Whether you are in for parkland or the famed festival through October, no visit is complete without the iconic 1959 Allen Elizabethan Theatre for a lovely denouement to a weekend in Ashland, Oregon.
Bandon, Oregon
Bandon feels uncrowded along a dramatic coastline in southern Oregon. Travelers enjoy fishing, kayaking, and beachcombing between unique sea stacks in views of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Explore south to the rocky, life-size formations, from the grey Elephant Rock to the copper tint of the unreal castle emerging from the ocean. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint lures photographers with panoramic views and tide pools to seize a moment of solitude at sunset.
Beyond its beautiful beaches, there is plenty to see and do in the outdoors in the off-season, like hiking and photography. The Bandon South Jetty Park is a rocky beach into the ocean across the river from a picturesque red-and-white silhouette, the 1896 Coquille River Lighthouse. Emitting a hooting noise into the fog, the light beacon is open during summer. Finally, the charming Old Town is littered with seafood restaurants, galleries, shops, and wonderful lodgings, like La Kris Inn, for under $150.
Gig Harbor, Washington
About an hour from Seattle, Gig Harbor lures visitors into a stunning blend of historic buildings, watery vistas, and glimpses of Mount Rainier at the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, with opportunities for sailing and fishing. For a memorable stay, the Waterfront Inn offers front-row seats of the harbor and deals for under $200. Steps away, the historic harborfront downtown promises a boatload of weekend excitement with a curated collection of shops, like Fox Island Trading Co.
Dubbed "The Maritime City," the alluring heritage, upscale amenities, and gastronomic delights make for a popular weekend destination on the west side of Puget Sound. Beyond the marinas and waterfront parks, you will feel energized after stretching your legs along the overgrown trail through McCormick Forest Park. In addition to the thriving arts and culture lining the harbor through the historic downtown, dive deep into maritime heritage at the Harbor History Museum.
Hood River, Oregon
Often underrated, the windsurfing capital on the Columbia River Gorge dates back to the late 1800s, when the turbulent river current almost drowned Lewis and Clark's canoes. The small town offers a peaceful atmosphere backed by the stunning river and Mt. Hood views, with relaxation, scenic drives, and wine tastings on the table.
The Columbia River is a summertime playground at Hood River Waterfront Park, with a crescent-shaped beach, picnic tables, and a launch. Pick a family-friendly trail to the glorious Multnomah Falls and the Bridge of the Gods, year-round. At $150, Westcliff Lodge offers an array, from glamping to cozy suites, while Sunset Motel is top-rated for comfort and location. The historic downtown gets a holiday glow-up, complete with vendors, a window decorating competition, a parade, and a tree lighting.
Joseph, Oregon
Humbled by the imposing views and shores of the sparkling blue lake, this small, artistic mountain town in the state's northeastern corner only feels quiet. As a cultural hub at the gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Joseph is alive with a vibrant arts scene and a mountaineering spirit, echoing its nickname "Little Switzerland of America" against the dramatic Wallowa Mountains. Stay along the vibrant Main Street at the historic Jennings Hotel or the reputable Indian Lodge Motel.
Joseph is an ideal outdoor destination, with various recreational activities and events brightening the rustic downtown. Explore around bronze statues and local businesses, like the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, steps from family-friendly hikes and fishing in the creek. It is minutes to Wallowa Lake, via highway or on foot through the dog-friendly Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site. The large lake, fabulously backdroped, is ideal for boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and horseback riding.
Port Angeles, Washington
Known as a boating haven with whale watching at the gateway to the Olympic National Park, Port Angeles feels like a faraway land, albeit with international airport access. Just a two-hour drive from Seattle, weekenders enjoy a slew of quaint shops and rich maritime heritage against mountain-meets-sea scenery. From the iconic pier to Edith Hook and Harborview Park, all-budget lodgings crowd the waterfront downtown, like the top choice, Aircrest Motel.
The art center astounds art and architecture fans alike within a former residence and an outdoor art park, while Lincoln Park is a popular hangout where you can fish in a pond, play at the dog park, and enjoy the BMX track. Those after a challenge can take the Lake Angeles Trailhead, a moderate, steady 3-mile ascent, first through a refreshing forest to a ridge with mountain views and an alpine lake as a reward. Nearby, Madison Falls Trailhead offers a fun family hike to a 60-foot-high waterfall.
Walla Walla, Washington
It is easy to walla-walla away the weekend between the art, wine, and history in the shimmering fall's gold fields and verdant vineyards at the heart of the Walla Walla Valley. Drop by Fort Walla Walla Museum to see the unique diorama of the Corps’ gift exchange with a local Native American chief. In addition, it is minutes from the 1847 Whitman Mission National Historic Site, with interpretive trails, a museum, and a memorial of the massacre.
Boasting over 30 wine-tasting rooms downtown, score a bottle to uncork on your veranda and bring home to ring in the new year. The acclaimed Seven Hills Winery flaunts a century-old wood mill and robust reds. Though chain hotels go for $100, the Inn at Abeja, on a turn-of-the-century farm, inspires a Norman Rockwell painting.
Winthrop, Washington
This fun-sized town on the North Cascades Highway summons its energy from the surrounding Methow Valley in north-central Washington. The slower pace and surrounding landscapes lend a refreshing take on the city, with hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the Methow River. Besides North America's largest Nordic ski trail system (Methow Trails), travelers enjoy the walkable Wild West-themed downtown, with a famous cidery, a brewery, and the historic Barnyard Cinema.
The fall season is ripe for leaf-peeping and discoveries, like the Shafer Museum, with mining, farming, and other artifacts. Between the rustic chic Virginian Resort and the Abbey Creek Inn with an outdoor pool, it is easy to score a top-rated stay south of $100. Throw on a light sweater and head to Mack Lloyd Park, which lights up the riverfront with beautiful foliage and picnic tables to explore and relax. An ideal Christmastown, Winthrop, exudes a warm glow at the gateway to the North Cascades.
The PNW is renowned as an adventure haven, reaching far north into Canada, east through Idaho, and, in some definitions, western Montana and northern California. Covering landscapes beyond imagination, you don't have to be outdoorsy, just scenically inclined.
Each destination, whether a leaf-peeping spot or winter wonderland, offers a glimpse into the rich opportunities this region embodies and the local way of life, adapted amidst the boundless outdoors with a robust art scene and walkable, historic downtowns.
