The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In The Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a captivating corner in the U.S., engulfing the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Bordered by the sparkling Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountains, the iconic cities and nature parks make the PNW sought after world-over. Tangled in gorgeous rivers and forest trails, towns are not just dots on the map.
As diverse as they come, every area feels like a can't-miss destination, infusing the PNW with a vibrant culture. Beyond Portland and Seattle, you simply can't miss these nine Oregon and Washington towns for the unique flavor, where viticulture meets coffee culture and coastal views unite whale watching and lighthouses.
Anacortes, Washington
Synonymous with adventure, Anacortes serves up the best scenery with a side of intrigue at the head of Fidalgo Island. The island is only a quarter of the size of Whidbey Island and is located across Deception Pass, a playground for paddlers and canoers beneath the iconic bridge. Be sure to see the Lady of the Sea Statue at Seafarers Memorial Park, and drive by the town's stone castle. Adventures here include seaside strolls with views of the mountainous Guemes Island, island hopping, and popular whale-watching cruises.
Just off downtown Anacortes, Cap Sante encompasses a wooded parkland for hiking and wildlife on the island's hook, plus elevated vistas of the marina. Working west, the rocky Sunset Beach lures anglers and kayakers with sweeping vistas of the lush, curving coast. You can utilize the nearby boat launch or dive into the 220-acre Washington Park with camping, picnic sites, and a scenic loop road. Nothing tops the view upon summiting Sugarloaf on a hike or driving up to the Mt. Erie viewpoint mid-island.
Grants Pass, Oregon
Braced by the wild flavor of the Rogue River, Grants Pass has deep ties to this waterway, designated by Congress as the National Wild and Scenic River. This river bisects the town, highlighting its history, fine dining, and wine scene within the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon. Equally rugged and charming, you can rip upstream with Hellgate Jetboat Excursions to the dramatic Hellgate Canyon. You can also raft, kayak, or hop on a cruise downstream, sipping craft brews aboard the Paddled Pub experience.
Shaped by the railroad, gold rush, and lumber boom, the National Historic District of downtown Grants Pass displays classic 19th-century homes and architecture, like the restored 1938 Rogue Theater. In addition to Old Town Antique Mall, travelers enjoy leafy parks and waterfront recreation areas for play, strolls, and picnics with scenic views between shopping and arts. Backpacking trails also lure adventurers through the woods to discover the larger Rogue Valley Americal Viticultural Area (AVA).
Hansville, Washington
Tipping off Kitsap Peninsula, this can't-miss coastal enclave was settled by Norwegian immigrants. Once a fishing resort, Hansville retains rural seaside charm for a quiet, nature-centric, and crowd-free escape with historic sites and sweeping views of Puget Sound and Whidbey Island. The Hansville Greenway bisects the town south, inviting pedaling, jogging, and dog walks alongside local flora and fauna, with opportunities to stop for a lakeside picnic, kayaking, or paddleboarding in the three lakes.
Foulweather Bluff Preserve invites you on a beautiful forest walk to a sandy beach backed by cliffs, with purple shells, flocks of gulls, and no one around. Norwegian Point County Park offers breathtaking vistas of the Olympic Mountains backdropping the Sound, where you can spot seals and many birds. The 1879 Point No Point Lighthouse is Puget Sound's oldest in continuous operation, offering tours. No matter how you spend the day, catch the sunset along Hood Canal Drive, facing west.
Oak Harbor, Washington
Home of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor is a mid-island gem with intrigue around every serene corner. Starting at the mermaid sculpture, work your way through structures at Flintstone Park to the waterfront Windjammer Park, inviting scenic relaxation in a lagoon-like atmosphere with a beach. You can explore the trails alongside the landmark windmill and formations for photography, plus a ton of picnic spots to soak up the charm.
For something wilder, the 112-acre beachfront Joseph Whidbey State Park skirts the western shore with sweeping views either way to explore undeveloped beaches and rugged oceanscapes. The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum reveals the timeline from when the Navy came and set up a seaplane base in the mid-last century to the present. Travelers enjoy island libations and cuisine catering to the diverse culture, from casual coffee shops to fine dining waterfront.
Seaside, Oregon
Seaside blends some of the Oregon Coast's best flavors where the end point of the historic Lewis & Clark Trail meets the sparkling Pacific. Known for its classic beach town appeal, with wide-open views and offshore wave action, you can start along the “Prom,” a long, flat boardwalk for pedaling and people watching, then spin aboard the vintage Seaside Carousel in the downtown mall. From here, it is all about fun in the sun, collecting seashells, and eye-popping sunsets coloring the sea.
The intimate 1937 Seaside Aquarium features seals, an underwater exhibit, and a touch tank in a nostalgic setting. In addition to the town's miles and miles of sandy shores, Painted Rock Beach is a hidden gem, a mix of windswept grass, driftwood, and rocks of all sizes painted by visitors and locals. Just south past the cove where surfers ride, catch the Tillamook Head North Trail directly to the iconic seacliff Ecola State Park, jutting out into the ocean with a lighthouse and elevated views.
Selah, Washington
Yakima's tiny suburb to the north is tucked near the western bend of the Yakima River, with coffee shops, a brewery, and a scenic public golf course. Selah dresses up for Halloween like no other along Main Street, loaded with local mom-and-pop businesses. Travelers enjoy nearby wineries and U-pick orchards, including apples, peaches, cherries, and corn. Selah Ridge Lavender Farm invites sensual strolls with views of the rolling hills and absolutely gorgeous lavender rows.
There are plentiful ways to soak up the sunny river valley between here and the river canyon to the north by paddling, fly fishing, and camping, with plenty of wildlife and unique sites in between, like the Yakima Skyline Trail. In addition to a graffiti-embellished cave, Selah Cliffs Preserve Trail features little shade and lots of wildflowers along the canyon, including the largest known population of basalt daisy, making it a beautiful spot to have lunch and take photos.
Silverton, Oregon
Just fifteen miles from Salem along Hwy. 213, the state's Garden City is a real stud in the Willamette Valley, revealing a unique side of the PNW with vineyards, Christmas tree farms, lakeside fun, and waterfalls. Home of Oregon Garden, this beautiful botanical garden on 130 acres features more than 20 specialty gardens, and growing, plus a gift shop, café, and retail nursery. You can even swing by the Bavarian town of Mt. Angel for local brews, Oktoberfest celebration, and a cuckoo clock tower, located just 15 minutes north.
Founded in 1854, the quaint downtown of Silverton, shaded by mature oaks, blends colorful murals with stately homes and art galleries. The iconic Silver Falls State Park to the south offers miles of trails for every ability by foot, horseback, or bike to see and even peek behind at least 10 different waterfalls, some reaching over 100 feet in height. Just north past the Historic Gallon House Covered Bridge, Mt. Angel Abbey features a coffeehouse, library, and more along elevated grounds with Mt. Hood views.
Stehekin, Washington
The 50.5-mile-long glacier-fed Lake Chelan is one of the deepest and most unique lakes in the U.S., with a clear, stable ecosystem and a notable wine-growing region (AVA) on volcanic soil. This remote village at the jewel-toned headwaters feels absolutely lost in nature within the mountainous Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, providing opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, and hiking. Getting here is an adventure via personal boat or passenger ferry like Lady of the Lake, so you can relax aboard in anticipation.
Score a lakeside cabin amidst subalpine timber, with access to the Lakeshore Trail and the North Cascades. Home to roughly 90, you won't be lonely among summertime tourists, deer at your door, a bakery, and The Garden farmers market/gift shop with goats, birds, and dahlias in the garden. Just north, Buckner Orchard is a stone's throw from the approach to the base of the 312-foot Rainbow Falls, one of the clearest and most beautiful falls you may ever see, inviting you to relax in cooling mist.
Twisp, Washington
As a certified arts district in Washington, surrounded by the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, captivating landscapes make Twisp worth the trip alone. This spirited mountain town can be artsy, action-packed, or relaxing in the beautiful Methow Valley at the eastern entrance of North Cascades National Park. Grab a morning java and a cinnamon twist at the Orchard House Bakery across from Twisp Park to stretch your legs in the bend of the Twisp and Methow Rivers downtown or relax in the water views and savor the treat.
Named after the sound wasps make according to the Methow tribe, the town honors this with two gigantic metal wasps, among the many public art installations throughout the area. Check out the historic Merc Playhouse for local talent and the Methow Valley Farmer’s Market downtown for local produce. Hiking and mountain biking trails contour the Methow Valley foothills, a sea of springtime blooms, with alpine lakes and pink phlox decorating craggy peaks for climbers. Snow bunnies will also enjoy access to the iconic Methow Trails cross country ski resort.
Serene moments await tired travelers at the headwaters of Chelan Lake, an Ice Age relic, with one-of-a-kind magic in Stehekin. Selah is a charming town in the Yakima Valley, known for its semi-arid climate, averaging 300 sunny days each year, with all kinds of crops and award-winning wine grapes.
Vineyards, waterfalls, beaches, and Mt. Hood views are just some of the rewards and photogenic opportunities. Whether you're after Pacific beaches and coastal mountain ranges, a lakeside retreat, or perhaps a road trip, each is a decidedly cool destination without crowds.
