The Pacific Northwest's Best Small Towns For A Weekend Escape

A weekend in the Pacific Northwest can run from lavender fields on the Olympic Peninsula to the deepest river gorge in North America. To the east, Lewiston, Idaho sits at the gateway to Hells Canyon at almost 8,000 feet. To the northwest, Sequim turns purple every July when the lavender blooms. Between them, Poulsbo runs Norwegian heritage on Liberty Bay and Winthrop kept its Old West facade for fifty years. Eight weekend escapes below.

Sequim, Washington

Sequim is a small town of about 8,500 along the Dungeness River near the base of the Olympic Mountains. The town markets itself as the Lavender Capital of North America and runs a Lavender Festival every July. A first-time visitor can stay at the dog-friendly Dungeness Bay Cottages, with cottages opening to waterfront views. The walkable downtown has a historic grain elevator, the herb-and-essential-oil shop Dandelion Botanical Company, and Carrie Blake Park with a botanical garden and a pond with Canada geese. Off the main road, Troll Haven runs a roadside garden of carved trolls, dragons, and other mythical figures.

Astoria, Oregon

Astoria, founded in 1811, is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. The Norblad Hotel sits in the heart of downtown within walking distance of the Astoria Riverwalk, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and the Astoria Sunday Market. The Astoria Riverwalk runs more than six miles along the Columbia River, with views across to Washington and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Portway Tavern has been open since 1925. For a waterfront stay, the Astoria Riverwalk Inn overlooks the Port of Astoria marina.

Winthrop, Washington

Winthrop has fewer than 1,000 residents and committed to an Old West facade in the early 1970s when the North Cascades Highway opened. The downtown still runs on that theme. Old Schoolhouse Brewery overlooks the Chewuch River and serves food alongside its house beer. The Shafer Museum holds the history of the Methow Valley, and the drive to Diablo Lake on the Cascades Highway is one of the most scenic in the state. Hotel Rio Vista sits in town with rooms overlooking the river.

Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend holds about 10,000 residents on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. The town is known for its Victorian-era architecture and coastal setting. Fort Worden State Park, used as the backdrop for the film An Officer and a Gentleman, anchors the local outdoor scene with hiking, beaches, gun batteries, and the Point Wilson Lighthouse. The owner-run Palace Hotel sits within the historic district, close to the water. The 1890 Historic Fire Bell Tower is one of the landmarks in town. Visitors interested in Victorian architecture should see the Ann Starrett Mansion.

Poulsbo, Washington

Poulsbo is known as Washington’s Little Norway and runs Scandinavian-themed murals throughout downtown. Start a trip with a waterfront table at Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse. Pick up a gift at Nordiska, a Nordic-themed boutique. Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park sits on Liberty Bay with views toward the Olympic Mountains, and visitors often spot sea lions in the water. Just outside town, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum is one of ten Navy museums operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command, with exhibits on submarine history and the Navy’s use of dolphins and sea lions. Poulsbo Inn & Suites is a 15-minute walk from Historic Downtown.

Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton sits along the Umatilla River, adjacent to the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The town was once a stop along the Oregon Trail. Within the town, the Pendleton Riverwalk follows the south bank of the Umatilla River along a paved trail. Pendleton holds many buildings dating back more than a century, including Rainbow Cafe, Oregon’s oldest tavern. The Pendleton Round-Up, held every September, is among the largest rodeos in the world. The Pendleton Underground Tour leads visitors through tunnels and rooms beneath the city’s historic downtown. Pendleton House Historic Inn is a two-block walk from the center of town. Just outside town, Umatilla National Forest holds bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain goats. McKay Reservoir, which impounds McKay Creek, is closer in.

Snohomish, Washington

Snohomish is known as the Antique Capital of the Northwest. More than 350 antique dealers sell their wares in town, many of them housed at the Star Center Antique Mall, which features five floors of specialty antique shops. The Collectors Reference Bookstore inside holds one of America’s largest collections of antique reference books. The Oxford Saloon, built at the turn of the 20th century, runs a broad menu and has a reputation as one of the most haunted spots in Washington State. Outside town, Lord Hill Regional Park has a lake, ponds, and trails. The Countryman Inn is a four-minute walk from the center of Snohomish.

Lewiston, Idaho

Lewiston is the gateway to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area can be explored by road, trail, or boat, with jet boat tours and rafting offering the most direct way to see the deepest sections of the canyon. Clearwater Canyon Cellars, named Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year in 2020, runs a tasting room with views of the surrounding canyon walls. The Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum covers the area’s history, including the role members of the Nez Perce tribe played in saving the Lewis and Clark Expedition team from starvation in 1805. Hampton Inn Lewiston offers views of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers.

The Pacific Northwest in a Weekend

The eight towns above run from the Olympic Peninsula to the Idaho-Washington-Oregon border country, and the Cascades to the coast. Each one offers a different version of the regional character. Lavender fields and Norwegian murals, Old West facades and Victorian streets, the deepest gorge and the oldest tavern. Pick the one closest to your starting point or the one that matches the trip you’re after.