11 Nicest Small Towns In The Pacific Northwest
Flower baskets swing from the lampposts on Lynden's Front Street, beneath a Dutch windmill that doubles as an inn. The farmers market is busy on Saturday mornings in towns like it, and neighbors still turn out for the summer parade. Parks and trails sit close enough to walk to after dinner. The 11 towns below have all of that, along with mountains, rivers, or lakes just outside town. They are the kind of places that make visitors start checking real estate listings.
Lynden, Washington
Each August, the Northwest Washington Fair brings rides, livestock shows, and concerts to Lynden. The Washington farm town near the Canadian border wears its Dutch heritage openly, with gabled storefronts and flower-filled sidewalks. The windmill on Front Street holds an inn, and local bakeries sell Dutch pastries.
In December, a lighted Christmas parade fills Front Street. The Lynden Pioneer Museum houses a large collection of horse-drawn buggies, and Berthusen Park offers trails through old-growth forest.
Snoqualmie, Washington
Just downstream from Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Falls plunges about 270 feet (82 meters) into a misty gorge. An overlook and trail let visitors see the falls from above and below.
The town itself sits in a green valley at the foot of the Cascades. Its historic depot is home to the Northwest Railway Museum, which runs vintage train rides through the valley. Fans of Twin Peaks will recognize some local landmarks. The Snoqualmie Valley Trail follows a former rail line and offers easy walks and bike rides through farmland and forest.
Issaquah, Washington
Each fall, salmon return to the hatchery on Issaquah Creek in downtown Issaquah, and visitors can watch them arrive. In October, the Salmon Days Festival celebrates that return with crafts, food, and a parade.
Trails lead straight from town into Cougar and Tiger mountains, part of the forested Issaquah Alps. Lake Sammamish State Park offers beaches and picnic areas at the edge of town, and the Village Theatre stages Broadway-style musicals year-round.
Sumner, Washington
On clear days, Mount Rainier fills the sky at the end of Sumner's Main Street. The farming town calls itself the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World, and its small Main Street has locally owned shops and cafes.
The Ryan House Museum, a historic home from the 1870s, tells the story of the valley's early settlers. Lake Tapps, just east, offers swimming and boating with mountain views. The paved Foothills Trail, which begins nearby in Puyallup, makes for easy weekend rides.
Camas, Washington
The historic Liberty Theatre still shows movies in downtown Camas, where tree-lined streets hold boutiques and cafes. The town sits on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and its weekly farmers market and summer Camas Days festival draw the whole community.
Just north of downtown, Lacamas Lake and Lacamas Regional Park offer wooded trails, a waterfall, and paddling. Round Lake's loop trail is a favorite for an evening walk, and the Columbia River Gorge begins just to the east.
Lake Oswego, Oregon
The farmers market at Millennium Plaza Park, on the water, ranks among the largest in the region. Around it, leafy neighborhoods and a walkable downtown of shops and restaurants wrap around the Oregon town's namesake lake.
Each June, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts fills downtown with exhibits, and the Lakewood Center for the Arts stages plays year-round. Tryon Creek State Natural Area, on the edge of town, offers forested trails along a creek. George Rogers Park has a riverside beach on the Willamette.
Newberg, Oregon
The Hoover-Minthorn House Museum in Newberg preserves the boyhood home of President Herbert Hoover. The town is a gateway to the Willamette Valley's wine country, and dozens of tasting rooms in the nearby Chehalem Mountains welcome visitors on weekends.
Downtown has local shops and restaurants, and George Fox University adds a lively college presence. Each summer, the Old Fashioned Festival brings a parade and community events.
Independence, Oregon
Free concerts fill the amphitheater at Riverview Park on summer evenings in Independence, a Willamette River town once known as a hop-growing capital. Its historic downtown has been carefully restored.
The town's Fourth of July celebration is one of the biggest in the region, and the Heritage Museum shares local history. Western Oregon University, in neighboring Monmouth, adds cultural events. Quiet country roads lead to farms and wineries.
Brownsville, Oregon
In the 1986 film Stand By Me, Brownsville played the fictional town of Castle Rock. The tiny Willamette Valley farm town's main street of historic buildings has barely changed, and fans still visit filming locations.
Each June, the Pioneer Picnic brings the community together for a parade and old-fashioned fun, as it has since the 1880s. The Linn County Historical Museum and the restored Moyer House share the area's pioneer history.
Hailey, Idaho
Poet Ezra Pound was born in Hailey, which today is the year-round home of many people who work in nearby Sun Valley. Cafes, bookstores, and local shops line its Main Street. The Idaho town has a friendly, down-to-earth feel.
The paved Wood River Trail runs through town along the river and connects Hailey to Ketchum and Sun Valley. The Fourth of July celebration includes a rodeo and parade, and trails into the surrounding mountains offer hiking and mountain biking.
Driggs, Idaho
A giant potato on a truck stands in front of the Spud Drive-In in Driggs, which shows movies under the stars in summer. Local cafes and outfitters give the town a relaxed, welcoming feel.
Driggs sits in Teton Valley on the quieter western side of the Teton Range, with views of the Grand Teton from Main Street. Grand Targhee Resort, just across the Wyoming line, offers skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Each July, the Teton Valley Balloon Rally fills the sky.
Finding Nice In The Northwest
Traditions do much of the work in these towns. Brownsville has held its Pioneer Picnic since the 1880s, and Issaquah gathers for Salmon Days each October. Lynden fills Front Street with a lighted parade every December. Snoqualmie, Camas, and Hailey sit right on trail systems that start at the edge of downtown. Lake Oswego and Issaquah are closest to the region's big cities, while Brownsville, Driggs, and Lynden feel the most rural.
