7 Overlooked Towns In The Pacific Northwest Worth Visiting
People tend to think of standout destinations like Seattle and Vancouver whenever someone mentions the Pacific Northwest. They also think of the famous national parks that surround these destinations. But if you really want to get to know the Pacific Northwest, the best places to go are not the major cities or wilderness areas. The underrated and overlooked towns in between are where you want to be, where you are bound to be both fascinated and surprised at what awaits you there. The following seven towns are not hidden secrets, but they are under-visited compared to their better-known neighbors. If you make your way through them, you will experience the true character of this part of the U.S.
Port Orford, Oregon
The artistic fishing town of Port Orford lies between Bandon and Gold Beach in Oregon. It is the most westerly town within the continental U.S., and here, you will find one of only two dolly docks in America, where boats are hoisted out of and into the waters surrounding the Port of Port Orford. A ways from the port along the coast, you can whale watch or beach comb without having to dodge a crowd.
If you love arts and culture, you will want to stay in Port Orford indefinitely. The town is designated an Art and Culture District and is filled with galleries that offer something for everyone. The Hawthorne Gallery, for example, showcases the work of more than 25 contemporary artists. You will find modern and abstract artwork here, as well as stunning contemporary pieces. If you want to get out and about in Port Orford, make your way to Battle Rock Wayside, which becomes an island during very high ocean tides. Parking is free, so you can spend the whole day walking on the beach and watching the seabirds soar above the water.
La Conner, Washington
La Conner sits right next to the Swinomish Channel in the nook of Skagit Valley. When you arrive here, give yourself an hour or so to explore the Museum of Northwest Art, which displays the works of regional artists. There is a cute gift shop on the premises where you can buy a souvenir to remind you of your time in this beautiful town.
If you visit in March, remember to stop by the vast daffodil fields to take some colorful selfies. These yellow flowers mark the start of spring, and you might be lucky enough to see snow geese migrating through the area at the same time. If you stay until April, you can enjoy the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which rivals Keukenhof Gardens in its splendor. Before you move on to the next town on your bucket list, take some time to explore the Rainbow Bridge, a massive functional art piece that links Fidalgo Island to La Conner.
Sequim, Washington
Sequim is an underrated rural town on the Olympic Peninsula, located between Port Angeles and Port Townsend. Those who decide to stop here and explore use Sequim as a base to visit Olympic National Park. In the town itself, if you visit during July, you can catch the Lavender Weekend Festival. The festival includes a massive fair at Carrie Blake Park with live music and lavender gifts. Give yourself an hour or two to stop at some of the local lavender farms and just enjoy the views.
If you are a nature lover, the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge near Sequim offers great outdoor attractions and activities. You can hike the Dungeness Spit Trail to reach the longest natural spit in the U.S. The trail will also take you to the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse. If you want to see the lighthouse, give yourself at least five hours to get there via the trail. Next to the Dungeness River Nature Center, you will find Railroad Bridge Park, where you can walk on the charming bridge and enjoy views of the Dungeness River.
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is less than an hour's drive from Sequim and lies on the northeast end of the Olympic Peninsula. To get to know this town in only a couple of hours, take a walk down Water Street as soon as you get there. You will see historic buildings and Victorian architecture as you search for the perfect gift shop or art gallery. Port Hudson lies at the east end of Water Street, where you might spot orcas and gray whales that frequent the water here between April and November.
Speaking of whales, there is a 42-foot gray whale skeleton, named Gunther, at the Union Wharf off Water Street. Gunther washed up on the shore in 2019 and was put on display in 2023. While you are making your way around town, you will also see the historic Fire Bell Tower, erected in 1890 to warn residents about nearby fires. The tower is the last one of its kind in America. When you get hungry, stop at Bayview Restaurant to enjoy a fresh seafood meal while looking out at the calm waters of Port Townsend Bay.
Poulsbo, Washington
The historic town of Poulsbo is known as Washington’s "Little Norway," and it is easy to see why. The town was founded by Scandinavian settlers in the 1800s, and most of downtown has retained a Nordic look and feel. Many of the shops here take full advantage of the Nordic theme. As such, you will find Nordic-inspired home products at Nordiska, and a wider variety of goods at Abigail’s Artful Abode.
Poulsbo is also packed with green spaces, boasting more than 15 parks within its town limits. If you do not have a lot of time to spend in Poulsbo, stick to Liberty Bay Waterfront Park (Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park) to explore the bayside and the port, while staying close to the downtown shops and restaurants. If you decide you want to get your feet wet, you can rent a paddleboard or kayak and get right into Liberty Bay.
Campbell River, British Columbia
Campbell River is a larger town on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The town sits at the south end of the Discovery Passage and forms part of the Pacific Northwest due to its location on the Pacific coast. One of the most memorable things to do in this underrated town is to walk across the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge. The bridge is ten minutes from downtown and lies at the end of a stunning forest trail in Elk Falls Provincial Park. The bridge crosses the Campbell River so that you will be walking 64 meters above the churning waters.
If you want to get out on the water, book a boat tour and keep your phone camera on in case you spot a whale or orca breaching. You can also hire a fishing charter if you want to spend a day fishing for salmon. There are five species in the Campbell River: Chum, Coho, Pink, Chinook, and Sockeye. Should you prefer leaving the fish for the grizzly bears, book your spot on the local Grizzly Bear Expedition Tour, which starts in the Campbell River Harbor and travels the Desolation Sound throughout the day.
Tofino, British Columbia
Tofino is just under four hours away from Campbell River and sits on the other side of Vancouver Island. It is an often-overlooked destination in the Pacific Northwest, where temperate rainforests line long stretches of beach. You can take a float plane through the forest to Hot Spring Cove, where you can soak in a natural hot spring within the Maquinna Provincial Park. Or you can stay on the sand and explore Long Beach or Cox Bay Beach.
If you want to hike, you can take the Rainforest Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, or the South Beach Trail, which may remind you of some of the background scenes in Twilight. Or you can simply rent a bike and explore what the town has to offer. There is a 25-kilometer bike path that starts near Cox Bay, meanders through Pacific Rim, and ends at the Visitors Center.
Overlooked Towns Should Always Be Part of Your Travel List
When you explore the small towns in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, you get to experience places that function as real communities, not just tourist attractions. You can sail out on bays, take the train to an exciting destination, or book your spot on a flightseeing plane to really see what each town has in store. So, whether you want to walk long stretches of coastline, hike in temperate forests, or just connect with people across different borders, your Pacific Northwest journey can fulfil all your travel goals.
