Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and the home of major corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing. With iconic landmarks like the Space Needle, artistic treasures like the Chihuly Gardens glass works, a hip cultural scene, the famous Pike Place farmers market, fresh seafood restaurants, and a wealth of outdoor activities, it's hard not to fall in love with Seattle.
At 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano that towers in the background of the Seattle skyline. The Mount Rainier National Park, established in 1899 includes all of Mount Rainier, and the forests, valleys and meadows surrounding it. The park is around a 2 hour drive to the south-east from Seattle.
Encompassing nearly a million acres, Olympic National Park, located to the west of Seattle, protects a vast wilderness area with several different ecosystems including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. The park is a 2 hour drive from Seattle.
Located to the north of Olympic National Park, Port Townsend is a charming village by the sea with Native American roots and a maritime legacy. The village has several Victorian-era cottages, sprawling gardens, miles of beaches and trails, world-class restaurants, and robust art and cultural experiences.
An archipelago with more than 172 islands and reefs, the San Juan Islands are a short ferry ride away from Seattle or Port Townsend. The three main islands of San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Island offer several activities including hiking, biking, boating, whale watching, fishing, zip-lining, and visits to local farms.
Crater Lake National Park is famous for Crater Lake, one of the deepest lakes on Earth, which formed nearly 7,700 years ago. The Rim Drive, surrounding the lake, offers spectacular views of the park's volcanic formations. There are also ninety miles of trails through diverse forests that rise to peaks with views of the lake.
500 feet high wind-sculpted sand dunes extend for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast, at the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area. Visitors can ride across the sand in three designated off-highway riding areas, enjoy water sports in the over 30 lakes in the region, or hike the numerous trails through the coastal forests.
The Willamette Valley is home to two-thirds of Oregon's wineries, with nearly 600 vineyards and tasting rooms. The climate in the region makes it one world's best pinot noir producers. The region also has several waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, a mountain bike trail system, and several scenic biking routes.
Flanked by the Cascade Range and high desert, with several peaks, lakes, rivers and hiking trails, Bend is an outdoor recreationalist's mecca. With one brewery for every 4,500 people, Bend also has the most breweries per capita in the state of Oregon. The legendary Bend Ale Trail is the largest beer trail in the West.
Noted as one of the "Seven Wonders of Oregon", Smith Rock State Park covers over 650 acres at around 3000 feet in elevation. The major rock faces are welded tuff, or compressed volcanic ash formed 30 million years ago. Miles of trail circulate the park which attracts hikers, rock climbers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is defined by a canyon of the Columbia River up to 4,000 feet deep, and eighty miles long. It is home to North America's most concentrated stretch of waterfalls, with over 90 waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah, Bridal Veil and Latourell Falls. It also offers endless outdoor activities.
Cannon Beach is a quaint hamlet on the North Coast of Oregon lined with boutique shops, galleries, cafes, and eateries. It is known for its long, sandy shore, and the iconic Haystack Rock, a seasonal haven for tufted puffins. There are also tide pools, sea caves, waterfalls, and several hiking trails to explore.
Astoria is a picturesque coastal fishing village and port with a distinct Scandinavian and Victorian flavor. The town is famous for its Victorian-era homes, several forts, the most famous of which is Fort Astor, the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky mountains, and great local restaurants and breweries.
Located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in northern Oregon, in the shadow of the snow-capped Mount Hood, Portland is the largest and most populous city in Oregon. It is known for its eco-friendliness, parks and recreational facilities, and its numerous micro-breweries, coffee houses, and donut shops.