PNW Travel Guide
Explore the Upper Left
Tucked between mountains, forests, and wild coastline, the Pacific Northwest feels like its own little world. There is plenty to discover, whether you’re here for a few days or staying longer. We put together a list of places we love, places we’re excited to visit, and a few hidden gems.
Close to the Venue
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Native history is woven into Seattle in ways that are easy to see if you are looking. The Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish Tribe, have lived here for thousands of years, and their presence is still felt across the city. Seattle is named after Chief Si'ahl, a Duwamish and Suquamish leader known for his efforts to protect his people and the land. You will see traces of Native history in totem poles, in the names of rivers and lakes, and in the art that honors their traditions. Taking time to learn about the people who have cared for this land makes exploring Seattle even more meaningful.
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Right next to the Space Needle, this museum and outdoor garden are packed with Dale Chihuly’s colorful blown-glass sculptures.
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This waterfront park on Lake Union has some of the best views of the Seattle skyline. It is built on an old gas plant which gives it a quirky, industrial vibe. It is a great spot to picnic, fly a kite, or watch boats and seaplanes.
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Seattle’s troll tradition started with the Fremont Troll under the bridge. Now there are even more to find, thanks to Danish artist Thomas Dambo, who built giant recycled-material trolls hidden in places like Lincoln Park and Cougar Mountain. They are a fun adventure if you feel like hunting for them.
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Pike Place Market feels like a maze of food, flowers, and hidden corners. You can find rows of dahlias filling the walkways with every color you can imagine, warm hand pies from Russian bakery Piroshky Piroshky, rare ingredients at the tiny Uwajimaya shop, and the colorful Gum Wall tucked behind the market. There are incredible views of the water from the patio at Old Stove Brewing, and if you wander around enough, you might even find a hidden rooftop garden growing food for the community. It is the kind of place where you could easily spend hours without realizing it.
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After the Great Fire of 1889, Seattle rebuilt on top of its original streets. The Underground Tour takes you below Pioneer Square to wander old sidewalks, storefronts, and pieces of the city’s early (and pretty wild) history. After the Great Fire of 1889, Seattle rebuilt on top of its original streets.
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Seattle fans go hard and the energy at games is amazing. In late September, you might be able to catch a Mariners baseball game, a Seahawks football game, or a Sounders soccer match.
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It is small but mighty and has one of the best views of the Seattle skyline. It is especially beautiful at sunset or after dark when the city lights are glowing.
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It must be the water because Seattle has some of the best coffee and beer anywhere. People here take both seriously, and honestly, you could plan your whole trip around it. The original Starbucks and the Starbucks Reserve are fun to see, but the real magic is in all the local coffee shops and small breweries you will find tucked around every corner.
Seattle Favorites
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Once a Croatian fishing village, Gig Harbor is now a peaceful waterfront town with boutique shops, cozy cafes, and scenic views of Mount Rainier.
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A quick ferry ride from Seattle, Bainbridge Island feels like a complete change of pace. You can spend the day wandering through shops, walking along the waterfront, and exploring quiet beaches and parks. Pegasus Coffee, in the most charming ivy-covered brick building, is one of our favorite stops. Roadside dahlia stands pop up with buckets of colorful blooms sold on the honor system. You can also find a hidden stone labyrinth tucked into a park, perfect for walking quiet loops under the trees. The ferry ride alone is worth it for the views of the city and Puget Sound.
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Just 30 minutes outside of Seattle, Woodinville is home to some of Washington’s best wineries and tasting rooms. If you are into reds, it is especially known for Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the most famous and often hosts live music, DeLille Cellars is known for amazing blends, and Guardian Cellars has a laid-back, local feel.
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Snoqualmie Pass is great for summer hikes, wildflowers, and winter skiing. Cle Elum is perfect for a lake day, and Roslyn is a cute old mining town with breweries and coffee shops. If you are nearby, Dru Bru is one of our favorite stops for a beer with a view.
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Built by Pete Nelson from Treehouse Masters, TreeHouse Point is a forest retreat where you can tour or stay overnight in dreamy handcrafted treehouses along the Raging River.
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This 20-acre Japanese garden and hidden gem was created by Fujitaro Kubota, a self-taught gardener who blended traditional Japanese design with Northwest plants. The winding paths form a peaceful maze through ponds, bridges, waterfalls, and colorful trees, making it easy and fun to get a little lost as you explore. The garden has been carefully preserved since 1927 and is perfect for a relaxing walk or quiet escape from the city.
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A short ferry ride from Seattle can take you to some of the most charming towns and islands in the Puget Sound. Vashon, Whidbey, and Bainbridge all have their own small-town feel, with beaches, forests, farm stands, and local shops to explore. It is easy to spend a day wandering, grabbing a coffee, and feeling a little like you left the city behind.
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A big, beautiful freshwater lake east of Seattle where you can swim, rent kayaks or paddleboards, or just hang out on the beach.
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Seattle feels like the perfect mix of cozy, busy, and outdoorsy. You can spend the day wandering markets, grabbing coffee, checking out neighborhoods, or just finding a spot by the water and watching the world go by. It is one of those cities that is just easy to love.
Day Trips + Overnights
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The Enchantments are a stunning alpine wilderness filled with crystal lakes and alpine peaks. Colchuck Lake is one of the more accessible hikes if you do not have a backpacking permit. Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style town that feels like a little piece of the Alps.
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Farther north, the San Juan Islands are a true getaway with a wild, adventurous feel. Orcas, San Juan Island, and Lopez are some of the best for whale watching, kayaking through rocky coves and sea caves, and exploring small waterfront towns. These islands feel more remote, and spending the night is the best way to take it all in.
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If you are up for a longer adventure, Washington’s main wine country is out east. Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, and the Columbia Valley are home to vineyards, wineries, and beautiful rolling hills. Walla Walla is especially known for amazing reds and small-town charm if you want to make a weekend of it.
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The Gorge rivals Red Rocks for the most beautiful music venue in the country. It sits high above the Columbia River with massive cliffs, open skies, and unreal sunsets. If you are heading there for a concert, it is one of those bucket-list experiences. The amphitheater holds nearly 27,500 people and was originally part of a vineyard overlooking the river.
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The Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail is one of the most breathtaking stretches of this iconic 2,650-mile trail. Starting near the southern border and winding through the Cascade Mountains, it offers snow-capped peaks, towering evergreen trees, wildflower-filled meadows, and crystal-clear lakes. While it’s known for its rugged beauty and challenging terrain, you don’t have to hike the entire trail to experience its magic. For a more manageable adventure, consider hiking a section like Skyline Trail near Mount Rainier, or the Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass stretch for stunning views and a taste of the PCT without committing to the whole thing.
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Index and Gold Bar are tiny mountain towns surrounded by huge cliffs and the rushing Skykomish River. They are popular spots for hiking and are known for some of the best rock climbing in the state. Index is also home to the Espresso Chalet, a very PNW coffee stand complete with a giant Bigfoot statue and lots of local character.
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Located in Olympic National Park, Rialto Beach has black sand, driftwood, and rocky sea stacks. At low tide, you can walk out to Hole in the Wall, a natural rock arch.
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Washington has three incredible national parks that are all worth visiting if you have extra time. See the below section for more information.
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If you have extra time, Oregon is packed with beautiful places to explore. Portland has a vibrant food and arts scene. Cannon Beach is famous for its rocky coastline and Haystack Rock. The Columbia River Gorge is full of waterfalls like Toketee Falls which is one of my personal favorites. You can also find adventures around Bend, Mount Hood, and Crater Lake with its unbelievably deep blue waters.
Washington’s National Parks
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Mt. Rainier
An iconic symbol of WA, Mount Rainier towers over wildflower meadows, ancient forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Whether you want a scenic drive or a breathtaking hike, it’s a must-visit for mountain views and classic PNW beauty.
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Olympic
A true natural wonder, Olympic offers misty beaches, lush rainforests, and snowy mountain peaks — all in one park. It’s perfect for a cozy coastal stroll, a rainforest wander, or a day of chasing waterfalls.
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North Cascades
Often called the "American Alps," the North Cascades are rugged, remote, and unbelievably beautiful. If you love dramatic mountain landscapes, turquoise lakes, and quiet trails, this hidden gem is worth the trip.
Leave No Trace
Seven Principles
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Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass or GPS to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
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Durable surfaces include maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
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Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
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Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
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Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
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Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
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Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.