We found ourselves adrift on the Pacific Northwest.
All of the spots listed below are suggestions from you; our readers, our friends, and our families.
We mapped out our road trip based on the places y’all told us about. The locations took us up the coast of Oregon past the most scenic, tree-lined beaches you could imagine and into the funky-foodtopia of Portland.
Our house on wheels drove us into the Southern Coast of Washington, up the Olympic Peninsula, toward the grunge-casual, metropolis of Seattle. Then up to the majestic, San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor.
Heading eastward through Washington’s wine country and Oregon’s wild “west” (actually eastern) cities, we landed in Southern Idaho. From Boise to the Craters of the Moon, the sizzling hot temps could only be chilled by beer.
Chart your own Northwest road trip using our recommendation list below. Gaze over our iPhone photos, then hit the road.
Oregon
Spot | Link | Tip |
Rouge River | Jerry’s Rouge Jets | Lots of camping on the river |
Pacific City | Oregon Coast | Off the beaten path |
Tillamook Cheese Factory | The Town that Cheese Built | Bring digestive aid |
Evergreen Aviation Museum | Aircraft & Exhibits | See the Spruce Goose |
Multnomah Falls | Wiki the Falls | Worth a trip outta Portland |
Astoria | OldOregon.com | Where the Goonies was filmed. |
Portland | Travel Portland | Love this city. Great public transport and food cart mania. We didn’t dig the Perl district. |
Campground on the River | Barton/Clackamas State Park | Just outside of Portland. Worth the commute. |
Oregon Vortex | Our Experience | It’s real, man! |
John Day Wilderness Area | Blue Mountains | This is on our bucket list |
Beverly State Beach & Campground | Oregon State Parks | Oregon Coastal Camping at it’s finest. |
Dayton | Visit a Vineyard | The Pinot Noir at Domaine Serene |
Baker City | Oregon’s Wild West (East) | Feels like you’re in Northern Arizona |
Washington
Spot | Link | Tip |
Olympic Peninsula | Destination Guide | Scenic drive |
San Juan Islands | Island Guide | Ferry boat ride to Friday Island. Rent a scooter to see the back roads. |
Port Townsend | City Guide | |
Fremont Troll at the Aurora Bridge, Seattle | Roadside America at it’s finest | |
Microsoft Campus | Plan a Visit | It helps to know someone on the inside. The Museum is open to the public though. We’re Mac fans but this was cool! |
Seattle Underground | Bill Speidel’s Tour | Yes, the town was built on the backs of women. Bring your allergy meds, the underground is musty, but still a must. |
The Ballard Locks | Puget Sound Ship Canal | Cool technology and views of the Puget Sound. |
Cherrywood B&B, Zillah | Sleep in a Teepee | What goes on in the teepee… |
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail | Elevation gain: 1,175 feet | I almost died but the view at the top of the rock is amazing. |
Idaho
Spot | Link | Tip |
City of Rocks | NP Website | |
Craters of the Moon | NP Website | Yes. Do stay at the campground. And take a Hike! |
Atomic City | Experimental Breeder Reactor | Population 24 |
Wallace Mining Town | The Center of the Universe | |
Hiawatha | Lookout Pass | Bike along a railroad |
Sandpoint | Schweitzer Mountains | Scenic Drive |
Knitting Factory | Live Music | |
Main Auction, Boise | Live Auction | Saturday 10am |
Bittercreek Ale House, Boise | Beers On-Tap | ‘Cause the Roaming Pint said so. |
Campground Near Boise | Mountain View RV Park | Walking distance from the bus stop! |
Basque Street Food, Boise | We loved paying with dirty sticks and tooth picks. | |
Basque Pub & Eatery | Bar Gernika | Cheese balls! |
Indian Food | Madhuban | “All Happiness depends on a leisurely Food” |
Capitol City Public Market | the Market | Saturday |
Old Penitentiary | Historical Society | Self tour it. |
Indy Theater | The Flicks | Hot day hangout |
Photo Journey of the Northwest
We’d LOVE to hear from YOU
Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are among our favorite U.S. States. Their cities, coasts, lava flows and locals are amazing. There is NO doubt we will be back gathering and reporting on more travel recommendations from this region.
So, leave your Northwest suggestion below in the comment section, we thank you for sharing.
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