20 Quintessential Pacific Northwest Adventures You Need to Try

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful regions in the United States. Its incredible scenery is unmatched, and beauty can be found around every corner.

Here in the PNW, we like to take every opportunity to explore, adventure, and enjoy this incredibly special area. From chasing waterfalls and beaches to epic hiking or taking advantage of all the free things to do in Seattle, there is something for everyone in the PNW!

1. Chinese Gardens- Portland, Oregon

The Lan Su Chinese Garden is a must-see in the Pacific Northwest. It occupies a full city block and lies in downtown Portland. But once you step into its white canvas walls, the traffic noise quickly fades, and you forget you’re in the middle of a city. 

This transitional Chinese garden is built like a Ming Dynasty home and features a pond, Tai Hu stones from China, and beautiful mosaics beneath your feet. Plus, different art exhibits rotate through the garden regularly. 

It is beautiful to visit any time of year in any weather, ADA-accessible, and family-friendly. Take time to explore the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the gift shop, and enjoy a cup of tea and cookies at the tea house. It’s the perfect way to refresh, recharge, and disconnect from the rush of the outside world. 

2. Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley

Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley should be added to any Pacific Northwest Bucket List. This wine area has recently become more popular in the past few years and produces some of the best Pinot Noir. The area contains over 700 wineries and continues to grow. 

The Willamette Valley is located just about an hour south of Portland, Oregon, making it easy to visit for a day or even a weekend. It is most popular in the summertime, but tasting rooms are open all year round. 

With so many wineries in the area, deciding which ones to visit can be hard. My personal favorite is Brick House. A tasting here costs $20 and is by appointment only. They specialize in Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Chardonnay. You cannot go wrong with any of their wines. 

Another favorite option is Adelsheim Vineyard. This is a more popular spot, and tastings cost $35 per person. The winery is gorgeous and a great place to relax with a bottle. Their most popular options are the Pinot Noir or the Rose. 

Cooper Mountain Vineyards is another favorite. This winery specializes in biodynamic winemaking. A tasting here costs $25 for 5 tastings, and they mostly make Pinot Noirs. No matter what, you cannot go wrong with wine tasting in the Willamette Valley.

3. Soak in Oregon’s Hot Springs

Soaking in a PNW hot spring is a must for any nature lover. While there are plenty to choose from in the Northwest, Oregon has some of the best. 

From desert hot springs to those nestled in lush forests and maintained hot spring resorts to rustic springs requiring a hike to reach, there are all different types of Oregon hot springs to choose from. Pick one or several that look fun and make a hot spring bucket list of your own!

Before heading to a hot spring, be sure to read up on the etiquette so you know what to expect and how to respect fellow soakers. Additionally, be sure you know exactly how to get to your destination before you set off, as they are often located in areas with little to no cell signal. 

No matter which hot spring you choose, be sure to pack water, as soaking can dehydrate you. Also, clean up after yourself and pack out anything you brought with you. It’s worth noting that many hot springs in the PNW allow nudity, so it’s important that you are comfortable with this. 

4. Explore Mount Hood

A visit to the Pacific Northwest certainly wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Oregon’s tallest mountain and a dormant volcano, Mount Hood. Mount Hood is also one of the most climbed mountains in the world! With jaw-dropping views and ample things to do, you won’t be disappointed if you add this stop to your PNW bucket list.

Mount Hood is located in northern Oregon, about 1.5 hours east of Portland.

In the summer, Mount Hood offers some of the most beautiful hiking in Oregon. For the best views of the mountain, the easy 2-mile hike around Trillium Lake is the best choice.

For those looking for something a bit more challenging, the Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain trail is one of the most popular. From this trail, you can see five mountains in the distance on a clear day!

Visitors can also enjoy swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding around the lake. Nearby, you’ll find the iconic Lavender Valley. Here, you can walk through lavender fields and see Mount Hood in the distance.

During winter, Mount Hood becomes a ski and snowboard paradise. There are three amazing ski resorts on the mountain. Timberline and Mount Hood Meadows are the best for experienced skiers and Ski Bowl is for beginners.

If you’d prefer to relax but still have incredible views of the mountain, head to Hood River, just about an hour north. Hood River is home to a plethora of vineyards and wineries. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Hood River is also known as the capital of windsurfing if you’re up for an adventure.

When visiting the PNW, you can’t miss Mount Hood, as it’s one of the most beautiful places in the state of Oregon.

5. Visit Smith Rock

Known as Oregon’s Yosemite, if Smith Rock State Park isn’t on your PNW bucket list, then it needs to be. Its ruggedly dramatic landscape is 40 minutes northeast of Bend and covers 650 acres of the high desert. 

The outdoor activities available at Smith Rock are extensive, including hiking, rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. Camping is also available, although it is first-come, first-serve. For day use only, there is a $5 parking fee (card accepted at pay stations). Amenities include picnic tables and restrooms. 

There are a few important things to remember when planning a Smith Rock State Park visit. It’s likely to be very hot in the later summer months of July and August, so if you’re visiting during those months, go early in the morning. However, I would recommend visiting in the spring while the wildflowers are in bloom. Regardless of when you visit, bring water. Lastly, watch your step for rattlesnakes! 

6. Hiking Hurricane Ridge

Olympic National Park is arguably the most diverse national park in the beloved Olympic Peninsula of Washington, offering craggy beaches, lush rainforests, and towering mountains. Perhaps it’s no surprise that there are tons of incredible trails through this beautiful landscape—but, inarguably, one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park is Hurricane Hill.

Along this 3.2 mile out-and-back trail, you’ll literally hike along the ridge of Mount Angeles, towering 6,454 feet above the earth below. In fact, to get here, you’ll need to drive approximately 15 miles along a road that winds up and along Mount Angeles’ cliffside, with some nail-biting curves and sheer drop-offs. Once you make it to the top, though, you’ll be rewarded with continuous (and absolutely stunning) views of the Bailey range of the Olympics,  from your first steps in the parking lot to the very pinnacle of the trail.

While this hike is always breathtaking, it’s especially beautiful in the summertime, when the mountaintops are covered with technicolor wildflowers, there’s abundant wildlife around (like mountain goats and deer), and the skies are sunny and clear.  Best of all, this hike is accessible for hikers of every level and is even suitable for wheelchair hikers. The only requirement here is that you must love spectacular mountain views!

7. Spend time in Pike Place Market.

Pike Place Market is Seattle’s original farmers market, which has been around for over a century. Any trip to the Seattle area must include visiting this lively spot that is quintessentially Pacific Northwest.

Pike Place Market is located in downtown Seattle, primarily along – you guessed it – Pike Place. The market overlooks Puget Sound, and from several viewpoints on the upper levels, you can drink in the scenery of the glittering sound, ferries heading to the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains beyond.

The market is a multilevel complex of hundreds of stalls where locals sell handmade crafts, gorgeous flower arrangements, and fresh salmon, the latter thrown through the air over the fish market’s stand. Plus, with many restaurants and bars, you can enjoy fresh Seattle seafood in the market. The first-ever Starbucks location is on Pike Place, and though it’s often very busy, the photo op beneath the original mermaid logo and unique swag is worth the wait.

The market is free to wander, but be sure to bring your wallet because you will not leave empty-handed. To avoid the crowds and long lines at popular stalls, plan to arrive early in the day to beat the rush and have the best selection of baked goods, flower bouquets, and more.

If you want to visit a quirky spot in the market, follow the sickly-sweet smell to the alley below the bright neon market sign. Here, you’ll smell and see the iconic gum wall, where thousands of chewers have contributed to an ongoing artistic takeover of several of the alley’s walls. Feel free to add your own gum, but you’ll want to bring hand sanitizer!

8. Hike Skyline Loop

One of the best experiences that absolutely must be on your PNW Bucket List is hiking the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. It’s the closest you’ll get to the mountain without actually climbing to the top of it, and the views are absolutely spectacular!

Mount Rainier National Park is located about an hour and a half from Seattle and offers picturesque views of the tallest peak in the PNW. There are many things to do in the park, including chasing waterfalls, seeing beautiful alpine lakes, and visiting many overlooks throughout the park’s five regions. But the best way to explore Mt. Rainier is by hiking! 

The Skyline Loop Trail is one of the best hikes in Mt. Rainier. It’s located in the popular Paradise region, on the southern side of the mountain. The full loop is 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1788 feet—the NPS has it as a strenuous hike. It’s a great day hike, but based on its popularity, during peak season and weekends, you’ll definitely want to get there early to get a parking spot.

Take enough water and protein snacks for the hike – and don’t forget layers. The weather on the mountain can change in an instant! One of the hike’s most prominent features is Panorama Point. It’s towards the top of the loop and has incredible 360-degree views of the Cascades Mountain Range.

If you’re not up for the full 5.5 miles but want to experience Skyline Trail, you can opt to hike the 1.0-mile hike to Myrtle Falls. It’s part of the bigger loop, but this paved section is stroller-friendly offering great views of the waterfall and Mt Rainier.

The best time to visit Mt Rainier for this hike is July through September. Snow should be mostly melted by July on the hike, and the wildflowers peak in the first week in August. If you hike in the later part of September, you’ll see the stunning orange and red fall foliage.

9. Drive the Cascade Loop

The Cascade Loop is the most beautiful road trip in Washington state. This incredible drive can be done in pieces or as a continuous loop, taking you from Seattle to the coast to the mountains and valleys of Washington.

Try hiking Cascade Loop in the fall to see some of Washington’s best Golden Larch Hikes! This is a true PNW experience that shouldn’t be missed!

My favorite way to experience the loop is to start by exploring North Cascades National Park. From here, follow Highway 20 to the cute western town of Winthrop. After leaving Winthrop, you’ll head down to Lake Chelan, a beautiful area with wineries and plenty of outdoor adventures. Spend some time in Leavenworth, nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountains, and then circle back up towards Seattle.

This drive truly shows you the best of the state, and you can spend as much or as little time as you desire exploring along the way. This road trip will definitely be a highlight of your PNW bucket list!

10. Experience a Bavarian Village in Leavenworth

The picturesque Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth, WA, makes for the perfect road trip from Seattle, just over an hour and a half away. If Munch is a bit outside of your radar (both distance and budget), Leavenworth might just be the perfect alternative to experience Oktoberfest in the U.S., and even if you don’t visit during October, the cultural atmosphere will be waiting for you at any time, of the year. 

From downtown Leavenworth, you’ll enjoy a backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. Once you’ve checked into your room, make your way to Front Street, where you can browse the little shops. Then, chug some German beer and sample the traditional wiener schnitzel for dinner! If you want a memorable photo op, head over to Studio 1890 and dress up in traditional Bavarian attire. 

Leavenworth is also an incredible base for outdoor enthusiasts. Down the street, you can enjoy Waterfront Park, with a trail lining the Wenatchee River. If you want to hike, there are several Enchantment Lake trailheads just 15 minutes away. In the wintertime, there are plenty of ski resorts to choose from for a winter getaway!

As you can see, finding things to do in Leavenworth will not be a worry! Note: If you come during Oktoberfest, it will be the busiest time of the year, so plan to book a hotel in advance. Otherwise, you risk not finding a room and/or paying a higher rate. 

11. Whale watching in the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are four islands located between Washington state mainland and Victoria, BC. The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to view Orcas (Killer Whales).

Other whales that frequent the waters around the San Juan Islands are Minke, Grey, and Humpback. There are many companies and opportunities to whale watch around the San Juan Islands. Some of the tours are even by kayak! The best time of year to whale watch in the PNW is from late May to early September. You can ferry over to the islands from Port Angeles for your whale-watching tour.

12. Backpack the Sawtooth Mountains

The Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho are an underrated but stunning destination in the Pacific Northwest. Named after their iconic jagged peaks, these mountains are around a 3 to 4-hour drive from Boise and well worth a day, weekend, or even week-long trip. No matter how long you have to spend, you definitely need to add a visit to the Sawtooth Mountains to your PNW bucket list.

The best way to experience the Sawtooths is, without a doubt, to go backpacking in them! The Alice Toxaway Lake Loop is a perfect backpacking route for one or two nights in the mountains. This 21-mile loop will take you through peaceful valleys and stunning alpine lakes.

If you don’t have time to backpack the whole loop, you can hike just to Alice Lake for a day hike. Other day hikes in the Sawtooths include the Sawtooth Lake Trail and Goat Lake and Goat Falls Trail. 

After a long hike in the Sawtooths, head into the small mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, where you can rent a cabin and enjoy the peaceful landscape views. Other things to do nearby include horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and enjoying the many hot springs in the Idaho Mountains.

One such hot spring is Kirkham Hot Springs, which you can drive by on the way back to Boise. You can walk down to and soak in the hot springs right on the Payette River for a small fee. 

13. Search for Hot Springs in Idaho

One of the best things to do for your PNW bucket list is to visit the Idaho hot springs. There are so many awesome hot springs in Idaho, whether you’re looking to visit a paid hot spring with amenities or you want to hike miles into the backcountry and have the place to yourself. 

The mountains, about two hours north of Boise, are home to a bunch of great hot springs. Kirkham Hot Springs is one of the most famous hot springs in this area. It sits along the banks of the Payette River and has many different pools in the hot springs. There is a campground here, so you can camp or visit the hot springs. 

Tip: Some of the hot springs have rocky bottoms, so bringing water shoes is a good idea. 

If you continue up into the mountains and Stanley, Idaho, there are many other great hot springs. Sum Beam Hot Springs is just off the side of the road, so you won’t have the isolated mountain vibe, but it is really easy to get to. Another popular hot spring in this area is Boat Box Hot Springs. There is a small pullout where you can park. There is a small bathtub here where you can enjoy the hot springs. 

Visiting the Idaho hot springs is a great thing to do in the Pacific Northwest. Idaho’s mountains are so beautiful, and visiting these different hot springs will take you through the best parts of the state.

14. Check out Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is definitely a hidden gem in the National Park Service. This often skipped-over park is an interesting, slightly weird PNW experience. It’s halfway between Boise and Yellowstone in Central Idaho.

Craters of the Moon National Monument is 410,000 acres and showcases three separate lava fields as well as grasslands. The lava flows range from 2000 years old to 15,000 years old! All three lava fields lie along the Great Rift of Idaho, with some of the best examples of open rift cracks in the world, including the deepest known on Earth at 800 feet (240 m). There are also lava tubes and many other volcanic features to explore and learn about.

You can do a scenic drive if you are short on time, or get out and really explore if you have the time.

15. Stay in a cabin on Vancouver Island

Staying in a cabin is one of the top things to do in the Pacific Northwest. Unwind at the Fern Gully Cabins in Jordan River, located along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, about 2 hours from Victoria. The Fern Gully cabins are a collection of four off-the-grid cabins. If you are searching for a rustic, authentic cabin experience, this is it.  

The Fern Gully cabins are compact cabins, perfect for a weekend getaway. They are two-story and have a tiny bedroom on the second level that overlooks the lounge and mini kitchen. The cabins come equipped with a mini-fridge, a portable stove, and the basics to cook most meals. If visiting in the winter, the cabins also include a wood stove to keep warm. 

The shower is located outside and is such a refreshing way to start the day. The outhouse is also located outside but is a step up from the standard outhouses you might find on hiking trails and campsites. Every cabin comes equipped with a fire pit and outdoor chairs, a great place to cozy up with a blanket. 

Jordan River is known for its beaches and many hiking trails ranging from easy to hard. The famous Juan De Luca trail runs through the heart of the Jordan River. The famous Mystic Beach waterfall is best viewed in the spring when the water is at its fiercest, while the Sandcut Beach waterfall runs heavy year-round. 

There is no Wi-Fi in Jordan River. However, it is the perfect place to switch off social media and appreciate nature, and it is a must-do on your PNW bucket list!

16. Hike Mount Cheam

For one of the best hikes in British Columbia, you must check out Mount Cheam. Located 141 kilometers east of downtown Vancouver, Canada, Mount Cheam offers stunning panoramic views of Chilliwack, the Fraser River, Jones Lake, Lady Peak, and Mount Baker.

While the hike isn’t too strenuous, with a 700-meter elevation change, a 9.5-kilometer round-trip distance, and an average completion time of 4.5 hours, the most challenging part of climbing Mount Cheam is getting to the trailhead. With a long and bumpy drive on the Forest Service Road, you will need a vehicle with a 4-wheel drive.

But don’t worry, the long drive is worth it. From the very start of the hike, you will be gifted with fantastic views of the surrounding mountain range and colorful meadows. While the hike gets more and more difficult as you approach the summit, the 360-degree views of the surrounding area will make it all worth it in the end.

However, Mount Cheam isn’t accessible year-round. The best time to climb Mount Cheam is sometime between July and October. Aim to go on a day with great weather for the most breathtaking views!

Overall, Mount Cheam is a fabulous hike that offers the best of the Pacific Northwest; it’s truly a worthy item on a PNW bucket list!

17. Chase Waterfalls at Wells Grey Provincial Park

Wells Gray Provincial Park is British Columbia’s best waterfall-chasing heaven in a paradise where you are also surrounded by dramatic peaks, gorgeous lakes, and alpine meadows in 5000 km² of nearly untouched wilderness. With 41 named waterfalls, this Provincial Park is a must-see. It is located a five-hour drive from the city of Vancouver in the Thompson Nicola Region of Interior British Columbia.

The biggest attraction is the iconic Helmcken Falls, British Columbia’s fourth-largest waterfall, which cascades 141m into the canyon below. Many of the park’s most popular falls are viewable after a short walk from the parking lot.

Other popular falls in the park include Spahats Falls, Moul Falls, and Dawson Falls (also nicknamed ‘mini-Niagara Falls’). Moul Falls is a huge favorite because you can walk behind the falls to feel its power and get soaked.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is also home to Trophy Mountain, one of the most easily accessible subalpine meadows in British Columbia. July and August are peak times for the wildflower bloom. Go for a swim or take a boat tour on the picturesque Clearwater Lake, join a wilderness safari, or take an aerial tour. Wells Gray is a true outdoor paradise! 

There are three front-country campgrounds available, as well as several lodges outside the main entrance to the park. Campgrounds can be reserved two months in advance at the BC Parks website at Discovercamping.ca. 

18. Hike the West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail is one of Canada’s most famous hikes and deserves a spot on your PNW Bucket list! The trail runs for 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) down the west coast of Vancouver Island inside the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

It’s a rugged route that takes you through some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic terrain. You will hike through groves of towering old-growth trees, climb and descend ladders, cross creeks on hand-powered cable cars, walk along sandy beaches, wade through mud bogs, and scramble over shoreline boulders. Most hikers spend six or seven days on the trail, camping at wilderness campgrounds on the beaches.

Since it’s a challenging hike, the West Coast Trail is best for fit hikers with some backpacking experience. You will need to contend with tough terrain, unpredictable weather, and carrying all your food and gear for a week. However, one of the highlights of the trip is a stop at The Crab Shack, an informal cash-only restaurant on Indigenous land near the halfway point.

The one-way hike starts either in the north near the village of Bamfield or in the south in Port Renfrew, another tiny town. You can book a shuttle bus to get there from the city of Victoria or to get between trailheads.

The trail is open between May and September, but the best time to hike is in July and August since the weather is the warmest and driest. Parks Canada has implemented a booking system and fees to protect the fragile ecosystem. Reservations open yearly in January and often sell out for popular dates in an hour. However, cancellations happen, so it can be possible to get a last-minute spot if you keep checking the online booking system. 

19. Visit Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, is located near Brentwood Bay near Victoria, British Columbia. The gardens are a feast for your senses. With humble beginnings as a quarry, Jennie Butchart’s vision for a grand garden evolved over time and continues to transform through the seasons today. 

Enter the gardens passing through Waterwheel Square to arrive at the magnificent Sunken Garden. These immaculately kept gardens are tended by 50 full-time gardeners who care for 55 acres, 900 varieties of bedding plants, and 26 greenhouses. No matter the time of the year, there is always something blooming. 

Tulips are among the 65,000 bulbs planted in the Spring. Summer features roses in their peak from June to August, and Dahlias dominate the landscape in the Fall.

You can see the gardens in as little as two hours, but why rush? Plan for at least four hours to wander through the gardens and give yourself plenty of time to explore these highlights:

• Ross Fountain 
• Rose Garden
• Japanese Garden
• Star Pond
• Italian Garden
• Mediterranean Garden

Be sure to stop in at the Seed and Gift Store, ride the carousel, or experience High Tea at the Dining Room Restaurant (reservations recommended).

20. Seek adventure in Squamish.

Located an hour north of Vancouver on the sea to sky highway Squamish is a mecca of outdoor adventure. 

For a less strenuous hike, check out the .6 mile loop at Shannon Falls. You’ll be able to get a view of the stunning 1,100-foot waterfall you’ll see driving into Squamish from Vancouver.

After your hikes take advantage of the opportunity to experience some of the adventure activities available in Squamish.

As you drive into Squamish you can’t miss the Stawamus Chief; a 2,227ft granite dome overlooking the city of Squamish. The most popular hike in the area goes to the first peak of The Chief which has the best view of the sound. The trail makes no attempt to disguise the 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Start early so you avoid the summer crowds and can hike at your own pace.  At the top, there will be some scrambling to reach the summit and the view of the sound. 

• Squamish is very well known among rock climbers for having a combination of excellent easy climbs for beginners as well as top rated tougher climbs. To get the true Squamish climbing experience go with a guide and request that they take you crack climbing. 

• Two rivers in Squamish are known for excellent whitewater rafting. In the summer months, take in class 3 and 4 rapids in a trip down the Elaho.  
• Squamish is home to 550 mountain bike trails. You can go with a guide or rent a bike to go on your own.

For a less adventurous day, take the sea to sky gondola for excellent views of Howe Sound, The Chief, and Shannon Falls.