Ready to hit the road and see some of the coolest places in the Pacific Northwest?
This trip is packed with jaw-dropping views, hidden gems, tiny towns with a big personality, and more photo ops than your camera can handle.
You’ll cruise past mountains, forests, beaches, lakes, and waterfalls.
Keep reading to find out where to go, what to do, and why this road trip should be your next big adventure.
1. Seattle, Washington
The buzzing city of Seattle sits right between Puget Sound and the snowy peaks of the Cascade Mountains.
It’s famous for the iconic Space Needle, the original Starbucks, rainy weather, and Pike Place Market, where vendors toss fish through the air.
You’ll also find neighborhoods like Capitol Hill with coffee shops, street art, and one of the best music scenes in the country (hello, birthplace of grunge!).
2. Leavenworth, Washington
Next up is Leavenworth, a tiny mountain town that looks like a Bavarian village dropped straight into the middle of Washington State.
The whole place is lined with timber-framed buildings, bratwurst joints, and even yodeling during their epic Oktoberfest.
In winter, it turns into a snow globe scene with twinkly lights, sleigh rides, and hot cocoa on every corner—basically a holiday movie in real life.
3. Vancouver, British Columbia
Cross the border into Canada and you’ll hit Vancouver, which features big-city energy alongside jaw-dropping natural beauty.
You can go from downtown sushi bars to forest trails in ten minutes, with gems like Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Capilano Suspension Bridge stealing the show.
Don’t miss the waterfront views, indie shops in Gastown, and the random street performers juggling flaming torches like it’s no big deal.
4. Whistler, British Columbia
Just a 90-minute scenic drive from Vancouver, Whistler is where mountain lovers practically do cartwheels.
It’s best known for Whistler Blackcomb, one of North America’s biggest ski resorts.
Come summer, the action shifts to ziplining, mountain biking, and paddleboarding on alpine lakes.
The pedestrian village is full of cafés, gear shops, and après-ski spots where you can chill with a plate of poutine after a day of adventure.
5. Joffre Lakes Park, British Columbia
Just when you think the views can’t get any better, Joffre Lakes Park shows up with its unreal turquoise lakes that look like they’ve been photoshopped.
As you climb, you’ll pass three glacier-fed lakes that seem to outshine each other in color, with snowy peaks and waterfalls showing off along the way.
Bring good shoes as it’s a proper workout with over 5 miles of walking, but totally worth it for that postcard view of the Upper Lake.
6. Nelson, British Columbia
Set in the Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is an artsy spot with a big personality and an impressive number of heritage buildings for such a small town.
It’s got a laid-back vibe with local art galleries, vintage shops, and cafés where you’ll probably meet someone who skis, paints, or plays in a funk band.
With dreamy lake views and a food scene that surprises at every turn (yes, wood-fired pizza!), this place delivers.
7. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Roll into Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and you’ll be instantly greeted by that massive, sparkling lake that looks like it belongs on a postcard.
Lake life rules here—think boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, or floating with an ice cream cone.
The downtown scene brings even more charm with cute shops, sidewalk cafés, and summer festivals.
If you’re feeling bold, hike up Tubbs Hill for 360-degree views, or take a zipline ride through the trees.
8. Wallace, Idaho
Just a 50-minute drive away, Wallace brings history to life with its old-school mining town setting and frontier-era feel.
Every building downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places, and they claim to be the “Center of the Universe” (there’s literally a manhole cover that says so).
You can tour a silver mine, check out the museums, or bike the super scenic Route of the Hiawatha trail through tunnels and over giant trestle bridges.
9. Wallowa Lake & Joseph, Oregon
Next up is Wallowa Lake and the town of Joseph in Oregon, where mountains rise dramatically from the shoreline.
The lake is perfect for kayaking or swimming, and a ride up Mt. Howard on the Wallowa Lake Tramway is a must for views that’ll leave you speechless.
Nearby Joseph is also worth a visit, where bronze sculptures line the streets, art studios invite you in, and the bison burgers are unexpectedly awesome.
10. Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Then there’s Shoshone Falls in Idaho, nicknamed the “Niagara of the West” for good reason—it’s actually taller than Niagara itself.
The falls pour into the Snake River with a crazy roar, sending mist into the air and creating a gorgeous scene (it’s even more intense in spring).
There are picnic spots, hiking trails, and lookout points where you can relax and watch the waterfall do its thing.
11. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park is where things go full-on magical, with a giant blue lake sitting inside the blown-out top of an ancient volcano.
This is the deepest lake in the U.S., and its crystal-clear water lets you see straight down—you will really notice this if you’re on a boat.
Drive the 33-mile Rim Road for nonstop incredible views or hike up Watchman Peak for a sunset that’ll make your camera work overtime.
12. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
If you think you’ve seen the best of Oregon, think again, as Smith Rock State Park steps in with impressive jagged cliffs and terrain that looks a lot like Yosemite.
Known for its epic rock climbing, this place also delivers great trails for anyone who’d rather hike than climb.
One standout is Misery Ridge, a tough trek with views that make it all worth it.
Bring water, reliable shoes, and your camera as the golden canyon walls and the Crooked River winding below are a sight to be seen.
13. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Before the final stop, soak up the salty breeze at Cannon Beach, where Haystack Rock sticks out of the shore creating a beautiful scene.
You can stroll past tide pools full of starfish, watch puffins nest in the summer, or just kick back with chowder bread bowl while the waves roll in.
The town itself is also filled with art galleries, bookstores, and fudge shops that make it way too easy to say “just one more piece.”
14. Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park is like three parks in one, with mossy rainforests, wild beaches, and snow-capped mountains all packed into one epic stretch of Washington.
You can wander through the Hoh Rain Forest where everything’s dripping in green, then head to Hurricane Ridge for unforgettable mountain views.
If you’re into tide pools, Rialto Beach has plenty of sea stars and anemones, plus sea stacks that turn especially dramatic at sunset.
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