I still remember the first time I saw Crater Lake.

It was a late summer afternoon, and the sun hit the water just right—so blue it almost looked unreal, like someone had painted it onto the earth. I stood there, silent, completely awestruck by the depth and stillness. It wasn’t just beautiful. It was transformative.

That was the moment I knew: the Pacific Northwest isn’t just scenic—it’s soul-shaking.

Having grown up here, I’ve hiked its misty trails, watched orcas breach off the coast, wandered through ancient rainforests, and driven winding coastal highways that made me pull over just to soak in the view. And every time, I’m reminded that this region is wild, raw, and unforgettable—if you know where to look.

But here’s the thing: most people don’t. They fly into Seattle, snap a photo of the Space Needle, maybe visit one national park, and leave without ever scratching the surface.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by generic travel lists or unsure where to start, I get it. That’s why I created this Pacific Northwest bucket list—not just as a guide, but as an invitation.

In this post, you’ll find the most awe-inspiring, can’t-miss experiences across Washington, Oregon, and beyond. These are the places that make you feel something. The ones worth dreaming about—and planning your next trip around.

Let’s dive in.

Why The PNW Should be on Your Bucket List

 

Locals really love to talk about where they live.

I cannot think of another large city where the locals are as friendly as small-town folk (ahem, Portland!) Now Seattle is another matter…it’s truly a cosmopolitan city, and as such, locals tend to be a bit more aloof, but that’s not to say they aren’t friendly! Just not as welcoming as Portlanders. Sorry, Seattle. Just sayin’.

Everyone from the local seafood shop owner on the Oregon coast to the rancher out in Eastern Washington state will tell you, the Pacific Northwest is the best place to live and vacation. Be genuinely interested in what they have to say, and let them talk to you about their lives, their work, and any recommendations they have for you during your visit. And in the interim, you just may make a friend!

Pro tip: Airbnb is really good for this. While I’m not affiliated with them in any way, I use them often just because the hosts are great and the prices are right.

You get to experience a rain forest and a desert in the same state.

This is true in both Oregon and Washington. But British Columbia? Eh, not so much. Rainforest, yes! But the desert climate is a little thin on the ground, it’s just so green up there! Well, that’s not entirely true the Osoyoos Desert in British Columbia may suffice, but only by just a narrow margin!

The perfect example of the contrast in climates is the great state of Washington. The majestic Olympic National forest houses the Hoh Rainforest, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the country. Olympic National Park is protected from commercial development.

Because of this, many roads are unpaved, rugged, and indeed unpassable during the winter and early spring months. But that just means there is more natural beauty for you to explore…sustainably! As always, it is wise to adopt the “leave no trace” philosophy, so we can keep these great lands looking incredible.

To the east, is the Yakima Valley and the Columbia River Plateau, where desert climates start to take over the landscape. Here in the summer, temperatures can hit well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The desert holds its own special beauty, with rare plants, flowers, and other wildlife, with obvious gifts to us left by the last ice age.

Some of the most dramatic coastline on the planet.

From southern Oregon all the way up through the jagged coastline of British Columbia into Alaska, you’d be hard-pressed to explore every mile of this amazing and diverse coastline in a single lifetime. You will witness such anomalies as Devil’s Punchbowl, Cape Disappointment, where hundreds lost their lives trying to enter the Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean to the incredible wonder that is the Puget Sound area.

Just to name a few.

The coastline of the Pacific Northwest is blessed with some of the world’s longest fjord coastlines, islands galore, mountains and oh, the seafood! Yeah, a lifetime is pretty much what you’ll need to explore it all. British Columbia alone has a complex web of inlets and island, ripe for boating, fishing, relaxing and taking in the pristine, untouched beauty. A true treasure.

The food and drink are here TOP NOTCH.

Foodies of the world, come on down! The food capitals of Vancouver, Seattle and Portland notwithstanding, I dare you to visit any local restaurant advertising the use of local ingredients and come away having eaten a bad meal. Because the Pacific Northwest equals FRESH. We take pride in our farm to table establishments, our seafood vendors, our food cart chefs. Each and every one of them will not relax until they’ve served you a meal you will be talking about for a long time to come.

Seattle has the entire bounty of Puget Sound seafood, Portland has some of the best chefs in the world, and Vancouver has its eclectic mix of Asian and Pacific Northwest flavors. I will continue to shout Portland’s food cart scene from the rooftops.

The Willamette Valley rivals the grape fields of Italy and Napa Valley with their wine production. The hops in Eastern Washington provide the key ingredient for the best craft beer in the world (and yes, I’m biased.) Couple that with some kick-ass distilleries producing top-notch brandy and whiskey in Portland. Just…yum!

And the COFFEE. (No, not Starbucks!) Oh, my living daylights, the coffee! Read my article on Best Coffee in Portland.

The Pacific Northwest is healthy living at its very best.

Listen. I grew up in the Midwest. Straight-up farm country. We’re talking state fairs where the normal food vendor serves up deep-fried just about anything. And yes, that includes Oreo cookies and sticks of butter. No joke! They deep-fat fry that shit and people buy it. And EAT it. Gross. Thank God I got out of there before I topped 200 pounds. Because I love food and the normal diet in the Midwest consists of a large chunk of meat-of-choice, a loaded baked potato, a thick slice of buttered bread and very little veggies to speak of.

Cut to moving to Portland. I discovered that Brussel sprouts and tofu actually taste GOOD. Done up right, toss in a little olive oil and the right seasoning, and yyyyuuuuummmm! I’m convinced I am my healthy self specifically because I moved to the Pacific Northwest. Here you learn how to eat right. Back in the Midwest, you could be doing the same, sure, but rest assured you’d be going against the grain. (Pun very much intended.) I remember when my dear father scoffed when I ordered a taco salad at a restaurant once.

“A salad? You sure that’s all you want? This is the last we’re eating today you know.”

“Dad! It’s a taco salad, with fat-laden ground beef, a shit-load of sour cream (no, I didn’t really say ‘shit’ in front of my Dad, but I wanted to) and all in a deep-fried taco shell. Trust me, it’s a meal unto itself.”

“Well, okay.” He didn’t sound convinced and thought sure I’d wither and die right before his eyes.

I learned to eat right. I learned that yoga actually really feels good once you get past the ‘ah, my muscles won’t stretch that way’ barrier. Believe you me, they do. I learned that riding a bike is as fun and freeing as flying a kite on the beach. I walk whenever, wherever I can. Because living here only encourages you to be your best.

And I share that mindset with most people here in the PNW.