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Pacific Northwest

Explore Washington & Oregon

Visit the Pacific Northwest

Introduction

The Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon are home to some of North America's most rugged and spectacular terrain, as well as two of the most forward-thinking cities, Portland and Seattle, both surrounded by soaring mountains, dense forests and sparkling water. This is a region of great natural beauty with deep canyons, crystal clear lakes, mighty rivers and a rugged shoreline offering a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Dramatic landscapes

Unlike California to the south, Washington and the coastal stretch of Oregon are resolutely rugged and unspoilt by mass tourism. Hurricane Ridge in Washington offers views over wildflower-covered meadows and evergreen trees to snow-capped peaks. Dungeness Spit is the world’s longest naturally occurring sandspit, while Hoh Rainforest is home to millennia-old trees almost 300 feet in height. In Oregon, the deep blue waters of Crater Lake mirror its surrounding mountains, and Mt. St. Helens, formed from a volcano explosion stronger than that of 1,500 atomic bombs, is a place of deep chasms and uneven crags.


St Helen's National Park, Washington

Vibrant cities

Seattle is America’s craft-beer loving ‘emerald’ in the north, its best recognised by the iconic Space Needle tower. Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Art Museum are popular attractions, but it's the heart of the city that is most interesting – trendy Belltown in the south is often compared to Manhattan's Upper East Side. Portland, in the shadow of Oregon's Mount Hood, is an eco-friendly forward-thinking city, full of hip microbreweries and well-connected bike paths. A thriving arts and culture scene adds to its appeal.


Seattle, Washington

Wine country

Newport is the heart of Oregon Wine Country, and the region has grown steadily in popularity, now ranking among the world's best for great wine. The Willamette Valley is also famous for its beer, mead, cider and delicious farm-to-table cuisine. And of course, any stay at a winery in the Pacific Northwest is bound to be accompanied by scenic views and the opportunity for enjoying the great outdoors.


Vineyards, Oregon

 

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Top itineraries in Pacific Northwest

Crater Lake, Oregon

Pacific Northwest Self-Drive

15-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,860 pp incl. flights

See America’s rural Northwest on this all-encompassing self-drive. From Seattle, you'll hit the region's most scenic roads, tracing a route between staggering volcanoes, rugged coastlines and bohemian cities.

Oregon, USA

Oregon Fly-Drive

12-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,340 pp incl. flights

A luxury self-drive pairing the spectacular landscapes of Crater Lake National Park and the vineyards of Oregon wine country with stays in sleepy coastal towns and the chance to explore Portland's thriving arts scene.

Top places to stay in Pacific Northwest

Sun Mountain Lodge

Sun Mountain Lodge, Washington

Traditional lodge

Dubbed a 'resort for all seasons', this pleasant lodge in the foothills of the North Cascades mountain range provides activities for all times of the year; from cross country skiing to hiking, rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing and lake activities. There are award-winning dining options includ

Hotel Andra

Hotel Ändra, Seattle

Contemporary hotel

Originally built in 1926, Hotel Ändra is a classic brick and terracotta building located in Seattle's trendy Belltown neighbourhood and the retail district. In a nod to the city’s Nordic heritage, the luxury boutique hotel has Scandinavian design elements combined with the Pacific Northwest elements

Weasku Inn, Grants Pass

Weasku Inn, Grants Pass

Historic lodge

Built in 1924 as a fishing lodge, this cosy retreat on the banks of Oregon's Rogues River has hosted such legendary personalities as Walt Disney and Bing Crosby.

Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach

The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach

Contemporary lodge

With its premier oceanfront location, guests are reminded of a 1940s beach resort by wraparound verandahs and unobstructed views

See all places to stay

Where to go in Pacific Northwest

Vineyard -Tualitan Valley, Oregon

Oregon

Discover the best of Oregon – scenic wonder both wild and adventurous, known for its vibrant cities, burgeoning wine scene and spectacular natural world.

St Helens National Park

Washington State

With the Cascades Range forming its mountainous spine, America’s rugged northwest corner is an outdoorsman’s paradise centre around one of America's great cities, Seattle.

When to go to Pacific Northwest

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Summer is considered the best time to travel to the Paci c Northwest with temperate weather and clear skies even in the mountain ranges. While the region is known for its rains in the colder months, especially in Seattle, these are most prevalent in the west as the Cascades Range blocks moisture headed inland from the Paci c. Expect cold winters that are sometimes blighted by storms that render certain remote areas impassable.

See regional weather

Pacific Northwest articles

Oregon, USA

Oregon in-depth

Wexas USA specialist, Rachel Mostyn, travels to Oregon and discovers a state rich in natural wonders, cultural heritage and cutting-edge urbanity – perfect for a fly-drive holiday.

Joe's Donuts, Portland, Oregon

Oregon for foodies

Tucked away in America's northwest, Oregon has long been known for its pioneering charm and wild natural world. Discover just how this most lovable of states has given itself over to more genteel attractions, from wine tastings to farmers' market delights.

Meet our Pacific Northwest experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0636

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0636 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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