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Go Northwest! Pacific Northwest Travel Guide

Go Northwest! is a travel guide for the Pacific Northwest and a comprehensive directory of listings for accommodations, activities, attractions, dining, shopping and general travel information for more than 1,000 cities and towns in the states of Idaho , Montana , Oregon , Washington , Wyoming and the province of British Columbia , Canada.

Accommodations & Lodging

Find where to stay by choosing your favorite type of lodging from our extensive listings of bed and breakfast accommodations , cabins, condos, hotels, motels, campgrounds, RV parks and vacation rentals.

Activities & Outdoor Recreation

Discover boundless opportunities for sea kayaking , birding, bicycling, golfing, whale watching , whitewater rafting , hiking, skiing , and many other great ways to enjoy the Pacific Northwest.

For sea kayaking and whale watching adventures, you may want to visit San Juan Island in Washington, or The Islands travel region in British Columbia . And for rafting, hiking, backpacking and skiing adventures, you may want to explore the Cascade Mountains in Oregon or Washington .

Attractions & Points of Interest

Visit one of the Pacific Northwest's national park's such as Olympic National Park , North Cascades National Park , Rainier National Park and the Mount St. Helen's National Volcanic Monument in Washington; Crater Lake National Park in Oregon; and Glacier National Park in Montana and Yellowstone National Park accessed through both Montana and Wyoming.

Additional scenic attractions include the Oregon Coast , Washington's San Juan Islands and Hood Canal , the Gulf Islands of British Columbia and such popular recreational areas as the Columbia River Gorge between Washington and Oregon and Hell's Canyon between Idaho and Oregon. There also are many festivals, museums, galleries, and performing arts to include in your travels all year round.

Food and Beverage

Find where to eat, drink and dine in each city and town. Discover the variety of restaurants, cafes and bistros, wine tasting rooms, microbreweries, pizza parlors and much more.

Check our listings to find the best spots for shopping, whether you're looking for malls, gift shops, bookstores, antiques or specialty food and wine shops.

Visitor Information

Learn more about your destination of choice through the many listings and links to information resources for community information, local media, and transportation updates.

Hint Be sure to bookmark Go Northwest! as your starting point for future Northwest travel explorations because clicking a destination link will take you to another web site.

Where do you want to go? Start by choosing a state or province and then choose a region. British Columbia Idaho Oregon Montana Washington Wyoming

Destination Cities and Areas Top Attractions Map Ashland, OR Big Sky, MT Columbia River Gorge Flathead Lake Leavenworth, WA Mt. Hood Ocean Shores, WA Oregon Coast Port Townsend, WA Portland, OR San Juan Islands Seattle, WA Small Towns Sun Valley, ID Vancouver, BC Victoria, BC Whistler, BC Whitefish, MT

National Parks and Recreation Areas Crater Lake National Park Glacier National Park Grand Teton National Park Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Mt. Rainier National Park Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument North Cascades National Park Olympic National Park Yellowstone National Park

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Pacific Northwest Tours & Trips

British Columbia , as well as the American states of Washington and Oregon . Travel to this mountainous region, filled with natural parks and wildlife, which makes it the perfect choice for any hiking or trekking enthusiast. Find here the best US vacation packages .

98 Pacific Northwest tour packages with 408 reviews

Active West Coast Canada Discovery

7 Day Vancouver Island Camping Adventure

Leichte Route, auch für Kinder geeignet. Tolle Stopps und Campingplätze mitten in der Natur, jedoch bis auf Tofino ohne Waschmöglichkeiten/Duschen. Jeder baut sein Zelt eigenständig auf und ab. Vollverpflegung ist gesund und abwechslungsreich. Alkoholische Getränke und Softdrinks sind nicht dabei.

• £115 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

USA – Best of WA – North Cascades Olympic Mount Rainier National Parks

Great experience getting to see many of the National Parks in Washington state. It was great not to have to find hotel accommodations and to have guides that are avid hikers to guide us on the hikes. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience!

Vancouver Island Premium Tour

We loved the tour! Ian is a fantastic tour guide. He’s so knowledgable and makes things fun. It’s a long day but totally worth it. The Discover tour is the best. It’s a smaller group. Very personal. Just enough “tour” time as well as free time. Victoria is wonderful!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

Vancouver Island Explorer

The activities and hotels were great. It was a wonderful trip.

Discover Klahoose - British Columbia Summer Wildlife & Cultural Tour - 3 Nights / 4 Day Package

Very friendly staff, beautiful scenery, awesome food

• In-depth Cultural

Exploring the Pacific Northwest

Ken, our guide was knowledgeable, efficient, courteous and fun. The tour would have been better with a full day in Seattle spending 2 nights there. You could skip Leavenworth, Yakima and the nature center in Bend.

3 days Private Vancouver Cultural Tour

Excellent Tour .we all enjoyed very much.our tour guide Anant is very good and knowledgable person.click lots of photographs.Love this beautiful city Vancouver Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 Days Vancouver-Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus, Nanaimo Private Tour

Our Tour guide was pleasant and knowledgeable. He went over and beyond to accommodate our travels.

Tofino & Ucluelet Pacific Rim Tour

Our tour was really fun and well organized, Andrew was our guide, very patient and professional, he is the best. Hotel choice was great too, kayak tour so much fun, well, after all our Tofino trip was unforgettable - thanks !

• Hiking & Trekking

Hiking and Kayak on Vancouver Island

Timberwolf Hiking and Kayaking on Vancouver Island: This was a well-organised and enjoyable tour. We were a group of 9, mostly single travellers, of different nationalities and ages. Our tour guide worked very hard, with both practical tasks, such as driving and organising meals and equipment, and in making sure participants had a fun and safe time. The kayaking with camp on the remote island was brilliant. It wasn't a relaxing holiday but it was great to be outdoors and active and was a fantastic experience. Definitely recommended.

Oregon South Tour

Our guide, Steve Griffin, was great in every way. The excursions were terrific! Our hotels on nights 3,4,5 were not so great but the others were terrific!! The van was not very comfortable . All things considered, it was a great trip. People should know that they need to be in shape for this trip!

Discover Klahoose - British Columbia Summer Wildlife & Cultural Tour - 4 Nights / 5 Day Package

Enchanted Valley

• Sightseeing

Scenic Seattle, Portland and Oregon Coast (8 Days)

• £100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

What people love about Pacific Northwest Tours

This Vancouver Island tour was another great tour from Fresh Adventures. The trip was well run and organised. The 2 guides, Jafar and Carl were excellent and cooked some fantastic meals throughout the week. A good mix of exploring and relaxation at some great swimming areas throughout the island. Definitely recommend.

The itinerary, hikes and activities were great. The best feature of the hotel in Seattle was location. The quality of the hotels went from bad to worst. On the one we stayed the last two nights there was not even soap, we had to go and ask for it and almost beg for shampoo, they also just gave us one key for a double room, There was always a sense of improvisation and lack of communication. The guide tried his best to save the day, every day. We would arrive tired and hungry and most places were closed already. The guide on the last day went out of his way to deliver participants to their destinations, not just the airport but the train station, etc. that was greatly appreciated, his energy, enthusiasm and driving skills made of this a Good trip. There is a lot of room for improvement.

Pacific Northwest Tours starting in:

• Vancouver (24)
• Olympia (10)
• Seattle (10)
• Portland (5)
• Fully Guided (77)
• Explorer (60)
• Personalized (44)
• Family (40)
• Hiking & Trekking (31)
• Active (23)
• Private (23)
• Partially Guided (11)
• Bicycle (10)
• Self-Guided (10)
• In-depth Cultural (9)
• Coach / Bus (7)
• Small Group (51)
• 3 Day Tours (13)
• 7 Day Tours (40)
• 10 Day Tours (13)
• Spring 2024 (22)
• Summer 2024 (60)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (40)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (14)
• Spring 2025 (7)
• Summer 2025 (17)
• Fall / Autumn 2025 (15)
• Winter 2025 / 2026 (1)
• April 2024 (14)
• May 2024 (23)
• June 2024 (41)
• July 2024 (44)
• August 2024 (45)
• September 2024 (36)
• October 2024 (21)
• November 2024 (13)
• December 2024 (12)
• January 2025 (14)
• February 2025 (3)
• March 2025 (3)
• April 2025 (2)
• May 2025 (6)
• June 2025 (9)
• July 2025 (13)
• August 2025 (16)
• September 2025 (15)
• October 2025 (3)
• November 2025 (1)

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (39)
• For Couples (16)
• Seniors (35)

International Versions

• Deutsch: USA Pazifischer Nordwesten Rundreisen
• Français: Circuits en Nord-Ouest Pacifique
• Español: Circuitos por Noroeste del Pacífico
• Nederlands: Noordwesten van de Stille Oceaan Rondreizen

Pacific Northwest Vacations

Pacific Northwest tours feature culinary and brewed delights, a rich history of exploration, a natural playground of islands, a labyrinth of picturesque rivers and incredible marine wildlife. Our Pacific Northwest vacation packages are based from small overnight boats, letting you enjoy the adventure while someone else handles the logistics. Unpack once, maximize your opportunities for play and know that your Pacific Northwest trip itinerary already includes the region’s highlights and hidden gems. The best Pacific Northwest vacations are those that don’t require exhaustive research and planning. Let our experts do the work for you—finding, booking and helping you prepare for a Pacific Northwest trip featuring the finest bites, sips, hikes, paddles, historic sites and vistas on offer in this diverse, close-to-home destination.

Spend 8 days on this culinary journey that embraces the Columbia and Snake River regions’ vibrant history, harvests and landscapes aboard 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird or Sea Lion.

A perfectly paced expedition aboard the 100-guest National Geographic Venture, this 8-day, round-trip Seattle cruise explores remote islands, charming towns and First Nations heritage sites.

This 15-day itinerary between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Sitka, Alaska, is an educational voyage aboard 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird or Sea Lion. Spend 4 days in the ancestral home of the Haida people, a cultural highlight unique to this itinerary.

Pacific Northwest Tours

The Pacific Northwest is home to an astounding diversity of landscapes, from inland high desert to coastal temperate rainforest along the Pacific Ocean. The region extends from the Columbia River north to the spectacular Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Small group tours in the Pacific Northwest get you out into the region’s lush coastal forests, biodiverse waters, rolling hillsides and charming towns, in a privileged manner, away from tourist crowds. Enjoy rugged coast, relaxing river canyons and rich wildlife on northwest tours—many of which conveniently depart from Portland and Seattle. For a diversity of trip options right in your own backyard, look no further than our northwest vacation packages.

Pacific Northwest Tours with AdventureSmith

Unsure which vineyards or breweries to visit? What time of year to take a Pacific Northwest trip? What hiking trails to take or islands to explore—and how to access them? Pacific Northwest tours with AdventureSmith streamline your trip planning and logistics. Our small ship-based northwest vacation packages offer a delightful blend of domestic history, flavors, wildlife, culture and activities, prepared by expert naturalists and historians who know the region and travel alongside you, enriching your experience. Why book your Pacific Northwest tour with AdventureSmith?

Personalized

Work one-on-one to find & book your Pacific Northwest trip.

Hike, bike, paddle, taste & more on our Pacific Northwest tours.

Founded by a former guide, we match you with the best northwest tours.

We know the latest deals to help you save on a Pacific Northwest tour.

Snake River Tours

Snake River tours are often a one-day, humdrum float trip. On our Pacific Northwest guided tours, experience the Snake River for more than one day and in an active and stimulating way. Think kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and birding by Zodiac, assisted by expert guides. Up the excitement even further by exploring the largely roadless Hells Canyon—North America’s deepest river gorge—via jet boat. Our multiday, overnight Snake River tours focus on the less-visited western end of this tributary, away from the day-tripper crowds.

Columbia River Tours

The best Columbia River tours are by small ship. Leave behind the limitations of roads and bridges and enjoy continuous access to both Washington and Oregon. Plus, transit the Cascade Locks to experience a marvel of engineering even larger than the Panama Canal! Follow the path of Lewis and Clark on these Pacific Northwest trips, exploring your own offshoots onto rivers only accessed by small tours, including the Willamette, Hood, Deschutes, Snake, Palouse and Clearwater. Let our experts pair you with the ideal Pacific Northwest trip along the Columbia and Snake rivers based on your interests—wine and food, adventure activities, history and geology, or all the above.

Coastal Pacific Northwest Tours

Explore beyond the reach of Seattle’s day boats on our coastal Pacific Northwest vacations. Seek whales in Puget Sound during San Juan Island cruises , or along the Canadian Inside Passage. Select Pacific Northwest trips even include whale watching in Alaska . The unique benefits of our small group tours in the Pacific Northwest are many: wake up in secluded coves, enjoy exclusive tastings and cultural performances, appreciate daily opportunities to hike and paddle, explore away from tourist crowds and relax knowing that every detail has already been planned for you.

“Pacific Northwest vacations offer a delightful blend of domestic history, flavors, wildlife and activities. ”

Temperature & Rainfall

Pacific Northwest Tours for Spring Blooms & Fall Colors

Pacific Northwest vacations operate during periods of moderate weather, in the spring and fall. Take your Pacific Northwest trip during these quiet travel periods, to soak in dazzling colors and seasonal harvests. Note that the climate data referenced above is for San Juan Island, Washington State; inland Pacific Northwest tours along the Columbia River Gorge are likely to be slightly warmer.

When Should You Plan Your Pacific Northwest Trip?

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Pacific Northwest Trip Accommodations

In order to travel beyond the reach of typical Pacific Northwest tours, we employ a fleet of small boats to explore rivers and coastline away from tourist crowds. Our accommodations allow travelers to reach farther than the roads and rails of most Pacific Northwest trips, for an intimate up-close exploration. On Pacific northwest guided tours from our ships, the kayaks and paddleboards travel with you (and get launched and stowed by someone else), as do onboard naturalists and historians; the bartender knows your favorite drink and the chef remembers your preferences. From luxury yachts and historic vessels to active expedition cruise ships, our large variety of Pacific Northwest trip accommodations carry from 8 to 100 guests at a time. Our expert staff will help find the perfect accommodation for your Pacific Northwest tour.

National Geographic Sea Bird accommodates 62 guests with special features including a hydrophone and Splash-Cam. Onboard experts from National Geographic make this ship and its twin sister, the Sea Lion, an extra special experience.

The 22-guest exclusive Motor Yacht Safari Quest cruises Alaska's Inside Passage, Prince William Sound and British Columbia and offers stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Unique among yachts, the Safari Quest’s size enables her to cruise areas restricted to traditional small ships.

Catalyst is a historic yacht with a warm wood interior that takes guests back to a time when craftsmanship was the rule, not the exception. In Alaska she carries 11 guests while in the Pacific Northwest, she accommodates up to 12. Her original 1932 Washington Diesel engine is the only one like it in the world.

Purpose built to cruise coastal waters, shallow coves and fast-moving channels, the 100-guest National Geographic Quest is a luxurious and state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed for supreme comfort and enhanced wildlife viewing.

Reviews & Pacific Northwest Tour Advice

Pacific Northwest trip reviews and travel guides from AdventureSmith experts provide honest insight into what our Pacific Northwest vacations are like. What national parks will you see? Where is wildlife found on AdventureSmith’s northwest tours? How active is it? What can you taste on a Pacific Northwest trip? What do San Juan Island trips have to offer? What elements make for the best Pacific Northwest vacations? These exciting guides and tour reviews can help you plan the perfect Pacific Northwest tour and inspire you for the journey ahead.

This close-to-home archipelago offers 408 miles of shoreline and is a foodie and wildlife lover’s hotspot. Browse all cruises and charters to the San Juan Islands.

Learn from two AdventureSmith experts about identical sister ships Nat Geo Venture and Quest. Tips on choosing your cabin, what the food is like and why choose to sail aboard.

Read firsthand insights about this historic wooden vessel cruising Alaska and the Pacific Northwest from our experts who have been aboard. Learn all there is to know about the top notch crew, creative cuisine and more.

What Travelers Say About Their Pacific Northwest Tours

We never knew that the San Juan Islands could be so beautiful and hold so much adventure for this older couple. Everyone on the Wilderness Discoverer worked hard (but never showed it) to make sure we had an exciting and fulfilling time. Their patience and enthusiasm for their jobs made our trip so memorable.

From reception to disembarking attention to detail was evident in all events. I saw lots of teamwork and enthusiasm at all levels. Their wealth of knowledge was amazing. I think they had as much fun as we did. These are obviously top notch people who loved their work and did a wonderful job.

The cabins and ship, the staff, the Heritage speakers, the dining experience - all of this and more - was terrific! The chef was fantastic in her choices and flavors. Our cabin was well appointed and maintained perfectly. Lastly, our Adventure Specialist, Nick, was responsive, informative and very helpful every step of the way. The trip ran like clockwork from beginning to end.

The small ship went into quiet coves, ability to get off to kayak and hike. We most enjoyed kayaking along glaciers and fjords, and beach walks. Great guides.

Exceeded expectations. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation.

As we experienced in our previous Uncruise trip to Alaska, the trip was well planned and well executed. We enjoyed the people we met while on the boat. I felt that every staff member we encountered was gracious and courteous making us all feel welcome and comfortable.

This traveler reviews her experience of a  San Juan Islands cruise that is no longer in operation. See all  UnCruise Cruises  for other options to travel aboard the Wilderness Discoverer.

Wow, we thought our UnCruise adventure last year to S.E. Alaska couldn't be topped, but this adventure came a very close 2nd! We never knew that the San Juan Islands could be so beautiful and hold so much adventure for this older couple. Everyone on the Wilderness Discoverer worked hard (but never showed it) to make sure we had an exciting and fulfilling time. Their patience and enthusiasm for their jobs made our trip so memorable. Our needs were met every single day and the crew made us feel so special, like offering and providing a private skiff tour around Cypress and "Mermaid" Island for just Jim and me when we missed the last skiff because of open kayaking. We continue to sing the praises of both UnCruise and Advenuturesmith Explorations! [We chose this trip and destination because] we have enjoyed our two previous Un-Cruises and we have family in the Seattle area, so we naturally look for adventures in the region that are within a short distance in the NW or Alaska. Every meal and adventure was made more fun because of our enthusiastic fellow travelers!

Accommodations Review

Could have used a few more hooks in the rooms for hand towels, clothes, etc. Our bathroom was usually foul smelling and could have used an air freshener...

Meals Review

BACON was da bomb! I loved the salmon, scallops and ribs; my husband liked the lamb and the raw oysters. Daily different special bar drinks were exciting and fun to look forward to! The only thing we could even possibly give less than 5 stars was that some of the fish dishes at dinner were less than exciting. The desserts were fantastic, though!

Crew & Guides Review

We loved our morning on Spencer off of Lopez Island... with the remnants of the morning fog it was a photographer's dream!

Itinerary Review

Without a doubt, I loved the moonlight kayaking around Lopez Island, a truly spiritual experience when we turned most of the lights out and became very quiet, just hearing the sound of our paddles churning up the bio-luminescent plankton in the water. I loved hiking in the rain and fog through The Staircase area of Olympic National Park. We also enjoyed the morning guided kayak trip in total fog around the Finger Islands around Sucia Island. We also liked the bus trip up Mt. Constitution, the picnic beside the lake as well as the short walk through the surrounding woods on Orcas Island- and so many other activities on this trip...as well as the comradery on the boat...we made so many new friends!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

AdventureSmith is always terrific and thorough. We have and will continue to [recommend AdventureSmith Explorations], in fact I just did so earlier today!

Traveler Advice

Pack for casual and exciting adventures. Don't expect luxurious quarters-just fun, fantastic food and lots of fun!

Featured in this Traveler Review

• Wilderness Discoverer
• UnCruise Adventures

This traveler reviews his experience of a Columbia and Snake River cruise that is no longer in operation. See all  UnCruise Cruises  for other options to travel aboard the Wilderness Legacy.

From reception to disembarking attention to detail was evident in all events. Understanding that you make many of these trips each year keeping this level so high is a true complement. We wanted a small ship that covered all possible segments of the area. You LOS filled that requirement. Made some good friends.

This was our fourth river trip and the first where we were able to visit the bridge at will. For me, the mechanics of running a boat this size requires a certain management level which obviously existed. I saw lots of teamwork and enthusiasm at all levels.

So maybe a hamburger can be offered at times but you are obviously are on a par with other trips that we have experienced. I would guess that the general client group had no idea how healthy your meals were. You failed miserably to add 10 pounds as requested. 5 was all I could muster. Portion sizes were excellent. No improvement necessary in this category.

Can't add anything other than great job at all levels. Their wealth of knowledge was amazing. I think they had as much fun as we did.

Hard to rate but [I enjoyed most] the Snake River Fast Boat excursion was tops and the Winery Tour was second. Why - Both took lots of people management skills and coordination. Included in all the excursions were the Heritage Guides and your Hotel Manager. These are obviously top notch people who loved their work and did a wonderful job.

Pre-trip information was adequate. We have already recommended AdventureSmith Explorations.

The Lewis and Clark theme was a great way to understand how our country grew. When we left the boat we traveled East cross country more or less on their route back to the Missouri. We uncovered new information that added to our base knowledge about Lewis and Clark. Made for an even more interesting experience. Read the book also.

• Wilderness Legacy

This traveler reviews her experience of a Columbia and Snake River cruise that is no longer in operation. See all  UnCruise Cruises  for other options to travel aboard the Wilderness Legacy (renamed from the S.S. Legacy in 2020.)

We enjoyed every aspect of this trip. The cabins and ship, the staff, the Heritage speakers, the dining experience - all of this and more - was terrific! The trip through Hells Canyon was amazing. The jet boat was the perfect method to tour this spectacular vista. The "skipper" and his assistant were very helpful and informative. The two stops (lunch and the park ranger compound) were amazing to see and learn more about this area of the US. We chose to stay in the states for our vacation this year and we are so glad we did. Our daughters also visited the bridge as well as the engine room. Everybody kept busy yet relaxed at the same time. We were a smaller group of 44 travelers. At first we thought the average age might be older than we expected especially since our daughters joined us (ages 25 and 27). However, we were wrong. We felt the variety added to the experience! They felt welcomed and comfortable.

We ate everything placed in front of us! The chef was fantastic in her choices and flavors. It is amazing that all that food was prepared in a relatively small space. Kudos to the Chef and her team. Shannon, our server in the dining room, was spectacular also! With helpful tips at various locations as well as an extraordinary sense of the cuisine, Shannon made each meal-time a special time for us. No request went unfulfilled and nothing was ever a problem or concern. We felt all the wait staff were good but Shannon stood out and we wanted to pass this along.

Denise was our lead and had us well organized/informed on all the events ahead of us each day. Lilly and Jen were amazing in their knowledge and presentation of material. Each tour was handled so very well; we were most impressed with the whole team. Must add that it was, for us, the perfect balance of information and visits.

Our cabin was well appointed and maintained perfectly - we did not spend much time in our cabin but that was the point. However, we slept well and had everything we needed.

Transportation Review

The trip ran like clockwork from beginning to end.

Our Adventure Specialist, Nick, was responsive, informative and very helpful every step of the way. Thank you, Nick!

Prepare to have fun!

We most enjoyed kayaking along glaciers and fjords, and beach walks. Great guides. Wonderful group to travel with, made some good friends. We wanted to see Alaska’s coast, would hate to travel by large ship. The small ship went into quiet coves, ability to get off to kayak and hike. Ketchikan...after peace and solitude, was too congested.

Given tight quarters well done. Slow shower drain, leaving toilet area wet, not my favorite.

Variety, flavors, presentation wonderful.

The enthusiasm and knowledge of all guides added greatly to the trip.

Baggage and transfer handled smoothly. Over emphasis on the boots. Needed once and ankle high was plenty.

• Inside Passage with Olympic National Park & 2 Days in Glacier Bay

Exceeded expectations. Expedition lead, Rab, led a great team. All were knowledgeable and great teachers. Plus all were accessible throughout the trip. Betty Lou and Linda were particularly outstanding but all were great. James added his diving and photography expertise as did Drew and Brian. Eryn was an outstanding naturalist and patient teacher. Captain and crew were friendly and helpful. Fabulous in all regards. Rab really set the tone and having the experience of Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn, and the others enhanced the experience. The handling of bear confrontation on shore showed exceptional knowledge, training and leadership. Very impressive.

The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good.  Get fitted sheets. Easier on stewards and passengers. But vessel was great. We knew what to expect so no surprises. The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition.

Amazing work given the limitations of the galley. Breakfast and lunch were perfect to fuel us up and keep us energized. Appetizers were a highlight. I very much liked the portion size at dinner. Soup needs work. Too much of same dark base. Think miso or chowder, but minor. Great baked goods.  Service was A+++ from Val on down.

No one better than Rab, Betty Lou and Linda. Gold standard. Rab shared personal experiences and emotions and displayed encyclopedic knowledge of every subject. Clone him. Betty Lou's talk on her career was fabulous. The whole team was knowledgeable, personable, helpful, available, great in crisis and enthusiastic. How can one be with Rab and not get excited about the events or with Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn and not learn? 

Photography staff was first rate. Brian and Drew knew everything and explained it clearly. Divers, Jim and Lynn, added a whole different dimension to our experience. Local guides were essential to understanding Haida and Kwakwaka wakaw cultures. And the Watchmen gave such authenticity to our experience. Loved Ranger Molly. Wow!!!! No weak individual on this team.

Haida Gwaii, Gwai Hannas, Old Massett, and Alert Bay were strong cultural experiences which made the whole trip worthwhile. The nature walks were well chosen and instructive. Sometimes after dinner talks were repetitious, but small issue.

Zodiak tours were uniformly outstanding and exciting. The excursion into the sea near the Hobbit Hole was a memory for all time as was Rabs talk about Vitas Bering and George Stellars. Whew, all good!!! Glacier visits were well done, awesome, and sobering to see the impacts of climate change. Potlach dances were highlight also as was the ability to meet Jim Hart and Christian White. Legendary and inspiring. Gwaii Hannas was magical.

Andrew was, as always, excellent. Made our trip prep easy. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation.

Embrace the experience. Pack lighter/take less. Read some history like Muir's Travels in Alaska, history of decimation of tribes by European exposure and books on Northwest art.

• A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii
• National Geographic Sea Bird
• Andrew Browning

This traveler reviews her experience of a Columbia and Snake River cruise that is no longer in operation. See all UnCruise Cruises for other options to travel aboard the Wilderness Legacy.

Our cabin on the Legacy was very comfortable and well maintained. I loved having the window view. The only comment I can think of to add would be that being able to adjust the temperature in the dining room and the lounge so that it was not so cold would have been welcome.

Skiba did a superb job organizing and communicating the activities of the day.  Julie was an informative and enthusiastic leader!  I learned so much from Ryan about the geology of the area.  it added much to our actual visits.  Keka (Ericka) is certainly a special guide.  She did an excellent job presenting the salmon information as well as her knowledge of other naturalist elements of the trip.  Alll of the leaders and guides that I experienced were skilled and attentive making us all feel comfortable regardless of the activity . Although the wine was not my major interest I thought Asher, as sommelier, did an excellent job of creating activities and sharing information for everyone.

I would suggest the twin bed arrangement for a couple for ease of movement in the cabin.

I had some dietary restrictions (GF) that were well handled at the meals. The chef , Marcus, frequently provided me with chicken soup when I needed it. And Julie, the pastry chef, made wonderful gluten free bread that I enjoyed at almost every meal. This was facilitated by our server, Quinn. They made the extra efforts to meet my individual needs, not an easy task when you are serving a large group. Kudos to the food staff.

[I most enjoyed] The visit to Palouse State Park, the hike at the Dalles, the Maryhill Museum of Art, viewing the dams and locks from the boat, and Fort Clatsop. [I least enjoyed] The Stonehenge replica - not as interesting as a replica. Would have spent more time at the Maryhill Museum.

I felt I had the information I needed to plan for the trip. They arranged for us to be taken to the airport to pick up a rental car following our disembarking. I felt that Leslie was easy available for any questions we might have. I think the materials provided really give an accurate picture of the trip.

• Leslie Camacho

Deals on Pacific Northwest Tours

For the best deals on Pacific Northwest tours, contact the AdventureSmith Experts. Our team can help you take advantage of the best early-booking discounts, alert you to dates as soon as they are released and provide details on the seasonal nature of Pacific Northwest trips. We stay on top of the latest airfare, kids, solo and group deals for all the Pacific Northwest vacation packages that we offer. Our team of Pacific Northwest tour specialists will help you plan right from the start so that you get the best discount to fit your ideal trip itinerary.

Book your select 2025 departure in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico (Baja, California), or the Galapagos Islands and receive 2024 pricing + 10% off.

Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on a variety of 2024 or 2025 National Geographic expeditions worldwide.

Save $500 per kid under 18 when you book your 2024 or 2025 departure from a variety of National Geographic expeditions worldwide.

Book your select 2025 departure of the below-linked small ship cruises in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico (Baja, California) and the Galapagos Islands to lock in 2024 pricing and receive 10% off.

Offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability and can be combined with other select offers. See all  small ship cruise deals  for a comprehensive list of current savings on this and other adventures.

• Alaska’s Glacier Wilderness with Glacier Bay
• Inside Passage with Olympic National Park & 2 Days in Glacier Bay
• Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka
• Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay
• Alaska Fjords & Glaciers
• Prince William Sound Explorer
• Wild & Woolly Alaska Cruise
• Hawaiian Seascapes Cruise
• Baja California’s Whales & Sealife
• Northern Gulf of California: Whales, Birds & Sealife
• Darwin’s Galapagos Discoveries

Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on select 2024 and 2025 departures of the below-linked National Geographic expeditions.

Offer valid on new bookings only, for a limited time upon availability and may be combined with other select offers. Applicable on voyage fares only, not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from the standard policy. See all  cruise deals  for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures.

• Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness
• Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia
• Prince William Sound Cruise & Rail Adventure
• Great Bear Rainforest Cruise: The Land of the Spirit Bear
• A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii
• Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau & Ketchikan
• Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka & Juneau
• Northwest Passage: Greenland to Alaska
• High Arctic Archipelago: Canada & Greenland
• Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands & Iceland
• Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard
• Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard & The Northern Fjords Cruise
• National Geographic Land of the Ice Bears
• Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast Cruise
• A Circumnavigation of Iceland
• Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic Cruise
• Iceland’s Wild West Coast to East Greenland Cruise
• Baja California: Among The Great Whales
• Baja California: A Remarkable Journey
• A Southern Migration: From The Channel Islands to Baja California
• Wild California Escape: Channel Islands National Park
• Baja California Holiday Voyage: A Living Sea & Desert Isles
• The Canadian Maritimes & Newfoundland
• Fabled Lands of the North: Greenland to Newfoundland
• Panama & Colombia: Exploring The Caribbean Coast
• Sailing the Caribbean Aboard Sea Cloud
• National Geographic Endeavour II Galapagos Cruises
• National Geographic Wild Galapagos Escape Cruise
• Best of Chilean Patagonia: From Torres del Paine to Cape Horn
• Patagonia: Chilean Fjords & Argentina’s Staten Island
• Southern Patagonia: Glaciers, Fjords & Wildlife Cruise
• Costa Rica & The Panama Canal
• Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy & Sicily Aboard Sea Cloud
• Sailing the Greek Isles Aboard Sea Cloud
• Isles of Antiquity: Malta, Sardinia & the Balearic Sea Aboard Sea Cloud
• Corsica & Sardinia Aboard Sea Cloud
• Sailing The Ancient Shores of Sicily & Malta
• Under Sail: Greece & The Dalmatian Coast Aboard Sea Cloud
• Scotland’s Highlands & Islands
• Pearls of the Pacific: Exploring The Society & Tuamotu Islands
• Rites & Relics: Fiji Firewalking, Vanuatu Volcanoes & Beyond
• Fiji & Tahiti Adventure: Vibrant Reefs & Cultural History
• Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey
• Exploring British Columbia & The San Juan Islands
• National Geographic Upper Amazon Cruise
• Vietnam & Cambodia: Along the Mekong River, Including Angkor & Saigon
• Wild Costa Rica Escape: Guanacaste Cruise
• National Geographic Antarctica, South Georgia & The Falklands
• National Geographic The White Continent
• National Geographic South Georgia & The Falklands
• Antarctica & Patagonia: Legendary Ice & Epic Fjords
• Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History & Abundant Wildlife
• Southern Odyssey: New Zealand & The Sub-Antarctic Islands
• Roots of the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand & Melanesia
• Kimberley Expedition: Northwest Australia & Indonesia
• Exploring Indonesia: Bali, Raja Ampat & Papua New Guinea
• Jewels of The Java Sea: An Exploration Between Bali & Singapore

Save $500 per kid under the age of 18 on select 2024 and 2025 departures of the below-linked National Geographic expeditions.

Offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers. See all  cruise deals  for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures.

• Wild Iceland Escape
• Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

Let Our Experts do The Pacific Northwest Trip Planning For You

With so many places to see and things to do, planning a Pacific Northwest trip can be daunting. Should you go inland or explore the coastline? What vineyards and breweries are the best? Where to go hiking and see the most wildlife? How best to get out on the water? What accommodations to book? How to get from place to place? Our Pacific Northwest vacation packages remove all these questions and simplify your experience. Our experts have already done the homework, have experience in the region, and can help you book a Pacific Northwest tour that features the best of what you’re seeking. Still want to browse? Filter through all our Pacific Northwest tours .

Contact Us - Pacific Northwest Tours

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11 most scenic Pacific Northwest road trips

Posted: November 24, 2023 | Last updated: November 24, 2023

My home region is one of the most beautiful in the country. Home to looming mountains begging to be explored to rugged coastlines, expansive deserts, and quirky cities, the best way to see it is to take one of the following road trips.

Olympic Peninsula, Washington

One of my favorite parts of the world is right in my home state, with Highway 101 circling the peninsula for 300 miles. Start by taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where you can go wine tasting, browse the cute town, and enjoy views across the sound. Continue on the 104 to adorable Port Townsend before spending a few days camping, surfing, hiking, or skiing in the winter at Olympic National Park. Highlights in the park include Hurricane Ridge, Forks, the coast, and the Hoh Rainforest. Plan between six and nine days for this route.

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Columbia River Gorge Route, Oregon

Start in Portland, head out through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, and stop at numerous waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah. Enjoy hikes with amazing views of the river and surrounding forest. Then continue to the Hood River Region for mountains, and don’t forget to stop at the Cascade Locks Marine Park for lunch one day. Expect this route to take anywhere from three to five days.

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Northern Oregon Coast

Drive to Astoria from either Portland or Seattle, then head south on the 101 with stops in Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook (make sure to tour and taste the dairy factory). Continue onto Pacific City and Lincoln City before ending in Newport. This can be a quick long weekend trip or a weeklong adventure, depending on how much time you want to spend at the beach.

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Southern Oregon Coast and NorCal

This route picks up just south of the northern option in Newport. Spend some time at the beach before heading to the Siuslaw National Forest to hike. Then drive to Florence to enjoy the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The mix of desert, ocean, and forest that follows as you head south goes through adorable Coos Bay before hitting the California border. Then explore the rugged coast of northern California, and give yourself at least a week to complete.

Salmon Bay Byway, Idaho

Idaho isn’t always considered the Pacific Northwest, but this trip is so beautiful it needed to be included. Start in the Gem State’s capital, Boise, a small college town home to numerous bars and restaurants. Then, hop on the Salmon River Scenic Byway and explore multiple hot springs, rivers, and ghost towns. Notable stops include the Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley, and Ketchum. Allow for at least a week to complete.  

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Inland Southern Oregon

Start in the adorable college town of Eugene, explore the University of Oregon campus, and hike in the nearby Willamette National Forest. If you’re into wines, definitely explore Willamette Valley. Head down I-5 before heading east to Umpqua National Forest, then onto Klamath Falls. Head north to Crater Lake, Sun River, and Bend for hiking, skiing, and biking. Give yourself at least a week or 10 days to complete.

Seattle to Vancouver

Start in the Emerald City, where you can hit up Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the waterfront before jumping in the car and heading north. Stop in Mukilteo and take the ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive along the entire island before heading back to the mainland via Deception Pass. Continue north on the 20 to Anacortes, where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands for an addition. Then, head back to the mainland, stopping in La Connor and Bellingham before hitting the border and ending in Vancouver, BC. Allow for a week or more, depending on how many stops you plan on.

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Cascade Loop, WA

This loop also starts in Seattle, but instead of taking a ferry to start, continue straight up I-5 to Deception Pass State Park and La Connor. Hike, camp, or just enjoy the scenery. Then head east to the North Cascades National Park — one of the lesser-known parks in the nation. Head south across the pass to Leavenworth, the perfect German village lookalike, then continue onto Wenatchee, Lake Chelan, and Stevens Pass. The time needed: at least six days.

Willamette Scenic Highway

Another option to the itinerary above starting in Eugene is to skip nature and head right into wine country via the Willamette Scenic Highway. An easy day trip, or you can stay a few nights and visit every winery.

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North Cascades and the Okanogan

From Seattle, head directly to the North Cascades (only open from April/May through October) to hike and camp. Then, continue east to the historic western towns, Winthrop and Twisp, and into the Okanogan Valley. Then head north across the border to eastern BC and enjoy the wineries, Lake Country, and Kelowna. Allow for five to seven days.

East Northern Oregon and Southern Washington

Start in Portland and explore the Mt. Hood National Forest before heading east to the Hood River and the Umatilla National Forest. Then cross the border into Washington and Walla Walla to enjoy the best of western wines. Continue onto Yakima and the Tri-Cities, where fruit picking is a fun summer activity, before ending in adorable Ellensburg. Allow for five days.

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