8 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Pacific Northwest
Known for its stunning landscapes, charming small towns, and vibrant local cultures, the Pacific Northwest offers endless outdoorsy opportunities, from hiking through lush, evergreen forests and rugged coastal trails to kayaking on serene lakes and rivers. In addition, its mild climate makes it an outdoor enthusiast's paradise year-round. Discover below the eight most stunning towns in this region, including seaside charmers like Hood River and Poulsbo and montane beauties like Ashland and Ketchum.
Hood River, Oregon
Fifty miles south of the iconic Mount Hood, Hood River is known as the “Windsurfing Capital of the World” for good reason. The small town is situated in the Columbia River Gorge which acts as a natural wind tunnel, making it a premier destination for windsurfing enthusiasts around the globe. There are tons of outfitters to get visitors kitted up for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding, like Hood River SUP and Kayak and Big Winds Windsurfing Center.
After working up an appetite outdoors, head inside and discover Hood River’s diverse foodie scene at fresh, farm-to-table restaurants like Solstice Wood Fire Pizza Waterfront Café, 3 Rivers Grill, and Kickstand Coffee & Kitchen, a community-focused restaurant that serves more than just coffee. Spend time exploring Hood River’s vibrant art scene by visiting a few local galleries downtown, like the 301 Gallery and Made in the Gorge Arts Cooperative, or take in the Hood River BIG ART Walking Tour—a 4.5-mile walking tour of public art in town.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
A short ferry ride from Seattle, Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound has something for every visitor, from beautiful gardens like the Bloedel Reserve to parks like Fort Ward, a historic military site turned public park and waterfront Fay Bainbridge Park. The 140-acre Bloedel Reserve, originally a private residence, was gifted to the community in 1988 and re-imagined as a public garden and forest preserve. The park will hold a garden party among the blooms on August 8, 2024.
The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum is in a historic 1908 one-room schoolhouse. It is a great place to start learning more about the storied past of this small island community. Visitors can pay their respects to the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. This site honors the first Japanese Americans to be displaced from their community and incarcerated during World War II. Visitors can download a self-guided tour and listen to oral histories directly from survivors as they visit the site. Finally, visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA), featuring the work of Puget Sound artists, and attend one of their First Fridays with gourmet food, music, and an artist pop-up every month.
Ashland, Oregon
“To be or not to be,” Ashland is world-famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). The OSF is a renowned regional theater company founded in 1935 as a three-day festival of two plays, which has morphed into a repertory season of 10 plays and musicals. Today, it is one of the largest and oldest professional non-profit theaters in the U.S. The 2024 season, which runs from March to October 2024, is already underway with performances of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and Much Ado About Nothing, among others.
Besides attending Shakespearean performances, there are hundreds of hiking trails around Ashland, including the 93-acre jewel of Ashland, Lithia Park. The park is in downtown Ashland and features manicured lawns and a Japanese garden. It runs alongside Ashland Creek, which offers a scenic view of Ashland’s charming downtown, which includes boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants housed in historic buildings. Stop at Pony Espresso, Hither Coffee and Goods, or Case Coffee Roasters for a pick-me-up. Spend some time indulging in a little retail therapy at the 1971 Book Exchange, Pelindaba Lavender for all things lavender-scented, and Elder Apothecary for mocktails and other concoctions.
Gig Harbor, Washington
With spectacular views of nearby Mount Rainier, Gig Harbor is a charming maritime town with a village-like atmosphere punctuated with marinas, boutique shops, and a lovely historic district. One of the most popular activities in Gig Harbor is strolling along the historic waterfront with a stop at the Harbor History Museum. In addition to their permanent collection, until October 2024, a special exhibit entitled “I Spy: The Secret Museum 2.0” is a journey through the little-seen areas of the museum—perfect for kids of all ages.
If Puget Sound's lure is too inviting, visitors can rent electric boats for a two-hour trip with Gig Harbor Boat Rentals or even book a half- or full-harbor ride on a gondola, which comes with a gondolier. Be sure to stop at the award-winning Heritage Distilling Co., where “every spirit has a story,” and order a straight spirits flight, specialty cocktails, and lite bites. In 2024, in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day—one of the most significant battles of World War II—the distillery has a Special Operations Salute bottle of 5-year-old bourbon with proceeds to support U.S. special operators, veterans, and their families.
Ketchum, Idaho
Ketchum, Idaho, is a small town of 3627 residents located roughly a mile away from Sun Valley—the world-renowned resort city famous for being America’s first destination ski resort. As such, the town is sometimes referred to as Sun Valley. There is no shortage of adventures in an area with more than 250 days of sunshine a year. In Sun Valley, all roads lead to the spectacular Sun Valley Resort, home of the iconic Baldy Mountain, considered by many to be the best ski mountain in the U.S., with a summit of 9,150 feet. Visitors can ride the gondola and chairlift to the top for summer lunch at the Lookout Restaurant. Mountain bikers can bring along their bikes for an incredible descent down the mountain.
Meanwhile, Ketchum has a few not-to-be-missed eateries, like The Kneadery, which offers rustic homestyle cooking, the Konditorei, which serves Austrian-inspired cuisine, and Bigwood Bread. Finally, end an active day in this beautiful part of the country with a Lost River Lager at the Sawtooth Brewery.
Winthrop, Washington
The lure of gold brought the original settlers to the region in 1883, and Guy Waring is credited as the town’s founder after settling in a home called the “Castle.” Today, the Castle is the Shafer Museum, which preserves four historic buildings: the “Castle,” the Ortell Cabin, which houses the old schoolhouse display, and two other homesteads. In 1970, Winthrop took inspiration from the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, to increase tourism and reinvented itself in an Old West style, complete with cattle drives, medicine shows, pack trains, and the rustic charm of the Old West. The town even celebrates ‘49er Days in honor of its rich western history every year.
Visitors wanting to embrace their inner cowboy can book a 1.5-hour scenic horseback riding tour through the picturesque Cascade Mountains at Sun Mountain Lodge. Local outfitters can arrange half-day trail rides or chuckwagon breakfasts on easy-to-access or more rugged trails. Finally, the Methow Valley near Winthrop has miles of hiking and running trails for all levels, like the hike to the Tawlks Foster Suspension Bridge—a 2-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 70 feet.
Sisters, Oregon
Named for the nearby Three Sisters mountains, Sisters is an artsy, vibrant, and charming town with Western-themed architecture, art galleries, and outdoor recreation, including rock climbing, hiking, and biking. The Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway is a scenic, moderately difficult 37-mile ride that starts in Sisters and ends in Smith Rock State Park, where if visitors have any legs left, they can choose one of the over thousand climbs to take. If not, pack a picnic and simply take in the over-the-top scenery of Smith Rock—eroded volcanoes that left multicolored formations high above the valley floor.
Sisters is known for hosting the world's largest outdoor quilt show, which draws thousands of visitors. In 2025, it will celebrate its 50th anniversary, but this town that loves festivals has also been hosting the Sisters Folk Festival since 1995. The festival attracts visitors to its seven stages in downtown Sisters; this year, the event takes place September 27 to 29, 2024.
Poulsbo, Washington
Known as "Little Norway," Poulsbo was established in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrants drawn to its scenic fjord-like landscape. For a small town, it has a lot of museums, including the Maritime Museum, the Heritage Museum, and the landmark Martinson Cabin, which was built in the late 1880s to give visitors a glimpse of early pioneer life in Poulsbo.
The town has preserved its Norwegian heritage through its architecture, shops, and cultural festivals, like the annual three-day Viking Fest, which celebrates Norwegian culture and history. For a Scandinavian treat, visit Sluys Poulsbo Bakery, which has been serving Julekake, Stollen, and Cardamom bread since 1974, or head next door to Tizley’s Europub for traditional fare like schnitzels, spaetzle, Swedish meatballs, and goulash. Spend a morning browsing the art galleries in the historic downtown area, such as the Verksted Gallery and the Front Street Gallery, or join the Poulsbo Art Walk on the second Saturday of every month for 3 hours of gallery hopping, shopping, and dining.
The Pacific Northwest is an area of unparalleled natural beauty. Towering mountains like the Cascades and the Olympics, lush forests, and pristine coastline define the landscape. So get outdoors and explore Poulsbo’s Norwegian heritage, Bainbridge Island's serene gardens, Ashland's Shakespearean charm, and Gig Harbor's picturesque waterfront. Enjoy horseback riding in Winthrop, windsurfing in Hood River, mountain biking in Ketchum, and rock climbing in Sisters. The Pacific Northwest is a must-visit destination in 2024.
