8 Most Memorable Small Towns in the Pacific Northwest
The beautiful region stretching across the western United States along its northern coastline, the Pacific Northwest, is full of flavor. Its small towns cater to every taste, with an enormous charm rivaling the memorable adventures along the varied landscapes of dynamic, untamed nature.
Filled with outdoor enthusiasts and family-friendly attractions that include your pets, your fellow drinking enthusiasts, and foodies, you can unwind in your favorite way or even on a scenic gondola ride in Gig Harbor. From Oregon's many mouthwatering fresh seafood stops to the resplendent boardwalk in Washington's Long Beach, you will long hear the surge of the waves after visiting Yachats or Westport, the surfing mecca of the whole region.
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes, one of the most accessible coastal communities of the San Juan archipelago, is the largest city on the pretty Fidalgo Island. Filled with wet and dry pursuits at the gateway to the popular State Park and the equally gorgeous Deception Pass, you will remember Anacortes for its culture, lots of nature, food, and your lovely accommodations. Don't miss the succulent seafood fresh from the water and excellent eateries like the GERE-a-DELI and A'Town Bistro, as well as some pampering and your potential stay at the Majestic Inn and Spa. With quick boat access from Seattle, you can visit on an impromptu daytrip for the annual Waterfront Festival in June or the Anacortes Art Festival from July to August.
Come for the atmospheric local farmer's markets, including the biannual Vintage Market, and lose yourself in the calming island vibes, wandering from the unique shops to boutiques along the core downtown district of Anacortes. Harboring so much in its port, you can stock up on vintage, craft accessories, decor, and gifts, so give this town a chance to douse you with endless memories before hopping on a daily ferry to explore surrounding island towns like Friday Harbor. There is also a series of weekly summer events at Seafarers Memorial Park, while the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place nearby.
Astoria, Oregon
This quaint Victorian-era town will imprint in your memory as "Little San Francisco," with historic homes perched high up on a steep hill. At the wide mouth of the Columbia River, just below, the bustling port town offers many memorable experiences for every group, whether you hike up the steps to its special Astoria column for sweeping views or duck into the Columbia River Maritime Museum along the boardwalk during a rainstorm just to experience the Science of Storms inside! The riverfront downtown is a long-time favorite escape for those seeking vibrancy and local vibes or to relive "Free Willy," whose spirit is very much alive here, filmed from the shores of Astoria.
The surrounding natural beauty of the forest fringe, three snaking rivers, and the nearby Pacific, with easy access to your favorite outdoor activities, may make you hungry for more adventures. From Fort Stevens State Park to the Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, and Flavel House Museum, a preserved 1886 Queen Anne home, there is plenty to explore, even underground tunnels!
Gig Harbor, Washington
Just 12 miles northwest of Tacoma, Gig Harbor's historic downtown overlooks a spectacular waterfront with quick access to stunning scenery all around, like beautiful state and city parks. From watersports to Kopachuck State Park and Skansie Brothers City Park, natural splendor abounds. Gig Harbor streets soaked in ocean mist offer something for everyone around each scenic corner, like impressive art, museums, shopping, and oceanfront dining. Whether you're in for unique boutiques in the winter or watersports, including boating, in the summer, the shores of Puget Sound will lure you for a stroll in every season.
Home to just over 12,000, Gig Harbor is refined yet laidback, fusing history and modern culture along the forefront in between the Mt. Rainier reflection in the shining water and the evergreens on the horizon. With everything just a hop away, you can spend a day at the beach and take a gondola tour, or make your own mix with Tides Tavern for drinks and Green House for family dinner. The gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, Gig Harbor is unmissable for its vibe and natural treasures.
La Conner, Washington
Located in the iconic Skagit Valley, not far from Anacortes, this cute waterfront village along Puget Sound is as authentic PNW as it gets in the far northwest corner of the state! With a sense of community to care for the environment and a love for outdoor recreation, La Conner weaves into the meticulous beauty and soaks inspiration from the surrounding nature, sprinkling it into culinary hotspots, numerous art galleries, and wineries. Fidalgo Island is just ten minutes away to explore Deception Pass State Park, one of the state's best and most visited, which connects you further to southern Whidbey Island.
Come for the sea-salt-soaked landscape in any season, or visit in the spring for the La Conner Daffodil Festival that annually delights world-wide visitors. The jewel-toned waters of Skagit Bay and Swinomish Channel are never the same, but the most notable Rainbow Bridge, an architectural icon, is. The Museum of Northwest Art reveals a human take on the dynamic natural world, while the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is symbolic of the patchwork that this town aspires to, and the Skagit County Historical Museum reveals its deep history!
Long Beach, Washington
Centrally located on the Long Beach Peninsula in far southwestern Washington, this charming town of only 1,400 people on the beautiful Pacific coast offers a unique atmosphere along the peninsula's spectacular 25-plus-mile beach stretch. Long Beach is your quintessential beach getaway, aquatically lined by the Pacific Ocean, Willapa Bay, and the Columbia River, for crabbing, horseback riding, whale watching, RV camping, and fishing. From downtown carnival rides and food joints to family-friendly businesses throughout, you can amble around its just shy of two-mile perimeter, between bakeries, sweet stores, and novelty museums along the Pacific Way, like Marsh's Free Museum.
Long Beach blends modernity with the beauty and serenity of nature, like the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and the half-mile boardwalk along the grassy dunes parallel to the 8.5-mile paved Discovery Trail. You can hike in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark south along the coast all the way to Cape Disappointment State Park, at the mouth of the Columbia River, or grab some ice cream and stroll along the boardwalk, a shareable family memory with panoramic views of the beach and Washington coast. Appearing as if suspended above the dunes for calm, dreamy scenery with glimpses of the North Head Lighthouse, this stretch comes abuzz during the Washington State International Kite Festival under some of the coast's most colorful skies!
Newport, Oregon
Between the mighty Pacific and the rich estuary along the Yaquina River, Newport is an iconic Oregon coastal town of around 10,500 with woodlands and waterways at the backdoor for hiking, biking, and paddling. Tucked along a lovely stretch of coastline, there is no off switch in this lively town with year-round surfing, whether you are in for the seaside outdoors wonderland or its renowned indoor hotspots like the family favorite, the Oregon Coast Aquarium. After crabbing, fishing, and hunting for two lighthouses, you will ache for Mo's world-famous chowder and nearby Rogue's headquarters for new brews.
Offering a memorable weekend escape or a weeklong vacation, Newport is a getaway into the aptly named Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area with beautiful views, bird watching, and beachcombing around colorful ocean pools at low tide. Swarming with sea birds and barking harbor seals, you can beachcomb and find the main historic attraction, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. The state's tallest, at 93 feet, having guided ships for 150 years, it is still operational with spectacular daytime viewing and nightly displays. Breathe in salty air while browsing the historic bayfront, resplendent for shopping and dining, or while looking for laughing sea lions at the docks there, bald eagles overhead, or whales on the horizon from an uncrowded beach.
Westport, Washington
Westport, Washington's cozy little beach town at the mouth of Grays Harbor on the state's southernmost Point Chehalis, is the most popular surfing destination in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The town with a nautical tinge embodies Washington's quintessential beach escape with 18 miles of pristine sands, perfect for lounging, walking, and taking in the sunset in a picturesque frame. Just over two hours southwest of Seattle, Westport attracts boating fans, fishing enthusiasts, and seafood lovers from around the globe with its working marina. With a sprinkling of charming local shops and restaurants downtown, the markets sell salmon, halibut, rock and ling cod, crab, and Albacore tuna.
Marina District is great for strolls to watch the cruise ships, whale-watching charters, and local fishing boats bring back fresh seafood you can purchase right along the docks or even drop your own crab pots. There is no better town to master surfing, with three main surf breaks for every level and constant surfable waves along this sliver of the Pacific. Home to the tallest lighthouse in Washington, Grays Harbor Lighthouse, rising to 107 feet, offers an information center, guided tours, and sweeping views of the ocean. You can enjoy all this and more with your whole family, where even your pup is welcome at most places along the beach, outdoor dining, and hotels!
Yachats, Oregon
How about a cute, peaceful little village with a memorable name that will make you remember every minute spent here, tucked between the temperate rainforest of the Oregon Coastal Range and the mighty Pacific? You will long hear the surge of waves and smell the phantom mix of brine and fresh pine. The idyllic town, pronounced Yah-hots, a Native mix of words, offers serenity to commune with nature over outdoor adventures. Thor's Well is a huge sinkhole on the coast, along with other incredible natural areas like Devil's Churn and vast sandy beaches to the north and south with tide pools and volcanic basalt.
From beachcombing to kite flying and fat-tire biking, Cape Perpetua, just south of Yachats, is one of the best vantage points in the state of the Pacific Ocean. In between local art galleries to visit, you can recharge at a wide selection of local restaurants, such as Ona Restaurant and Lounge, because there is so much more to explore here. The miles of hiking trails wind from the waterfront to the rainforest, replete with mushrooms, berries, and wildlife like deer, elk, and migrating waterfowl. By the end, you will be in tune with nature and understand the name "where the trail leaves the beach!"
Each of these towns offers a different vibe to indulge in memorable adventures and family moments. Whether you are in for the historic bayfront along the shifting coastline in Newport, Oregon, or the jewel-toned waters in La Conner, Washington, it is the pristine nature that will imprint in your memory.
Visit the hilltop town of Astoria for a childhood memory as the setting for "Free Willy," which is also the oldest town west of the Rockies, or the many peninsular towns that bring out your inner explorer and frame all your adventures.
