8 Serene Pacific Northwest Towns For A Weekend Retreat
With its wide array of mighty mountains, beautiful beaches, and scenic wine country regions, the Pacific Northwest is picture-perfect for long weekend retreats. But if you're just looking at the region’s biggest cities of Seattle and Portland, you’re not seeing the whole picture. Across the Pacific Northwest, you can also discover smaller towns that offer plenty of their own big adventures, including some of the world’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir wines, the most Bavarian-style mountain village in North America, and some of the best whale-watching you will find anywhere. From the tall summits of the Cascades to long and sandy beaches by the Pacific Ocean, here are eight Pacific Northwest towns for a memorable weekend trip.
Ashland, Oregon
Located about 19 miles north of the California state line, Ashland can serve as a very inviting entry point to Pacific Northwest culture, including viticulture. In fact, Ashland and the Rogue Valley have gained a strong reputation for high-quality wines, and you can taste for yourself at the Weisinger Family Winery, which specializes in small-batch artisan takes on varietals like Tempranillo and Viognier. In addition, Ashland has Irvine & Roberts, a well-regarded local winery with a dazzling selection of Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and sparkling wines.
Beyond the wines, there’s even more to experience in Ashland. Often from March all the way to October, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival features a diverse selection of classic Shakespeare plays, favorites from other acclaimed playwrights like Oscar Wilde, and cutting-edge world premiere shows. On the south end of town, Siskiyou Mountain Park and the Oredson-Todd Woods have an extensive network of hiking and biking trails through mature forests and by lovely creeks and waterfalls. Once you’re ready to kick back and relax, treat yourself to a stay at the Country Willows Inn, situated on a five-acre working farm on the edge of protected wilderness areas.
Yachats, Oregon
While the Oregon Coast has many glorious towns worth visiting, this town of Yachats may have some of the Northwest’s most beautiful beaches. On the south end, there’s Cape Perpetua, a craggy stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline where you will find the famed Devil’s Churn inlet, mature spruce forests with trees dating back as much as 500 years, and more tranquil spots along Cape Creek. Heading north, Yachats State Recreation Area has a stretch of sandy beach along with some cool tidepools worth exploring, and Smelt Sands State Recreation Site has a beach perfect for whale watching and sunset viewing.
In town, you can explore more unique sights and sounds, including original local art at Touchstone Gallery and Bob Keller Photography-Wave Gallery, and great food and live music every night at the Drift Inn restaurant. For the ultimate in rest and relaxation, check into the serene oceanfront oasis that is the Overleaf Lodge & Spa.
Newberg, Oregon
Around 25 miles southwest of Portland, the town of Newberg anchors the north end of Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley wine country region. This is most definitely Pinot Noir country, and you can taste excellent renditions of perhaps Oregon’s most famous varietal at acclaimed wineries like Rex Hill and Alexana. If you crave a little more variety, stop at Knudsen Vineyards, which makes fantastic Chardonnays and Blanc de Blanc sparkling wines in addition to Pinot Noirs.
For a different perspective on Newberg, visit the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum to discover the Pacific Northwest’s only presidential house museum and the childhood home of Herbert Hoover. For some more contemporary culture, check out the Chapters independent bookstore and find some incredible local art at the Lindgren and Minthorn Galleries at George Fox University. And when you fancy a more refined wine country weekend retreat, book a stay at The Allison Inn & Spa, a 35-acre resort nestled among working vineyards.
Hood River, Oregon
Located right where the Hood River flows into the Columbia River, the town of Hood River offers a more relaxed, down-to-earth, and truly farm-to-table kind of life. When you’re up to taste this region’s incredible bounty, stop at Packer Orchards for freshly picked fruit, homemade jam, and hearty pies. In addition, Draper Girls Country Farm has seasonal u-pick days when visitors can gather cherries and peaches during the summer, and apples, pears, and pumpkins in fall. (They also have a country store open year-round.) And all along the Hood River Fruit Loop, you will find even more family farms growing everything from wine grapes to lavender.
While you can easily spend the entire weekend touring Hood River’s farms, there’s even more to see and do across the region. At Mt. Hood National Forest, hike the wilderness and enjoy phenomenal views of Oregon’s tallest peak (Mount Hood, at 11,250 feet above sea level), and ski the slopes of Mt. Hood Meadows during the winter season. If you prefer adventures on open water, take the Hood River Waterfront Trail and discover great spots for fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, and simple beachcombing by the Columbia River. No matter what you want to do, you can make the Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa the ideal “base camp” with its incredible location perched above the river.
Walla Walla, Washington
Just north of the Oregon-Washington state line, the town of Walla Walla anchors the Walla Walla Valley and enjoys a semi-dry, four-season Mediterranean climate that’s great for growing grapes and making world-class wines. While the Willamette Valley specializes in cool climate Pinot Noirs, Walla Walla grows more Bordeaux and Rhône varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with some white wines like Chardonnay and Riesling. Visit The Walls and Dunham Cellars to try some of Walla Walla’s finest white wines, Valdemar Estates for some of Washington’s best Spanish-style wines, and Va Piano Vineyards for incredible Cabernets and Syrahs.
Beyond the vineyards and wineries, Walla Walla offers even more to experience. At Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake, hike the scenic trails, try some paddling and rowing at the lake, or do an easygoing fishing excursion. At Veterans Memorial Golf Course, enjoy wonderful views of the Blue Mountains while playing up to 18 holes on the course. And at The Wesley Walla Walla, take advantage of their convenient location near downtown’s restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms while staying at a cool and relaxing boutique inn with fully-equipped suites.
Leavenworth, Washington
Perched on the eastern slopes of the Cascades, Leavenworth provides Bavarian-style hospitality and cozy mountain town charm just about 120 miles east of Seattle. At the Greater Leavenworth Museum, learn about the area’s enduring p’squosa (or Wenatchi) indigenous heritage and culture, as well as the town’s evolution from a modest timber town into a European Alpine-style resort town. At the Nutcracker Museum, take stock of the world’s largest collection of nutcrackers (and find some cool souvenirs to take home). Throughout Leavenworth's Bavarian Village, you can experience a curiously Northwestern take on traditional German architecture, design, and cuisine.
Just outside of town, Tumwater Mountain has some gorgeous trails for hiking and biking, and Lake Wenatchee State Park is picture-perfect for leisurely days, birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, swimming, boating, and even horseback riding. During the winter season, Ski Hill is a wonderful spot for skiing, and it opens during the summer for hiking at the trails and live music events at the lodge. Whenever you opt to visit, Icicle Village Resort offers lovely Bavarian-style lodging and dining in the heart of town.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Just across Puget Sound from Seattle, Bainbridge Island combines urban sophistication with a more country-style slower pace of life. At Blakely Harbor Park, explore some 40 acres of land where one of the world’s largest sawmills operated in the late 19th century, land that has since been rehabilitated into a critical wildlife habitat alongside walking trails, a public beach, and a boat launch. At Fort Ward Park, you can try some scuba diving in the water and explore the remains of a World War II-era military communications hub on land. And at Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, take a peaceful hike on the trails through lush forests and by babbling streams.
In town, you can fuel up at the Pegasus Coffee House, which provides a cozier and less hurried take on Seattle craft coffee culture. It’s also possible to discover a plethora of uniquely local takes on international cuisine at restaurants like Proper Fish, Restaurant Marché, Ba Sa, and Amelia Wynn Winery Bistro. (And yes, Amelia Wynn carefully sources their wines from select vineyards in Eastern Washington.) To complete your Bainbridge Island getaway, book a stay at the charming Eagle Harbor Inn “petit hotel” near the harbor and the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry Terminal.
Neah Bay, Washington
Situated on a rugged stretch of coastline where the Salish Sea flows into the Pacific Ocean, Neah Bay is a special town where authentic Native American indigenous culture meets pristine coastal wilderness. To learn more about local history and culture, head to the Makah Museum, which houses artifacts dating as far back as 500 years and has an extensive program to preserve the Makah written and spoken language. And when you’re in the mood for an epic fishing excursion, book an outing with Big Salmon Fishing Resort and see how much salmon and halibut you can catch. (Even if you don’t catch any fish, there’s still plenty of amazing scenery at sea to enjoy!)
To the west of town, there’s even more to experience, including the craggy Pacific coastal views and the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States at Cape Flattery, the laid-back surfing hotspot of Hobuck Beach, and the pristine temperate rainforests at Shi Shi Beach. If you want to spend even more quality time at the beach, book a cabin (or an RV site) at Hobuck Beach Resort for the easiest access to the serene shores of Hobuck Beach.
Need A Serene Weekend Retreat? Go Northwest.
With its varied landscapes and flavorful local cultures, the Pacific Northwest has something for nearly everyone. For ambitious adventurers, the mighty mountains of Leavenworth and the ruggedly beautiful beaches and rainforests of Neah Bay call. For sophisticated wine connoisseurs, the storied vineyards of Ashland, Newberg, and Walla Walla await. And for a lovely small town that’s a short ferry ride away from the city, Bainbridge Island is easily within reach. However you want to do your weekend retreat, the Pacific Northwest provides plenty of inviting options.
