You know the quote “the mountains are calling and I must go“? Although cliche, this was the motto and inspiration for a road trip through the Pacific Northwest. In the summer of 2018, I went on a post-grad road trip through the Pacific Northwest, and it was an unforgettable trip. The Pacific Northwest is a place unlike any other. It offers a diversity of ecosystems such as ocean, mountain, rainforest, and desert, and also home to metropolitan areas like Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. A road trip is the best way to see all of the sights this region is famous for. Within a few days, you can experience everything from walking through a lush rainforest and whale watching to hiking snowcapped mountains and exploring unique urban jungles. Follow along the perfect 1-week Pacific Northwest Itinerary.

Major Cities Covered

• Vancouver, Canada
• Seattle, Washington
• Portland, Oregon

Pacific Northwest Road Trip Overview

• Day 1: Vancouver, Canada
• Day 2: Vancouver to Seattle
• Day 3: Seattle, Washington
• Day 4: Seattle to Port Angeles
• Day 5: Olympic National Park
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 7: Portland, Oregon

Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver, Canada

Welcome to the first day of the 1-week Pacific Northwest itinerary! Get ready to explore the beautiful city of Vancouver. To this day, Vancouver is still one of my favorite cities in the world.

I actually flew into Seattle, Washington from Atlanta, Georgia, and then took a bus up to Vancouver as it was much cheaper to fly into Seattle than Vancouver. However, if you fly direct, then you’ll be arriving at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You can take the train, the Canada Line, which connects YVR to downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes.

For accommodation, I booked an Airbnb in North Vancouver. The public transportation in Vancouver is great, which is why we were able to stay at a budget-friendly house in the suburbs versus a pricey hotel in downtown Vancouver.

I highly recommend getting a public transit day-pass which allows unlimited travel on any of Vancouver’s public transportation. The price is $10.50 for an adult per day, and the pass is available at Tourism Vancouver’s Visitor Centre, from ticket machines in SkyTrain and SeaBus stations, and from select London Drugs locations. 

There are so many distinct neighborhoods in Vancouver, and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around each area. Check out these Vancouver highlights:

• North Vancouver: There’s plenty to check out in this neighborhood. Waterfront Park provides a spectacular view of Vancouver’s skyline, and there’s plenty of restaurants and bars in this area. Tap & Barrel Shipyards has great happy hour specials! You should also explore Lonsdale Quay Market which is a marketplace with food vendors, unique shops, and cafes.
• Stanley Park: Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest urban park. Don’t miss the Vancouver Seawall, Totem Poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse, Girl in a Wet Suit, and Prospect Point Lookout within the park.
• Downtown Vancouver: The busy downtown district is a major shopping hub with major chain and luxury boutiques, plus high-end department stores. Plenty of window shopping (or actual shopping) to be done!
• Gastown: This is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood! Gastown grew from a single tavern founded by John ‘Gassy Jack’ Deighton back in 1867. Walk on cobblestone streets, admire the Victorian architecture, and do some souvenir shopping. Don’t miss out on the steam clock that goes off hourly!
• Yaletown: One of Vancouver’s chicest neighborhoods, Yaletown is filled with residential lofts, sidewalk cafes, tasty restaurants, unique shopping, and green spaces. Make sure to check out these waterfront parks: David Lam Park and George Wainborn Park.
• Granville Island: Granville Island’s Public Market is one of Vancouver’s biggest attractions and rightfully so! The market has endless rows of stalls that feature fresh fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, baked goods, pastries, and seafood. There’s also dining options at the food court and restaurants around the market, and plenty of shopping as well.

Day 2: Vancouver to Seattle

Today is a travel day from Vancouver to Seattle. It is a 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver to Seattle, but make sure to allot time for border customs. Everyone crossing the U.S. border is subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration and customs. Make sure you have all the appropriate documentation needed to cross the U.S. border including valid passport, driver’s license for the driver, vehicle registration, etc.

At this point, I didn’t have my rental car yet as I took a bus to Seattle from Vancouver – it was inexpensive and plus, I didn’t have to worry about parking a rental car in Seattle. When we crossed the border, we all got off the bus and went through customs inspection. The process was relatively easy. We presented our passports to the customs agents, and our luggage went through an x-ray machine. Then, we were back on the bus to Seattle!

Day 3: Seattle, Washington

Be prepared to have a busy day in Seattle as there’s plenty to see! There’s something for everyone in Seattle.

Start your day off in downtown Seattle and visit Pike Place Market. Explore the many unique shops, speciality food stalls, markets, bakeries, and restaurants, and grab a bite to eat. If you’re a coffee lover, head to the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market! Next, snap a shot at the Gum Wall (also at Pike Place Market) and be sure to make your own contribution to this landmark.

Within walking distance is Seattle’s waterfront. On the waterfront, you’ll find the Seattle Aquarium, Waterfront Park, and the Seattle Great Wheel.

Further north along Seattle’s waterfront is Olympic Sculpture Park which contains monumental contemporary sculptures and offers breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Visit Seattle Center neighborhood and you’ll find the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and the Museum of Pop Culture, all within walking distance of each other. Then, head to Kerry Park which offers an unbelievable view of Seattle. venture into northern Seattle and stop to snap a photo with the Fremont Troll before heading to Gas Works Park for a panoramic view of the Seattle skyline.

Like Vancouver, Seattle also has great public transit infrastructure. You have the option to take public transportation rather than driving around in Seattle. There’s the Link Light Rail with stops including downtown Seattle and the Sea-Tac Airport, and there’s King County transit which provides bus service in downtown Seattle and outlying neighborhoods in King county. Additionally, there are streetcars for getting around Seattle’s downtown.

Day 4: Seattle to Port Angeles

It is an early morning as you head to Port Angeles to experience the beautiful nature that Washington State offers. Today is one of the highlights on my 1-week Pacific Northwest itinerary! We’re going whale watching! You can’t visit the Pacific Northwest and not go on a tour to try and catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures. I picked up my rental car this morning and drove 2.5 hours to Port Angeles for my scheduled tour. I booked a tour with Island Adventures and had a great time on the 4 hour boat tour. Unfortunately, I did not see a whale, but our guide was entertaining and we got to see other wildlife such as sea lions!

Port Angeles is a charming seaside town that also serves as the gateway to Olympic National Park. There’s plenty of great dining options in this smallish community. I had a great dinner at a local Thai restaurant, Jasmine Bistro, and highly recommend the pad thai and coconut fried rice there.

Day 5: Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Spanning over nearly 1 million acres, the park sprawls across several different ecosystems, including forest, coastal, and mountain. You could spend weeks in this spectacular place, but let’s make the most out of your time here! Wake up at the crack of dawn and prepare for a full day of seeing the diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park. Some can’t miss sights in the park include Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Lake Crescent, and Hurricane Ridge.

Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park

Today we’re leaving Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and driving 3 hours to Paradise – Paradise, Washington that is. It is no surprise this area around Mount Rainier has been named Paradise. Located on the south side of the park, Paradise, features vibrant wildflower meadows in view of the Tatoosh Mountain range. The park’s main visitor center, the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, is located nearby in the upper parking area. You’ll find some of the parks’ most popular hiking trails in Paradise as well. Some of the most popular trails include:

• Skyline Trail (moderate – 5.9 mi): heavily trafficked loop trail located near Paradise, Washington that features a waterfall
• Tolmie Peak Trail (moderate – 6.4 mi): beautiful hike past alpine lakes and subalpine meadows to a fire tower lookout with great views of the surrounding peaks and of Mount Rainier
• Nisqually Vista Trail (easy – 0.9 mi): short trail near the visitor center that features beautiful wild flowers
• Pinnacle Peak Trail (moderate – 2.4 mi): hike near Tatoosh Range with excellent views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams

Note: Some of these trails are only accessible in summer months (from June to September).

After a full day of hiking and exploring Paradise, drive another 3 hours to Portland, Oregon.

Day 7: Portland, Oregon

Last stop! Our 1-week Pacific Northwest travel itinerary is about to come to an end. Known for breweries, parks, and a quirky hipster vibe that you’re sure to fall in love with, there are tons of things to do in Portland, Oregon. This is a weirdly awesome city! Those stereotypes that the media portrays about Portlanders? They couldn’t be more true. Here are my top picks on things to do in Portland:

Attractions:

• Powell’s City of Books: This bookstore is a landmark, occupying an entire city block! It is the world’s largest bookstore in the world with almost 1 million books. You could spend hours wondering around browsing new and used books, taking a sip at the cafe, or looking at the random selections in the gift shop.
• Portland International Rose Test Garden: This garden features more than 10,000 roses and offers spectacular views of downtown and Mount Hood. The roses bloom from April through October with the peak typically in June.
• Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Take a stroll along the river in this 36 acre park while admiring city skyline and waterfront views. Cross the pedestrian-accessible Steel Bridge for an exciting walk!
• Portland Saturday Market: This market is the largest continuously operated outdoor market in America! It is open every weekend from March through December and has been since 1974. You’re bound to score some great souvenirs in this arts-and-craft fair.
• Pioneer Courthouse Square: This busy square is known as Portland’s living room, occupying a large city block in downtown Portland. It is Portland’s informal gathering space, and hosts more than 300 events a year! Head to Pioneer Courthouse Space, and check out what is happening. It’s also a great place just to sit and people-watch.

Food:

• Voodoo Doughnut: Known for its eclectic and quirky decor, Voodoo Doughnut is an unforgettable Portland experience with over 50 different varieties to chose from. Their signature doughnut is the Voodoo Doll, a raspberry jelly filled doughnut with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake.
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream: The best ice cream I’ve ever head in my life – this is not an exaggeration. If you’re in Portland, you have to go to Salt and Straw!
• Food truck pods: Portland is known for their food truck scene where food trucks serving all varieties of cuisines stick together in “pods”.

The Pacific Northwest is an absolutely incredible region of North America, and you can see so much in the span of just a few days. I had a great time driving on scenic highways, seeing snow-capped mountains and lush forests, and visiting these one-of-a-kind cities. This 1-week Pacific Northwest itinerary was the perfect mix of time spent in nature and in the urban jungle. The Pacific Northwest region is truly unmatched.

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