Travel

The 12 Best Northwest Vacations

No matter your pleasure, there's a PNW escape for you.

By Seattle Magazine Staff May 17, 2017

Vacations-landing-good

Staycations are all well and good. And that three-day weekend? It can offer the quick recharge you need.

But there are times when life calls for a real vacation—the kind that stretches to a week or even longer. This kind of getaway calls for a destination with a lot to offer: space for solitude, room to gather with family and friends, and recreation that’s right at hand. Luckily for us, nearly every corner of our state (and region) offers a paid-time-off worthy destination—maybe even one we return to year after year.

So, stretch out and join us as we visit some of our region’s best vacation destinations.

Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island

Nantucket Meets Northwest in Seabrook

Whistler Recreation Amps Up for Summer

Beyond the Brats, Leavenworth is a Gateway to the Outdoors

Amenity-Rich Suncadia Offers Vacation Perks Close to Home

Near Bend, Three All-Encompassing Communities Lure Vacationers

Tofino is a Cozy Surf Town With a Stellar Food Scene

The Columbia Gorge is Filled With Wine and Waterfalls

Explore the ‘Alps of the Northwest’ From Joseph, Oregon

Find a Soulful Retreat Near Lake Chelan

Play Lighthouse Keeper for a Week at Dungeness Spit Lighthouse

Cannon Beach is a Classic Oregon Beach Town

 

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…