Holidays to the Pacific Northwest
Nestled in Washington’s beautiful natural landscape, the state’s largest city, Seattle, sits overlooking Puget Sound in the shadow of the impressive Mount Rainier National Park. This beautifully green city offers thousands of acres of parkland and is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests providing immediate access to some of the greatest wilderness the country has to offer.
Just three hours south of Seattle, the city of Portland offers a similar experience but with a slightly different, easygoing charm. Sitting on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Portland is overlooked by the snow-dusted peak of Mount Hood. This artisan city is known for its beautiful parks, laidback coffee houses, and general eco-friendly vibe.
Things to do in the Pacific Northwest
- Head to the top of Seattle’s Space Needle
- Drop in on the waterside strip to visit Pike Place Market
- Visit the forested peaks of Olympic National Park
- Scale the impressive Mount Olympus
- Ascend to the peak of Mount Rainier
- Wander the picturesque and iconic, Washington Park
- Ski, snowboard or hike around Mount Hood
- Visit the USA’s deepest lake, Crater Lake
Getting to the Pacific Northwest
By Air – Direct flights from the UK and most major cities to Seattle and indirect flights to Portland
By Road – Seattle to Portland 173 miles
By Rail – Seattle to Portland 3.5 hours
Getting Around
Unless you’re travelling between major cities, having a car, motorhome or motorcycle is by far the easiest way to independently explore the Pacific Northwest. Alternatively, escorted tours are available combining Seattle, Portland and the Oregon Coast.
Within Seattle and Portland, there are networks of public transport including buses, trains, streetcars, monorail and plenty of taxis.
Plan your holiday