The Pacific Northwest: A “Must-Add” To Your Bucket List

Exploring the Pacific Northwest as a resident has been a remarkable experience for this born-and-raised southern girl.  A couple of my fellow Poms2Moms ladies have made it out west, and I’ll speak for the rest of the PNW when I say I’m lucky to live in a truly gorgeous part of the country.

[ReviewDisclaimer]

I plan to write more posts about specific places to visit, but for anyone considering taking a trip to the PNW, this is to encourage that spur-of-the moment impulse, and convince you to TRAVEL.  Book the flight. No matter what type of vacay you want, Washington and Oregon has it – cities, mountains, and beaches. Memories await!

And the BEST PART? The Pacific Northwest has something for everyone. I’m telling you, no matter your travel style or interests, there is something here that every traveler will enjoy.

To prove it, I present to you, 3 AMAZING WAYS to explore the Pacific Northwest:

[amazon_link asins=’B01HQSB0ZW,B01HQSWJK2,B0763RXHSP,B01GQUWFGY,B072QWM1T5,B01GSFRJZ4,B072N3Q1ZK’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’bd737cdf-a571-11e8-aade-57c6555274a5′]

1.) If you like the city, start with Seattle, WA.

Seattle has plenty of iconic visuals that are worth seeing in person:

• The Space Needle is one of the more romantic symbols, definitely harkening me back to [amazon_textlink asin=’B000TS5CJW’ text=’Sleepless in Seattle‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’da41e253-3939-11e8-b300-cf52013de733′]. You actually get the best photographs a couple blocks away, so log your steps on your FitBit and take a couple laps around. It’s pointless to drive. Uber is more convenient than anything else in these downtown areas.

• The best view of the city is in the Skywalk Observatory at the top of the Prudential Building. It stays open late into the evening in the summer, and on a clear day the sunset is gorgeous. Adult beverages for sale. The best part? There’s indoor and outdoor viewing, for those iconic rainy days.

• I love the Fremont area. Snap your photo by the Fremont Troll, an enormous sculpture publicly available for all to enjoy. And then bring your [amazon_textlink asin=’B0159W9I1U’ text=’growler‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’18b8ca4e-393a-11e8-8ac1-2505fd37baa7′] to fill up at Fremont Brewing, where you can sit across the street from the water in an outdoor beer garden.

• Finally, grab lunch at a great local spot: The Pacific Inn Pub. We’ve eaten there several times and it’s always good. I recommend the Cobb salad and Prosecco.

2.) If you like the mountains, start with Crystal Mountain. 

I’ll be honest, I’m out of my league when it comes to hiking. And your girl definitely doesn’t ski.  But I can appreciate a good view, and a cold beer on a mountain top.

[amazon_link asins=’B079V5YKGS,B00YOP7LV8,B01KW5SH2A,B01FEY7W9S,B005FEGYJC,B01MUAY5MZ,B01M31R8B6,B01FZBZWII’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ac9a4921-a571-11e8-b3ad-a3e91c05164c’]

• The Summit House Restaurant was the whole reason I hiked, and the ride up in the gondola was beautiful.  Apparently it has skiing and other things that those outdoorsy-folks enjoy.

3.) If you like the beach (my favorite), head for the Oregon Coast. 

The coolest thing about Oregon beaches is how the mountains literally seem to drop straight into the ocean. When you sit on the beach, you’re surrounded by 360-degree beautiful scenery. And you can make campfires on the beach!

Grab your [amazon_textlink asin=’B004YIBWNS’ text=’cooler‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’5312d260-a571-11e8-958f-7595bc36491e’], fill it with local PNW beer, and enjoy watching your dog-child terrorize the seagulls (or vice versa.)

[amazon_link asins=’B004YIBWNS,B073XC2F9X,B003V55790,B004U6MHV0,B06W2N58B4,B001COREZ2,B01LA7ABYG,B07BR6VK8J,B01ACIAFEU’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7094fe03-a571-11e8-a8cb-89f829609ddc’]

One last word of wisdom:  Pack rain gear – even in June. 

“June gloom” is a legit season out here.  Bring [amazon_textlink asin=’B01GSFRJFY’ text=’rain coats‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’aca5985f-393a-11e8-9db5-9de6c72bc414′], solid [amazon_textlink asin=’B00K1XANDK’ text=’boots‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8ec1c535-393a-11e8-b333-57b68915a916′], and a towel for the muddy dog feet, just in case!

[amazon_link asins=’B076WW4QTR,B072V5FF68,B00C8EZSVC,B01IRR1JNO,B00K1WARBE,B01GQUWFGY,B019CRR612,B01MTVRAPW’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’poms2moms-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9ca66c8b-a571-11e8-96ac-8529daa3e419′]

Seriously… it’s worth the flight. It’s worth the time zone change.  It’s awe-inspiring.

Have you ventured out to the incredible PNW? What are your favorite spots?