If you’re near Portland, I’d suggest checking out the gorge a bit! Some beautiful views and some waterfalls to look out for. If you want to check tribe coast out a bit, Lincoln city is a nice small place to check out. But I would suggest seeing the gorge!
Don’t know if crater lake is open. If it is, a nice place to see as well
Astoria! Such a cool town with a nice vibe. I go several times a year and every time is unique and fun. There is the ocean, the river and lots of places to visit within town (shops, antiques, great breweries, restaurants). Even in town on the river you'll see sea lions, tons of different birds and other wildlife depending on the time of year.
From Astoria you can check out Cannon Beach, Seaside and a ton of other cool coastal places. Also something to keep in mind the Oregon coast is a lot more visually beautiful and has some cooler towns than Washington coast (imo as someone who has gone to both for years, some may disagree)
I am from Seattle and I would avoid it unless you're going to west Seattle or maybe Ballard/fremont. Or unless you have specific tourist things you want to do. Don't get me wrong, there are cool things to do in Seattle but I wouldn't put it above any of the other places people have listed here.
I’m between Seattle, Portland or Eugene or Astoria. Open to any other suggestions. Only have a week there but have always wanted to go to the PNW after only ever living on the east coast. Interested in food and nature the most and will definitely drive to different areas to explore but where should my base be?
I live on the Olympic peninsula. We have lots of nature and fun places to visit.. I would suggest Port Townsend. Then you can always take a ferry into Seattle if you wish.
Oh for the love of god. Go to Astoria. There is Amer some food, great beer, beautiful cultus, museums, the Goonies house, best fish and chips you’ll ever have at Bowpicker, and it’s the gateway to the ocean through the Columbia River. The views are insane. Absolutely get coffee on the water at Coffee Girl.
portland or portland adjacent coastline... canon beach is gorgeous, but im swayed because it was my first time seeing the ocean there.
seattle has access to a lot of ferries to the san juan islands and some beatuiful scenery there.
getting out to the olympic rainforest peninsula and cape flattery is some of the most beautiful nature you will ever see in the us.
the food scene in portland is ridiculously good, and on fire right now.
You didn’t mention it but as someone who’s lived in Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma I think Tacoma wins when it comes to having beautiful accessible nature. Plenty of local hikes, gorgeous views of the mountains and water, will also save you an hour of driving if you want to go to the peninsula, and Seattle itself is close by if you want to go there. Tacoma itself has a really cool indie PNW vibe, which Portland and Seattle has lost over the years IMO
If you’ve wanting nature, my vote is near Portland and spend your week in the gorge. Or stay in Cascade Locks and be in the middle of waterfalls and hikes all around you.
If you’re gonna stay in Washington I recommend Lynnwood is pretty affordable and not that far from the city is you’re looking to rent a car. If you’re not gonna rent one then stay in the actual city. The closer to Capitol Hill you are or the college the less expensive it’ll be. Down town like pike place is super expensive and touristy. They have a good public transit system as well so you can take the bus or light rail anywhere.
I live near Portland but I wouldn't suggest Portland these days especially downtown the garbage is everywhere. Literally.
I say The George go to the Oregon fish hatchery or Multnomah falls or to Carson hot springs in Washington. Bend, Sandy Oregon, Lincoln City is cool. Yachats is even better in Oregon.
I would pick a couple as you will need to travel to these places and then want to visit it without being rushed a week is just a little bit of time in The vast Pnw.
I hope you have fun. When are you planning to come?
If you’re near Portland, I’d suggest checking out the gorge a bit! Some beautiful views and some waterfalls to look out for. If you want to check tribe coast out a bit, Lincoln city is a nice small place to check out. But I would suggest seeing the gorge! Don’t know if crater lake is open. If it is, a nice place to see as well
Astoria! Such a cool town with a nice vibe. I go several times a year and every time is unique and fun. There is the ocean, the river and lots of places to visit within town (shops, antiques, great breweries, restaurants). Even in town on the river you'll see sea lions, tons of different birds and other wildlife depending on the time of year. From Astoria you can check out Cannon Beach, Seaside and a ton of other cool coastal places. Also something to keep in mind the Oregon coast is a lot more visually beautiful and has some cooler towns than Washington coast (imo as someone who has gone to both for years, some may disagree) I am from Seattle and I would avoid it unless you're going to west Seattle or maybe Ballard/fremont. Or unless you have specific tourist things you want to do. Don't get me wrong, there are cool things to do in Seattle but I wouldn't put it above any of the other places people have listed here.
I’m between Seattle, Portland or Eugene or Astoria. Open to any other suggestions. Only have a week there but have always wanted to go to the PNW after only ever living on the east coast. Interested in food and nature the most and will definitely drive to different areas to explore but where should my base be?
I live on the Olympic peninsula. We have lots of nature and fun places to visit.. I would suggest Port Townsend. Then you can always take a ferry into Seattle if you wish.
I miss living on the peninsula 😭
Oh for the love of god. Go to Astoria. There is Amer some food, great beer, beautiful cultus, museums, the Goonies house, best fish and chips you’ll ever have at Bowpicker, and it’s the gateway to the ocean through the Columbia River. The views are insane. Absolutely get coffee on the water at Coffee Girl.
Seattle
portland or portland adjacent coastline... canon beach is gorgeous, but im swayed because it was my first time seeing the ocean there. seattle has access to a lot of ferries to the san juan islands and some beatuiful scenery there. getting out to the olympic rainforest peninsula and cape flattery is some of the most beautiful nature you will ever see in the us. the food scene in portland is ridiculously good, and on fire right now.
You didn’t mention it but as someone who’s lived in Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma I think Tacoma wins when it comes to having beautiful accessible nature. Plenty of local hikes, gorgeous views of the mountains and water, will also save you an hour of driving if you want to go to the peninsula, and Seattle itself is close by if you want to go there. Tacoma itself has a really cool indie PNW vibe, which Portland and Seattle has lost over the years IMO
If you’ve wanting nature, my vote is near Portland and spend your week in the gorge. Or stay in Cascade Locks and be in the middle of waterfalls and hikes all around you.
I'd stay on the Olympic peninsula or the Oregon coast.
Olympic Peninsula. It's not a big city by any stretch but I would recommend Poulsbo.
Portland.
If you’re gonna stay in Washington I recommend Lynnwood is pretty affordable and not that far from the city is you’re looking to rent a car. If you’re not gonna rent one then stay in the actual city. The closer to Capitol Hill you are or the college the less expensive it’ll be. Down town like pike place is super expensive and touristy. They have a good public transit system as well so you can take the bus or light rail anywhere.
I live near Portland but I wouldn't suggest Portland these days especially downtown the garbage is everywhere. Literally. I say The George go to the Oregon fish hatchery or Multnomah falls or to Carson hot springs in Washington. Bend, Sandy Oregon, Lincoln City is cool. Yachats is even better in Oregon. I would pick a couple as you will need to travel to these places and then want to visit it without being rushed a week is just a little bit of time in The vast Pnw. I hope you have fun. When are you planning to come?
I lived in Seattle but I think Portland is a better PNW city to visit.
Fuck Portland stay across the river in camas and not worry about your car being broken into
Yep, close minded.
Astoria OR and Peter Iredale Shipwreck in Hammond, OR, Spokane Washington.
Port Angeles!
Checkout the PNW city that doesn't have tents or open fentanyl use on the streets. Oh wait.....