Located along the route to a bigger destination. Too out of the way. Just forgotten. There are plenty of reasons why stunningly beautiful, charming, and historic towns around the Pacific Northwest don’t get the recognition that they deserve.
Don’t let the lack of attention deter you from adding these incredible spots to your vacation wish list.
In fact, use it to your advantage, knowing that these wonderful places will be less crowded, less expensive, and still just as amazing as many of their neighboring counterparts.
Want to go to Alaska but don’t want to deal with the cruise ship crowds in Sitka or Juneau? Take the ferry to Petersburg, where you’ll have almost the entire town for yourself.
Tired of the sky-high prices in Whistler? Head 30 minutes down the road to Pemberton.
You get the idea – so join us as we explore some underappreciated towns across the Pacific Northwest.
Ferndale, California
Situated at the crossroads of the Pacific Ocean, the rugged lost coast, and the towering redwood groves that dominate the landscape in Northern California, Ferndale is a charming, Victorian-style town that makes for a relaxing getaway.
While nearby Eureka and Highway 101, see all the traffic as visitors make their way down the California coast. Ferndale is located just far enough off the main drag to fly under the radar. Its central location makes it the perfect base camp for exploring the rugged beauty of this area.
Dunsmuir, California
Unlike Ferndale, which is tucked back off the main drag, the Northern California town of Dunsmuir is easily visible from I-5 and the thousands of cars that pass by each day.
While almost everyone passes right on by, the few that do stop are in for a treat.
With numerous waterfalls, including the fairytale-like Mossbrae Falls, nearby Castle Crags Wilderness (one of the most underrated outdoor spots in the entire state of California), and a small charming downtown, this town is worth a stop next time you’re passing by.
Wallace, Idaho
This historic mining town was once the center of the silver mining industry and was known as the Silver Mining Capital of the World. Today, the city’s downtown and its 19th-century architecture are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Here, you can get a glimpse into this region’s mining past at the four museums that are spread out throughout downtown.
Once you’ve had your fill within town, you can head up to the hills and hike the historic Pulaski Tunnel Trail. This route takes you on a two-mile hike to a tunnel that was home to a heroic feat in the face of a roaring wildfire.
Nelson, British Columbia
This lakeside town in Southcentral British Columbia has the best of both worlds for outdoor lovers with the water of Lake Kootenay along with the Selkirk Mountains surrounding the town.
During the summer months, you can find plenty of places to go outside to go hiking, biking, and swimming, while winter brings skiing to nearby ski resorts.
In downtown Nelson, you’ll find over 300 meticulously preserved buildings that offer a glimpse into the town’s silver mining past.
Pemberton, British Columbia
Located just 30 minutes up the road from the mega-popular resort town of Whistler, Pemberton offers both a quieter and cheaper visitor experience.
On weekends, the roads leading into Whistler from the south can be jam-packed with cars heading up from Vancouver, but because Pemberton is located to the north, it stays relatively quiet.
Just because the town is quieter doesn’t mean there still isn’t plenty to do, as you have access to all the incredible outdoor activities you’d find outside of Whistler.
Check out Joffre Lakes Park to the north of town for some of the most stunning alpine lakes you’ll find anywhere.
Haines, Alaska
Haines is an often overlooked Southeast Alaskan town situated between the popular cruise ship destinations of Juneau and Skagway. While Haines does get some cruise ship traffic, their port can only handle one ship at a time, which means the town doesn’t get overrun with visitors, unlike its neighbors.
When it’s not raining, this town is an outdoor lovers paradise with calm, protected waters on both sides of the town, perfect for exploring by kayak or paddleboard.
Wildlife viewing is also exceptional along the beaches and waters that run past town. In this serene environment, you can expect to find bald eagles, bears, and even whales.
Petersburg, Alaska
Known as Little Norway, Petersburg was established as a fishing town due to the abundance of glacier ice available from the nearby LeConte Glacier.
This glacier sits across Frederick Sound from Petersburg and is the furthest south tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Tour guides are more than happy to take you on a tour up into LeConte Bay, where you can pluck fresh glacier ice straight from the water.
The town is a fishing town at heart, and its lack of a deep-water port means that only a few tourists visit each year (relatively speaking).
Joseph, Oregon
Located at the end of the road that deadends into the imposing Wallowa Mountain range, Joseph has maintained its Wild West roots while still catering to visitors who come to experience the wild majesty of this amazing slice of Oregon.
Perhaps our favorite town in the entire Pacific Northwest, Joseph is home to amazing places to eat, stunning hikes, and the popular Wallowa Lake, where you can spend the day fishing or paddling along its miles of shoreline.
No trip to Joseph is complete without taking in a concert on the lawn at the Wallowa Lake Lodge, which sits in the shadow of the towering peaks overhead.
Manzanita, Oregon
Just south of the popular Oregon beach town of Cannon Beach, you’ll find its much sleepier neighbor, Manzanita.
While Cannon Beach is full of upscale lodges and art galleries, Manzanita is home to small-town cafes and coffee spots where you’re just as likely to run into a local as you are a tourist.
With wide, sandy beaches in town and the stunning Oswald West State Park just to the north, there is no shortage of ways to get outside and take in the sights of this beautiful stretch of coastline.
Winthrop, Washington
A western-themed town in the Methow Valley, Winthrop offers a glimpse into its wild-west past while also offering up world-class outdoor opportunities.
The Methow Valley is famous for its extensive network of cross-country ski trails, which run for miles to the north and south of town.
This attracts skiers from all over the country to this remote part of Washington who want to experience crisp, cold days perfect for gliding over freshly groomed trails.
Summer in this part of the state is no slouch either, with North Cascades National Park just to the north and extensive hiking and biking trails running through the hills around town.
La Conner, Washington
Boaters heading north from Seattle to the San Juan Islands have two options. Either motor along the outside of Whidbey Island, where they are exposed to the wind and waves of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea or stick to the inside passage where they can pass through the narrow Swinomish Channel and pop out nearly in the San Juans.
Many small craft choose the latter, and that takes them right by the charming town of La Conner, which is at the southern mouth of the Swinomish Channel.
La Conner has embraced its maritime seat and is full of buildings built right out over the water, with a pedestrian boardwalk connecting them.
This makes it a wonderful place to wander through town and watch as boats make their way up and down the channel or stop for a bite to eat.
