With fall arriving and the gloomy days of winter shortly behind it, there is no better time than now to start planning out your winter reading list. After all, what better way is there to pass the days than in a cozy reading spot with a book that whisks you away to far-off lands?
While we all have our favorite reading corner that we can retreat to after a day of work, sometimes you just need to pack up a weekend bag and hit the road to find that new favorite reading spot.
Maybe it’s in front of an oceanview window when you can listen to winter storm waves pounding the rocks below. Or perhaps a cozy cabin in the forest where the only sounds are those from the crackling wood in the fireplace that sits as the centerpiece of the room.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration for a cozy getaway, here are some of the best spots in the Pacific Northwest to escape for the perfect book-reading weekend.
Rhododendron, Oregon
Situated within dense forests just before the road to Mt. Hood climbs up to its snowy reaches, Rhododendron is filled with rustic cabins that are perfect for relaxing during Oregon’s famously rainy fall season. With many built on leased forest service land, these buildings perfectly blend into the surroundings, and you’ll feel as if you’ve become one with the forest.
Build a fire in the large stone-covered fireplace and relax to the sounds of crackling wood and raindrops drumming on the tin roof overhead.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
This charming Oregon Coast town hums to life during the summer months, but for many locals, their favorite time of the year here is the winter. During the winter season, storms rolling in off the Pacific Ocean will mercilessly pound the coast, and rain can last for weeks on end.
Luckily for you, Cannon Beach has no shortage of lodges with stunning ocean views that will keep you out of the storms outside.
Sister, Oregon
Located just 30 minutes from the hopping Central Oregon town of Bend, Sisters offers a more laid-back approach to life bordering on the high desert. The landscapes here are dominated by towering ponderosa trees, scenic rivers, and small lodges scattered throughout the area.
These lodges, like FivePine, Suttle Lake, or House on Metolius, are the perfect place to escape to nature without giving up all the comforts that you might want to have during a weekend away.
Whidbey Island, Washington
Just a short hop from Seattle, Whidbey Island is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax in front of a window overlooking the Sound. Immerse yourself in your favorite book while seals, seagulls, and maybe even the occasional orca explore the waters below.
Astoria, Oregon
What better way is there to immerse yourself in a tale of treachery on the high seas than in one of the oldest maritime towns in the Pacific Northwest?
Grab a riverfront room at a hotel like The Bowline and watch as ships make their way up and down the mighty Columbia River and over the treacherous Columbia River bar. With in-room fireplaces and comfy couches, there are plenty of spots to curl up for a weekend in this charming port town.
Winthrop, Washington
This tiny mountain town on the east side of the Cascades in Washington is the perfect place to escape to during the cold winter months. With cabins scattered throughout the hills and valley around town, there are plenty of places to cuddle up while the more adventurous side of the family heads out to hit the world-famous cross-country ski trails that snake through this picturesque valley.
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler needs no introduction, as it is home to one of the largest ski resorts in all of North America. This means that you can spend the day hitting the slopes or, as an even better option, curl up in front of the fire with a cup of coffee and a good book and let everyone else shiver away on the ski lifts.
Lake Quinault, Washington
This secluded retreat on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula is situated in one of the rainiest areas in the continental US. That is no problem, though, on a visit during the off-season, as you can enjoy a good book by the fire just as easily on a nice day as you can on a rainy one.
This area is absolutely magical in the rain as the towering, old-growth forests create a dripping canopy that has a fairytale-like feel. So bring your favorite fantasy book and imagine yourself in that setting as you wander through these massive trees.
