The Pacific Northwest is such a magical place with so many different climates, landscapes, and things to do. Whether you’re a sun lover looking for warm-weather adventures, want to catch the first tulips of the season, or want to hit the slopes, this magical area has you covered.
Many of the best things to do within the Pacific Northwest are reserved for only a few weeks or months out of the year. This means that a visit to the Skagit Valley in August won’t have the same magical feel as it does in April when the tulips are in bloom.
The same goes for places like Silver Falls State Park, where the falls can be roaring during the spring months and barely a trickle during the late summer.
If you’re looking to get out and explore your home turf or visit the PNW for the first time, here are our recommendations for places to visit each month of the year.
January – Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is the Pacific Northwest’s answer to a mountain town that fully embraces its whimsical location. With Bavarian-themed buildings and businesses to full-on holiday celebrations, this is one place that knows how to put on a show.
During the month of January, the town’s pizzazz is on full display with its annual Winter Karneval. During the Karneval, the town decks itself out in lights and offers must-see events like ice carving and pub crawls.
January is also prime time for skiing near Stevens Pass, so pack your skis when you make the trip.
February – Whistler, British Columbia
February is prime time to hit the largest ski area in North America. With over 8,000 skiable acres between Whistler and Blackcomb, you can hit a new trail on every run and never run out of new powder stashes to uncover.
During this time, the snow is typically in peak condition, and the days are starting to get longer, which offers more chances for fun during your downtime in the village.
March – Portland, Oregon
There is no more welcome sight for Portlanders than the annual bloom of the city’s cherry trees.
These spectacular trees, which line the downtown waterfront and can be found in neighborhoods all over the city, put on their pink coat in mid to late March and are one of the first signs that winter is officially over.
April – Skagit Valley, Washington
Every April, the fields of Skagit Valley, Washington, turn into a kaleidoscope of color as their tulips go into full bloom. The saying goes April showers (of which there are still plenty of here) bring May flowers, but luckily for locals and visitors alike, there are plenty of April flowers here as well.
You can keep an eye on the bloom status here to perfectly plan your visit during peak color season.
May – Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge may get all the attention when it comes to waterfalls in Oregon, but in our book, there is no better bang for your buck than a visit to Silver Falls State Park.
During the late spring months, there is still plenty of rain and runoff to keep the waterfall flowing on full blast, yet it is warm enough that the trees have leafed out, and you won’t be shivering your way through the park.
June – Olympic National Park, Washington
For a place where you can expect rain pretty much year-round, there is never a perfect time to visit. So we think that unless you’re hoping to hit the high alpine trails, June is as good as any.
Peak visitation typically hasn’t yet kicked into gear, the forests will be lush and green (as they always are really), and the days will be long and relatively warm.
July – Bend, Oregon
Summers in Bend have gotten tricky in recent years as if you visit too early, you’ll be fighting mosquitos and snow at the lakes above town, but if you visit too late, you’re likely to be playing roulette with whether you’ll be spending days indoors because of wildfire smoke.
We feel that July threads the needle just right as the days are warm (perfect for floating the Deschutes), and most of the high alpine snow has receded, which opens up the area’s popular trails like Green Lakes and South Sister.
There typically isn’t much smoke either, although this year has bucked that trend a bit.
August – San Juan Islands, Washington
It’s hard to choose anywhere in the world we would rather be during the month of August than around the Salish Sea. With endless days of perfect weather and no shortage of ways to take advantage of them, the San Juan Islands truly are paradise during this month.
For the ultimate summer adventure, head out on a kayak tour from the north shore of Orca Island to nearby Sucia Island. This uninhabited marine paradise offers endless secluded bays to paddle and miles of trails to explore.
September – Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Like many national parks around the country, there tends to be a direct correlation between the crowds at the entrance gates and on the trails and the start of school in the area.
This certainly holds true for Mt. Rainier National Park, and the weather in September is hard to beat as well. During the early parts of the month, you can still expect warm days, and as an added bonus, your hikes will also include trailside snacks in the form of delicious mountain huckleberries.
October – Hood River, Oregon
Every year, we have two produce-picking traditions in Oregon. The first is blueberry picking in the Willamette Valley in July, and the second is a visit to Hood River in October to fill up on pears and apples.
Each year, we tell ourselves that we won’t return with 100+ pounds of apples, but each year, we fail miserably.
Once you’re out in the orchards with Mt. Hood serving as the most epic backdrop imaginable, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the moment and the hunt for that perfectly red and juicy apple.
November – Cannon Beach, Oregon
You might think we’re a little crazy for including a town on the Oregon coast in November, but just hear us out. A trip to the coast doesn’t need to just be laying out on the beach.
It can also be storm-watching, exploring the forests for mushrooms, or taking in the art at the numerous galleries around town.
In fact, one of the most popular festivals in town takes place in November each year. During this month, artists from around the region descend on Cannon Beach for the annual Stormy Weather Art Festival, where they can show off their work and attend events at the galleries around town.
December – Seattle, Washington
December is always the toughest month in the Pacific Northwest, as the cold and rain is here in full force, yet the mountains typically don’t have enough snow for skiing or snowshoeing.
So you might as well hit up the city with no shortage of things to do indoors, and that place is Seattle, Washington. With museums, the zoo (although still outdoors, at least the car isn’t too far away), sporting events, and more, you’ll never find yourself without something to do.
And Seattle certainly doesn’t skimp on the holiday cheer, as well, with decorations on the Space Needle, boat parades, and more.
