The Pacific Northwest US with Kids Travel Guide

Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington State) Family Travel Guide

The Pacific Northwest area of the United States including Washington State and Oregon are fabulous areas to explore.  The weather is generally very mild and ideal for outdoor activities.  People are calm, friendly and pleasant. The scenery is just amazing and getting out in to nature is very easy.  Areas vary from coastal towns, hip cities including Portland and Seattle, glacier mountains, small island towns and beautiful beaches.  

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Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington State) Family Travel Articles

How to Get to Oregon and Washington State

Flying in and out of Portland Oregon or Seattle

To get to the Pacific Northwest, take a flight in to Seattle or Portland for the best prices.  The Pacific Northwest is a fabulous area of the country for a road trip so driving here is also a great option.  Once you are in the area, you will likely need to rent a car but if you are creative and staying in the bigger cities you may be able to use public transportation to get around.  Generally you will not need a car once you are in a downtown area and a car will sometimes get in your way.

Take a Ferry from Seattle, Vancouver area or Washington State

My absolute favorite way to travel in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia is by ferry.  I’ll take a ferry anytime I have a chance.  The Washington State and British Columbia ferry system is so good that I would take a ferry just for the fun of it.  A weekend trip via ferry from the Seattle area or Vancouver with small overnight stays on Vancouver Island makes a fabulous short trip.

Many of the ferries have puzzle areas.  Bring cards and a good book.  Make the trip family time and watch the amazing views.  We prefer to book ahead.  Many of the ferries and terminals have shops and food services but we like to carry snacks just in case.

For ferry information and schedules:

British Columbia Ferries

Washington State Ferries    

Weather in the Pacific Northwest including Washington State and Oregon

The weather in the  Pacific Northwest if very mild.  Winters can be dreary with little sunlight and constant drizzles but there is very little snow.  Summers are typically beautiful with weather perfect for outdoor activities.  Late spring and early fall are ideal times to travel to avoid crowds and get better prices while still having nice weather.

The Best Time to Visit Washington State and Oregon

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is beautiful with lots of outdoor activities and plenty to do in the small towns and larger cities.  It’s also more crowded and some places can book months in advance.  Camping spots in the summer can be more difficult to book.

Shoulder season (Fall and Spring) are my favorite times to visit most places.  The weather is still very nice and there are less people.  There is a higher likelihood of some poor weather days and less activities available but with cost savings and being easier to find places to stay, fall and spring are ideal times to visit.

Winter is brisk but very mild compared to other locations of the same latitude. There is very little snow in most areas but there are a few resorts in drivable range for weekend ski trip.

What to Pack for a Family Vacation in the Pacific Northwest

Packing for a family trip in the Pacific Northwest is simple.  Go nice and comfortable with layers.  Bring hiking boots, water shoes and may be sandals to explore the waterfront.  Don’t forget that some days can be pretty warm – Layers are important.  Its common to be short weather during the day and sweater weather at night even in the summer.  

Where to Stay

When staying in Washington State and Oregon there are many choices for quaint hotels for a wonderful atmosphere.  Being able to walk to downtown is a big plus.  The smaller towns have AirBnB’s or VRBO options with some Bed and Breakfast choices.  Small waterfront towns are lovely choices for a relaxing break.  Bigger cities like Seattle and Portland have larger hotels with cool city vibes and walk-able areas. Camping is also very popular in the area due to the mild temperature.

Oregon Photo Gallery

What to Do in the Pacific Northwest – Oregon and Washington State

The Pacific Northwest of the US is a wonderful mix of relaxing activities, beautiful scenery, cultural options and higher adventure choices.  Washington State and Oregon both have great larger cities, many parks, areas to hike, boating activities and great towns.

• Spend a few days in Seattle or Portland.  Seattle and Portland both have their own eclectic cool vibes.   Both have numerous activities. a great atmosphere and plenty of things to do with the family.
• Go Hiking: There are so many wonderful hikes in this area it hard to pick just one
• Visit a National Park: Both Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier and Crater Lake are bucket list national parks.  All 3 are beautiful.  There are numerous other park areas to explore as well.
• Go to the Beach:  The area has many beautiful natural beaches great for strolling.
• Island Hoping: The San Juan Islands are just amazing and such a beautiful combination of islands, mountains, and lovely town.  Explore by ferry or even sea plane.
• Whale Watching:  Whale watching is another once in a lifetime treat.  Tours are available from several locations

• Playgrounds:  There are playgrounds everywhere and they’re good ones.
• Be a Foodie: Take a chance of some delicious local cuisine
• Go Camping: This area of the country is perfect for a camping trip.  Numerous options are available including campsites very near the beach and sites deep in the rainforest.