Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. On a warm spring evening, still under bluebird skies, six of us piled into a vessel piloted by Scott Heesacker, owner and operator of NW Jet Boat Charter, for a trip down the Willamette River. Within a few minutes of leaving the dock outside Newberg, Oregon, we’d left […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. If you’ve ever wished for a culinary trail dedicated to desserts, Nanaimo is the summer getaway for you. This coastal city on Vancouver Island is a place to enjoy the sweeter things in life while soaking up Indigenous culture and art. Start with a taste (literally) on the […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Across Washington, Oregon and Idaho, skin-contact whites are redefining spring drinking with texture, tension and just enough grip to keep things interesting. Rosé may still dominate spring patios, but across the Pacific Northwest, another hue is steadily rising in the glass. Orange wine: white grapes fermented on their […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. History and mystery abound in southwest Montana where spirits of the past float through small towns and for centuries steaming waters have attracted travelers seeking healing and refuge. Day One Start your weekend exploration of Montana’s southwestern landscape with a morning soak at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. With […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Garlic grows exceptionally well in the Northwest. Maybe it’s nature’s defense of keeping the vampires at bay but either way, garlic simply loves it here, thanks to the region’s cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Planted in the fall, bulbs spend the winter developing strong roots before […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Summer isn’t over yet. In fact, August might be one of the Northwest’s best months to hit the road. County fairs, rodeos and Scottish games fill small towns with local traditions, while mural festivals, air shows and maritime celebrations bring big energy to city streets. Whether you’re planning […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. It’s probably safe to wager that most people reading this story retired from the act of climbing trees long ago. That said, there’s a unique outfitter in Oregon that might be able to coax a few of you out of retirement. They did me. Leo Rosen-Fischer fell in […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. The wine country tour begins as the hired driver silently steers his Cadillac Escalade toward wineries northwest of Washington’s Tri-Cities. He “reads the room,” listening as his passengers chat. “I can’t intentionally force myself into the conversation,” he explains later. “I try to respect their space. When the […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. As winter’s snowbanks finally retreat from the mountains of southern Oregon, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking drives reopens. Each summer, Crater Lake National Park’s Rim Drive offers revealing cinematic views of the impossibly blue lake below. This season, skip the driver’s seat and experience the volcanic […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Sandwiched between the northern end of Vancouver Island and remote mainland British Columbia lies an undeveloped archipelago of spectacular beauty, abundant wildlife and a network of bays and channels perfect for waterborne exploration. I’ve come to the Broughton Archipelago to spend six days paddling these pristine waters with […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. By day, it’s a region long known for vineyard-covered hillsides, rushing rivers and Gold Rush history. But as the sun sets over pear orchards and wine country, another scene is emerging by night, and that’s speakeasies. Across Southern Oregon, a new wave of lounges is blending craft mixology […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Walk along a narrow, crushed gravel trail that leads to a platformed safari-style tent. Now climb 10 wooden steps, cross a small front porch, pull back the zippered entry to discover a tastefully appointed hotel room. There’s a comfortable, king-size bed, hot and cold running water, a shower, […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Walking into O’Neil’s Confectionery & Soda Fountain on La Conner’s 1st street is like stepping into a living museum. Stan O’Neil opened the candy shop, which sells an assortment of food including house-made fudge, chocolate, sea foam and peanut brittle, in May 2024. A longtime collector of antique […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Ski season may be over, but that doesn’t stop travelers from boarding the iconic aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In fact, summer may be the most popular time to ride, because of the views, and the things that await. Climbing more than 4,000 feet to the […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Just five miles south of the Canadian border, Lynden, Washington, sits amid decorative windmills while scents from a century-old bakery linger in the air. Around every corner, the town feels like a page from a European storybook, with history and stories waiting to be discovered. In the late […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. If you didn’t have summer plans, you certainly do now. July in the Northwest comes with rodeos, music and art festival in plenty, meaning there is something to do near you—or a quick weekend getaway calling your name. Here’s what July looks like in the Northwest: WASHINGTON Alki […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. If your grocery list tends to include live music, mountain views and the smell of fresh peaches—or perhaps berry baskets, fresh-cut flowers, artisan bread—a farmers market is for you. Community-driven and a great way to find the freshest harvest and friendliest faces, farmers markets are found throughout the […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Sometimes the best summer festivals aren’t found in the biggest cities, but at the end of a scenic highway, a ferry crossing or a winding country road. Across the Northwest, small towns come alive each summer with beloved traditions and quirky celebrations that make a weekend visit feel […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. The west coast of Vancouver Island is known for rugged, hazardous conditions that ships once struggled to navigate. But in summer the winds and rain retreat, and the sun is the dominant theme. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort After the relaxing ferry ride from Vancouver, B.C., and driving across […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Located within 5,000 acres of pristine wilderness, CDA National Reserve is an ideal retreat in the spring. Having recently undergone a multi-million-dollar investment in renovations, this private golf and sporting club is now designed for adventurers seeking laid-back luxury. As the temperatures start to warm up and golf […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Left Coast Estate’s (Rickreall, Oregon) early years were heavily inspired by the traditions of Burgundy, France, where chardonnay was the dominant white varietal. As Taylor Pfaff, Left Coast Estate’s CEO and Family Ownership, notes, “Chardonnay is incredibly versatile and expresses a wide range of flavors and aromatics while […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. I can’t think of a city in the Northwest that doesn’t have access to spectacularly scenic hiking trails within a reasonably short drive. No matter what city you live in or are visiting, you can find a nearby trail for a day hike without having to drive for […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. DINING GLOBALLY AT LOCAL TABLES Fortunately, when people migrate, they bring their food traditions with them. And for the culinarily curious among us, that’s a godsend. Foods from diverse culinary traditions simply add flavor and color to our communities—and our palates. Traditions like banchan from Korea, pintxos from […]
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life. Updated July, 2026 U.S. Highway 2 stretches 666 miles across the entire northern half of Montana from Idaho to North Dakota. This seemingly endless line of pavement takes travelers from the deep pine forests in the west to the arid flat prairies in the east. Whether you decide […]
