USA Northwest Tours & Vacation Packages 2023/2024

USA Northwest Travel Guide

USA Northwest Tours Things To Do

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  Mount Rainier National Park

  Mount Rainier is a stunning icon in the Washington skyline, standing 14,410 feet above sea level. This active volcano is the contiguous USA's most glaciated peak and spawns five major rivers. Mount Rainier and its surroundings are the perfect travel spot for nature lovers.    

  Best Time To Visit

  Most people recommend visiting from July through August when the weather is relatively dry and warm and the flowers are in bloom.  

   

  You Should Know

  If you plan to hike, be sure you're prepared with the proper clothing and sturdy footwear. Check in with a ranger for trail conditions. If you encounter wild animals, give them their space. Back away slowly, leave young animals alone, and never turn your back on the creature.

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  San Juan Islands

  Between Seattle and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, you'll find the San Juan Islands. This archipelago is a popular spot for orca whale-watching (especially at Lime Kiln Point State Park) and sea kayaking.  

  Best Time To Visit

  It's recommended to visit the San Juan Islands between April and October.  

   

  You Should Know

  While Seattle is known for being particularly rainy, the San Juan Islands are less so. They're in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, which protects them from quite a bit of precipitation. In addition to orcas, you may also find river otters, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, Peregrine falcons, Western bluebirds, Columbia black-tailed deer, and more.

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  Mount Hood

  Just outside of Portland, Oregon, Mount Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano that can be seen from miles around. The Mt. Hood National Forest actually extends across more than one million acres of lakes, streams, and mountains. This is a place where you can truly escape your worries and become one with nature.   

  Best Time To Visit

  July and August hold the best weather for Mount Hood. You can also visit in the spring or early summer if you want to see the wildflowers.  

   

  You Should Know

  Mount Hood is a popular spot for skiers with six ski areas for guests to experience. The drive between Mount Hood and the nearby town of Hood River is referred to as the Fruit Loop. This section of land is full of flowers in the spring and fruits in the summer and fall.

• 
  Olympic National Park

  Olympic National Park is another local attraction that covers nearly one million acres, this time situated in Washington. There are several different ecosystems enclosed throughout the park, with everything from temperate rain forests to glacier-capped mountains. This attraction is incredibly diverse and is sure to please any visitor.  

  Best Time To Visit

  In late spring, the landscape truly comes alive and offers great conditions for guests, but the Park is popular anytime in spring through fall.  

   

  You Should Know

  This attraction is popular for fishing since it holds some of the most extensive runs of char, tour, and wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest. President Franklin Roosevelt visited the Olympic Peninsula in 1937 and signed the act that designated Olympic National Park the next year.

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  Sol Duc Hot Springs

  Inside of Olympic National Park, the Sol Duc Hot Springs are an incredible place to relax. There are three Mineral Hot Spring soaking pools along with one Freshwater Pool. The water here comes from rain and melting snow that makes its way through cracks in the rocks to meet with gasses from the cooling volcanic rocks.  

  Best Time To Visit

  The Hot Springs close for the winter season from late October until late April.  

   

  You Should Know

  The Mineral Hot Spring soaking pools are typically around 100 degrees, while the Freshwater Pool's temperature can range from 50-85 degrees depending on the season. The pools are closed two times per day to allow for a "resting period" so the waters can be tested for safety.

• 
  North Cascades National Park

  Although it's smaller than some of its counterparts, the North Cascades National Park is definitely worth a visit if you get the chance. It has more than 500,000 acres of land and contains the largest degree of flora biodiversity of all of America's national parks.  

  Best Time To Visit

  It's recommended to visit North Cascades from mid-June through mid-September. The weather is best during this time, though you may still run into some summer storms.   

   

  You Should Know

  This area was originally settled by the Paleo-Indian Native Americans and eventually housed the Skagit tribes by the time European explorers arrived. There aren't many roads or structures throughout the Park since it is almost completely protected as wilderness.

• 
  Portland, Oregon

  For an eclectic cultural experience, a stop in Portland is a "must." Lose yourself in serene landscapes like the Portland Japanese Garden or the Lan Su Chinese Garden, or head to the Portland Art Museum to see the unique collection of globally inspired work. From Powell's City of Books to Pittock Mansion, there's a little something for everyone.   

  Best Time To Visit

  As is the case for much of the Northwest USA, it's best to visit Portland from June through August. The flowers are in full bloom and the weather is more preferable than in any other season.  

   

  You Should Know

  Portland is consistently praised for its "green" efforts, being considered one of the world's greenest cities to live in. It was the first city to enact a thorough plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions. For more than a century, Portland has been referred to as the "City of Roses," since the climate is perfect for their growth and you can find them around every corner.

• 
  Seattle, Washington

  Your Northwest USA tour is sure to take you through Seattle. With amazing attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, Seattle is a diverse city that everyone can enjoy. Come enjoy the coffee and culture before setting off on the rest of your tour.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Many people consider Seattle to be best from September to October. While there are a few more tourists in September, the weather is best and the tourist crowd begins to dissipate.   

   

  You Should Know

  Seattle is particularly well known for aircraft manufacturing as well as technology, as it's home to major companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Seattle has also played a huge role in forming today's music industry. It's the birthplace of the grunge movement, and the city is home to bands like Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and others.

USA Northwest Tour Packages

• Autumn - September to November

  The Northwest USA is absolutely stunning all throughout the summer, but late summer and early fall are generally considered the most desirable time to visit. Many guests enjoy this area in late September or early October when the leaves are beginning to change and the true beauty of fall is on full display. It's also still relatively warm, but you get to avoid the big crowds of summer.

• Summer - June to August

  If you're only able to travel to the Northwest USA in the summer, you're still in for a wonderful time. Visits between May and October guarantee great weather, fun outdoor activities, and plenty to see and do every day. If you do travel in the summer, you will experience larger crowds, but since there's so much to explore, it's not a huge issue. 

• Winter - December to February

  You'll probably want to avoid a tour of the Northwest USA in the wintertime. It tends to get particularly cold and the rain picks up quite a bit during the winter. While Christmastime can be beautiful here, the winter doesn't lend itself well to any outdoor excursions you may want to experience.

USA Northwest Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Northwest USA Tour?

  A Northwest USA tour is a group excursion that takes you through the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. You'll explore much of Washington and Oregon and learn about the unique nature and culture that makes these states so desirable. Some Northwest tours will also take you into Canada or down into California. Most journeys through the Northwest USA last 7-10 days.

• What’s Included on a Northwest USA Tour?

  Your Northwest USA tour will include all accommodations and travel between your destinations. Many of your meals will be included with your price as well; often, all of your breakfasts will be provided, but many lunches will be open for you to select a local restaurant. About half of your dinners are likely to be provided. You may also be able to arrange for your arrival and departure costs to be included with the cost of your tour, depending on what company you choose to travel with.

• What’s the Best Tour for a Northwest USA Tour?

  Many of the world's most well-known travel companies offer tours throughout the Northwest USA. Prominent examples include Globus Journeys, Tauck, Travel Dream West Tours, Collette, and Trafalgar. For some of these Northwest USA tours, your journey will also take you into Canada.

• How Much Does a Northwest USA Tour Cost?

  Northwest USA tours can vary in cost depending on your destinations, length of the tour, and the company you're traveling with. It's common to find tours for around $2,000-$3,000 for 8-9 days. More expensive boutique tour companies may offer packages as expensive as $5,000 per person for a similar time frame.