Summer Road Trips: 14 Small-Town Getaways
Leave the city behind for a weekend (or longer) and explore one of these tiny Northwest towns.
By Seattle Magazine Staff April 23, 2012
This article originally appeared in the May 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
For many of us, it’s not a tough trade: swapping a reliable cell signal and ubiquitous WiFi for a sweet slice of small town heaven. Tucked away in all corners of the Northwest are tiny backwater hamlets, perched seaside, on idyllic bays or in mountain clefts, brimming with character, friendly locals and a peaceful main street to stroll. Slow your pace a while and explore these 14 tiny towns; the city, and all its cares, will be here when you get back.
Click through the following links to explore our recommended getaways by region:
Cascade Escapes
For mountain getaways with a Western flair.
Bow Edison, Snohomish, Cle Elum, Roslyn, Twisp, Winthrop
Coastal Idylls
Leave your cares on the beach.
Il Waco, Astoria, Manzanita
Northern Shores
Stroll the quaint streets of these waterfront retreats.
Eastsound, La Conner, Camano Island
Eastern Escapes
Soak up some sun in pastoral easterly locales.
Tieton, Joseph, Waitsburg, Orondo
Have any beautiful photos from your own recent Northwest getaways? Share them with us via Facebook or Twitter.
Follow Us
Grange Estate Brings Modern Luxury to Dundee Hills
Foley Wines created a hidden-gem hospitality experience in Oregon’s popular vineyard region.
I have a confession. Although I have long loved Pinot Noir, it wasn’t until January of this year that I visited Oregon’s Dundee Hills, a 12,500-acre American Viticultural Area about 30 miles southwest of Portland. I’ve spent time in the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, the Columbia Gorge, and even Portland proper, but for some reason had…
Like Nowhere Else
Muckleshoot Casino Resort. The biggest and best in the northwest.
Photos courtesy of Muckleshoot Casino Resort. Located south of Seattle, Muckleshoot Casino Resort offers a truly unforgettable escape—one with indulgence, relaxation, and exhilaration, all right at your fingertips. Whether you’re planning a thrilling night out, a spontaneous staycation or a memorable weekend away, this is the experience you’ve been looking for. Our luxurious hotel has…
Winter Isn’t Over Yet
Why now might be the best time to take your kids skiing.
For many avid skiers in the Pacific Northwest, this winter has been a bust. Drier-than-normal conditions and a lack of snow have put a real damper on powder days, lift operations, and access to the mountains. As an avid backcountry skier, I’ve noticed the lean conditions and have not made it a priority to get…
The Rise of the Experience Economy
REI brings back guided travel, betting that memories matter more than stuff.
In my household, with two young boys under the age of five, we often have to remind them to take things back. Did you really mean to tell dad that his dinner isn’t good? You might want to take that back. Did your brother deserve to be hit? Let’s rethink that one. Extreme analogies aside,…