Hello,

This fall, I'd like to go visit the northwest corner of the U.S. I have friends in a few states, but I don't know the best way to set up the trip. Here are the cities I'd like to hit:

* Sandpoint, Idaho (friends)
* Portland
* Seattle
* Vancouver (friends)

Can anyone suggest a way to tackle this? I am pretty unfamiliar with the area and what my options are. I'm starting from Ohio, if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Patty

Portland to Seattle is a 3 hour drive on I-5 freeway. Seattle to Vancouver is a 3 hour drive same freeway. So that part's easy. Not sure how to fit in Idaho (maybe fly?).

Though Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver are all great, to get the best out of a visit to the PNW, you really shouldn't focus on the cities. Do you plan to drive? And how much time do you have?

Sorry beachbum, but I think that's more a personal choice, not a right or wrong (wanting to spend more time in cities). I know because that'd be my preference too in seeing a new region.

You could see the cities on the I-5 corridor, then fly from Seattle to Spokane (lots of cheap daily flights on SWA), rent a car, and drive a couple of (mostly scenic) hours to Sandpoint.

Not that it's right nor wrong, but I expected you'd think that way, suze. To me though, a visit to the PNW that focuses on its cities is like going to Hawaii and not spending time at the beach.

And if you don't wish to drive or fly, you can get to each of thos cities (Sandpoint, ID, Portland, OR, and Vancouver BC by train (Amtrak) from Seattle.

You could use Seattle as the base for visiting Portland (3 hours), Vancouver (3 hours), and Spokane (4 hours), and you could visit Sandpoint from Spokane (1 1/2 hours).

Or, as suggested earlier, you could fly to Spokane and drive from there to Sandpoint.

You could visit Mt. Rainier on one of your drives between Seattle and Portland.

If you like to drive, you could fly into Portland and out of Seattle, renting a car and doing this loop: Portland, Spokane, Sandpoint, Vancouver, Seattle.

This is about 1,000 miles of driving, but it would take you through some beautiful country including the Columbia River Gorge, the Okanogan, and the North Cascades, depending on which route you take.

Sorry I didn't give enough information. I will fly out west (just trying to figure out where to land!) and then drive to the various cities--unless taking a train or plane makes more sense. I will explore the cities for sure, but I am pretty outdoorsy and plan to hit the beautiful nature of the area.

Thanks for the tips. What's your opinion about the trains in the area?

Patty

I think your best bet is renting a car, and driving a loop (something like Portland - Seattle - Vancouver - Sandpoint - Portland) starting in either Vancouver, Seattle, or Portland. Or, an open-jaw ticket could work providing the airfare is comparable, and rental car drop charge is minimal.

I'm wondering if you have an idea about driving distances and times.... Sandpoint is a looonnnggg ways from any of the other three cities. How much time do you have for this trip?

And back on my soapbox.... Oregon's coast is the best reason to visit the state. If you won't have time to see it, I'd be tempted to skip Portland altogether. Unless of course, you're just interested in great food and wine! ;-)

Thanks for your response--I didn't know about Oregon's coast, so I'd better add that to the list. I forgot to mention that a buddy who lives in Oregon is a totally foodie (runs foodgeeks.com and winegeeks.com), so a stop in Portland is a must. I was thinking two weeks for this trip. I can't imagine I can get away with being gone longer from work.

I'd fly to Sandpoint, but have a rental car for the rest of the trip. You can take a train from Portland to Seattle, and Seattle to Vancouver but the schedule is quite limited. The car will give you a lot more freedom.

I think what people enjoy and/or want to see is indeed a personal choice.

Our first trip to the PNW was 6 weeks and included a lot of both scenic wilderness, coast, mountains, and cities. What were the highlights? Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

And as a Floridian who has lived a couple blocks from beautiful white sand beaches for over 35 years, if I were going to Hawaii, the beach is the least of my interest.

But, if you lived in Ohio Patrick? ;-) Maybe it's because I've lived here so long, but it's difficult for me to name much of anything about Portland that makes it uniquely worthy as a tourist destination. If I want to visit a city, it'll be New York, San Francisco, Chicago (Paris, London, Rome)...... Seems only logical that if you're planning a trip to some part of the country (or planet), top of the list for things to see/do would be whatever that destination is best known for.

Yes, Beachplum, I agree with that. And when someone says "Oregon", what do I think of first? Portland.
Of course, we often don't appreciate what makes our own town unique as it is no longer unique to us -- but you forget that it is unique to a visitor.
And now that I've been pretty much all over Oregon and loved it -- from the coast, to Crater Lake, to Ashland, to Oregon Caves, to Mount Hood and the Columbia River -- what would I go back to Oregon for? Portland. (or Ashland, but that's due to the theatre and nothing else).

I have to agree with beachbum, the coast is a great place to spend time and is one of the best things about OR.

We have a visitor coming in June. He lived in OR for 16 years, but is in the midwest now. The one thing he really wants to do when he comes is the coast.

Hey I love the Oregon coast as much as the next guy, but how can you possibly know what other people want to see and do on their vacation. This person named 3 cities I know about, I take their word that is what they are interested in.

suze--I don' think anyone is making that assumption. The OP mentioned outdoorsy and nature, so the coast was a natural suggestion, IMO.

Do try to get over to the coast, it's only a 90 minute drive from Portland to Cannon Beach. Try to plan a meal at the Stephanie Inn while in the area,a foodie's heaven! Newman's @ 988 is also great for a meal in Cannon Beach. If you like Italian food, drive 10 more minutes to Seaside and check out the Taste of Tuscany for dinner. Yummy! ***kim***

Seriously, kimamom, do you think Stephanie Inn's restaurant is a "foodie's heaven" compared to the better restaurants in Portland?