Few regions in the U.S. pack as much drama into a single trip as the Pacific Northwest. Glacier-fed lakes glow turquoise in North Cascades National Park, wildflowers lace the slopes of Mount Rainier, and moss-draped forests sweep toward wave-battered Oregon shores. This 10-day itinerary pairs those wild places with the cities that know them best: Seattle, Portland, and Bend.

Washington’s trio of national parks—Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades—tell the story of fire and ice shaping a rugged coast and mountain spine. Oregon adds its singular jewel: sapphire-blue Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America, formed when Mount Mazama collapsed nearly 7,700 years ago. Along the way, expect waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, craft coffee, farm-to-table dining, and celebrated breweries.

Practical notes: You’ll make the most of this route with a rental car, though we’ve built in guided tour options around Portland’s highlights. Summer brings wildflowers and open mountain roads; shoulder seasons mean fewer crowds and lush forests. Always check seasonal road conditions (especially SR 20 in North Cascades and the Rim Drive at Crater Lake) and consider timed-entry requirements that have been in effect at Mount Rainier during peak months.

Seattle

Seattle is your springboard to Washington’s national parks and a destination in its own right. Pike Place Market buzzes with fishmongers, indie bakeries, and tiny counter spots; neighborhoods like Ballard and Capitol Hill serve cutting-edge coffee and Pacific Northwest cuisine. Clear days reveal the region’s compass points: Rainier to the south, the Olympics to the west, and the Cascades to the east.

• Top sights: Pike Place Market, the waterfront, Ballard Locks, Kerry Park, Bainbridge ferry vistas.
• National parks access: 2–2.5 hours to Mount Rainier (Paradise), ~3 hours to North Cascades (Diablo Lake), ~3 hours to Hurricane Ridge (via Bainbridge ferry + drive).
• Coffee and bites: La Marzocco Cafe at KEXP (espresso plus vinyl), Le Panier (French pastries), The Pink Door (market-view dinner), Canon (one of America’s great cocktail dens).

Stay: Search central locations near Pike Place, Belltown, or South Lake Union. Browse Seattle stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Arrivals & wheels: Fly into SEA-TAC and pick up a rental car. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; domestic fares to Seattle often range $150–$350 round-trip from the West Coast and $250–$600 from the Midwest/East (season-dependent).

Day 1: Arrival in Seattle

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs at Pike Place Market—grab a warm baguette and macaron at Le Panier and a cup of Greek Yogurt at Ellenos (seasonal flavors). Stroll Post Alley and watch the action at the fish stalls.

Evening: Dinner at The Pink Door (Italian with a Northwest pantry; reserve ahead). Nightcap at Zig Zag Café for classic cocktails tucked beneath the market. If you prefer views, head to Kerry Park for a golden-hour skyline with Mount Rainier on clear days.

Day 2: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)

Morning: Early start (2.5 hours to Paradise). En route coffee at Olympia Coffee Roasting in Columbia City or grab pastries from Bakery Nouveau. Enter via Nisqually/Longmire; stop at the Longmire Museum to orient.

Afternoon: Park at Paradise. Choose the Skyline Trail (up to 5.5 miles round trip to Panorama Point when snow-free; otherwise the shorter Nisqually Vista and Myrtle Falls loops offer big views). Drive to Reflection Lakes for postcard photos.

Evening: Return to Seattle. Dinner in Ballard at The Walrus and the Carpenter (oysters and small plates); continue to Stoup Brewing or Reuben’s Brews for a local pint.

Day 3: Olympic National Park (Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent)

Morning: Catch the Bainbridge Island ferry (35 minutes; allow extra time for boarding). Drive ~2.5 hours to Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. Hike Hurricane Hill (3.2 miles round trip, panoramic Olympics and Strait of Juan de Fuca). Note: Hurricane Ridge access and hours can be variable; check day-of conditions.

Afternoon: Descend to Lake Crescent for the gentle Marymere Falls trail (1.8 miles). Late lunch at Next Door Gastropub in Port Angeles or picnic on the lakeshore.

Evening: Return to Seattle via Bainbridge (great twilight views of the skyline from the ferry). Dinner near Capitol Hill at Stateside (Vietnamese-influenced) or Capitol Cider (gluten-free friendly).

Day 4: North Cascades National Park (Diablo Lake & Newhalem)

Morning: Drive ~2.5–3 hours to Diablo Lake Overlook. Coffee to-go from La Marzocco or Espresso Vivace; pack a picnic from Metropolitan Market. Hike Thunder Knob (3.6 miles round trip, views of electric-blue Diablo Lake).

Afternoon: Explore the short Ladder Creek Falls loop near Newhalem and the Gorge Powerhouse history displays. If energy allows, do part of the Trail of the Cedars or River Loop.

Evening: Back in Seattle, dine at Canlis for a special tasting-menu splurge or keep it casual with Marination Ma Kai (waterfront Hawaiian-Korean; sunset over Elliott Bay).

Portland

Portland sits at the confluence of rivers and forest, perfectly positioned for Columbia River Gorge waterfall hikes, Mt. Hood viewpoints, and coastal day trips. It pairs artisan coffee with imaginative kitchens and a legendary food cart culture.

• Top experiences: Columbia River Gorge, urban bikeable neighborhoods, Mississippi Avenue and the Pearl District, indie roasters and bakeries.
• Dining highlights: Kachka (Belarusian), Eem (Thai BBQ), Andina (Peruvian), Nong’s Khao Man Gai (beloved chicken-and-rice).
• Coffee: Stumptown at the Ace Hotel, Heart Coffee, Deadstock Coffee (Old Town), Proud Mary (Aussie-style brunch and brews).

Stay: Base in Downtown/Pearl or close-in eastside for easy access to dining and bridge hops. Browse Portland stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting here: Drive Seattle → Portland (~175 miles, 3–3.5 hours via I‑5; fuel ~$25–$40). Prefer to fly? Search SEA → PDX on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Travel to Portland + City Orientation

Morning: Depart Seattle after breakfast; aim to arrive by lunch. Check in and grab bowls at Nong’s Khao Man Gai (simple, perfect chicken-and-rice with gingery sauce).

Afternoon: Get an engaging overview of the city’s stories and neighborhoods on the Portland City Tour: Views and News (Our Best Selling Tour!).

Stroll to Powell’s City of Books afterward and sip a cortado at Heart Coffee (12th Ave).

Evening: Dinner at Eem (Thai smokehouse—brisket massaman, white curry with brisket burnt ends); for drinks, Multnomah Whiskey Library (reservations advised) or Teardrop Lounge (cocktail craft).

Day 6: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

Morning: Join the Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Hiking Tour for curated stops at icons like Latourell and Multnomah Falls, plus viewpoints along the Historic Highway.

It’s ideal if you want to soak in the scenery without parking headaches.

Afternoon: Late lunch in the Pearl District at Andina (Peruvian—don’t miss the ceviche and anticuchos). Browse galleries or the North Park Blocks; espresso pick-me-up at Stumptown’s Ace Hotel cafe.

Evening: Board the 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River for city lights and Northwest cuisine—an easy, romantic way to see the skyline from the water.

Afterward, stroll the riverfront esplanade.

Day 7: Oregon Coast Day Trip (Full Day Tour)

Let a guide handle the driving on the Oregon Coast Tour from Portland, a full-day loop to dramatic headlands and broad beaches—think Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock, Ecola viewpoints, and seaside towns for chowder and saltwater taffy.

Expect sea stacks, Sitka spruce forests, and plenty of photo stops. End the evening back in Portland with late snacks at Lardo (Italian-inspired sandwiches, excellent fries) or soft-serve at Wiz Bang Bar.

Bend

High-desert sunshine, snow-capped volcanoes, and a river that threads through town—Bend is your gateway to Crater Lake National Park and adventures along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. It’s also a craft beer capital with a genuine outdoor spirit.

• Top nearby nature: Crater Lake National Park, Smith Rock State Park, Tumalo Falls, Pilot Butte sunset.
• Food and drink: Deschutes Brewery Public House, Crux Fermentation Project (sunset lawn), Ariana (date-night), Spork (global flavors), El Sancho (tacos).
• Coffee & breakfast: Thump Coffee, Looney Bean (riverfront), The Lemon Tree (creative brunch), Jackson’s Corner (house-made everything).

Stay: Look near the Old Mill District or downtown for walkability, or on the west side for trail access. Browse Bend homes on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting here: Drive Portland → Bend (~160 miles, 3–3.5 hours via US‑26 over Mt. Hood; fuel ~$20–$35). Prefer to fly home from Redmond (RDM)? Search one-way flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 8: Travel to Bend + Old Mill and Sunset

Morning: Depart Portland after breakfast at Proud Mary (crumpets, inventive toasts, superb coffee). Enjoy the scenic climb past Mt. Hood on US‑26; pause at Government Camp for views if skies are clear.

Afternoon: Check in and walk the Deschutes River Trail in the Old Mill District. Coffee at Thump; retail therapy at local outfitters for any last-minute hiking gear.

Evening: Early dinner at Spork (Khao Soi, spicy caramel Brussels) or El Sancho Taco Shop. Toast sunset at Crux Fermentation Project—time it for “Sundowner Hour” when the mountains glow.

Day 9: Crater Lake National Park

Morning: Drive ~2 hours to Crater Lake (Rim Village). In summer, circle part of the Rim Drive, stopping at Discovery Point, Watchman Overlook, and Phantom Ship Overlook; hike Watchman Peak (1.6 miles) for a perfect caldera vantage. In winter/spring, rent snowshoes and follow the marked rim route (check ranger station for avalanche-safe options).

Afternoon: Lunch at Mazama Village when open (seasonal) or picnic on the rim. Consider the Garfield Peak Trail (steep, spectacular; typically summer-only). Begin return by mid-afternoon for daylight driving.

Evening: Dinner at Ariana (intimate, seasonal) or 10 Barrel Brewing’s West Side pub (wood-fired pies, broad tap list). If you’re staying at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, their soaking pool is a welcome post-hike treat.

Day 10: Smith Rock + Departure

Morning: Drive ~40 minutes to Smith Rock State Park for a short loop—Misery Ridge–River Trail if you’re up for a moderate climb (clockwise to front-load the ascent), or the flat Canyon Trail along the Crooked River to watch climbers. Coffee and pastries at The Lemon Tree back in Bend if time allows.

Afternoon: Fly out of Redmond (RDM) or begin your drive back to Portland/Seattle. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have a final hour, grab picnic supplies at Jackson’s Corner for the plane.

Optional Add-Ons and Tips

• Timed-entry: Mount Rainier has required timed-entry windows to Paradise/Sunrise in recent peak seasons—secure them early for summer weekends.
• Seasonality: SR 20 (North Cascades) and Crater Lake’s Rim Drive can close due to snow; late June–September offers the broadest access. Spring and fall are wonderful for waterfalls and fewer crowds.
• Packing: Layers, waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection, and a soft cooler for trail picnics.
• Food gems to slot anywhere: In Seattle, Matt’s in the Market (lunch with views). In Portland, Kann (Haitian—plan ahead). In Bend, Bos Taurus for steak night or Wild Rose for Northern Thai.

Food & Coffee Shortlist by City

• Seattle: Le Panier (breakfast pastries), Storyville Coffee (market overlook), Pike Place Chowder (clam chowder), The Walrus and the Carpenter (oysters), Canon (cocktails).
• Portland: Stumptown at the Ace (coffee), Proud Mary (brunch), Nong’s Khao Man Gai (lunch), Eem and Andina (dinner), Teardrop Lounge (drinks).
• Bend: Thump and Looney Bean (coffee), The Lemon Tree and Jackson’s Corner (breakfast), Spork/El Sancho (lunch), Ariana/10 Barrel/Crux (dinner & brews).

End-to-end, this route captures the Pacific Northwest’s essence: glacier-cut peaks, ancient forests, and a culinary scene that knows its farmers by name. With Seattle’s energy, Portland’s creativity, and Bend’s sunshine as your bases, you’ll see four national parks’ worth of scenery in a single, memorable journey.