washington and north oregon trip

We plan a 8 days round trip for the summer from Vancouver, BC to Washington and North Oregon. We are 2 adults (my husband and I in our mid 30) and a 3 years old boy.

This is the planned itinerary:

2 days in Seattle:

One day - zoo and washingron park + rainforest cafe

Second day - Downtown shopping, children museum, pick place market, CN tower

1 day Mount Rainier

2 days in Cannon beach:

One day just enjoying the beach, restaurants and shops

Second day - travelling on the coast (about an hour drive): Oswald West State Park +Three Capes Scenic Route and Cape Meares and Cape Lookout State Parks, southwest of Tillamook.

1 day Portland: waterfront park and Japanese gardens + downtown

1 day Columbia George

1 day: driving back to Vancouver

What do you think? any ideas of where to sleep each night (we prefer to stay at the same hotel for couple of nights at least when possible)? Where can we stop on the way back to Vancouver?

washington and north oregon trip

I would visit Mt St Helens over Mt Rainier. if you have to choose one.

washington and north oregon trip

Agree with Phirl.

Sounds like a nice trip.

In Seattle, do not miss the Pacific Science Center...it is great for kids as well as adults. Obviously, the Space Needle is fun to visit, but make sure it is a clear day, otherwise you won%26#39;t see much. Another fun place is the Ballard Locks. You can see the salmon there and kids love it. Woodland Park Zoo is very good there, glad to see you have that on your list. Another fun place with kids is Gasworks Park...nice to take a picnic and see the lights of the city. Kids love to run around there...lots of people with kites there too.

Mt. St. Helens is an easier stop off I-5 than Mt. Rainier, plus there are loads of visitors centers that are very interesting.

Cannon Beach is great for families. Our favorite spot to stay is the Surfsand Resort. The only resort on the Oregon coast with cabana service. Toys, kites, chairs, large umbrellas and towels all complimentary for your use.

Here in Portland there is a lot as well. OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) is really good...you can check online and see what exhibits there will be during your time here. We also have a zoo and a childrens museum. Japanese Gardens are beautiful.

Gorge is nice. Take a picnic and go along the old scenic highway for stops. For Multnomah Falls, walk to the very top. Kids love that. All along the old scenic highway are various falls, some close enough that your son can splash about a bit.

Let us know if you need more help.

Not sure why to prefer St. Helens over Rainier

I though St. Helens is more interesting for watching the history movie and the visitor center, but Rainier has more beautiful scenary.

I don%26#39;t think my 3 years old will be very interested in documentary movies.

Sounds fun! You may want to take your little one to Seaside, about 10 minutes from Cannon Beach. There is a small aquarium where you can feed the seals, rent paddle boats on the Necanicum River, ride surrey bikes around town or ride the Tilt-A-Whirl or bumper cars. Lots of candy and ice cream stores, also that are fun.

You may also want to consider Fort Clatsop, it%26#39;s lots of fun for kids, educational and you can try on the settler%26#39;s hats and clothes that makes for fun pictures. In the summer there are also rifle demonstrations and candle making demos that are interesting.

Have fun and you may want to consider the Oregon Zoo over the Seattle one and add the Space Needle to your Seattle itinerary. :)

I said the same as you in our WA Forum, Mtngirl; great minds and all that.... :)

I suggest Mt. St. Helens in the WA forum because the film is good, the views are quite - correct that, very - interesting, and the area might hold your sons interest more than the pretty views at Mt. Rainier. Given his age, and had you the time and interest, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park might be more interesting in terms of views and possible sightings of deer among other animals.

On the other hand, because he is only 3, I%26#39;d see what you want to see, he won%26#39;t know or care - yet! :)

I think you have put together a pretty good itinerary. The drive from Cannon Beach to Tillamook will take closer to 1.5 hrs than 1, and to really take in the Three Capes Scenic route, you%26#39;ll need a minimum of 4 hrs just to get from north to south (west of Tillamook to Pacific City). From PC back to Cannon Beach is easily 2 hrs.

~Den~

One more thought: in Tillamook you may want to plan for a stop at the Cheese Factory there and the Tillamook Air Museum. There is also the Blue Heron where you can wine taste and there is a small petting zoo there your little one may like. Enjoy! :)

I suggest Mt St Helens over Mt Rainier, because to enjoy MtStH you need to be up close. You can not get good view of crater from any where but up close, or of the blast zone.

Mt Rainier dominates the Seattle area skyline. So you get good view of it. Nice to get closer but with limited time in my viw not needed.

Hurricane Ridge is another gotta got there to enjoy. Would guess three year mostly enjoy the beach. But it is also your trip.

syrahgirl--Have you been to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle?