7 days in Pacific Northwest Itinerary

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

Seattle is known for museums, sightseeing, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in panoramic vistas at Space Needle, take a leisurely stroll along Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Seattle Aquarium, and admire the natural beauty at Bellevue Botanical Garden.

For other places to visit, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read our Seattle travel itinerary planner.

Chicago to Seattle is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. The time zone difference when traveling from Chicago to Seattle is minus 2 hours. In May, daytime highs in Seattle are 68°F, while nighttime lows are 52°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): immerse yourself in nature at Ecola State Park and then admire the majestic nature at Oswald West State Park.

To see reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Cannon Beach trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Seattle to Cannon Beach takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Seattle in May, plan for little chillier days in Cannon Beach, with highs around 62°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 48°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Portland.

A big city with a small-town feel, Portland is home to the country's biggest rose test garden, perched on a hill overlooking downtown.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Portland: Salem (Adelman Peony Gardens & Schreiner's Iris Gardens). Dedicate the 26th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's lots more to do: admire the natural beauty at Portland Japanese Garden, walk around Hoyt Arboretum, and look for gifts at Powell's City of Books.

For more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Portland trip itinerary website.

Drive from Cannon Beach to Portland in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Cannon Beach in May, you will find days in Portland are a bit warmer (70°F), and nights are about the same (51°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow time to fly back home.