The Northwest, which is also known as the Pacific Northwest, is a beautiful and expansive region of the country that stretches from the Cascade Mountain Range to the Pacific Ocean.
It is a scenic region of the country that is known for its natural beauty, its 19th century history and its unique culture.
If you are planning a vacation or trip to the Northwest, then check out this guide to Northwest travel:
Northwest States:
The Northwest consists of the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Northwest Geography:
The Northwest is bordered by Canada to the North, the Pacific Ocean to the West, the Midwestern states of North and South Dakota and Nebraska to the East and the southeastern states of California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado to the South.
Major geological features of the Northwest include the Cascade Mountain Range, the Columbia River, the High Desert and the Pacific Ocean.
The region totals 24.7 million acres in size and is home to tall mountain ranges, coastal mountain rainforests, an expansive desert as well as a few active volcanoes.
Northwest Weather and Climate:
Much of the northwest has a cool, wet climate. The region’s rainy season is October through March.
The average temperature in the northwest in the winter is between 21 degrees F ( – 6 degrees C) and 34 degrees F (1 degree C).
The average temperature in the northwest in the spring is between 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) and 47 degrees F (8 degrees C).
The average temperature in the northwest in the summer is between 63 degrees F and 64 degrees F.
The average temperature in the northwest in the fall is between 42 degrees F and 48 degrees F.
Northwest Sightseeing:
The following are some popular attractions in the Northwest:
Oregon:
Crater Lake National Park in Klamath County, Oregon
Columbia River Gorge in Astoria, Oregon
Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon
Mount Hood in Oregon
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon
The Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill, Oregon
High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon
Idaho:
Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho
Craters of the Moon National Monument in Arco, Idaho
Yellowstone National Park in Idaho
Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Washington:
Mt. Saint Helens in Tumwater, Washington
Mt. Rainier in Ashford, Washington
Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington
Montana:
Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Crow Agency, Montana
Lewis and Clark Trail in Great Falls, Montana
Glacier National Park in West Glacier, Montana
Lake of Death in Butte, Montana
Wyoming:
Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming
Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Smith Mansion in Cody, Wyoming
Hole-in-the-Wall Outlaw Hideout in Kaycee, Wyoming
Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Lovell, Wyoming
Popular Northwest Foods:
The Northwest is known for having some truly unique food and no trip up North would be complete without sampling the local cuisine:
Oregon Foods:
Veggie burgers
Steamer clams
Salmon
Oysters
Dungeness crab
Fish and chips
Biscuits
Milkshakes
Pour-over coffee
Marionberry pie
Voodoo donuts
Washington Foods:
Smoked sockeye salmon
Sauteed geoduck
Oysters on the half shell
Oyster stew
Steamed mussels and clams
Razor clam chowder
Dungeness crab
Penn Cove mussels
Morels on toast
Idaho Foods:
Ice cream potato
Finger steaks
Monkey fries
Beef tongue
Idaho ruby red trout
Idaho sturgeon
Red flannel hash
Rocky mountain oysters
Rack of lamb
Huckleberry milkshakes
Idaho wine
Montana Foods:
Huckleberry swirls
Chicken-fried steak
Steak
Hootdogs
Beans and sheepherders
Fry bread
Nut burger
Catholic burgers
Bison
Lentils
Rocky mountain oysters
Morel mushrooms
Lamb
Elk
Pasties
Trout
Maple bars
Flathead cherries
Chokecherries
Wyoming Foods:
Prime rib
Soda bread
Wyomatoes
Chicken-fried steak
Buffalo steak
Buffalo chili
Bison burger
Elk
Trout
Morels
Rocky mountain oysters
Fry bread
Biscuits and gravy
Truffles
Old-fashioned soda
Cowboy cookies
Wyoming whiskey
Boiler maker
Sloshies
Best Northwest States for Shopping:
Washington: Seattle has lots of department stores and boutique shops
Oregon: No sales tax and Portland has lots of boutique shop and department stores
Northwest Hotels:
The following are some iconic hotels in the Northwest:
Hotel Theodore in Seattle, Washington
Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinault, Washington
Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Washington
National Park Inn in Ashford, Washington
The Oxford Hotel in Bend, Oregon
Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, Oregon
Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Crater Lake Lodge in Klamath Falls, Oregon
Timberline Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon
Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming
Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming
Sheridan Inn in Sheridan, Wyoming
The Pollard in Red Lodge, Montana
Northwest Airports:
The following is a list of major airports in the Pacific Northwest:
Bellingham International Airport (BLI). 4255 Mitchell Way, Bellingham, Washington
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL). 1901 Terminal Circle, Billings, Montana
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). 850 Gallatin Field Road, Belgrade, Montana
Casper Natrona County International Airport (C/NCIA). 8500 Airport Parkwa,y Casper, Wyoming
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). 4170 Highway 2 E, Kalispell, Montana
Great Falls International Airport (GTF). 2800 Terminal Drive, Great Falls, Montana
Missoula International Airport (MSO). 5225 Highway 10 W, Missoula, Montana
Portland International Airport (PDX). 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, Oregon
Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR). 1000 Terminal Loop Parkway, Medford, Oregon
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). 17801 International Boulevard, Seattle, Washington
Spokane International Airport (GEG). 9000 West Airport Drive, Spokane, Washington
William R. Fairchild International Airport (CLM). 1402 Airport Road, Port Angeles, Washington
Northwest Transportation:
Bus Companies:
Greyhound Lines: Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana
Trailways Lines: Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana
Jefferson Lines: Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington
Train Companies:
Amtrak: Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho
For more American travel guides, check out our homepage at www.allamericanadventureguide.com
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