If you’re on the lookout for a spring break that combines lush landscapes, coastal vibes, and a whole lot of family fun OR a Pacific Northwestern looking to explore your area this spring break, look no further. We are covering our favorite Pacific Northwest spring break destinations. From blooming gardens to rugged coastlines, we’re diving into the best spots for a memorable escape with your loved ones. Pack your rain jacket, your sense of adventure, and get ready for a PNW spring break that’ll have everyone in the family grinning from ear to ear!
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Cannon Beach
One of the most appealing aspects of visiting Cannon Beach in April is the noticeable lack of crowds that typically characterize the peak summer months. You and your family will be able take your time exploring these exploring tide pools – discovering colorful sea anemones, starfish, and other coastal creatures without the distractions of numerous onlookers. Additionally, restaurants are less crowded, and prices are lower than during peak season.
There is so much to do in Cannon Beach this time of year! Our favorites:
- Whale watching. Grey whales are traveling through on their way to Alaska this time of year
- Arcades in Seaside (just a short drive up the coast)
- Tidepooling
- Seaside Aquarium
- Hiking in Ecola State Park
- Go out to eat! Canon Beach has tons of cute, kid-friendly restaurants with delicious food!
The best part? Because Pacific coastal temperatures are so mild year round, you can expect temperatures to only be a few degrees cooler than they are in the middle of summer!
For more on the Oregon Coast, check out our post here.
Olympic National Park
The weather in many parts of Olympic National Park, like the Oregon coast, doesn’t really vary much throughout the year. But the crowds do! And spring break is a great way to avoid the summer crowds.
There are a million things to do in Olympic National Park. You definitely can’t do everything in a week. But here are a few of our must-dos:
- Visit the Hoh Rainforest– It is one of the only temperature rainforests in the US, and has trees over 1000 years old. Its quite a special forest even the kids will appreciate
- Explore the beaches-there are tons of beautiful beaches to explore! We love Ruby Beach, Kalaloch, and Rialto. We’ve often seen eagles in the trees nearby the beaches
- Hike to Sol Duc Falls– great, kid friendly hike with an impressive destination!
- Explore Hurricane Ridge for the views and wildlife
We recommend staying at the Kalaloch lodge in a bluff cabin (overlooking the ocean). You can’t beat the location, and because restaurant options in the area are limited, having a restaurant onsite makes vacation so much less stressful! But it books up early- be sure to book asap!
Leavenworth, WA
Leavenworth is the CUTEST little Bavarian town with so much to do for families in all seasons. We love visiting in spring because of the mild temperatures and loads of sun! Its the perfect temperature for outdoor activities like hiking and mini golf.
Some must-do activities:
- Leavenworth Adventure Park – super fun mountain coaster with incredible views. Kids need to be at least 38″ tall and 3 years old to ride.
- Hiking: Our favorites are Icicle Ride Trail and Blackbird Island – Waterfront Park Loop.
- Mini Golf or a slightly bigger putting course
- Window shopping/restaurants- we had fun trying every single soft pretzel on our last trip.
- Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
My family often stays at the Icicle Village Resort in the larger condos because of the extra space, the full kitchen and the free breakfast! However, it is a little bit farther from the main strip of Leavenworth. For those who prefer to be a little closer to the action, the Enzian Inn is a great option
Suncadia, Cle Elum, WA
Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum is full service resort located just 1 1/2 from Seattle. The place is set up perfectly for family trips with tons of outdoor space, kid-friendly activities, swimming pools, and more. There are things to do in the area around Suncadia, but my family just prefers to take it easy and relax at the resort. Its a nice way to slow things down and enjoy those moments with the kids!
When staying at Suncadia, we prefer the 1 bedroom suites because they have a small kitchen and a little more space to spread out.
We love Suncadia anytime of year. In the spring, we love
- Hiking, walking, or biking on the resorts many trails
- Swimming at the Swim and Fitness Center. My kids love the indoor waterslide. I prefer the outside heated pool.
- Heading over to the Nelson farm for crafts- the kids especially love tie dye
- Ice skating on the fake ice skating rink (so you can skate well into spring no matter the weather)
- enjoying ‘smores by the fire in the evenings
Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA
If you need a break from the rain and cold, head INDOORS for the huge waterpark, plus arcade, mining experience, games, and much more.
Nearly every aspect of Great Wolf Lodge is designed FOR kids so kids are sure to have so much fun! The hardest part is making it through the resort without stopping at look at everything every single time. Even dining at Great Wolf is easy and totally kid friendly.
While at Great Wolf Lodge, we spend most of our time in the pools. We love that you can grab a snack poolside and just keep playing until you’ve had enough. After the waterpark, we love to check out the arcade. The hotel also leads a little bedtime sing along every evening, which is a fun way to finish the evening.
The Great Wolf Lodge is a sure to keep the kiddos entertained and worn out!
Portland, Oregon
If you’re seeking a vibrant and family-friendly destination for your spring break, look no further than Portland, Oregon. Known for its eclectic charm, lush greenery, and mouthwatering cuisine, Portland blossoms into a wonderland during the spring months.
Portland’s famous cherry blossoms at the Portland Japanese Garden typically bloom late March to early April, so you have a good chance of seeing them during spring break. Spring is also a great time to explore the family-friendly trails of Forest Park and visit the Oregon Zoo.
If the weather is still rainy (and it might be), don’t worry, there are lots of great things to do indoors. We love Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and the Portland Science Center. The North Clackamas Aquatic Park has a fantastic indoor water park the kids are sure to love.
When in Portland, we love the Hyatt House Portland/Downtown for the larger rooms, great location with nearby parks, swimming pool, and free breakfast!
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Islands, this picturesque island town offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly charm.
To get there, you’ll take the ferry from Anacortes, which makes getting there half the fun! On the way through Skagit county, take a quit pit stop to check out the Tulip Festival, for perhaps millions of beautiful blooms. Then board the ferry, and take in views of the islands, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a whale or porpoise on the way.
Once there, check out the Whale Museum where you can see a real whale skeleton, and learn about whales in the area. Do some hiking at Lime Kiln State Park, and be sure to check in at the visitors center for Park Ranger activities- the park rangers are fantastic and can really make your day with ranger led hikes, tide pool information, light house tours and more. And, if your lucky, you might even see a whale or porpoise from the park.
Speaking of whale watching, Friday Harbor is amazing spot for a whale watching trip. Thanks to the resident orca pod, whale watching can be done year round in the area. Grey whales may also be migrating through the area in the spring.
We love the Friday Harbor House for the location- many of the rooms have beautiful ocean views, and the hotel is walking distance to all the shops and restaurants in Friday Harbor and the ferry terminal. One note- the rooms have one bed and a pull out, so if that’s a problem for your family, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Snug Harbor Resort is an excellent option if you prefer to stay a more remote area, outside of Friday Harbor.
For ideas on more things to do on San Juan Island with younger kids, check out our post here.
Victoria, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Nestled on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a charming ocean town you and your family will love.
Spring is an excellent time to visit the Butchard Gardens, where you can expect cherry blossoms, tulips, daffodils and so much more!
Rain or shine, you can enjoy the many museums Victoria has to offer including the Royal BC Museum, BC Aviation Museum, Craigdarroch Castle, and Miniature World.
Victoria is such a beautiful town that even the kids will enjoy just strolling around town, taking in the views, getting some snacks at one of the excellent restaurants, and playing at Beacon Hill Park
One of our favorite things to do in Victoria is to have traditional afternoon tea (which is much much more than just tea) at the Fairmont Empress hotel.
In fact we love the Fairmont Empress Hotel so much, we can’t resist staying there while in Victoria. Its a beautiful historical hotel with all the modern amenities and just so fun!
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, cultural enrichment, or simple moments of togetherness, the Pacific Northwest is a treasure trove of springtime delights, inviting families to create lasting memories. From the coastal tides to the mountain vistas, the Pacific Northwest’s spring break destinations are wonderful way to enjoy the season with your family!