Drive Time Portland To Seattle

Although quite distinct, the Pacific Northwest cities of Portland and Seattle make a groovy vacation pair. These siblings divided by state lines are equally equally beautiful and interesting, only in dissimilar ways.

Travelers can take various pathways between Portland and Seattle. For the most scenic (and slow) road, drivers can veer to the coastline and hop the cities there. Simply even the most straight-shot route, up Interstate 5, is full of fun stops (although the traffic can be pretty rough in town).

A drive straight through will just take near three hours, but you lot can elevate it out over a few days and see breathtaking parks and mountains, museums and gardens, islands and lakes.

Hither are x of the many neat places to visit on a route trip from Portland to Seattle.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

239 NW Everett Street, Portland

Stunning Chinese garden in Portland — Photo courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust / flickr

Start in Portland'due south Lan Su Chinese Garden, created as a partnership between Portland and its sister city, Suzhou, China. The botanical garden is similar a growing work harmonizing design, nature and architecture. The "Garden of Awakening Orchids" is considered the most authentic Chinese garden outside of the land itself.

Bachelor Island

Columbia River, near Ridgefield

Birds in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge — Photo courtesy of Jason Crotty / flickr

Famous explorers Lewis and Clark originally named this "Green Bryor Isd" in 1805, making information technology an interesting destination for both nature-lovers and history buffs. The isle is on the Columbia River most Ridgefield, and is role of the 5,217-acre Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

The massive Columbia River, likewise called the Not bad River of the West, is considered by some to be the most significant environmental force in the Pacific Northwest, co-ordinate to the Centre for Columbia River History.

Lake Sacajawea

Longview

Scenic Lake Sacajawea — Photo courtesy of Lee / flickr

This Washington lake is popular among outdoor enthusiasts that similar to have advantage of its 3.5 miles of trails. Follow the paths under bridges and past stunning landscaping, fountains and gardens. Visitors can have a "Solar System Walk" or get fishing or canoeing. Don't miss the Japanese Gardens here.

Silver Lake

Silverlake

Mt. St. Helens reflected in Silver Lake — Photo courtesy of iStock / 4nadia

On the way to Mountain St. Helens in Washington is the 3,000-acre Silver Lake, where visitors can detect nearby trails, camping, fishing and canoeing. Those who don't want to camp tin can stay at the waterfront Silverish Lake Resort, where each room has a balcony overlooking the water. Cast out a line from the balcony and fish from your room.

Mountain St. Helens Visitor Centers

Castle Stone

Mount St. Helens from a distance Mount St. Helens from a altitude — Photo courtesy of Andrew E. Larsen / flickr

Mountain St. Helens' eruption in 1980 was monumental and sparked the biggest landslide in recorded history. Learn more about the famous volcano in Castle Rock, Washington at the different visitor centers. Each center offers different slivers of history, corking views and stories from survivors.

The Forest Learning Center is free and family unit-friendly; the "eruption chamber" is specially interesting.

Lewis and Clark State Park

4583 Jackson Highway, Toledo

Stay the night at the Lewis and Clark State Park in Washington, a 621-acre park uniquely located in an former-growth forest. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the old trees, mostly Douglas fir and red cedar, and explore the beauty along five miles of hiking trails or on horseback.

The Olympic Flight Museum

7637-A Old Highway 99 SE, Olympia

The Olympic Flying Museum in Olympia, Washington, is where the history of flight still lives on. You'll see more than 20 vintage aircraft in fantabulous status, including military trainers and an assortment of historic helicopters. The museum also holds an almanac air show that attracts many visitors to the region.

Point Defiance Park

5400 N Pearl Street, Tacoma

Sunrise on Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park Sunrise on Owen Embankment at Point Disobedience Park — Photo courtesy of iStock / LifeImagesbyGloria

Point Defiance Park is a 700-plus-acre urban park in Tacoma, Washington, with breathtaking bloom gardens, beaches, a forest, trails and even a zoo and aquarium (the just combined zoo and aquarium in the area). More than than three million people visit this park every year.

Information technology's a uniquely Washington destination that allows visitors the run a risk to feel all different kinds of nature in 1 spot, right in the city.

Saltwater Country Park

25205 8th Place Southward, Des Moines

Saltwater State Park in Des Moines Saltwater Country Park in Des Moines — Photo courtesy of Micah Sheldon / flickr

Just before y'all get to Seattle, stop in Des Moines, Washington, the home of Saltwater State Park. Hither, visitors can discover camping along 1,445 anxiety of shore, surrounded past marine life that thrives in tide pools. This is the merely state park in the U.South. with an underwater bogus reef. Information technology's too a protected marine sanctuary and a dandy place to go pond.

Harbor Isle

Duwamish River, Seattle

Harbor Island by night Harbor Isle by nighttime — Photo courtesy of iStock / JacobStark

There are so many worthy places to visit in Seattle, but one that strikes the curiosity of many travelers is Harbor Island. This unusual man-made isle was originally built in 1909 equally the biggest bogus island in the earth. Today, information technology is notwithstanding the biggest in the U.S. and a popular abode for industrial businesses.

It may not be the most breathtaking place in Seattle, but its history is fascinating.