I like to spend a little time around the new year thinking of the year that’s past and the possibilities ahead. I’m a sucker for fresh starts–Mondays, the turning of the month, even a change in the weather (the appearance of the sun is cause for a full upswelling of hope and optimism, a trait I think I share with many a Northwesterner).
Imagine my joy when a new year rounds the bend. But the new year is more than a party–for me, and many of you, I’m sure, it’s a time for thoughtful intention.
I have some ideas about what I hope the new year will bring. It’s not a checklist or a goal; it’s the seed I’ll carry into the months ahead, fertilizing the ground with my deeds and intentions and watching it sprout and flourish into my garden of travel dreams.
Here are some of my favorite bits of the Northwest that I’d like to welcome more of in the New Year. I hope they give you ideas for your own 2026!
Explore Northwest Artists
I’m an inveterate dabbler, and my admiration for creative folks knows no bounds. The Northwest is home to artists who find beauty in grand landscapes and tiny places. Who push boundaries to make us think. Who immerse themselves in this place with their materials or culture or history. I never tire of browsing galleries and museums (just ask the hubs, you’ll find him in the coffee shop).
I plan to spend more time taking in the work of local artists. Block out my calendar, turn off my phone, and immerse myself in the region’s wonderful collections of art. Some of my favorite spots are Portland Art Museum, Maryhill Museum of Art, Oregon Contemporary, and the annual Open Studio tours that take place in communities around the Northwest.
Savor Northwest Foods in Season
Locally grown foods of the Northwest deserve a story all their own. Before I lived in the Northwest, I met a former Oregonian who told me, through misty eyes and longing in her voice, that the thing she missed most was berry season. I thought those berries must really be something.
Now, I can vouch for it myself, and my pantry lined with gleaming jars of jam is proof–berry season is all that.
So is cherry season, and peach season, and apple season. The wine harvest is a ritual you’ll see played out in grape-laden trucks lumbering down farm roads. Bogs dotted with bright red cranberries and fields of orange pumpkin orbs promise more Northwest goodness.
Plus, there’s salmon and steelhead pulled glistening from the rivers just hours before they reach your plate. Clams and crabs kicking up their salty resistance in the sand before finding their way to a dinner pot. Wholesome, grass-fed beef raised on high Oregon plateaus.
Many seasonal treasures are fleeting–gone before you can say “farmers market.” I plan to spend more time stopping at farm stands and wandering through the markets, wallowing in the delicious bounty while it’s here.
Visit Natural Hot Springs
I am a hot springs enthusiast. If my route takes me within a day’s drive of a hot spring, I’m there. Luckily, the Northwest is a real “hotbed” of hot springs, from accessible pools with indoor plumbing to natural escapes deep in the forest.
There’s something deeply grounding about soaking in a natural hot spring. Steaming hot water, cool air, and the beauty of the landscape are a winning trio. I want more of this kind of rejuvenation in my life in 2026.
If you’re new to visiting hot springs, check out Belknap Hot Springs along Oregon’s McKenzie River, Crane Hot Springs near Burns, Oregon, or Summer Lake Hot Springs near Paisley, Oregon.
Hike New Trails
There’s so much geographic variety and public land in the Northwest that you’ll never have to take the same hike twice (though some are well worth a second, or even one hundredth, visit). You can walk through a hushed rainforest one weekend and traverse wide-open high desert the next. Explore coastal sand dunes, summit mountains, or meander through verdant urban pockets–the choice is yours.
I love to hike, and I happily revisit the same places again and again. While I have no problem with that, I also want to venture to some new destinations this year. I intend to set a hiking date with myself (and a friend or two I hope) to hit some new spots.
A few of my favorite easy/medium hikes are Drift Creek Falls near Lincoln City, Oregon, Latourell Falls Loop in the Columbia River Gorge, and Staircase Rapids Loop in Olympic National Park.
Travel the Back Roads
Everyone has a travel style, and there’s no wrong way to see the Northwest. While I can appreciate the excitement and energy of the big city or the easy comfort of a luxury getaway, my own heart beats a little faster for the back roads.
Two-lane roads that wind through farmland, forests, or high plains. Small towns with a single main street and a mom-and-pop cafe. Remote vistas and wide open places. These are the signs of a great adventure for me.
State-designated scenic byways are a great place to start. Washington and Oregon provide maps of scenic routes and interpretive guides to help you make the most of your adventure. Some routes are remote, so be prepared with a full tank of gas, extra food and water, and check conditions before you set out.
Shop Local
I’ll admit, I’m guilty of clicking “buy now” for the luxury of my order arriving on my doorstop within days, or even hours. But every time I do, I wish I’d taken a few minutes longer to spend my dollars locally, to support businesses in my own community.
I want to shift more of my shopping to amazing Northwest businesses so I can help them thrive. Every independent bookstore, café, gallery, or shop reflects the people who live here, making their livelihood and giving back in their own community. For quick, one-stop shopping, shops like Made in Oregon or Pop Local emphasize locally made products, all in one place.
Explore the Big City
I’ll admit it: I’m not naturally a city person. I am drawn to a quiet corner and a good book. And yet, despite myself, I love to immerse myself in the big city. I’m energized by the abundant variety and creativity.
Wandering neighborhoods, visiting museums, sitting in a café, stumbling into a bookstore or gallery is all my idea of big city fun. So while it’s not the first adventure I think of, it deserves a place on the roster, and I’m going to make sure cities are included in my travel plans this year.
And wow, does the Northwest have some great cities to explore! The two largest, Seattle and Portland, are obvious choices–you can stay busy for days, or weeks, exploring all they have to offer. But mid-size cities are a lot of fun to explore, too, and they can be a little more laid back. Washington’s Vancouver, Spokane, or Yakima are great destinations, as are Oregon’s Eugene, Salem, or Bend.
Moving Into the Year Ahead
Personally, I don’t set goals I need to check off or complete. I like to have ideas I can hold in my mind to guide my steps.
If you get great satisfaction from a checklist, plan your travels that way. If you like to make a game of it, go for it.
There’s no getting it wrong, as long as you get out there (or join us here, you armchair travelers!) to soak in the extraordinary treasures of the Northwest.
