7 days in Greater Seattle & Portland 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.

Get some cultural insight at Chihuly Garden and Glass and Hands On Children's Museum. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Snoqualmie Falls and Alki Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Seattle: Chihuly Bridge of Glass (in Tacoma), Railroad Community Park (in Snoqualmie) and Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (in Olympia). And it doesn't end there: wander the streets of Pike Place Market, enjoy breathtaking views from Space Needle, take a memorable tour with Tours, and stroll the grounds of Bruce Lee Grave Site.

To see more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Seattle trip itinerary planning tool.

Chicago to Seattle is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. Traveling from Chicago in July, Seattle is little chillier at night with lows of 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) to allow enough time to take a shuttle to Mount Rainier National Park.

The star attraction of Mt.

On the 29th (Mon), take in the awesome beauty at Mount Rainier, then trek along Trail of the Shadows, and then hike along Skyline Trail.

To see reviews, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Mount Rainier National Park trip itinerary planner.

You can take a shuttle from Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Seattle in July, expect slightly colder with lows of 53°F in Mount Rainier National Park. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) early enough to travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Tue): test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, steep yourself in history at Fort Vancouver | National Historic Site, then take in nature's colorful creations at Portland Japanese Garden, then take in nature's colorful creations at International Rose Test Garden, and finally stop by Powell's City of Books. Here are some ideas for day two: snap pictures at St. Johns Bridge, go for a walk through Wintler Community Park, and then steep yourself in history at Columbia River Highway.

To find maps, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Portland travel planning tool.

You can fly from Mount Rainier National Park to Portland in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Mount Rainier National Park in July, plan for a bit warmer nights in Portland, with lows around 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.