8 days in Pacific Northwest 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.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Alki Beach, get a taste of the local shopping with Pike Place Market, then explore the world behind art at Chihuly Garden and Glass, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Space Needle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: examine the collection at The Museum of Flight, then wander the streets of Pioneer Square, and then take in the waterfront at Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read our Seattle travel planner.

Tampa to Seattle is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus, subway, and train. The time zone difference when traveling from Tampa to Seattle is minus 3 hours. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Tampa in July: high temperatures in Seattle hover around 79°F and lows are around 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Let the collections at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry capture your imagination. Get some cultural insight at Sokol Blosser Winery and Northwest (Nob Hill). Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Portland: Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock & Cannon Beach) and Multnomah Falls (in Bridal Veil). Next up on the itinerary: hike along Forest Park, contemplate the waterfront views at Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, take in nature's colorful creations at International Rose Test Garden, and see the interesting displays at Portland Art Museum.

To find photos, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Portland visit planning app.

You can drive from Seattle to Portland in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 85°F, and evening lows to 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 5th (Wed) to allow time for travel back home.