Think Spring: Five Spring Break Vacation Ideas in the Northwest

As far away as it feels, the week of March 26 – 31 is just over two months away, and for most students focused on surviving school, break is going to “spring” (pun intended) upon students sooner than they think. 

To get the best deals and pricing, now is the time to brainstorm how to enjoy an entire week away from the workload of school.

Here are five spring break vacations spots within the Northwest that won’t break your bank like a trip to Florida would, yet still provide you with an excuse to get out of your mom’s basement for a week.

1. OREGON COAST

While you may not be able to suntan or snorkel on the Oregon Coast in March, Oregon’s many beach towns along the coast still hold enough charm to satisfy the beach desire.

Beach towns like Seaside, Cannon Beach, or Lincoln City provide plenty of opportunities to walk along the water, eat three bowls of clam chowder, grab some salt water taffy (which has no salt water in it) and nab a few sand dollars that unfortunately hold no monetary value.

When asked about which places they would visit for spring break, multiple NIC students chose the coast due to the change of scenery it provides.

Check out Airbnb or Vrbo on the Oregon Coast.

2. SEATTLE AREA

The west side of Washington holds the promise of a smashing spring break.  The expansive metropolis is home to iconic locations like Pike’s Place and is a popular city on many well-known artists’ tour schedules.

Attend a concert, bring home a bag of freshly roasted Starbucks beans, or ride the Seattle Great Wheel.

More of a nature lover?  Stay in the state’s capitol, Olympia, located only an hour outside of Seatlle in order to better visit places like the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge or the Woodard Bay Conservation Area.

Check out Airbnb and Vrbo in Seattle to plan your break.

3. PORTLAND, OREGON

Portland has something for everyone. 

Stunning landscapes and mountains? Absolutely.  Mouthwatering restaurants? More than you can imagine. Artsy stores and venues? All over the place.  

Local favorites include Powell’s City of Books, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Portland Art Musem. 

Also, for any coffee lover, this is the place to be.  In 2023, Portland came in second on the list of best coffee cities in America.

Check out Airbnb or Vrbo for your Portland stay.

4. MONTANA

Think small towns with picture perfect main streets.  If you want to stay small town but still feel like you’re on vacation, then the Flathead region of Montana is perfect for you.

For cheaper rates, stay in Kalispell.  It’s central location allows for easy day day trips to Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park.

Eager skiers will enjoy the town of Whitefish.  This ski resort town even has a picturesque lake that adds to the experience of skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Bigfork is located right on the Flathead Lake and is also conveniently located near Glacier National Park. 

Check out Montana Airbnb and Vrbo to book your stay.

5. SANDPOINT

This one is for all those who loathe to travel far, yet still want to get out of their house.

Sandpoint is just an hour north of Coeur d’Alene, and provides all the fun of any small resort town.

Ski at Schweitzer, take a boating trip on Lake Pend Orielle, or try the local’s favorite pizza, Powder Hound Pizza.

“I like the small roadtrip, it’s super convenient,” Julian Oaks, a sophomore at NIC said. “There are so many beautiful places.”

Check out Sandpoint Airbnb and Vrbo to plan your trip.  

Article was updated on 1/19/24, 12:15 pm to correct various links and punctuation.