Coming up with a list of Pacific Northwest tours was easy. Narrowing it down to include a little bit of everything and not be overwhelming was the hard part!
I love creating tours, mostly because I love going on tours. When you book a tour you get to skip all the tedious and frustrating aspects of travel, like planning, making reservations, and driving. Instead, you can kick back and let someone else take care of the boring stuff.
There’s so much to see when you visit the PNW that it can be hard to decide where to start. So, I curated a list of tours that will satisfy everyone in your group. So, whether you’re looking for wine tasting, hiking, waterfalls, or a weekend food tour, consider this list of the best PNW tours to book today.
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Pacific Northwest Tours
While I may not have personally been on all of these tours, I did select some of the highest-rated ones from Viator and made sure to include a wide variety of options. I’ll add more to the list as I find them, so save this to Pinterest for later!
Self-guided Seattle food tour
Love food? Then you’ll love my self-guided Seattle food tours. They’re a digital download with around 40 pages each that includes 8-9 stops and 12-14 honorable mentions so you can customize your own food crawl. I also give you a dose of history along the way, tips on when to go, and exactly what to order to eat like royalty.
Why self-guided, you may ask? Well, it lets you mimic a tour without feeling like a tourist. And because you’re not rolling in a big group, you can guarantee you’re getting the best recommendations instead of the second or third-string ones that are willing to host tours. Plus, there’s no middle man taking a cut so you pay the restaurants directly.
I have tours for three of my favorite off-the-beaten-path foodie neighborhoods. You can also buy the bundle for a discount and explore all of the areas during your trip!
Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$120 pp | best for: wine tasting
The Bon Vivant tour is on my list of the best wine tours in the Seattle area, and according to Viator, it’s super popular. The tour begins in Seattle, with numerous pickup points available all around Seattle, Bellevue, or Kirkland.
Once you load up, you’ll get to learn about the best Washington wine from a professional. The tour includes visits to a mixture of big and boutique wineries and can be curated depending on the group’s wine preferences.
Lunch is not included in the tour, though you do stop halfway at a local cafe before continuing on with the tour. In total, it lasts about 7 hours and includes 4-6 wineries depending on how fast the group moves. It’s one of the only wine tours I’ve seen with so many stops, so it’s a great way to maximize your day wine tasting without having to worry about a designated driver.
Half-day Columbia River Gorge and waterfall hiking tour
link to book | Portland, OR | cost: ~$67 pp | best for: light hiking and scenic overlooks
This tour begins in Portland and takes you directly to Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state and infamous for its picturesque view and scenery. After Multnomah, the tour continues to lesser-known, but still gorgeous, falls around the Columbia River Gorge. To get an idea of which ones, check out my Columbia Gorge waterfall map.
This is a great tour if you want to break free from Portland for a half-day trip since it only lasts 4 hours. Just keep in mind that while it’s not strenuous hiking for most, you will have to climb a fair bit of stairs to get up to the peak of Multnomah. However, the lower viewpoint and lodge are both wheelchair accessible.
Half-day White Salmon River rafting trip
link to book | Husum, WA | cost: ~$86 pp | best for: white water rafting
If your group is looking to embark on a dose of adventure, this is a fantastic way to do it. The White Salmon River includes class 3 and 4 rapids that are guaranteed to leave your heart pumping.
The tour lasts 4 hours, though almost all that time is spent on the water. While white water rafting isn’t for the faint of heart, it is a popular activity with adults and teenagers. The guides do an excellent job of guiding the raft, leaving you feeling safe as you pedal through the well-kept secret of the White Salmon River.
When you’re finished with the tour, you’ll be perfectly located for exploring the best Columbia Gorge wineries.
Vancouver BC scenic boat tour
link to book | Vancouver, BC | cost: ~$52 pp | best for: short-and-sweet scenic boat tour
This tour takes you through the English Bay from Granville Island, where you and fellow travelers can breathe the fresh ocean air and catch seals sunbathing on the coastal rocks.
This laidback tour is only 90 minutes, and most of that time is spent with your guide sharing tales about Vancouver’s history as you swim by Vancouver highlights. Midway through, you’ll come across Lighthouse Park and be greeted by roughly 400 seals working on their tan. Be ready with your camera because pictures of these magnificent creatures make excellent keepsakes. Your tour ends with a glimpse at the downtown Vancouver skyline before returning to your starting point.
Portland breweries by e-bike
link to book | Portland, OR | cost: ~$75 pp | best for: moderate exercise and craft brews
If there are two things Portland is known for, it’s the craft beer scene and its bike-friendly roads. So, it only makes sense that you should combine the two!
This 2.5-hour tour begins at a bike shop and takes you to two craft breweries. Drinks are not included until the final stop back at the bike shop, where you’ll get a craft brew in a commemorative pint glass. Since there’s no pressure to “drink your money’s worth,” many travelers share a couple of tasting trays.
As for the bikes, travelers can choose between a pedal bike or an e-bike, making it accessible for all skill levels.
Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$29 pp | best for: unique tour of Seattle
Did you know there’s an entire underground neighborhood in Seattle? The original Pioneer Square may no longer be in use, but you can still tour and learn its history. It’s one of my top recommendations if you want unique things to do in Seattle.
The tour is pretty touristy, but it’s a quintessential part of the Seattle experience. The guides are also great at giving imaginative, borderline spooky stories of the residents and the history of what used to be a bustling Seattle neighborhood. It’s also a great excuse to get down to Pioneer Square so you can explore the fun art galleries, restaurants, and Seattle urban wineries above ground afterward.
Mt. Rainier National Park day tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$185 pp | best for: visiting Mt. Rainier
A trip to Mt. Rainier is one of the best Pacific Northwest tours. This full-day experience begins in Seattle with multiple pickup locations, then drives you to Mount Rainier while narrating the scenic viewpoints in between.
Once you arrive at Mt. Rainier, you’ll begin at the Longmire Visitor Center and check out Christine Falls, which features one of the infamous viewpoints for the mountain and is a must-visit during any day trip to Mount Rainier from Seattle.
The showstopper of the trip is Paradise. Here, you’ll stop for lunch and have the chance to look for wildlife. If you arrive during the spring and summer months, you’ll also be greeted with wildflowers as far as the eye can see. You’ll have about an hour to explore, so check out my guide to the best Mt. Rainier hikes for ideas on how to pass the time.
Pro tip: This tour is best explored during the warmer months, as park closures due to weather are common and can result in a shortened or canceled tour.
Seattle’s only donut tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$65 pp | best for: exploring Seattle’s donut scene
This is another one of the Pacific Northwest tours that lets you spend a quirky afternoon in Seattle. It’s a 2-hour experience that takes you to some of Seattle’s most well-known doughnut shops and bakeries, including Tom Douglas’ Dahlia Bakery, Top Pot Doughnuts, and more.
Keep in mind the tour starts at Top Pot and ends at Daily Dozen, which is one of the best Pike Place eateries. While the tour is definitely doughnut-focused, the guides do a great job adding a touch of comedy and insight into Seattle’s history as you walk between the shops. Plus you can use my walking tour of Pike Place Market to explore more eats afterwards.
Whale watching from Friday Harbor
link to book | Friday Harbor, WA | cost: ~$135 pp | best for: whale watching
If you find yourself visiting the San Juan Islands from mid-April to October, you’re basically required to go whale watching as one of your Pacific Northwest tours. This is because the orca whales migrate to these waters for the salmon, which constitutes most of their diet.
While the guides will say that it isn’t a 100% guarantee that you’ll see orcas, it is guaranteed you’ll see some marine life. For example, gray and humpback whales are also common to view during this time of the year.
As for the tour, it’s about 4 hours long and includes access to the heated cabin in the event of chilly weather. Since it departs from San Juan Island, read my guide on how to take a day trip to San Juan Island to get there in time.
Vancouver Capilano Suspension Bridge & lookout tour
link to book | Vancouver, BC | cost: ~$130 pp | best for: amazing views
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of my top recommendations for planning a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. Opting for a tour instead of driving makes it easy, so you don’t have to fuss about renting a car if you were planning on traveling by foot.
The tour begins at the Georgian Court Hotel, though other pickup spots can be arranged. Once you’re onboard, the tour stops at Granville Island. Here you can hop off and check out the local vendors before moving on to the bridge. After walking the bridge, you’ll end with a short drive through Stanley Park and pass by the ancient cedar trees and totem poles as you learn about the history of the First Nations people who used to live there.
Plan on needing a full day to experience the tour, but know you’ll be able to cross multiple boxes off your travel checklist.
Olympic National Park tour
link to book | Seattle, WA | cost: ~$230 pp | best for: seeing the Olympia National Park in its entirety
No list of Pacific Northwest tours would be complete without a visit to Olympic National Park. This full-day tour begins in Seattle (or Port Angeles) and drives you through some of the most well-known parts of the park and its must-see Washington coast attractions.
When you take this tour, you’ll be driven around the blue lagoon that is Lake Crescent, along with the Dungeness Spit, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Falls, to name a few. Honestly, Seattle locals and tourists alike will equally get a kick out of this tour.
More PNW experiences
After you book some of these Pacific Northwest tours, check out my other guides for must-do activities around the Pacific Northwest.
- Seattle Bucket List: Everything You Must Do
- Best Pacific Northwest Wineries
- Islands Near Seattle Worth a Visit
- 21 Road Trips from Seattle
- Ultimate Seattle Foodie Bucket List
Overwhelmed by trip planning?
I’m a licensed travel planner and would love to make you a custom trip itinerary filled with your favorite things. Sometimes the best way to tour the Pacific Northwest is on your own with the help of a local to make it special.
