7 days in 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.

Do your shopping at Chihuly Garden and Glass and Theo Chocolate. Let the collections at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center and The Museum of Flight capture your imagination. There's much more to do: wander the streets of Pike Place Market, enjoy the sand and surf at Alki Beach, admire the natural beauty at Washington Park Arboretum, and explore the different monuments and memorials at Bruce Lee Grave Site.

To see traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Seattle road trip planner.

Minneapolis to Seattle is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -2 hour difference. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Minneapolis in March; daily highs in Seattle reach 56°F and lows reach 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Mon) so you can fly 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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Columbia River Highway and Live Laugh Love Art. Get in touch with nature at Willamette Valley and Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Get out of town with these interesting Portland side-trips: The Historic Carousel and Museum (in Albany) and Willamette Valley Vineyards (in Turner). There's much more to do: hike along Forest Park, snap pictures at Tilikum Crossing, stop by Powell's City of Books, and explore the landscape on two wheels at Willamette River Trail.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Portland vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can fly from Seattle to Portland in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. March in Portland sees daily highs of 57°F and lows of 41°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) early enough to fly back home.