Fodor's Pacific Northwest: Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, and the Best Road Trips

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

There are many guides to the Pacific Northwest, but few with this depth. John Doerper knows the region well and manages to weave in apple, cheese, and oyster tours of Washington; a guide to Northwest wineries; literary and historical extracts; as well as topical essays on subjects ranging from potlatch giveaways to Columbia River explorations to the cuisine of the West.

Doerper also provides pragmatic travel details--with transportation, accommodation, and restaurant specifics--though the focus of this guide is city and regional histories, sightseeing particulars, and an abundance of superior-quality maps. It also includes a good number of black-and-white historic reprints, courtesy of Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, and exceptional color photographs that capture the flavor and character of the various districts and neighborhoods in the Northwest--from the vineyards of Zillah to mossy trails in Olympic National Park to Port Townsend's harbor views. A high-caliber book by individuals who know, live in, and care about the region, Pacific Northwest is rich with enough inspiration for residents and visitors alike. --Stephanie Gold

Genres: Travel, Reference, Nonfiction, Guidebook, Geography

688 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Fodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.

Reviews

[Yaaresse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite helpful in planning a trip. This travel book is well-organized, and the links made it easy to get to the longer reviews and descriptions on the Fod0r site (at least from the Kindle edition).

One small thing that didn't detract, but did strike me as amusing was a trend I noticed in descriptions. Apparently, the author of these descriptions is fixated on ceilings, especially in restaurants and wineries. The taller, loftier, more soaring, etc. they are, the better. I have a feeling that every new place I walk into now, I'm going to look first at the ceilings. At the same time, not one word about the floors of any of the hotels, and that's something I definitely look at when traveling. "Do I want to walk on that barefoot? Nah."

[Christy Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother gifted this to me for Christmas since I am planning a 2020 Pacific Northwest tour with our kiddos. I blew through this book quickly--it is well paced and logical and offers so many wonderful travel ideas and schedules for this area. I wish we could do them all! But sadly, we only have two weeks to see Oregon, Washington, a smidge of Victoria, BC, and Alaska (separate book for that one!) But I appreciate the detail and thought put into this edition and look forward to hitting some of their highlighted features.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly just cannot with their enthusiasm about zoos/aquariums/captivity as travel entertainment. For the rest of you this is probably a 3 or 4 star review guide book.
Anyway I'm usually a Lonely Planet girl but I found this in a little free library before my trip to Vancouver and Oregon. I did learn some fun stuff. I've now passed it on to... the unknown person who will pick it up in Seattle.

[Leslie Ferrari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preparing for vacation.

[Stacy]

I am getting ready for a trip to the Seattle area. I like to start by reading a bit about the area and Fodor's is my go-to for that.

[MsBrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it that Fodor's breaks out a city by neighborhood and includes useful tips, like where to find a hiking trail inside Seattle or outside the city. It also keeps it real with phrases like, "If you don't enjoy....you may find visiting the island boring."I like that it helps maintain people's expectations. Additionally, the Outdoors sections are divided into boating and kayaking, hiking, etc., which is nice.

Wish I could visit everywhere in this guide book!

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have enjoyed seeing a table of things like: bookstores, grocery stores, outdoor parks, etc. or at least a way to find them. I didn't always receive cell phone service, so just a listing of things would have been helpful. I had not realized this book lacked that. Maybe it's trying to cover too much so it ends up not being helpful for a specific area, not sure.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get Out There Bud

This is a great book on the great Pacific Northwest.

I used this book to do a lot of research on the Seattle and Oregon area - and especially Washington.

I am so glad to explore these lands, and really enjoy camping and exploring the great outdoors of the US.

Definitely check this book out if you want to get the most out of your PNW adventures!

4.4/5

[Teresa Carbajal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful & full of information, but could have been better organized. It was a bit clumsy to search for particular information/places and map out your route. Could also use better map placement.

[John Orman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covering Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver, this book was fitting for me because of the dining and lodging guide to Portland. I also liked the Willamette Valley and Wine Country itineraries.

Worthwhile for the casual traveler to the area.

[Lynda Lippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Fodor's guidebooks, and this is no exception. They manage to hit all the hot spots, while also addressing things like marijuana legalization in these states. Whether you want a great hotel or restaurant, or a some historical background on a place, this guide has the information you need.

[Kelsey]

This is a terrific travel guide! Highly recommend.

[Jodi Geever · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has strengthened my extant desire to spend time in this part of the country, but not on this particular upcoming vacation.

[Emily]

Central OR, Spokane

[Debbie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in planning a vacation trip.

[Davida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful info!

[Donna]

Great overview of the area followed by plenty of specific details on hiking, restaurants, hotels, and sightseeing opportunities.