Top Eight Road Trip Destinations for You
Written and photographed by Linnea Coffey
Spring Break. The best week of your life. But if you don’t have it planned yet, don’t fret. Here’s a list of the top eight road trip destinations within driving distance of George Fox University (GFU):
Leavenworth, WA (5h 7m)
While the furthest drive on our list, Leavenworth is definitely the most interesting. This small Bavarian village is decked out in all things German. You’ll find the best schnitzel, along with people dressed in lederhosen! Head on down to Andreas Keller—the best German restaurant in town. But, make your reservation now because it’s a popular spot.
When you’re there, you should also check out their diverse shopping scene. With a year-round Christmas decoration store and a hot sauce store, they’ve got it all. Additional activities offered to tourists in town include horseback riding, golfing, rafting, river tubing, carriage rides, and zip-lining.
Crater Lake, OR (3h 44m)
This national park contains the deepest lake in America. It is also some of the cleanest and bluest water you can ever see. Visitors can take a tour boat to Wizard Island and hike to its peak. This stop is definitely targeted toward the outdoorsy type, as a majority of its primary tourist spots are at the end of a hike such as Phantom Ship Overlook or Sun Notch. If you stop by for the day, stay until dark to see a clear sky full of stars.
Sunriver (3h 34m)
This is my personal favorite destination with amazing opportunities for boating and water sports. But, if you don’t have access to a boat, don’t worry, there are kayak and canoe rentals everywhere. The layout of the town makes it very conducive to cycling or going on walks as it is packed full of trails.
Its resort offers golf and a spa, as well as a water park just a short walk away. Hit the road to get there early for breakfast at Cafe Sintra to try their massive cinnamon roll and a wide range of eggs benedicts.
Bend (3h 19m)
Just a quick drive away from Sunriver is Bend, which possesses a wonderful selection of entertainment opportunities. The Les Schwab Amphitheater features a variety of concerts. Bend is packed full of shopping spots and restaurants with Pizza Mondo and Wild Rose Thai at the forefront of town favorites.
It has similar outdoor activities to Sunriver with hiking and water sports. While you’re there, check out Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe for a read, Ranch Records for some new music, and Vector Volcano to play some antique arcade games.
Seattle (3h 8m)
Some of the best tourist locations are up north. It includes some recognizable names like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market (where the first Starbucks was opened, and is still operating), and the Seattle Ferris Wheel.
There’s also a long list of museums downtown such as the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Museum of History and Industry, the Museum of Flight, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. There is too much to do in Seattle to write about, so I highly recommend checking it out.
Tacoma (2h 40m)
In my hometown, there is a diversity of scenes to scope. Downtown Tacoma includes Pacific Avenue which features many mom-and-pop shops and Anthem Coffee as its staple cafe. You’ll also find Stadium High School which is where the movie 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed—a great photo spot.
For a great view of the water, head down to Ruston Way and rent a bike or scooter. There you can get great seafood at Wild Fin, get the best crepes at Jewel Box Cafe, or any kind of waffle you want at Waffle Stop.
Cannon Beach (1h 44m)
This famous Oregon destination is a photographer’s dream with Haystack Rock as its primary attraction. There are bus tours available, but here’s a list of the necessary places to hit during your stay: Icefire Glassworks to see handcrafted glass art, Coaster Theatre to see a play live, and the beach itself, where I recommend renting from Family Funcycles.
Newberg (0h 0m)
You’ve most likely lived here for at least six months so you know what we’ve got, but maybe you’re stuck here for spring break as well. One morning you’ll have to walk to Coffee Cat and get a bagel as they serve the best bagels I have ever eaten.
One day you should check out Chehalem Glenn Golf Course for a morning in the sun. If you’re looking for daily activities, you should sign up for an art day camp at Chehalem Cultural Center taught by a fellow George Fox student. If you think you’re going to be stuck in Newberg, but don’t want to be, check out the Young Life retreat available that week, as well.