5 overrated Pacific Northwest locations: Voodoo Doughnut, Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Cannon Beach land on unlucky listing

The audacity. The sheer nerve.

Islands.com, a vacation spot‑centered web site that gives ideas, methods and recommendation to these planning holidays, just lately launched an article throwing severe shade at some Northwest hotspots.

The article, titled ‘5 highly overrated destinations in the Pacific Northwest,’ had the gall to bad-mouth Cannon Beach, the Space Needle, Voodoo Doughnuts, Pike Place Market AND the Tree of Life.

Excuse me?

How dare this Indiana-based journey website low cost our Northwest treasures? These locations are well-known as a result of they earned it. Where do they get off on yucking our yums?

Well, it seems they really used a scientific methodology. Vox populi strikes once more.

Islands.com checked out Pacific Northwest locations that ceaselessly present up on vacationers’ bucket lists. Their staff then reviewed how individuals discuss them on-line, reviewed native information protection and dug into discussion board discussions on websites like Reddit to seek out locations typically described as overrated.

Honestly? That’s a fairly stable approach to give you such an inventory.

That stated, as a life-long resident of the Pacific Northwest, I really feel obligated to defend our native landmarks and sights. Let’s check out Islands.com’s whining grievances after which think about some different takes.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Islands.com claims Cannon Beach is overrated as a result of it’s crowded. Too many people. Too many flip-flops on the sidewalks. Too many individuals attempting to take the very same Haystack Rock picture.

But, come on… Are we actually shocked that one of the vital stunning seashores on Earth has followers?

That rock didn’t turn out to be iconic accidentally. It’s humongous. It’s accessible at low tide. It’s nothing wanting awe-inspiring.

Toss within the salty air, the light waves and the potential swarms of seagulls dive-bombing in your bread crumbs, and also you’ve obtained Oregon coast magic.

The annual Sandcastle Contest and the Stormy Weather Arts Festival add to the attract as properly, together with the enjoyment of strolling down Hemlock with a fats sack of taffy from Bruce’s Candy Kitchen.

Cannon Beach is crowded as a result of it’s household pleasant. It’s properly value the additional circle round downtown to discover a parking spot.

The Space Needle, Seattle

Islands.com complains that Seattle’s most recognizable landmark is simply too costly. They say it’s a vacationer entice. They say there are higher views elsewhere.

To which I can solely retort… Bull hucky.

Look at that factor. It’s a retro sci-fi standing image. A huge pin caught by means of the thorax of Seattle, permitting a 360-degree view of town, mountains, and Puget Sound all by means of the engineering marvel of a rotating glass flooring.

Taking a rocket-speed elevator to the highest is completely well worth the $49 bucks. The abdomen butterflies alone make it worthwhile. Adding within the expertise of strolling on what seems to be nothing however air makes it much more memorable. The distinctive journey will stay completely tattooed into your mind.

Voodoo Doughnut, Portland

Islands.com trash talked Portland’s mischievous pastry makers due to lengthy strains and combined evaluations. Too candy. Too hyped. Too many pink bins.

Hogwash.

Voodoo Doughnut is deep fried chaos. It’s loud. It’s rock and roll. It’s sugar with a rogue’s grin.

Sure, you would possibly wait in line for a couple of minutes after which suppose, “Huh.” But that 2 a.m. glucose blast, when the night time air cools the karaoke-induced sweat out of your physique, is pure Portland. As their motto says, “The magic is in the hole.”

Yeah, we old-school practitioners miss the NyQuil Glazed and the Vanilla Pepto Crushed Tums doughnuts (Buzzkill metropolis well being inspectors shut down the over-the-counter drugs again within the early aughts). But the hype nonetheless rocks on in our coronary heart. Memories like which are value standing in line for.

Pike Place Market, Seattle

Islands.com calls it overcrowded. Tourists blocking site visitors. Long strains. Judging from this and different former complaints Islands.com apparently thinks ready for meals is against the law.

Rubbish!

Pike Place is a residing, respiratory city playground of fish, flowers, espresso and collectibles. It’s been drawing the looky-loos for over 100 years. Where else would one go to observe fish being hurtled by means of the air?

Being dwelling to each ‘Golden Age Collectibles,’ the world’s oldest comedian bookstore and the mechanical fortune teller named Zoltar solely provides to the attraction. Bring loads of quarters to seek out out your destiny.

Tree of Life, Olympic National Park

Islands.com claims the Tree of Life is “underwhelming.” Just a mere tree with uncovered roots spanning a few cliffs. Big whoop, proper?

Wrong!

The Tree of Life is the epitome of an underdog hero. It defies gravity, laughs at erosion and manages to bloom yr after yr by hanging on with mere tendrils hooked up to both aspect of a cliff.

You don’t go to this tree for spectacle. You go to it for the symbolism. It’s a pure show of tenacity below excessive circumstances. It’s hope. It’s additionally good for selfies, and for those who can’t doc your travels with quirky images, why hassle to go?

OK, high-quality, I’ll admit it. Maybe I’m a bit too steamed over a listicle merely suggesting that less-populated seashores, cheaper viewpoints, softer bakeries and snoozier markets would possibly make a greater route for a profitable trip.

That stated, I’ve a sneaking suspicion that if I went round vilifying the Indianapolis 500, the Splashin’ Safari or Amish Country, I’d be on the receiving finish of some severe Midwestern tsk-tsking.

Maybe an unplanned journey to the Hoosier State is in my future. Only Zoltar might inform.