Movie Spots to Visit on Your PNW Travel Assignment
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a popular place for travel nurses and healthcare travelers. Lush forests, snow-capped mountains, river gorges, ocean views, and iconic attractions make for an incredible travel assignment backdrop. Plus, it’s home to incredible outdoor adventures, food, craft breweries, and culture, making it a natural draw for healthcare travelers.
Its stunning natural beauty and charm have also attracted Hollywood over the years. The PNW has been featured in many famous films, from cult classics and heartwarming indies to moody thrillers and action-packed blockbusters. While it’s a far cry from Tinseltown, there are many places you can get up close and personal with some of your favorite movies and TV shows.
From misty coastal cliffs to quirky small towns, these filming locations double as memorable stops for your PNW travel assignment.
Oregon
A travel assignment in Oregon is full of natural drama—and not just on the job. Think foggy forests, rugged beaches, and towns where time feels like it paused in 1987. Whether you’re in Portland or along the coast, you’re never far from a beloved filming location.
Ready to head to Oregon on assignment? Check out our available healthcare travel and travel nurse jobs in Oregon and apply today!
Astoria – The Goonies (1985)
Healthcare travelers can enjoy pure ’80s adventure nostalgia, salty sea air, and small-town coastal charm.
What to see:
- The Goonies House (viewable from the street – please respect the owner’s and neighboring homes’ privacy)
- Oregon Film Museum (formerly the Clatsop County Jail)
- Lower Columbia Bowl (where Chunk smashes his pizza and milkshake)
- Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock (the film’s final coastal scenes)
St. Helens – Halloweentown (1998)
Family-friendly October vibes, plus a dedicated Spirit of Halloweentown festival healthcare travelers will love.
What to see:
- The town square with the giant pumpkin
- St. Helens City Hall (transformed into Halloweentown’s city center)
- Courthouse Plaza, featured in key scenes
Mt. Hood – The Shining (1980)
Chilling exterior shots and alpine lodge vibes in one of Oregon’s most iconic sites.
What to see:
- Timberline Lodge (used for exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel)
- Mt. Hood National Forest surroundings (backdrop for the snowy aerial intro)
- Ski Bowl and nearby trails (great for hiking—minus the horror)
Salem – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Healthcare travelers can get a rare look inside a real filming location of an Oscar-winning classic.
What to see:
- Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health, with exhibits featuring props, photos, and behind-the-scenes info
Columbia River Gorge – Wild (2014)
A scenic and empowering hike that mirrors Reese Witherspoon’s on-screen journey, perfect for outdoor-loving travelers with the Pacific Crest Trail on their bucket list.
What to see:
- Cascade Locks and the Bridge of the Gods
- PCT trailheads and viewpoints: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Sky Lakes Wilderness
- Multnomah Falls area
Brownsville – Stand By Me (1986)
Visiting this small town is the perfect excuse to play the movie soundtrack on repeat.
What to see:
- Main Street and downtown buildings used as Castle Rock
- Historic markers throughout town
- Annual Stand By Me Day celebrations
Washington
Washington State provides the best of dramatic landscapes, from the moody beaches of the Olympic Peninsula to the wheat fields of the Palouse, and from alpine lakes and river valleys to thriving cities full of cinematic character. Travel nurses here get the best of all worlds—and a chance to live in the backdrop of some truly iconic films and shows.
Ready for your Washington adventure? Check out our available healthcare travel and travel nurse jobs in Washington and apply today!
Seattle – Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Waterfront views, local hot spots, and the chance to relive one of the most iconic rom-coms of the ’90s.
What to see:
- Lake Union houseboats (Sam and Jonah’s dreamy home)
- The Athenian Seafood Restaurant at Pike Place Market (where the infamous tiramisu conversation happens)
- Alki Beach (where Annie sees Sam playing with Johan)
Seattle – Singles (1992)
Grunge nostalgia, Pearl Jam cameos, and a front-row seat to ‘90s coffeehouse culture.
What to see:
- Coryell Court Apartments in Capitol Hill (main characters’ apartment complex)
- Re-bar nightclub (Citizen Dick’s performance)
- Occidental Park (location of the movie poster and where Linda and Steve take a stroll)
- Pike Place Market alleyways (moody street scenes and walk-and-talks—a must-do for any travel assignment in the Seattle area)
Snoqualmie & North Bend – Twin Peaks (1990–91, 2017)
Surreal vibes, misty forests, and seriously good pie make this a must-see for healthcare travelers in Washington.
What to see:
- Twede’s Café (Double R Diner where Agent Cooper loves his cherry pie)
- Snoqualmie Falls (opening credits and several dramatic scenes)
- DirtFish Rally School (sheriff’s station exterior)
Spokane – Benny & Joon (1993)
Quirky diners and romantic comedy charm in a walkable historic district in a favorite travel assignment destination.
What to see:
- Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle (Sam’s sandwich-flipping antics)
- Ferguson’s Café (quirky diner hangout)
- Riverfront Park (relive the famous hat scene!)
- Benny and Joon’s house (remember, it’s a private residence!)
Whidbey Island – Practical Magic (1998)
Relive the seaside magic and cozy witchcore aesthetic, just in time for the 2026 sequel.
What to see:
- Coupeville’s downtown, especially Front Street and its waterfront shops (used for exterior scenes of the town where the Owens sisters live)
- Toby’s Tavern (transformed into The Catch and Fry for the bar scenes)
- Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen (used as the storefront for Verbena Botanicals, Sally’s shop)
- Victorian-style homes (the actual Owens house was a façade built for the movie, but was based on local architecture)
Special Feature: Twilight Locations Across the PNW
Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team Foggy Forest Aesthetic, Twilight is a PNW icon. The franchise was set in Washington, filmed partly in Oregon, and inspired by real places featured in the book. With 2025 marking the 20th anniversary of the first book, it’s the perfect time to visit the spots that made the saga legendary.
Forks & La Push, WA
- What to see: Forks High School (exterior), Bella’s truck at the Forks Visitor Center, First Beach in La Push, Treaty Line pull-off.
- Why travelers love it: The whole town leans into its vampire fame with themed tours and shops.
Don’t Miss: Forks’ “Forever Twilight in Forks” Festival
Every September, the town of Forks pulls out all the stops with its “Forever Twilight in Forks” Festival—an annual celebration of the saga complete with cosplay, cast appearances, tours, and yes, plenty of photo ops.
St. Helens, OR
- What to see: Bella’s house (you can even book a stay there), Bloated Toad, school scenes.
- Why travelers love it: It’s like stepping onto the actual movie set—because you are!
Port Angeles, WA (Book Location)
- What to see: Bella Italia restaurant, home of the infamous mushroom ravioli dinner.
- Why travelers love it: You can order the ravioli that launched a thousand fanfics.
Find Your PNW Travel Assignment
Whether you’re into cult classics, romantic comedies, psychological thrillers, or indie gems, there’s a little slice of movie magic to explore when you are on assignment in the PNW. Grab your flannel, pack a snack, and roll the camera on your own cinematic side quest.
Plus, when you travel with TNAA, you’re traveling with an agency that has your back every step of the way. Housing, credentialing, benefits, sick leave – we’ve got you covered. All you have to do is pack your bags and hit the road.
Ready to head to the Pacific Northwest on your next travel assignment? Check out our available travel healthcare and travel nurse jobs and apply today!
