The never-ending spew of pavement known as Interstate 5 provides traffic for several entertaining cities throughout the Northwest. Ashland, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. all only require a half-day of driving and good tunes, offering fun site-seeing destinations.

Ashland, Ore.:

Ashland is only three hours south of Eugene and one-sixth of the size. Surrounded by Southern Oregon wineries, hiking trails, gardens, the arts and shopping, this quaint town draws tourists every year for the internationally acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Place you must see:

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival at the Angus Bowmer Theatre and New Theatre make Ashland a bustling town for the arts. During spring break, the theaters will feature Shakespeare performances of “As You Like It” as well as four other musicals and plays.
• If you have never seen a rose garden, Rogue Valley Roses breeds nearly 1,000 different variations of roses. It costs little and makes a great day in the sun. Revel in the beauty and romanticism of roses!
• Ashland companies sell outdoor adventures for tourists and locals alike. Spend a day white-water rafting on the Rogue or Klamath River from outdoor pursuit organizations, such as Arrowhead River Adventures or Momentum River Expeditions.
• If you are willing to spend some cash on a day of drinks, drive to the local wineries around Ashland. Nothing makes winter term feel more finished than boozing the day away with smooth, tasty sips of wine in the sun.
• Still not satisfied? Check out the several art museums and stylish shops around the downtown.

Vancouver, B.C.:

Just 20 minutes over the U.S. border, Vancouver, B.C. is a city that demands at least one visit. It’s a clean, beautiful urban center surrounded by geographical diversity. Spring spotlights the city as sunshine prevails, making the harbor, skyscrapers and parks all places you want to see. College students flock to this Canadian mainstay each year for a spring break in a place so sweet it will make you want to move there. But before you start packing, make sure you grab your passport!
Place you must see:

• If skiing is your fancy, take the 15-minute drive to Grouse Mountain, a small mountain overlooking the entire city. Though the mountain doesn’t match the resort grandeur of Whistler, it provides a day of snow while staying in a city – a rare day-trip.
• Hungry? Take a ferry to Granville Island and
  marvel at the abundance of food stations. Fresh stands of produce selling strawberries, Asian pears and clementines, dining options of Chinese and Italian cuisine and coffee and gelato bars fill the crowded, bustling marketplace. Enjoy your lunch on the patio overlooking the water and skyscrapers.
• At night, walk over to Granville Street, where hundreds of like-minded college students looking for a good time fill the street. Hop from Irish pubs, swanky nightclubs and dive bars to meet new people and enjoy Canada’s drinking age: 19.
• If you still want more adventure packed in your day and don’t mind a pricey lift ticket, drive north to Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. The classy resort’s globally recognized mountains have top-notch ski runs, but for a high cost ($81). Located only two hours from Vancouver, Whistler, B.C. offers cheaper hotels outside of Whistler Village for budget-conscious spring breakers.

Seattle

If you’re just living in the Northwest to attend the University, don’t miss out on a chance to see the Northwest’s largest, thriving metropolitan area. Seattle has something for low-budget road trippers just looking to wander, or for high-fashion travelers seeking wallet-damaging shopping followed by fine wine and dinner. You must, however, have an appetite for coffee.
Place you must see:

• Everyone’s got to see the Space Needle, but if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone, the Experience Music Project, funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is right next door. The Seattle Center is a compact complex of music history, a modern science museum, a theater house, an opera house, a food court, an (expensive) carnival, a laser dome (cheap, good shows!) and two IMAX theaters – all in walking distance of the Northwest version of In-N-Out Burger: Dick’s Drive In.
• Tired of the University scene? You’ll feel excited again if you walk down University Avenue near the University of Washington. This street bustles with diversity, music and novelty shops. Expensive, too-cool-to-pass-by boutiques will lure you in, filled with a mix of art, music and clothing. And the best vintage stores around sell on University Avenue: The Red Light and Buffalo Exchange in Seattle are museums of the hipsters-past involved in Seattle’s ever-thriving music scene.
• Gas money lowering your shopping fund? Hit up the Frye Museum on Capitol Hill, which features free contemporary art shows and exhibitions. Try going to Gas Works park or Golden Gardens, peaceful gems among the gritty Seattle streets. If the weather holds out, try picnicking. If it rains, which… could happen, a café is surely close by, providing shelter and caffeine.
• The downtown area is lined with classy bars, restaurants and waterfront views. If the weather’s nice, check out Pike Place Market, just for kicks. Bored? Walk across the street, and you’ll find yourself at The Showbox, one of Seattle’s most famous venues.