Enjoy The Two Cleanest Cities In America By Visiting The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is definitely well-loved for its nature. Some of the best U.S. national parks for hiking are in this part of the country, along with gorgeous waterfalls and the deepest lake in the country. However, urban parts of the Pacific Northwest are worth visiting as well, and not just for the wide range of things to do.

In 2025, Oxi Fresh examined things like presence of rodents and other pests in buildings, litter, and less-obvious factors (like air and tap water quality) to determine the cleanest cities throughout the U.S. In this study, Portland, Oregon received the highest cleanliness score and Seattle, Washington received the second highest. Both metropolitan areas had consistently clean air based on Air Quality Index measurements, few types of water contaminants exceeding the Environmental Working Group health guidelines, and low percentages of buildings dealing with litter or pest control issues. Oxi Fresh took population density into account as well, given how it affects air pollution, water quality, and waste management. But even with higher population densities compared to other cities on the list like Las Vegas and Phoenix, Portland and Seattle still managed to come out on top. So, let's talk about how to best enjoy these two refreshingly clean Pacific Northwest cities.

Portland's eclectic hipster reputation is well on display in the city's local coffee shop scene. Try some experimental brews at Push Pull or Australian coffee at Proud Mary. Enjoy your cup of Joe as you pick from the city's wide range of museums, which includes the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Portland Art Museum, and Oregon Maritime Museum to name a few. In keeping with the theme of cleanliness, Portland is incredibly bike friendly. These museums are all within two miles of each other, so perhaps rent a bike for your day of museum hopping. Biketown bike sharing stations are conveniently located all over the city.

Among Portland's celebrated green spaces is the Portland Japanese Garden. You can wander through eight types of immaculate and culturally authentic gardens here. The relaxation continues in the onsite art galleries where you can learn more about this aspect of Japanese life. For something a bit more under the radar, head to the Leach Botanical Garden. Often called a "secret garden," this nature escape is especially worth a visit because of its Aerial Tree Walk. This walkway gets you high off the forest floor and close to the massive trees for which this part of the U.S. is famous.

Seattle is less than 200 miles from Portland, and Amtrak trains frequently run between the two. Seattle's Amtrak station is just minutes from downtown. This part of town features both famous views and perhaps lesser known attractions. Get unique insights on Seattle history with Beneath the Streets, a downtown tour company showing off the underground passageways of Seattle's oldest neighborhood. The massive Seattle Ferry Terminal is nearby too. See why Seattle ranks among the most beautiful cities in the U.S. with cruises around the bay. Book a trip with Argosy Cruises, which depart from a dock just slightly north of the terminal.

Take in big city views from a different part of town at Gas Works Park on Lake Union. The huge pieces of gas equipment are no longer in use and the area has been repurposed into a park. As you picnic or simply enjoy the outdoors here, you can see the huge downtown skyscrapers and the world-famous Space Needle.

If you get caught in the Seattle rain, head inside the Museum of Pop Culture. Aside from being located in the shadow of the Space Needle, this museum lets you delve into the cultural impacts of science fiction, fantasy, and much more. Plus, see how Washingtonians have made their mark on the music industry and test out some instruments yourself.