13 Monsoon Destinations Where Rain Is the Main Attraction

12. Pacific Northwest (Columbia River Gorge & Oregon Coast), USA — Waterfall and storm-watching culture

If you prefer temperate rain, the Pacific Northwest treats weather as culture. Waterfalls like Multnomah swell in rainy months and coastal storms create dramatic grey skies worth watching from a sheltered viewpoint or a seaside café. Rain here is often steady and manageable, and locals plan activities around it: waterfall hikes on wet days and storm-watching drives along the coast when winds are high. For safe outings, choose well-maintained trails and avoid exposed cliff edges in high surf conditions. Expect cozy lodgings, excellent seafood, and warming hot drinks—simple comforts that make rainy days feel intentional. For North American readers who want a rain-first trip without long international travel, Oregon’s gorge and coast deliver scenic power, accessible infrastructure, and a cultural comfort with weather that celebrates, rather than hides from, wet days.