Nestled at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, North Bend, Washington is more than just a scenic stop along I-90—it’s a town steeped in history, culture, and small-business charm. From its iconic role in Twin Peaks to its vibrant local shops and eateries, North Bend offers a unique blend of nostalgia and adventure. But how do you showcase all that charm to visitors before they even arrive?

The answer: a curated virtual tour experience that maps out North Bend’s historic downtown businesses by category—using Google Street View and virtual walkthroughs-to create an immersive, interactive guide that inspires real-world visits. Here is our plan.

Why Virtual Tours Matter for Small Towns

In today’s digital-first travel planning landscape, virtual tours are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. Travelers want to preview destinations, explore storefronts, and get a feel for the vibe before committing to a trip. For towns like North Bend, this presents a golden opportunity to turn online browsers into weekend explorers.

Google Street View and business-hosted virtual tours allow users to “walk” through shops, restaurants, and galleries from their phones or laptops. When organized thoughtfully, these virtual experiences can become a powerful tool for tourism, economic development, and community storytelling.

Step 1: Cataloging North Bend’s Historic Downtown Businesses

Working with the North Bend Downtown Foundation we are identifying the businesses that define North Bend’s character. Including vintage diners, antique shops, local outfitters, and family-owned bakeries. We use Google Maps to search for businesses with existing virtual tours or 360° photos. If a business doesn’t have one, we reach out to encourage them to let us create one—at a very affordable as a Google-certified virtual tours provider..

Create a spreadsheet or database that includes:

• Business name
• Address
• Category (e.g., dining, retail, arts, outdoor gear)
• Link to virtual tour or Street View
• Brief description or historical note

This catalog becomes the foundation for your virtual tour map.

Step 2: Mapping by Category for Easy Exploration

Once we’ve gathered the virtual tour links, organize them into themed categories to make the experience intuitive and engaging.

Use tools like Google My Maps or MapHub to create a custom interactive map. Each pin can include a thumbnail, description, and direct link to the virtual tour. Bonus points if you embed the map on your tourism website or share it across social media.

Step 3: Add Storytelling to the Experience

A virtual tour is more than just a visual walkthrough—it’s a chance to tell the story of North Bend. Pair each business with a short narrative: when it was founded, what makes it unique, and how it contributes to the town’s identity. For example:

Twede’s Café isn’t just a diner—it’s a pop culture landmark. Featured in David Lynch’s cult classic Twin Peaks, it still serves cherry pie and “damn fine coffee” to fans from around the world.

These stories create emotional connections and deepen the visitor’s appreciation for what they’re seeing.

Step 4: Promote the Virtual Tour Experience

Once our map is live, we spread the word.

• Social Media Campaigns: Feature one business per day with a link to its virtual tour and a fun fact.
• QR Code Posters: Place posters around town with QR codes linking to the map—great for visitors already in North Bend.
• Email Newsletters: Share the map with local chambers, tourism boards, and travel bloggers.
• Blog Series: Publish themed blog posts (e.g., “5 Must-See Antique Shops in North Bend”) that link back to the virtual tours.

Step 5: Turning Virtual Visitors into Real Ones

The ultimate goal of this project is to drive foot traffic. By offering a preview of North Bend’s charm, we’re lowering the barrier to entry for curious travelers. They can explore from home, plan their itinerary, and arrive with a sense of familiarity and excitement.

Plus, this strategy supports local businesses by giving them digital visibility and helping them stand out in a crowded online marketplace.

Historic Downtown North Bend isn’t just a place—it’s an experience.
And with a little tech-savvy mapping and storytelling, we can invite the world to discover it, one virtual step at a time.

🗺️ Here are the businesses we have on-board with virtual tours:

• Pressed on Main
• Pet Place Market
• The Trail Youth Coffee Shop
• Snoqualmie Valley Real Estate
• Volition Brewing
• DT Vintage & More
• Valley Realty Group
• Twin Peaks Wellness Boutique
• Hartwood Cafe
• Mt Si Dental
• Mt Si Physical Therapy
• Pearl & Stone Wine Co
• Huxdotter Coffee
• Erika Laureano Design
• Scott Rinckenberger Gallery
• Friends & Co Ice Cream
• North Bend Trading Company

If you are a Historic Downtown North Bend Business and want to join in, contact us for special pricing