Portland is surrounded by diverse landscapes and unique destinations, including pristine beaches, rocky outcroppings, striking vistas, rolling farmland, quaint towns, sparkling waterfalls, hiking trails, national forests and much more. The following are some our favorite Northwest escapes, all of which are located within a few hours of the Portland Metro Area.
Astoria, Oregon: Tracing the History of America’s First West Coast Metropolis
Cute neighborhoods, a delicious culinary scene and a grand view of the Columbia River—it’s no surprise the little coastal town of Astoria made it onto Yahoo Lifestyle’s list of “50 Charming American Towns You’ve Never Heard Of.” Astoria is the oldest city west of the Rocky Mountains. It was the finish line of Lewis […]
An Historic Getaway to Albany, Oregon
Fantastical beasts, pioneer homes, nature hikes, culinary adventures – the city of Albany and its environs offers all this and more, an affordable Willamette Valley destination perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway from the Portland area. Straddling the I-5 corridor, Albany is located about 70 miles south of Portland. Monteith House, photo by […]
Mt. Hood Railroad’s Polar Express Brings Holiday Magic to the Hood River Valley
This time every year, the magic of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas story and the North Pole are brought to life on the Mount Hood Railroad’s Polar Express Train Ride. Recently, my family and I made the scenic, 62-mile drive east from Portland to Hood River, where we began our round-trip journey to the North […]
Celebrating the Cranberry Harvest on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula
The Long Beach Peninsula is well-known for many things: one of the longest public beaches in the world, an oceanfront boardwalk, two 19th century lighthouses, ridiculously fresh seafood (such as Willapa Bay oysters) and growing cranberries. In fact, one of the area’s unofficial nicknames is the Cranberry Coast, so when my family and I visited […]
The Geiser Grand Hotel of Baker City, Oregon
This Labor Day weekend we decided to get out of town and explore my husband’s family history so we hopped in the car and traveled three hundred miles east to Baker City, Oregon. It’s a quaint, historic town that played a large part in the state’s history and today many long-time Oregon residents can trace […]
The Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway Celebrates 100 Years
Rugged cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and a river powerful enough to carve a path through ancient lava beds — it’s no surprise that the Columbia River Gorge is Oregon’s most visited destination, a dynamic landscape that is always worth the trip. And, whether you drive, hike, or cycle the 75-mile-long route, you’ll find the best way […]