All about Oregon (forwarded information)

S. Y.
S. Y.
Jul 24, 2017 · 8 min read

Here’s to forever memories & much laughter in the journey.

A MUST read to “build” the dream.

§ http://traveloregon.com/7wonders/ The 7 Wonders of Oregon

§ 40 Oregon State Facts http://thatoregonlife.com/2016/02/heres-40-fun-facts-you-may-not-know-about-oregon/

Portland Neighborhoods & Transit

§ Portland Neighborhoods at a glance: http://www.portlandbridges.com/portland-neighborhoods/01-random-facts-and-trivia.html

§ Portland Public Transit: Trains, Buses, Streetcars: http://www.portlandbridges.com/portland-neighborhoods/01-portland-public-transit.html

§ Hillsboro/Tanasbourne facts: http://www.portlandbridges.com/portland-neighborhoods/00-Tanasbourne.html and http://www.streetsoftanasbourne.com/directory/ and

§ Orenco Station http://www.orencostation.net/

§ Mississippi Avenue http://mississippiave.com/

§ Hawthorne Avenue https://www.travelportland.com/collection/hawthorne/

To book a rental if doing an overnight trip, we recommend these sites:

§ Intel Amex: https://www.concursolutions.com/travelhome.asp

Reputable rental websites for OR places

§ https://www.airbnb.com/

§ https://www.vrbo.com/

§ http://www.bnbfinder.com/Oregon-Bed-and-Breakfast

§ http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com/

Best OR Day Trips from PDX (many may be turned into overnight trips)

Astoria / Tillamook cheese factory https://www.tillamook.com/cheese-factory/index.html

Cannon Beach rated in the top 10 beaches in the USA http://traveloregon.com/cities-regions/oregon-coast/cannon-beach/

**Best things near or on the way to the coast:

Camp 18 in Elsie (http://www.camp18restaurant.com/ on the way to the Coast for massive pancakes in a giant log cabin. Be sure to order one of the massive cinnamon rolls to share before the rest of the food comes out. Surrounded by a former logging camp with lots of the equipment sitting around

Multnomah Falls Oregon http://www.oregon.com/attractions/multnomah_falls

Devil’s Cauldron https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Devils_Cauldron

Bagby Hotsprings http://www.bagbyhotsprings.org/

Mt Hood Zig Zag area: Mt. Hood Zig Zag area for year round fun. Stop in at the Zig Zag Ranger Station — https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/about-forest/offices the rangers there have the BEST advice on hiking, they have maps and coordinates for any type of experience — never steered me wrong. I recommend eating and enjoying some live music at the http://skywaybarandgrill.com/ — Mac and Cheese is their claim to fame.

Oregon’s top swimming holes (some farther than others)

https://www.outdoorproject.com/blog-news/oregons-30-best-swimming-holes

Champoeg State Park Hiking and trails http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=79

Silver Falls State Park (6 beautiful waterfalls) and The Oregon Garden for dinner (45min from Hillsboro)

http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=151

http://www.oregongardenresort.com/#gref

Tree to Tree Adventure Park — 5 levels of zip lining (45min from Hillsboro)

https://tree2treeadventurepark.com/

Portland, Oregon waterfalls to see

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/portland/epic-waterfalls-portland/

Deep Sea Fishing off the Coast https://www.tradewindscharters.com/

Oneonta Gorge Trail hiking http://www.nwhiker.com/CGNSAHike53.html

Dog Mountain Hike http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Dog_Mountain_Hike

Eagle Creek Hike http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Eagle_Creek_Trailhead

Smith Rock (where Rebecca stays — ping me Hans!)

http://traveloregon.com/see-do/attractions/outdoors-nature/smith-rock/

Rafting on the Umpqua River

https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg/recreation/wild_and_scenic_river/

Take the Buena Vista ferry and do pizza! (45min from PDX)

http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/ferries/Pages/buenaferryfees.aspx

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g51916-d878098-Reviews-Buena_Vista_Ferry-Independence_Oregon.html

http://www.buenavistaoregon.com/ (B&B open for Pizza and wine

Cafe Open April- September Thur-Sun 8 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Closed Aug. 28 — Sept. 6

No Reservations Needed

Pizza Nights Aug. 11 & Sept. 8 Reservations Only

11265 Riverview Street Independence Or 97351 P: 503–838–6364

Willamette Jet boats http://www.willamettejet.com/ (downtown Portland)

Scappoose Bay Paddling center (Rent Kayaks) https://nextadventure.net/scappoose-bay-paddling-center.html then stop at Mark’s on The Channel http://www.marksonthechannel.com/ for live music and chilling on the river

Oregon Coast Thore’s Well at high tide and low tide https://roadtrippers.com/us/yachats-or/nature/thors-well-cape-perpetua

Sea Lion Caves http://www.sealioncaves.com/

Lincoln City Glass Blowing http://www.alderhouse.com/

Bungee Masters… (2hrs from PDX) Jump off a bridge w/ MIT certified instructors *Perhaps complain “it wasn’t that thrilling” and they may throw in a 3rd for free on the “surprise” — just saying…

https://www.bungee.com/bzapp/bungee_masters/bridge.html

Sky Dive OR — 45min from Hillsboro stunning views of the valley below

http://skydiveoregon.com/

Best OR weekend trips from PDX

CENTRAL OR

Whitewater Rafting on the Deschutes River: Can be done as a day trip if you drive to Maupin and leave fairly early in the morning for a half-day trip.

http://www.highdesertriver.com/deschutes-rafting/deschutes-river-rafting/

Inner-tube floating and other escapades in Bend (family trip)

http://www.bendparksandrec.org/bend-whitewater-park/passageway-channel/

Crater Lake https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm and Crater Rock http://craterrock.com/

Suttle Lake Lodge http://www.thesuttlelodge.com/

Bend Brewfest https://bendbrewfest.com/ 200+ hand-crafted beers/ciders along the Deschutes River Aug. 10–12, Les Schwab Amphitheater

*Good places to stay in Bend: Sunriver, Tetherow, Brasada Ranch, Black Butte, McMenamins St. Francis School

GORGE AREA (Northwest OR)

Oregon Fruit “Loop” through Hood River (up by Skamania Lodge) http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/

WILLAMETTE VALLEY AREA

Allison Inn / Newberg (for the adults), http://www.theallison.com/

Swim on the Sandy River and then stop at Tad’s Chicken n Dumplings http://redtri.com/portland/sandy-swim-spots-near-portland/ http://tadschicdump.com/

Southern OR

Ashland and the Ashland Shakespearean festival (really grand!)

https://www.osfashland.org/experience-osf/current-season/all-events

Rent a tree house in Cave Junction — fantastic http://treehouses.com/joomla/

EASTERN OR

Wallowa Lake — eastern OR http://wallowalakelodge.com/ http://wallowalaketramway.com/ (literally deer feed right out of your hand- camping or the lodge.)

Pendleton Round Up http://www.pendletonroundup.com/p/plan-a-trip/188 (one of the top 10 rodeos in the USA)

Camp Sherman, OR On the Metolius River; http://www.campshermanstore.com/CampShermanStore (fishing, etc.)

WASHINGTON STATE

Seattle:

Pike’s Place Market http://pikeplacemarket.org/ and Dale Chihuly Glass Museum https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/

Ferry to San Juan Islands and long 4 day weekend

https://www.visitsanjuans.com/#/gallery/recent

Ferry bulletins http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx

Lummi Island:

Islands in Seattle. Fresh mussels/oysters from ocean (in a month that has an “R” only), go to Lummi Island and stay in a Yurt, have dinner at https://www.willows-inn.com/ it’s out of this world, the chef trained at Noma. He forages the food himself and brings it to you. https://www.willows-inn.com/contact/our-team/

Best I “miss” Germany recommendations

• German: Otto and Anita’s in the basement of a building in Multnomah Village (http://www.ottoandanitas.com/

• Mt Angel Oktoberfest (HUGE and fun!) http://www.oktoberfest.org/DO NOT MISS THIS (Mid September)

• Edelweiss German http://www.edelweissdeli.com/

OR wine country options (15–45min away)

Close in to Beaverton/Hillsboro:

http://www.hawksviewcellars.com/

http://www.allorovineyard.com/Alloro_Vineyard/Home.html

http://ponziwines.com/our-locations/winery-sherwood

https://davidhillwinery.com/

http://www.ardiriwine.com/

http://sakeone.com/our-kura/visit-us.html

Downtown McMinnville http://visitmcminnville.com/wine-walk/ (mainly wine tasting rooms and art galleries & do eat at La Rambla!)

OR wine country options (15–45min away)

Only Olive farm in Oregon! Wine, Lavender, Olive oils plants, gifts…views! http://redridgefarms.com/taste

Dundee Area

https://www.domaineserene.com/

https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com/

Coeur de Terre (heart of the earth for the basalt heart rock under the vineyard) https://www.cdtvineyard.com/ amazing Pinots

Wine Country on Horseback to 4 wineries… THE BEST (ReK reco.) Equestrian Wine Tours — ask for Kailua and Chippa! http://www.equestrianwinetours.com/

http://www.toriimorwinery.com/

https://www.whiteroseestate.com/

OR wine country options (15–45min away)

https://youngberghill.com/

Carlton area:

Soter Vineyards @ Mineral Springs Ranch, ask to taste in their cabins and/or do a provisions tasting http://sotervineyards.com/vineyard

http://www.visitcarlton.com/tasting-rooms/

OR wine country options (15–45min away)

Farm to Table Field & Vine Wine Dinners “at the farm” — so GREAT a MUST DO!!!

http://fieldandvineevents.com/

Tickets here:

https://www.giftrocker.com/secure/events/?c=363a875d&b=Y

SATURDAY, AUG 12, 2017 5:30 PM Beckham Estate Vineyard w/ Portland Creamery

SATURDAY, SEP 2, 20175:30 PM Fir Point farms w/ Forest Edge Vineyards

SATURDAY, SEP 9, 20175:30 PM Fiala Farms w/ Solena Estate

SATURDAY, SEP 16, 2017 5:30 PM Terra Vina Wines w/ Goldin Cheese

SATURDAY, SEP 23, 2017 5:30 PM Douglas Farm w/ Owen Roe

Agrovino — Farm dinners in Carlton — AMAZING!!! (ReK reco) http://www.agrivinocarlton.com/

PORTLAND MUST DO LIST

Saturday Market http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/visit-the-market/

Beaverton Farmer’s Market (largest in the state) 15min from you http://www.beavertonfarmersmarket.com/

Bike ride/run across the Tillicum footbridge around the waterfront and then get coffee — everyone loves it and it doesn’t take all day, Hike the 4T — Trail (3mile), Tram down from OHSU, Trolley, and Train (it goes very close to my house and you get to ride the tram down from OHSU to the waterfront) https://4ttrail.wordpress.com/

Timbers Major League Soccer game https://www.timbers.com/tickets

Highway 99 Newburg Drive in movie theatre (voted best drive inn in the USA) http://www.99w.com/

PORTLAND MUST DO LIST

Hillsboro Hops Baseball Game (close to Orenco Station) http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t419

Vaux’s Swifts are amazing at Chapman Elementary school in Northwest Portland

Swift viewing is all of September usually — pack a picnic, blanket & watch) what PDX is all about: http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch

Stanichs’ best burger per Thrillist Magazine in the USA (close to the Grotto — grab burgers and go do a picnic and walk the grounds)

https://pdx.eater.com/2017/5/24/15685502/stanichs-best-burger-in-the-country-portland AND http://www.stanichs.com/

Oregon Brewfest (21 and over) http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/ (for others — happens in July)

PORTLAND MUST DO LIST

Brew Barge PDX https://www.brewgrouppdx.com/

Portland Japanese Garden https://japanesegarden.org/

Play Frisbee Golf, enjoy a mineral soak, and then watch an evening movie at The Grand Lodge in Forest Grove https://www.mcmenamins.com/grand-lodge

PORTLAND FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Andina http://www.andinarestaurant.com/

Decarli (Happy Hour is T-SUN 4pm-6:30pm — the best!!!) https://www.opentable.com/decarli

Tasty & Alder https://www.tastynalder.com/

Ava Genes http://www.avagenes.com/

Mississippi area has tons of great places https://pdx.eater.com/maps/dining-guide-to-north-mississippi-avenue-portland-neighborhood

Pok Pok for the wings, https://pokpokpdx.com/

Salt + straw for the sea salt and caramel ice-cream https://saltandstraw.com/

Blue star doughnuts for a PB+J http://www.bluestardonuts.com/

Renata http://www.renatapdx.com/

PORTLAND FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Skyline Tavern — http://skytav.com/

http://www.laurelhurstmarket.com/

http://nostrana.com/

http://www.meriwethersnw.com/

https://www.tuskpdx.com/

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/SW12thAve/menus.aspx

Amazing fire-pits outside in downtown http://www.nelcentro.com/gallery/

Screen Door — Brunch http://screendoorrestaurant.com/

http://stjackpdx.com/

http://littlebirdbistro.com/

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House https://www.yelp.com/biz/rimsky-korsakoffee-house-portland

Great for VERY late night eats (open till 2am) http://montageportland.com/

BEAVERTON FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Close to Hillsboro

Syun Izakaya http://www.syun-izakaya.com/

Helvetia Burgers https://www.yelp.com/biz/helvetia-tavern-hillsboro

Sportslook for Panookie — http://www.sportslook.com/

Amelia’s https://www.ameliasmexicanfood.com/exhome.html

FAVORITE PICNIC/WINE SPOTS

International Rose Test Garden: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=1113

Laurelhurst Park https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&action=ViewPark&propertyid=224

Council Crest https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&propertyid=24&action=viewpark

Pittock Mansion http://pittockmansion.org/ and http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Pittock_Mansion_Hike

Elk Rock Gardens at Bishops Close http://www.elkrockgarden.org/

The Grotto https://thegrotto.org/visit/

Jenkins Estate http://www.thprd.org/facilities/historic/jenkins-estate and https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/jenkins-estate-trails

Sauvie’s Island http://sauvieisland.org/visitor-information/recreation/

Commonwealth Park http://www.thprd.org/parks-and-trails/detail/commonwealth-lake-park

BEST PDX ACTIVITIES

Yoga + Beer http://www.cheersandnamaste.com/ (yoga ine a brewery w/ beer!)

Take a walk using this book: https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Hill-Walks-Explorations-Neighborhoods/dp/0881926922/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499983139&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=laura+o+foster+hill+wall

Movies in the Park — Portland https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69554

Music in The Round (Third Thursday monthly in Beaverton) http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/1381/Beaverton-Third-Thursday

Vintage stores & Nick’s Coney Island Dogs on Hawthorne https://www.travelportland.com/article/hawthorne-shopping/ and http://nicksfamousconeys.com/

Saturday morning dragon boat paddling at Portland waterfront- Bridge City Paddlers, Free to anyone wanting to join them http://www.bridgecitypaddling.org/

Shakespeare in the Vineyard (REK reco. — do it!) (All within 20min of Hillsboro)

http://www.willametteshakespeare.com/

2017: The Winter’s Tale

August 4th, 5th, and 6th: Stoller Vineyards

August 11th, 12th, and 13th: Montinore Estates

August 18th, 19th, and 20th: Ponzi Vineyards

***Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM. Sundays at 6 PM. / Pack picnic, blanket, watch Shakespeare!

See a concert at Revolution Hall — Best venue in PDX! http://www.revolutionhall.com/calendar/

Do the Portland Food carts and then go Comatose

http://www.foodcartsportland.com/maps/ AND https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-new-food-carts-portland

Portland Fountains Walking Tour (so fun on a hot day and adding in wine and beer stops)

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/521803

2017 Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Aug 3, — Aug 31st https://nwfilm.org/festivals/top-down-rooftop-cinema/

Atop the Hotel DeLuxe’s parking structure at SW 15th and Yamhill for our cinema under the stars. Doors open at 7 pm with food and beverages available for purchase. Music begins at 8 pm and films begin around dusk. Entry for advance ticket holders is guaranteed until 8:30 pm. Bring a chair, pillow, or blanket, along with a light sweater or jacket. Each film will be preceded by a short film by a Northwest filmmaker.

Advance tickets are available at nwfilm.org: $10 general; $9 student/senior/PAM member;

Iconic Americana to do’s

Oregon State Fair https://oregonstatefair.org/attractions/

Portland event calendar by Month! (a MUST READ!)

https://www.events12.com/portland/august/

https://www.events12.com/portland/september/

Bike around Portland and Oregon

https://www.biketownpdx.com/

https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/or-bike-trails/

Random suggestions

Paxton Gate on Mississippi, super weird shop https://paxtongate.com/paxton

http://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/portland-oregon

The Shanghai Tunnels

The Witch’s Castle in Forest park (hike while at it) http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/forest-park/

Best thing to do with 11–15yr olds

Powell’s Book store

Berry picking https://www.travelportland.com/article/berry-best/ or http://redtri.com/portland/u-pick-farms-for-berries/

Oaks Amusement Park, http://oakspark.com/

Wings and Waves waterpark in McMinnville at the Aviation Museum http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/ and http://wingsandwaveswaterpark.com/

Mt Hood Ski Bowl Outdoor Park and a ton of lakes close by to stop at

http://www.skibowl.com/summer/mt-hood-activities

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53102

http://lostlakeresort.org/ FAVORITE

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53058

Mt Hood Lakes http://www.mthoodadventure.com/summer/lakes

http://groundkontrol.com/

http://glowinggreens.com/

Big Al’s Entertainment Area http://www.ilovebigals.com/beaverton

OMSI Oregon Museum of Science and Industry https://omsi.edu/

Sky High — the Trampoline place http://por.skyhighsports.com/

Top Golf by Orenco https://topgolf.com/us/hillsboro/

iFly Indoor Skydiving https://www.iflyworld.com/portland/

Items to consider buying on the cheap and donating upon departure or leaving at the rental for the next sabbatical coverage:

Camp chairs for the beach https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Broadband-Mesh-Quad-Chair/dp/B00BPWDMOS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500575204&sr=8-3&keywords=picnic+chairs

Or

https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Sandpiper-Sand-Chair-Gray/dp/B004Z0Z9LQ/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1500575385&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=beach%2Bsand%2Bchairs&th=1

Ikea is located here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/portland/

Frisbee

Buy some Birkenstocks https://www.birkenstock.com/us/storelocator

Bring home something homegrown: https://www.filson.com/portland-store or

https://www.pendleton-usa.com/

Fairs & Festivals in Oregon from Aug 1- Sept 30th

http://traveloregon.com/see-do/listing/?type%5B%5D=events&type%5B%5D=fairs-festivals&location_text=&latLng=&location%5B%5D=all-cities&location%5B%5D=All&date_start=08%2F01%2F2017&date_end=09%2F29%2F2017

https://www.everfest.com/oregon

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