Oregon’s largest city, Portland, is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Known for its microbreweries and coffeehouses, that’s not the only thing you’ll find in this Pacific Northwest metropolis. Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and the coast, the city is a central location to a nature lover’s paradise.
Downtown Portland
Visit the Original VooDoo Doughnut
A visit to Portland isn’t complete without a trip to VooDoo Doughnut. This locally owned business is a confectionary heaven. From glazed classics to gourmet creations, VooDoo offers over 50 artisan flavor options including my personal favorite, the Bacon Maple Bar.
Roam a Reader’s Paradise
Powell’s City of Books, a reader’s wonderland, is the world’s largest independent bookstore. Knowledgable, friendly staff members offer guests assistance navigating the maze of books and give excellent recommendations based on trending reads. I brought home Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and cannot wait to crack it open.
Experience New Culture
Another treasure in the heart of the city is the Lan Su Chinese Garden. With a mission to engage and educate the community about authentic Chinese culture, Lan Su is the perfect blend of history, architecture and nature. Admission to the garden is $16. Visitors can enjoy a variety of teas and outdoor seating at the teahouse for an additional charge.
Enjoy Local Brews and Bites
Just one of the many delectable lunch spots in Portland is Deschutes Brewery. Alongside 26 taps and a selection of seasonal beers is a menu stacked with dishes made with local ingredients. I picked the IPA pretzel followed by the grilled cheese paired with the roasted red pepper tomato bisque. *chef’s kiss*
Historic Columbia River Highway
Also known as Historic Route 30, the Historic Columbia River Highway is engulfed in beautiful scenery and offers surprises around every twist and turn. The waterfall corridor runs from Troutdale to Ainsworth, but there are many more attractions for those who continue traveling east.
I visited four waterfalls: Elowah, Multnomah, Wahkeena and Bridal Veil. Very little hiking ability is needed to encounter the beauty of these waterfalls. Most trails allow visitors the up-close experience of feeling the cold mist on their skin as they face the roaring cascades.
The largest waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls, spans two tiers at 620 ft. It is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest hosting more than 2 million tourists every year. The Multnomah Falls Lodge is equipped with a visitor center, restaurant, gift shop and snack bar.
Standing atop a cliff is the Vista House at Crown Point, an ideal location to watch the sunset over the Columbia River Gorge. Enjoy the exceptionally scenic drive up 730 ft. that opens up to a panoramic view of the incandescent sky.
Tillamook Creamery
At the top of everyone’s must-visit list should be the Tillamook Creamery located in Tillamook, Oregon. Admission and self-guided tours are free, at your leisure and family-friendly. No reservations are needed.
I opted for the Guided Tour + Tasting. For $15, our group guide, Levi, shared in-depth knowledge about the creamery and how its products are made. We traveled through the viewing gallery and watched the assembly line hard at work. The tour concluded with a specialty cheese tasting of aged cheddars from the Maker’s Reserve collection.
The Ice Cream Experience is an interactive journey to uncover your tasting abilities (and of course, lots of ice cream!) Grab a lab coat and sit front row as a Brand Ambassador gives you the scoop about how Tillamook perfects its ice cream. Along with lasting memories, this $45 package includes great photo ops and some super cool Tillamook souvenirs. I would highly recommend booking any of the additional experiences in advance.
Haven’t had enough Tillamook? Guests can grab a bite to eat at the Tillamook Cheese Factory located right inside the creamery. With menu items including fried cheese curds and grilled cheese sandwiches, you can’t go wrong! For dessert, top it off with a flight of your favorite Tillamook ice cream flavors.
Before you leave be sure to check out the shop for Tillamook swag and products you can’t find in your local grocery store, including the Maker’s Reserve collection and infamous cheddar cheese curds. If you can’t wait to satisfy your cravings, you can browse their online store.
Tillamook Air Museum
The Tillamook Air Museum is a staple of WWII history. In 1942, the Naval Air Station Tillamook constructed two wooden hangars to house blimps whose main purpose was to search for Japanese submarines along the west coast. Hangar B, home to the museum, is now the lone standing structure, as Hangar A was lost in a fire in 1992.
The air museum hosts many unique exhibits. One of few remaining F-14 Tomcats resides in Hangar B. This specific aircraft was featured in the original Top Gun movie. The eye-catching Aero-Spacelines Mini-Guppy attracts visitors in from miles away. Climb the stairs into the belly of the giant to learn about its purpose years ago.
In addition to my two favorite exhibits, Tillamook Air Museum offers many interactive experiences for the whole family. General admission at the door is $13 with additional discounts for children and military.
Portland is a peculiar, but unique community. The city prides itself on continuing the trend of supporting local brands and businesses. I look forward to exploring new places, expanding my knowledge and sharing my experiences. Keep Portland weird.
Love Always.
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