Described as America’s most European city – Portland, Oregon has many unique views and attractions to be sought!
Explore Oxbow Regional Park:
Oxbow Regional Park is a gorgeous place to visit and to be one with untamed beauty that hasn’t changed for hundreds of years. You can hike, camp and throw in a line for that perfect day on the river where cars cannot be heard and cell phones only ring if you want them to.. and if you can find reception! A few bucks ($40) gets you in for the day and for the rest of the year. The fee also allows you to enter many other parks including Blue Lake regional park, Broughton Beach, Chinhook Landing Marine Park and M. James Gleason Boat Ramp.
Explore The Oregon Coast:
There are three different regions that make up the coast; The North Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast. The Central Coast has been said to be the prettiest of the three and would be my first choice because of the massive sea cliffs, terraces and a greater number of bays for whale watching. The central coast is ideal for lighthouse exploring, hiking, whale watching as well as camping.
Drink In Wine Country:
Less than an hour from Portland, Willamette Valley is a carrier for more than 250 wineries! To a wine connoisseur (yours truly) that’s pretty impressive! But if wine isn’t your thing this quaint town also has some craft beers for you to enjoy. The Willamette Valley makes some of the world’s finest micro brews, so cheers! This valley is a rolling farmland ripe for touring. Pick your poison and choose from a variety of activities to do with your lover. Take a long walk through a scenic covered bridge or view the magnificent Willamette Valley from the basket of a hot air balloon!
Lan Su Chines Garden:
Ahh, welcome to China! Or at least the closest thing to it – being that it is the most authentic Chinese garden in the US outside of China of course. A small fee of $7 for students and $9 for adults gets you into this tranquil paradise. Lan Su Chinese Garden is a window into the Chinese culture, history and way of thinking. The garden perfectly mends Chinese tradition, architecture, art and nature into perfect harmony. The name can be translated to “The Garden Of Awakening Orchids” and you’ll see plenty of those. Learn about the Chinese culture, walk the gardens, (don’t forget to stop and smell all the flowers) and drink Chinese tea in the tea house.
Do Some Shopping:
No Sales Tax. Not now. Not ever. It honestly speaks for itself. Just go ahead and buy yourself something!! There’s no sales tax – this only exists in 4 other states. The Portland Saturday – Sunday market is a must. This market extravaganza offers over 241 spaces for local artisans to show their skills and sell their handmade wares. Spend hours upon hours obsessing over the unique handcrafted items the locals have to offer and choose from a surplus of enticing foods that will satisfy your appetite all while listening to live music on the main stage. The Portland market is open every weekend rain or shine 11-4:30 pm.
Crater Lake:
Surrounded by cliffs that are over 2,000 feet high Crater Lake is a picturesque island with a violent volcanic past! Considered to be one of the 7 wonders of Oregon, Crater Lake is famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. Crater lake is the deepest in the United States and one of the deepest in the world. It was formed by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama. While hiking look for the “Old Man of the Lake”, a full-sized tree which is now a stump that has been bobbing vertically in the lake for over a century.
Walk Through The Hoyt Arboretum:
Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate the community, Hoyt Arboretum encompasses a 189 ridge-top acres with 12 miles of hiking trails. More than 6,000 specimens from around the world grow here, 63 of which are vulnerable or endangered. Beginning in April, join Hoyt Arboretum tour guides on an informative 90-minute journey through the tree and plant collections.With Oregon’s temperate Pacific Northwest climate, Hoyt Arboretum is one of the few places on Earth where such a wide variety of trees and plants can grow. Observe rare and endangered trees that you would otherwise have to travel the world to see and every season has something new to offer visitors!
September through November The fall colors – blazing gold, red, orange and yellow
December through March Discover the Winter Garden
April through May Smell the magnolias, dogwoods and cherries in bloom
June through August Native wildflowers all over the meadows or under the towering fir trees
