Margaret Seiler loves to write about local politics, history, sports (from the Thorns to Tonya Harding), and her hobby of extreme transit. A longtime copy editor, she also helps keep Portland Monthly clear, readable, and grammatically correct. The native Kentuckian landed in Oregon after youth-hostelling her way around the continent (before cell phones!) and worked at Willamette Week and the Portland Tribune before joining Portland Monthly in 2010. She lives in North Portland with her family.

Outdoors

Sno-Parks, State Parks & Beyond: Snag a Wilderness Parking Pass

Tired of paying trailhead parking fees? There's a pass for that. Get one of these Pacific Northwest wilderness passes for yourself or your outdoorsy friend.

12/23/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Wriik Maui

Fare Fashion

The Rise of the Transit Agency Holiday Sweater

TriMet's second annual holiday sweater is one for bus history nerds.

12/11/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

Antique Store Hopping in Aurora via TriMet and Canby Area Transit

Plus wine tasting, shortbread samples, relics of a utopia, and so many plug-in plastic Jesuses.

12/02/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in December

Make crafts at Silver Falls, hunt for ornaments in the forest, hop aboard a Christmas train, and spot gray whales swimming south.

11/26/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Margaret Seiler

Best Bars

Portland's Quintessential Dive Bars

Where to visit for cheap drinks, late nights, and the glow of video poker machines.

11/21/2025 By Alex Frane

Mountain Highs

Where to Ski in Oregon and Washington

From Timberline and Meadows in Portland's backyard to road-trip getaways across the Northwest, here are the slopes to seek out.

11/20/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Portland Monthly Staff

Transit Trip

A Fall Day in Troutdale via TriMet’s 77

Find celery lore, lots of happy dogs, and no line at Sugarpine.

11/17/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Soak Spots

The Best Hot Springs near Portland

Let off some steam in nature's hot tubs.

11/11/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Rebecca Jacobson, and Margaret Seiler

Toe pick!

Where to Go Ice-Skating in Portland and Beyond

Total beginner? Wannabe Winterhawk? Aspiring Olympian? We have the rink for you.

11/10/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Superfan

Gino’s Restaurant in the Genes

It’s hard to eat in when you live so close to this Italian favorite.

10/28/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines

Book Review

Romance on the Basketball Court in Play You for It

The debut novel from sports journalist turned romance author Samantha Saldivar hops between Portland and Eugene.

10/22/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

We Rode from Portland to Seattle on City Buses

Pro: It cost $7 total for seven buses. Con: It took seven hours.

10/02/2025 By Margaret Seiler

WEIRD OUT

Visit These 13 Oregon Oddities and Roadside Attractions

Our state has shipwrecks, shoe trees, and sinkholes awaiting you.

09/16/2025 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen, Margaret Seiler, and Portland Monthly Staff

Superfan

At Chin’s Kitchen in Hollywood, It’s Always Soup Season

Patrick Herlihy is working his way through the menu at the Chinese restaurant, but a steaming bowl is a must.

09/12/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines

Swimming

Portland Hotels with Outdoor Pools for Summer Splashing

Why should tourists have all the fun? Avoid the city's overcrowded public pools by treating yourself to a lil' staycation.

08/26/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Isabel Lemus Kristensen

PDX Index

Portland Public Schools’ Numbers Problems

The new bond will help school buildings, but will there be enough kids to fill them?

08/25/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

We Took the New North Coast Express Bus to Rockaway Beach

This summer weekend bus heads straight for Oregon Coast hits like Tillamook and Cannon Beach. We had the cushy coach practically to ourselves.

08/21/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Summer Weekends

Portland Staycation: Dinner and a Movie (and a Swim)

Craft a dreamy weekend out of the house without leaving the metro area.

07/21/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Property Watch: Downtown Skyscraper Big Pink Is for Sale

The US Bancorp Tower is an elder millennial ready for its next chapter.

06/20/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Superfan

At the Nite Hawk, the Patty Melt Is Perfect Every Time

The cooks may change over the years, but Terrance Moses says his sandwich never does.

06/16/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines