Water World

The 18 Best Swimming Holes Within 3 Hours of Portland

From hidden gems to trusty stalwarts, here’s where to cool down when the mercury soars.

06/30/2025 By Portland Monthly Staff

No Reservations

Is Downtown Portland’s Tourism Industry Bouncing Back?

Five years after COVID, Portland hotels are filling back up—but nowhere near 2019 levels.

06/09/2025 By Winston Ross Illustrations by Matthew Billington

Events

Don't Miss These Annual Oregon Coast Events

Seafood fests in Astoria and Garibaldi, fat bikes in Cannon Beach, and labyrinths in Bandon.

03/20/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Fly Direct

These Are All the Nonstop Destinations from PDX

PDX is wonderful. The same can't be said for other airports. Here are all the destinations that won't force you to wait around to change planes.

02/27/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

History Tour

Visit These Oregon Ghost Towns This Fall

Once-bustling towns like Bridal Veil, Shaniko, and Golden hold remnants of the state's past.

10/22/2024 By Gabriel Granillo

Lake Life

Our 8 Favorite Lake Trips near Portland (Yes, You Can Still Book One)

Gorgeous views and easy water access await at these lakeside campgrounds.

07/10/2024 By Sam Stites

Going Solo

Solo Travel Isn’t Always Comfortable, but It Is Always Revelatory

Free of witness, you meet a different version of yourself.

07/01/2024 Illustrations by Sophie Escavy-Lim By Erica Berry

Hasta Luego

This Gresham Company Offers Guided Outdoor Trips in Spanish

Loco por la Aventura aims to get more Portlanders who are Hispanic or Latino “vibing with nature.”

04/15/2024 By Ellee Thalheimer

Travel

7 Last-Minute Spring Break Destinations for Sun-Deprived Portlanders

Itching to get away from the rain? Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Diego, and other sources of vitamin D await.

03/07/2024 By Dalila Brent, Shannon Daehnke, Gabriel Granillo, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Michelle Harris, and Julia Silverman

The Game of Portland

Hey, Can You Make It from Now through Spring Break?

Hawai'i—or maybe just your couch—is calling.

03/01/2024 Illustrations by Hawk Krall By Portland Monthly Staff

Travel

Visit These 10 Oregon Oddities and Roadside Attractions

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

02/15/2024 By Gabriel Granillo, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Fiona McCann, and Margaret Seiler

Bottoms Up

And the Drunkest City in Oregon Is…

A recent study reveals where the most heavy drinking happens in the Beaver State.

12/01/2023 By Dalila Brent

Holiday Gift Guide

Forget Presents. This Year, Spoil Yourself and Your Bestie.

Our gift guide is all about doing things with your favorites.

11/27/2023 By Portland Monthly Staff

Avoiding Travel Hell

And the 5 Best Direct Flights Out of Portland Are...

No traffic. No lines. No 4 a.m. wake-ups. We found the best direct round-trips that PDX offers. Because we love you.

09/15/2023 By Sam Stites

Outdoor Films

A New Documentary on Black Outdoorsmen Premieres in Portland

The film, which delves into the lives of five men in the predominantly white industry, premieres in Portland on August 26 with star Chad Brown.

08/24/2023 By Sam Stites

Getaway

Unlimited Flying on Frontier's GoWild Pass? We Investigated

We had some questions about the program offering a month of travel from PDX for just $49.

08/22/2023 By Sam Stites

Trails

Hike of the Month: Forest, Wildflowers, and Sea at Two Rivers Trail

Just south of Pacific City, you can enjoy 2.7 miles through wildflower meadows and lush woodland on this peninsula at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

08/21/2023 By Sam Stites

Get on the Bus

Yep, You Can Take a Bus There: Expanded Bus Service Comes to Oregon

New bus routes and expanded service emerged from a partnership between regional carrier Pacific Crest Bus Lines and national conglomerate Megabus.

08/11/2023 By Sam Stites

Perfect Plans

Doe Bay Resort: What to Do, Where to Stay, and What to Eat

Don't be misled by "resort" in its title, says our writer, who has visited for 30 years. Nestled in the San Juan Islands between mountains and water, this spot offers something for everyone, from campers to hikers to luxury seekers.

08/07/2023 By MaryRose Denton

State Parks

Silver Falls State Park Solves Its Popularity Problem

The park, which gets 1.3 million visitors a year, unveiled the first part of renovations with new parking, two trails connecting to popular hikes, and a kids' nature play area.

08/04/2023 By Sam Stites