Gorge Guide

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Hood River, White Salmon & Bingen

Windsurfing, cherry-picking, and rafting await in these Oregon and Washington towns in the Columbia River Gorge.

03/17/2022 By Gabriel Granillo and Julia Silverman

Real Estate

First They Came for the AC. Now, It's About a Backyard Pool.

Historically, a pool was unexpected in Portland-area backyards. But given climate change and COVID, they are hot commodities.

08/18/2021 By Julia Silverman

Watersports

Sup, SUPers? Grab Your Board. We're Going Paddling.

Paddle up at Lost Lake, Hood River, Sellwood Waterfront Park, and more.

08/18/2021 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Fiona McCann, and Gabriel Granillo

Outdoors

Beat the Heat with Whitewater Rafting

Get ready to ride the rapids on the North Santiam, White Salmon, the Clackamas, the Deschutes, and the McKenzie Rivers.

08/12/2021 By Gabriel Granillo

All Aboard

Soon, You Can Cruise the Willamette Aboard a 'Yacht Tub'

The 350-gallon floating soaking tubs will be available for rent starting later this month

08/05/2021 By Julia Silverman

Water Sports

Kayaking within Reach: A Guide for the Newbie

A few paddle tips for beginners. No. 1: it's hard to carry!

07/28/2021 By Leah Altman

News

Got Shut Out from Summer Swim Lessons in Portland? All Is Not Lost.

Slots are pandemic-era limited, and lifeguards are in short supply, but another round of lessons opens in June.

05/26/2021 By Julia Silverman and Fiona McCann

Travel & Outdoors

Portland’s Newest Swimming Hole Is Ready for Your Diving Pleasure

Activism efforts by the Human Access Project have increased swimming access to the Willamette River.

09/29/2020 By Morgan Westling

Outdoors

A New Swimmable, Loungeable Beach Is Open Under the Hawthorne Bridge

The Human Access Project's Audrey McCall Beach offers lifeguard-protected swimming on the east side.

07/23/2019 By Brendan Nagle

Summer Adventures: Rafting

Explore Oregon’s White-Water-Blessed Wilderness in 5 Classic Guided Trips

Get out on the water, stat.

05/28/2019 By Tim Gibbins

Long Story Short

This 93-Year-Old Oregonian Won a Silver Medal at the 1948 Olympics

As a teenager, backstroke champion Suzanne Zimmerman Edwards was part of a legendary group of swimmers at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

02/26/2019 By Margaret Seiler

Long Weekends: On Idaho Time

Looking for an Alternative to Bend? Get Thee to Boise.

Idaho's capital city is grown-up and kinda cool.

09/11/2018 By Kelly Clarke

Long Weekends: Across the River

How to Spend the Perfect Long Weekend on the Sunny Side of the Gorge

Like Hood River? Head across the Columbia to White Salmon and Bingen.

09/11/2018 By Kelly Clarke

Local Travel

The Insider’s Weekend Guide to Bend

Head southeast to soak up that glorious sun and splash in the Deschutes.

08/03/2018 By Ramona DeNies

PDX Planner

Portland by the Season: Can't-Miss Stuff for Every Time of Year

From summer swims to winter film fests, here's how to fill your calendar.

08/03/2018 By Portland Monthly Staff

Summer Reads 2018

Water Aerobics: An Essay by Courtenay Hameister

"I moved to a spot in the shallow end. I admit that I was already judging Molly harshly for her Chinese-character tattoo because I was jealous of her leg muscles."

07/17/2018 By Courtenay Hameister

Trophy Case

5 Must-Pack Items for Your Next Oregon Coast Adventure

Beach, please. Here's how to outfit yourself for maximum relaxation.

07/17/2018 By Kelly Clarke

Travel

The Insider's Weekend Guide to Bend

Here's where to eat, shop, hike, float, and golf in the happiest city in the Oregon high desert.

04/24/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Fitness: Surf's Up

Why Surfing the Oregon Coast Is So Addictive

Alex Morris, a longtime surfer and owner of Portland's Cosube surf shop, breaks it down.

12/28/2017 By Rebecca Jacobson

Urban Dips

Will Portland Get a Public Swimming Dock Just off the Eastbank Esplanade?

If so, it could take several years. (Upside: summers will probably be even more scorching by then!)

09/13/2017 By Ramona DeNies