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

Get Out

25 Great Swimming Holes within 3 Hours of Portland

Dive in.

08/24/2017 By Benjamin Tepler, Rachel Ritchie, Margaret Seiler, Caleb Diehl, and Kasey Cordell

Beach Life

Portland Made a Beach—with Sand!

It's under the Marquam Bridge, it has a sandy shore, and you can swim here through early September.

07/07/2017 By Rachel Wilson

Long Story Short

Una the Mermaid Is Portland's Most Magical Sea Nymph

She's also the organizer of the Portlandia Mermaid Parade, which returns for its third year July 28.

06/12/2017 By Rebecca Jacobson

Dispatch

Yes, Portland Has a Surf Scene—and It's on the Rise

These are swell times in our landlocked city.

06/12/2017 By Rick Albano

Extreme Sports

Meet Extreme Sea Kayaker Freya Hoffmeister

The champion athlete (and ice cream mogul, and former Miss Germany contestant) passes through Portland in the way to her next adventure: a solo circumnavigation of North America.

03/20/2017 By Regan Breeden

WATER WORLD

Your Ultimate Guide to Northwest Swimming Holes

From hidden gems to trusty stalwarts, here’s where to cool down when the mercury soars. Plus: your essential river rat gear guide and some etiquette suggestions (if we may).

07/12/2016 By Benjamin Tepler, Margaret Seiler, Rachel Ritchie, and Caleb Diehl

GET OUT

The Pacific Northwest Swimming Hole Hall of Fame

The one caveat: everyone else knows about these 10 spots, too.

07/12/2016 By Benjamin Tepler

BEST OF THE CITY 2016

Best of the City 2016: Seven Essential Outdoor Escapes in Portland

Resplendent picnic views to car-free cycling—lucky for us, natural wonder is always close at hand.

06/13/2016 By Ramona DeNies