Summer Fun

The Big Float Is Bringing the Party to the Willamette River for One Last Hurrah

Grab your unicorn floatie and a life jacket for the 10th and final installment of the flotilla fundraiser.

07/05/2022 By Michelle Harris

Travel Deals

Great Wolf Lodge Offers a Free Night for 100 Travelers with Canceled Flights

If an airline messes up your holiday weekend, you might score a night at the hotel and water park just off I-5 near Centralia. But there's fine print.

06/29/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Swimming

Not Signed Up for Swim Lessons in Portland Yet? There’s Still Hope

Expect to see a lot of "full," "waitlist," and "members only" messages, but there are still some spots available

06/10/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Gorge Guide

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

Separated by a toll bridge, these 3 towns are easy to explore together.

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 suddenly 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'

Who needs St. Tropez, anyway?

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