Travel & Outdoors

Portland Parks

Where Parks Are More Than Just Playgrounds and Ballfields

A Q&A with Jon Blasher of the Portland-area regional government Metro, on balancing the urgency of access to nature for all with habitat preservation

05/27/2022 By Julia Silverman

Portland Parks

Parks We Love in Portland’s Suburbs, from West Linn to Washougal

Venture beyond city limits for more great greenspaces in West Linn, Tualatin, Gresham, and Washougal.

05/27/2022 By Michelle Harris

Recreation

It’s Will-AM-it, Dammit! Running the Numbers on the Willamette River

Dive in at Poet's Beach, kayak at Sellwood Riverfront Park, or just worry about Portland Harbor pollutants—there’s a lot to do in the Willamette.

05/27/2022 By Michelle Harris

Oregon Wine

Alt Wine Fest Explores the World of Wine Beyond Pinot

The July festival, taking place at Abbey Road Farm, is dedicated to the 80+ varieties of Oregon grapes that aren't pinot noir.

05/25/2022 By Michelle Harris

Field Notes

Hike of the Month: Cathedral Tree Trail in Astoria

Boardwalks, tree-root stairs, and the namesake Sitka spruce line the way to the Astoria Column and stunning views of the Columbia River Bar and Oregon Coast.

05/20/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Literary Road Trip

New Mural in Clatskanie Celebrates Writer Raymond Carver

A free festival this weekend shows off the almost-complete mural and includes a poetry contest and Birdman screening.

05/20/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Property Watch: On Alberta, a Classic Portland Bungalow with Backyard Living Pods

Two living units—one modern, one vintage—occupy a single city lot, with a central courtyard.

05/16/2022 By Melissa Dalton

Wine Country

Remember When You Could Spontaneously Taste Your Way through Oregon’s Wine Country?

Want to visit wineries in Willamette Valley on a whim? Here's where you can stop and sip without having to plan ahead.

05/11/2022 By Michelle Harris

Flowers

Lilacs for Days at Hulda Klager Gardens in Woodland, Washington

Surrounded by flowers, the historic property’s farmhouse remains closed for now, but the gardens and arboretum just north of Portland are open year-round.

05/09/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Camping

5 Places to Camp within an Hour of Portland

Pitch a tent at Milo McIver, rent a cabin at Stub Stewart, book a yurt at Champoeg—so many Oregon State Parks are close to the city.

05/06/2022 By Michelle Harris

The Tiny Mountain Town of Mazama Gets a Little Bigger

Methow Valley residents rallied to raise a new brew pub in their small settlement. But is the quiet corner of the Cascades ready for big time tourism?

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/27/2022

Where to Go for Long Weekends from Seattle

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, summer is full of extra Mondays and Fridays off work. Here are the best three-day weekend trips in the Pacific Northwest.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/26/2022

Best Phone Apps for Hiking and Camping

Your smartphone may be your best tool outdoors when deep in the Cascades or on a lonely Olympic beach—and not just for the camera.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/25/2022

Trailhead Direct Restarts Bus Service to Hiking Trails

Forget parking: The peaks just off I-90 become much more accessible with seasonal public transportation.

By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach
Published 05/24/2022

I Hate that I Love Seabrook

Seabrook, Washington, was built from scratch in 2005 to be the ultimate family vacation community. Is its perfection eerie or endearing?

By Allecia Vermillion [email protected]
Published 05/24/2022

The Long Road Trip Down Long Beach

Wander through 30 miles of southwest Washington for beach walking, kiteflying, and history, starting at Leadbetter Point State Park.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/23/2022

Events

What to Do in Oregon in May

Celebrate UFOs in McMinnville, toast rosé season in the Willamette Valley's wine country, and ride a fat-tire bike in Cannon Beach.

05/02/2022 By Shannon Daehnke, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Michelle Harris, and Margaret Seiler

Hiking

Explore These Trails Right at Portland’s Doorstep

A hike at Hogan’s Butter, Scouters Mountain, Tualatin River Greenway, and more are right at Portland's doorstep.

04/29/2022 By Brian Barker, Ramona DeNies, and Michelle Harris

Biking

Biketown Rides Are Free This Weekend in Honor of Earth Day

The Nike-sponsored Portland bike share program's all-electric fleet is free for up to an hour if you have the app.

04/22/2022 By Conner Reed

For the Birds

Tufted Puffins Are Disappearing from Oregon’s Coast

A conservationist group in Cannon Beach is on a mission to save the iconic seabirds, who make Haystack Rock a summer home.

04/22/2022 By Michelle Harris

Columbia River Gorge

Heading for the Gorge’s Waterfall Corridor This Summer? You’ll Need a Permit.

The pilot project runs May 24 to September 5 for Wahkeena, Oneonta, Horsetail, and Multnomah Falls. Permits required spring weekends at Dog Mountain, too.

04/18/2022 By Margaret Seiler