Aside from the wine region of Tualatin Valley, Portland offers a world of nature and adventure activities outside of the city. Here, we discovered our top three places to visit outside of the Portland downtown.
1. Cascade Locks -
This region is a 45 minute drive from downtown Portland and is at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. We visited for the Bridge of the Gods half marathon and 10K , which offers scenic views of the forests, gorge, and an epic cross-over the bridge. Sign up for the race here: https://bridgeofthegodsrun.com/
The Cascade Locks region is known for its many waterfalls, including Multnomah - the second highest year-round waterfall in the USA. We visited at about noon, and the sun was just peaking over the top of the mountain ridge. The area also features a bridge hike to get a closer look at the waterfall.
2. Seaside Beach -
Known for its rugged beach landscapes, adventurous hikes, and plentiful beach volleyball activities, this beach is about a two hour drive from Portland.
3. Portland Japanese Garden
Perched like an oasis overlooking the Portland downtown, the Japanese garden features teahouses, sweeping views, forest trails, and delicious cuisine at Umami restuarant. Japanese Garden Admission: https://japanesegarden.org/
Plan on spending at least an hour or two at this expansive Japanese garden.
What is your favorite city retreat in Portland? Comment below!
Looking for a weekend getaway that includes rustic scenery, friendly hospitality, and delicious wine? Head over to the Oregon wine region, which is a tranquil escape only a stone's throw from downtown Portland. The premiere wine region of Tualatin Valley has over 700 vineyards and is known for producing world-renowned Pinot Noirs among many other varieties.
Check out our favorite wineries and things to do in the region:
How to get there:
We took Alaska Airlines, which offers many direct routes to Portland. The best way to get to Tualatin Valley is via rental car or Uber. The drive is only 30 minutes from Portland.
When to Visit:
Late summer and early fall are great times to visit. During our trip in August, the grapes have color and are almost ready for harvest. Wine harvest season usually occurs in September through October.
Ponzi Winery:
One of the first wineries to put Oregon wine on the map is the Ponzi Winery, a beautiful estate overlooking 130 acres of vineyards. Winemaking at Ponzi is a family tradition that began in the 70's and continues as a family-run business by the Ponzi sisters. They have a true passion for their craft and the wine has even been served multiple times at White House State Dinners. âVisit Ponzi: https://www.ponzivineyards.com â
The vineyards at Ponzi are almost ready for harvest, set to occur around mid September this year. Be sure to try the Rose Pinot Noir - the perfect crisp summer wine.
Raptor Ridge Winery:
Located 500 feet atop a rustic view of mountains and valleys is Raptor Ridge Winery. This winery and tasting room offers family-like hospitality from the owners, husband and wife team Scott and Annie Shull. In fact, it is the only winery where were able to meet the owners, an experience that makes this wine region special. The passion for winemaking grew from a hobby in the early 90s to the commercial winery that it is today. The vineyard has a close connection to the land, with hand-grown Pinot Noir sourced from a single vineyard.
We tasted a delicious flight of wine in the tasting room overlooking the vineyard. Be sure to try the Pinot Noir (a must!) and the Grüner, a white wine variety that is grown by only a few winemakers in the US and usually found in Austria.
The vineyard offers tours and onsite yoga events - check the link for details: âhttp://www.raptorridgewinery.com/
Where to Eat:
Time to pair the wine with something tasty. Luckily, Cafe Murray Hill is located about 10 minutes from the wineries and offers a delicious brunch including banana pancakes. http://cafemurrayhill.com/
Berry Picking Farms:
One of the best ways to complement your wine tasting adventure is to go berry picking in the local farms. Hoffman Farm Store: http://www.hoffmanfarmsstore.com/
Where to Stay?
Check out these funky accommodations with AirBnB and don't forget to use our discount!
Have you been to the Oregon wine region of Tualatin Valley yet? Comment below on your favorite wineries and experiences in the region!
When it comes to travel, it's rare that the journey is as enjoyable as the destination. Such is the case with our trip on BC Ferries. We embarked on a journey with BC Ferries from Vancouver, to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. The voyage makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway, as it the island is only an hour and a half from Vancouver. Along the way, we enjoyed a prime view of the Pacific Northwest landscapes, including the islands and wildlife.
Behind the scenes video of the BC Ferries trip: Victoria has a unique blend of nature and European charm, all found on the Pacific Northwest. There are numerous gardens, wineries, and historic buildings on the island. The downtown area is easily stroll-able, where you can visit the Empress Hotel, the harbor, and the Parliament within a few blocks of each other. We took our car on the ferry, which enabled us to explore many regions of the island. Here are the TOP 6 reasons to cruise from Vancouver to Victoria: 1. Nature and wildlife From BC Ferries, you can enjoy the spectacular nature. We spend the majority of the ferry ride on the sun deck, where we could view the wildlife, such as otters, eagles, and sometimes even orcas. Be sure to bring your binoculars and telephoto lens to capture these views. 2. Craigdarroch Castle: The largest residence in the province, with a wooden interior and stunning views from the top. The castle reminded me of Hearst Castle and was a great way to experience the history of Victoria.
3. Parliament Building of Victoria: Historic landmark building that serves as the parliament of British Columbia. Take a guided tour of the interior or enjoy the extensive gardens. 4. Nearby islands such as Salt Spring, spotted from BC Ferries.
5. Empress Hotel: An iconic landmark in Victoria where you can dine at the restaurant or enjoy high tea.
6. Wineries! Did you know that Victoria is home to numerous wineries? We visited Church & State, a beautiful winery and tasting room that makes for perfect place to relax with friends and sip the regional wine.
Have you been to Victoria? What was your favorite part about the journey and the island? Comment below! Shop for items for your trip: |
Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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