What have I missed within 2 hrs of Portland

[Okstate]

Ok, so many of you know I'm relatively new to Oregon (going on a little over a year now).

I feel like i've "been there, done that" with almost everything there is to offer around Portland (roughly within a 2 hr. drive in this case). I know that's not the case...which is why I need some fresh ideas from you all.

I want this thread to be a place where you guys (or gals) jot down some of your favorite places to go when you need/want to get away for the day.

[PacificNW]

Carson Mineral Hot Springs Resort on the Washington side of the river just north of Stevenson, WA. Old, funky and great...

[urbanlife]

I am curious, what have you done so far in Portland that makes you think you have "been there, done that?"

Have a beer at every bar in Portland (that will take well over a few years alone.) Find your favorite food carts (sampling each one should take about a year as well.)

[tworivers]

A trip up to Trout Lake, WA?

Lots of swim-able lakes in the vicinity.

The ice caves are neat (and there are apparently quite a few other caves of note, including Cheese, Meat, and Coyote).

Huckleberry shakes at BZ Corner.

Camping/hiking/rafting/Mt Adams.

[Okstate]

-Thanks PacNW & tworivers, this is the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

-Urbanlife- I am meaning within 2 hours immediately outside/around Portland NOT within Portland. Sorry about that confusion.

This is not intended as much about what "I" have done so much as it is about what great finds everyone here seems to really enjoy. I think a compilation of everyones journeys/special places might help enrich each others spare time when contemplating what to do.

Examples of things I'm looking for (and have done myself):

-A great drive- HW 221 from Dayton > Salem
-Unique experience- Touring SakeOne in Forest Grove
-Must do- Eat at a taco truck in Woodburn
-Great & quiet lake- Silverton Reservoir
-Scenic natural site- White River Falls
-Unparalleled coastal environment- Leadbetter Point
-Must eat- Fresh Oyster in South Bend

[JordanL]

A great drive

I'm assuming you have already driven the Columbia River Scenic Highway. Try the same drive on the other side, SR14. It's an entirely different experience.

Other great drives: Highway 35 between US 26 and Hood River (stop to sample the farmer stands); Highway 101 between Manzinita and Lincoln City (stop in Tillamook for a sample of the Tillamook Creamry); Highway 211 between Sandy and Estacada.

Unique experience

Go whale watching off the Oregon coast (depends on the season). Visit some of the cultural centers on the nearby Indian Reservations (not the casinos).

Great & quiet lake

Lost Lake and Timothy Lake are both excellent.



Anyway, that's just a few ideas.

[urbanlife]

My bad, I read your original post wrong...well in that case, I personally love aquariums and would definitely suggest the drive down to Newport to see the one there...which might be a bit over 2 hours, but definitely worth it, and any route you take to get there is fine.

[pylon]

Ok, now you've asked for it.

Here's a loop I take guests on, which has a little bit of everything...

Head (through some hop fields) to Mt. Angel to see Aalto's library at the abbey on the hill- a nice example of mid-century modernism, as well as form following function design. It's only one of two of his designs to be found in the US, the other is a dorm building at MIT. The Aalto Lounge on Belmont is named after him.

http://www.mountangelabbey.org/library/

If you like German food...

http://www.glockenspielrestaurant.net/

Then head to Silver Falls State Park and do some hiking over, around, and underneath a collection of waterfalls...

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php

Then head towards Salem, driving through it, and towards McMinnville to see Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation Museum...

http://www.sprucegoose.org/

If you just want to do a quick look without paying, tell them you only want to visit the cafe and/or museum store.

Cap off your day by walking around downtown McMinnville and dining at the rooftop bar/restaurant at McMenamins' Hotel Oregon...

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=7&id=74

It's also wine country around there, so visiting a tasting room could be a substitute for one of the other above activities.

[Okstate]

Ok so far on this list the things I have yet to do:


-Carson Mineral Hot Springs (with all the hot springs around here I suppose I should get this done)
-Huckleberry shakes at BZ (Will definitely do)
-Anything around Mt. Adams (don't know why i've neglected it)
-Visiting a cultural center on an indian reservation (great idea)
-I have been to the Mt. Angel Abbey but didn't really notice the library
-Lost Lake
-Newport aquarium (been to Newport a dozen times...don't know why i've neglected this either)

Everything else I have done but this is a great start that will take up some time. Thanks guys & i'm sure there's others reading that will take these things into consideration as well.

[maccoinnich]

Okay, so I haven't actually been there yet myself, but my sister has been waxing lyrical about the Enchanted Forest for years. This about explains why.

[tworivers]

How about a night or two at Breitenbush Hot Springs?

[IanofCascadia]

I would definitely recommend going up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mt. St. Helens... the scenery and geologic history are incredible and there is literally no other place like it in the country.

[JordanL]

How about going to Pine Mountain Observatory to view the stars?

http://pmo-sun.uoregon.edu/~pmo/tour.html