Five hours south of Vancouver lies the 'weird' city of Portland, Oregon. Accessible by car or a short flight, this is a worthwhile long weekend trip to undertake in shoulder season! A charming city engrosses visitors with an industrial-chic landscape of microbreweries and coffee roasters. Everyone will feel welcome in Portland.
Caffeinated outdoor adventures in the nearby region await. For a perfect mix of sights, sounds, day trips and tastes for all budgets and interests see my google maps list here.
An easy and accessible half day trip to view the hugely popular waterfall which is the second tallest in North America. There's a cute stone coffee shop and seven other nearby falls if you want to escape the crowds. Water flows all year around and the falls are free.
You will get lost in the enormous variety of books in this multi level store that has become a Portland attraction. Each room has a colour theme as the store takes up an entire city block. Book lovers should head to the top floor pearl room to the rare book section.
McMenamins Kennedy School A truly unique and memorable experience! This school school shut in the 1970s and has been reborn as an intriguing entertainment and boutique hotel complex. Five bars, a hot tub plunge pool, two restaurant and a cinema are all contained within this building that still houses heritage education memorabilia.
A Portland favourite. Large brewery with a beer hall and dining room, they even have free samples on the weekend. If you miss out there is an airport outlet now too.
A steep hike fourty five minutes from Portland with expansive views across the Columbia River gorge. This great half-day trip is an easy drive with a $10 park pass. Outdoor enthusiasts will love this, very manageable and suitable for most people.
An institution. Huge, cheap, sweet treats open 24/7 with inventive toppings including the 'dirty old bastard' crunchy peanut butter, oreo, chocolate combination and the iconic Portland cream. Cash only.
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