Which is where I need your help. We'll be flying in and out of Portland and we'll be in the area for six days. The Friday and Saturday of the wedding we'll be staying at a hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Portland - but that's all we've got nailed down for sure. What should we do whilst in the Pacific Northwest in August?
Mountains and water? We might stay there forever.
I'd love recommendations for:
- Camping - preferably anywhere along the coast - and any leads you might have on renting camping equipment.
- If I should really be afraid of sneaker waves? I saw a documentary on them a few years ago and am slightly terrified.
- Kid friendly activities
- Must sees
- Must eats
- How feasible an overnight trip to the Seattle area is - and what we should do there
- Hotels or other overnight places you love
- Anything else you think we should do (keeping in mind we'll have a one year old in tow).
- Beaches and views
- Laid back dinners
- A few planned activities - like museums or zoos or aquariums or tours.
- Physical activities - scenic bike rides, canoeing or other forms of boating, camping, hiking
Oh I'm jealous! I've never been to the pacific north west and I've definitely been wanting a trip there.
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely no help for any recommendations but I'm excited to see what you come up with!
THE GORGE!!! Stay a night in Hood River or at Skamania Lodge or catch a concert at Maryhill Winery. AMAZING views! And Hood River has world-class wind surfing & kite boarding, so that is AWESOME to watch! I am a PDX native -- feel free to send me an email if you need more specifics!
ReplyDeletemy sister lives in Portland and I think we also stayed in Nob Hill one night and then switched to another place. I can't remember which one exactly but it was part of the McMennamins group. Look them up they have all sorts of neat "hotels" and most have breweries/wineries on site. One was once an old school they converted. I hear Cannon beach is nice on the coast. The zoo is also supposed to be great. we were there for only 2 days and went to the Japanese & Rose Garden, Mt Hood Timberline lodge for lunch (where the parts of the movie The Shining were filmed). And drove the scenic route and stopped at all the waterfalls along the way. (spent only about 5 minutes at each one since we were there for such a short peroid of time) Multonomah falls seemed like it would have been the best. What I remember most about Portland was all the great craft beers and neat local eateries.
ReplyDeleteFun! We did that area last June. My husband and then-6 year old son drove/camped from Denver to Portland (via Salt Lake/Idaho) while I flew with our then 10mo old son (and some extended family). The only thing we did IN Portland was go to IKEA :-) but I'd love to go back. We drove to the coast via Tilamook (the cheese factory tour is worth it and the ice cream is delish) to a house in Netarts. We saw seals and bald eagles from the house every day. The drive north up the coast from Netarts is great: Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already heard of Voodoo doughnuts in Portland, I'm sure you'll want to check it out.
DH and I also flew into/out of Seattle for our honeymoon 10 years ago and camped/explored Olympic Nat'l Park and Vancouver Isand (sea kayaks!). So much to do and so much pretty scenery. While our Denver spring has been plenty wet lately, I still think you'll love how green and lush the PNW is compared to our relative desert.
P.S. Thank you for going back and reviewing The Shred. Today was day 10 so I'll start level 2 tomorrow!
kar in denver
Awesome!! I am definitely biased... I live on the Kitsap Peninsula in WA (35 min driving and a 35 min ferry ride from Seattle) and I love the PNW! Portland is great... I don't know many specifics, but I know you won't have any problems finding things to do. :) (If you're into books-- you must check out Powell's City of Books. Biggest and best book store ever!)
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to head up to WA, Seattle is only 3 hours north of Portland. Pike Place Market is a classic stop, but I'd imagine it might be a bit crazy with a 1 y/o. You should take a ferry over to Bainbridge Island and stroll through Winslow--beautiful views and nice local shops. There are also parks everywhere and water views of the Puget Sound, lakes, and rivers all over--and of course the mountains if it's clear out.
I know you'll have a great time out here no matter what you decide to do!! Good luck!
I lived in eastern Washington for a year and visited the coast often. You HAVE to go see Seattle (Pikes Place Market/fish market, go up in the space needle). We also made a trip to see Mount St Helens as well, and Mt Ranier. They are iconic and one-of-a-kind sights (with lots of hiking, trails, and lookouts), but they may be too far to travel to.
ReplyDeleteWhen we lived in Idaho, my family took a trip to Oregon and I think we nipped into Washington for a bit there. I was about 10 so I can't give you any specific GREAT tips, but my favorite parts of that trip were: playing in the tidepools on the rocky coast, hunting for agates, and tricking my dad with these fun jellybeans we bought that looked like rocks. He thought I was going to ruin my teeth by biting into a rock! It was hilarious to my 10 year old self.
ReplyDeleteYay! You will love it here. The PNW in August is just beautiful. Eat at Papa Haydn in Portland. Food is wonderful, desserts are EVEN BETTER!! Also, go to Powell's books and eat at Portland's wonderful street carts. The OMSI museum is really interesting and has lots of stuff for kids and grown ups.
ReplyDeleteCannon Beach is lovely but might want to book something soon. Gets busy in the summer. Lincoln City is nearby and is also great.
You are going to have such a great trip. The PNW is a fantastic place to live! And, if you do drive up to Seattle and need a pit stop half way -- I'd be happy to give the Imperfect family some refreshments and a clean bathroom to use. :)
-Ellen
Another vote for Papa Haydn! Also, bring an extra suitcase since Portland has an Ikea and if I remember correctly, isn't the closest one to you a few hours away? :)
ReplyDeleteSneaker waves really aren't a joke, but locals will tell you that it's important to be mindful of your surroundings. My husband grew up on the coast and his dad's rule was that one adult always had to be watching the coastline. Now when we take our son to the beach, we do the same. Just a couple of months ago, a couple of high school seniors got knocked off of a jetty and into the water and drowned. It was a horrible tragedy. I don't say this to scare you, but just to share that any local will tell you to always watch the water.
I hope your time in Portland is great! Simply taking an afternoon to wander the city streets is one of my favorite things to do. If you have time, go to Voodoo donuts. It's a Portland institution!
I grew up in Seattle (bainbridge Island) lived in Portland for 10 years and now reside in Eastern Wa. I will break it up into two sections;
ReplyDeletePORTLAND AND SURROUNDS: The beach - Rockaway and Cannon beach are lovely. Camping is tricky - you'd be best making a hotel reservation now than trying to camp, rent equipment etc. you could probably find some cheap ones- if not email me, a friend of a friend has a condo in Rockaway.In Portland proper: OMSI (oregon museum of science and industry is great for kids) the rose garden and hiking in forest park. If you like wine the williamette valley wine tasting (mostly pinor noir) pearl district/nw blvd - also saturday market downtown. Bistro montage is a great cheap eat with good food.
SEATTLE: pike place market. also taking ferry to Bainbridge is beautiful and the town of winslow is charming to walk around. The aquarium is nice too. Seattle center and space needle. Another possibility is to take the victoria clipper from seattle to Victoria B.C. and get your canada fix. if your husband is into palne boeings museum of flight is once. Fremont district is cool and Ballard Locks to see the boats come in and out and the fish ladders. Plus Ray's Boathouse Cafe is a great place to eat. Take the duck tourist tour - it's actually worth it!
Have fun - you are going during a great time! You just need a few more weeks....
Cannon Beach and Tillamook Cheese Factory! Hood River is Amazing! They have a great farmers Market. There is also a really fun Saturday Market in Portland. Seattle is like a 5 hour drive, but its a gorgeous drive! There is a lake near Mount Hood called Lost Lake, and it is beautiful. No motor boats allowed, you can camp there and rent canoes and kayaks.
ReplyDeleteHey - I just started reading your blog (came over from Kristal's) and love it! We went to Portland in October 2009 and it was awesome. I have a few blog posts about what we did here:
ReplyDeleteerinkristine.blogspot.com/search/label/portland
My top picks are going to the Portland Farmer's Market, Besaw's for breakfast, and Papa Haydn for dessert - so good!
I've also been to Seattle, but honestly there is so much to do in Portland and the surrounding area that I'd probably just stick to that so you aren't feeling rushed.
Me again. Here is a fun post from another blog I read about fun stuff in Portland. They just posted it today -- good timing! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.frugallivingnw.com/local-events/year-of-the-staycation-portland/
-Ellen
I just went to Portland for the first time and the most beautiful thing we did was drive along the columbia river gorge...the views are breathtaking!!!!! We drove down the washington side to the Bridge of the Gods ate lunch and the little inn there and drove back on the oregon side stopping at these amazing waterfalls on the way!!! So beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to go to the oregon coast too if you have time for that.
Also we went to this bookstore there in downtown portland that is huge! Don't know if you like books and or bookstores but they have TONS of adult and kids books and gift stuff. Really a fun place.
Were we separated at birth? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteRyan and I are flying into Seattle and doing a road trip down through Portland, down the Oregon Coast and then the Redwood Forests before flying out of San Francisco. I'm waiting with baited breath for all your recommendations and was totally planning a similar post in the next few weeks. CRAZY!
(I also have quite a few resources for free travel guides from the area that are super handy. Email me if you are interested and I'll share the scoop.)
I was just about to yell at you about how jealous I am of this trip then I read Kim's comment and now I want to yell at both of you! The pacific NW is my next must-see area of the country. I've never been there and the only thing I know about it I learned from watching old Real World episodes but I feel like you guys would fit in there like peas and carrots. Have fun planning and don't spend all your travel money...leave some for an east coast jaunt!
ReplyDeleteIf it's doable, Crater Lake is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHI, I'm actually from Seattle and going in August is the best time. It is so beautiful then!
ReplyDeleteI read some of the other posts and I have to agree on:
Pikes Place Market, Space needle
You must see Snoqulamie Falls, and Mt. Rainer.
In Oregon I agree Cannon Beach. They have the cheese factory, Haystack Rock and little shops in town.
I'm super jealous you are going. I haven't been home in several years and miss it so much. Take lots of pictures and post them!!
I. AM. NOT. A. COMMENTOR. EVER. But for this my beautiful home town I had to break my rule. I am a mother of an almost two year old boy. So hear are my suggestions: our Zoo is awesome! Honeyman State Park is a great place to camp! Near the beach so you can kill two birds with one stone. Make reservations asap though. We love our summer camping. If you like a good donut try Voodoo Donuts... but expect an odd, a very odd little donut shop. And my last but not least is a mild hike to see Multnomah Falls. But really anywhere you go will be great cuz Portland, OR rocks... rain and all.
ReplyDeleteI've never been but those photos are great. Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteMy mom grew-up in Oregon and many of my childhood vacations were spent driving from southern New Mexico up to Seattle and working our way down the Pacific coast visiting relatives. So I'm very excited for you and possibly more excited to share with you. My number one recommendation would be Cannon Beach. This was my first beach experience and I still love the town. Granted it's been years since I was there, but it was such a quaint quiet town. Also the Tillamook Cheese Factory is great! The cheese is good, the tour fun and educational, and the ice cream is delicious. We just spent a few days in Seattle and I loved Pike's Place and there are great places to get coffee, besides Starbucks. I hope you have a great trip and discover some of your own special spots to share as a family!
ReplyDeleteI highly suggest EMP. in Seattle as well as the underground tour. both would be ok with a tot. as this place is a kid friendly world over here. If u can hit paradise on mt Rainer. beautiful! and kiddo can run til his legs give out. :) I'm planning a secret squirrel mission to get my Texan pop in law to fall in love with PNW so he will move here and these things are on my list. :) the woodland park zoo has a jimi Hendrix memorial statue in it. fine addition to your scrapbook and it's a great zoo!
ReplyDeletethings are a little spendy here so be prepared for that. even grocery items are going to make you look twice. :)
I highly suggest EMP. in Seattle as well as the underground tour. both would be ok with a tot. as this place is a kid friendly world over here. If u can hit paradise on mt Rainer. beautiful! and kiddo can run til his legs give out. :) I'm planning a secret squirrel mission to get my Texan pop in law to fall in love with PNW so he will move here and these things are on my list. :) the woodland park zoo has a jimi Hendrix memorial statue in it. fine addition to your scrapbook and it's a great zoo!
ReplyDeletethings are a little spendy here so be prepared for that. even grocery items are going to make you look twice. :)
If you want to see the Olympic National Park (ocean, mountains, glaciers and rain forests..yow), you can rent complete camping packages in Port Hadlock, WA right on your way to and from the Park. http://www.olympiccampingrentals.com
ReplyDelete