Portland,Oregonhas been blessed with an abundance of diversity. There is an unlimited amount of options a visitor can participate any day. From hiking outside the city to biking within the city,Portlandhas something for everyone. In one day someone can be snowboarding on Mount Hood and then be surfing on thePacific Ocean(a wet suit needed). The city is also beautiful and it is no coincidence that its nickname is the “RoseCity”. The greenery around the city makes it no ordinary looking city. Portlandprides itself on being a green city and it is evident in how the city and companies run their businesses. Here is our list of best attractions.
Top 5
- Multnomah Falls
- Timberline Lodge
- Smith Rock
- Crater Lake
- Downtown Portland
Multnomah Fallsis one of the most popular visitor attractions. You may not have been there but chances are you have seen a postcard ofMultnomah Falls. It makes for a great place for pictures during all seasons. Visitors can enjoy a tasty meal in the lodge and then begin a hike up the waterfall. The hikes vary in length but there is usually an option for all levels of fitness. To just get to the top of the falls is about a mile hike but serious hikers can keep going on trails that go anywhere from 8 to 15 miles. There are many other waterfalls nearby including the Eagle Creek hike.
The picturesque Timberline Lodge is located onMount Hood. It is a thing of beauty for visitors to be able to take in. Timberline was built in the late 1930’s to help create jobs during the Great Depression. Visitors can enjoy year round world class snowboarding conditions and afterwards warm up inside the lodge. Visitors do not need snowboarding to have incentive to go up the mountain. Many families make day trips to visit timberline lodge. It has some spectacular views, in the winter with all the snow it looks like a scene straight out of a Chronicles of Narnia book.
Smith Rock is a premier destination for rock climbers around the world. They come from all over to climb, repel and hike in the area. Smith Rock is located in centralOregonnear the city ofBend. It is a different side ofOregon’s beauty that people do not know about. The area is dry with less greenery than aroundPortlandbut it is just as beautiful. One advantage of centralOregonis that the weather is more cooperative.
While inOregonyou can take a drive several hours to the southern part of the state and visit the lake calledCrater Lake. The lake is located inside a crater and the crater keeps on going an additional 1996 feet. It is the second deepest lake in the world and definitely worth the drive. In the middle of the lake there is a large volcanic island which just adds to the beauty. It is a great summer trip but is also a beautiful site during the winter with all the snow.
Downtown Portlandprovides an endless number of activities from live music to coffee shops to festivals going on at the water front. During the summer you can enjoy the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in May, the Rose Festival in June, 4th of July festivities and the Italian Festival in August. These are just a few of the things going on for visitors to enjoy. There are many more activities going on in between including microbrew festivals where visitors can try some of the famousPortland microbrews. Visitors will not be disappointed. There are an unlimited number of great restaurants in downtown. From great franchise chains like P.F. Changs to local restaurants like Henry’s Tavern there are great dining options.
