This post is all about taking a trip to Portland, Oregon.
When I think of Oregon, I think of overcast skies, rainy weather, and thick fog. The state reminds me of Twilight and Gravity Falls. For that alone, my book/movie obsessed self was soooo excited about this trip.
If you’ve never been to the area before, you will learn about what to do in Portland, places to visit in the area, where to eat, and more!
My trip to Portland, Oregon was a part of a larger road trip through the Pacific Northwest. So if you’re interested in driving around, you can also find out how you can map out your trip.
This post is all about taking a trip to Portland, Oregon.
Why Take a Trip to Portland
Before I traveled to Portland and the surrounding area, I had no idea what to expect besides what I saw in pop culture. When I actually visited, I was surprised to be blown away by the natural beauty.
It was definitely a change to come from the New England area to explore the Pacific Northwest. Although I was familiar with nature, it still felt different to be here. It was as though everything was unlike anything I had ever seen in real life before. That kind of scenery cloaked our route. From the mountains to the lakes to the rows upon rows of trees, it felt like I was in another world.
As for Portland, it has a welcoming downtown area filled with shops, food trucks, statues, and LOTS of coffee places. This part of the city is within walking distance, but you could also drive or take the train if you prefer. I only stayed in the Portland area for two days, but I think it was enough time to take in the area.
Day 1: Exploring Downtown Portland
If you want to explore downtown Portland, the best thing you can do is to take the train. The train runs through Portland and the outskirts of it so it’ll give you a decent view of the city.
You can take the train to Washington Park and explore it. There is a lot to there such as the zoo, rose gardens, and archery range. You can use a shuttle to get around the park for free, but it’s handy to have a ticket for the metro. Since the shuttle only comes around every 25-30 minutes, if you have a ticket, you can just hop on the bus.
Take the train out west to Beaverton, Oregon (in the suburbs of Portland) if you want to stop to eat. They have a variety of cuisines there. Returning to downtown Portland, you can visit the statue of Portlandia.
Brunch: Cadillac Cafe
The Cadillac Cafe is a popular spot for brunch in Portland. I found out about it through a recommendation by a local, and it did not disappoint. As someone who doesn’t eat meat, I was pleased that they had a good amount of options. Service was quick and it’s not in a busy area so you should be able to find parking.
Train Ride Through Portland
Since the train runs straight through Portland, you can get a good idea of what the city looks like. There are several stops, but we rode straight from the downtown area to Washington Park. If you visit this park, use the shuttle to get around because it’s free.
Although we didn’t stay for long, we made sure to visit the rose garden at Washington Park. Even though it was late August, walking amongst all those roses was still beautiful.
On your way back into the downtown area of Portland, you can stop to see the statue of Portlandia, located above the entrance to the Portland Building. It’s the second-largest copper statue after the Statue of Liberty so check it out!
Day 2: Scenic Drive and Vancouver, Washington
If you’re only spending about 2 days in Portland, I would recommend reserving a day to explore the downtown area, and another to take the scenic route. The scenic route goes along the Columbia River and leads to Mount Hood.
You can also visit Vancouver, WA which is just north of Portland. It’s one of the biggest cities in Washington and I personally thought it was well worth visiting.
Columbia River/Mount Hood Scenic Drive
The scenic drive is kind of long so make sure to download something to watch or bring a book to read. However, most of the time, the view outside your window is enough to hold your attention.
There are plenty of places to stop on your way to Mount Hood. We didn’t stop at first until we reached Corbett, Oregon at a park called Rooster Rock State Park.
When you leave Portland, take I-84 to Hood River. This route takes you along the Columbia River and from here you can see the Bridge of Gods. If you’re a fan of Twilight, this is the same bridge Bella and her dad Charlie drive along at the beginning of the movie.
When you get to Hood River, take Route 35 South towards Mount Hood. The town of Hood River itself is a nice place to stop on your way to the mountain. There’s a bunch of activities to partake in such as kayaking and we got gelatos!
Along this way, you will be able to see Mount Hood. If you want to drive up the mountain, there’s an entrance on Route 26 to get to Timberline Lodge after you curve past it. You can get a great view from this lodge because it sits at the top of Mount Hood.
Vancouver, Washington
After a long afternoon admiring the scenery, we headed north of Portland to Vancouver, Washington. The waterfront area in this city was bustling with people, there were musicians performing, and many restaurants overlooked the Columbia River.
Dinner: WildFin American Grill
Side note: if you ever eat at this restaurant you should try their “Cajun Chicken Fettuccine” pasta. My brother had it and it raised his expectations (food-wise) for the rest of the trip!
The Waterfront
The waterfront is a long path overlooking the Columbia River and it was a nice walk to unwind after dinner.
The air was filled with the sound of people having a good evening, musical instruments and voices, and small boats gliding over the water. There must’ve been some kind of magical feeling surrounding us, I even tossed a penny into the river and made a wish.
I would definitely recommend adding Portland to your travel bucket list if you love to be surrounded by nature. There was always something to admire here, I could barely focus on the book I was reading on our drives! Also, Portland is perfect for people who love to be in the atmosphere of a city, but maybe don’t like crowds that much.
I was hoping at least once in the Pacific Northwest to feel like I was in Twilight and driving up to Mount Hood gave me exactly that. And if you have the chance, I hands down say you should visit Vancouver, Washington.
This post was all about taking a trip to Portland Oregon.
