paul wheaton wrote:Making some plans to be in the portland area in september.
And I am curious if there are fun things I should consider doing when in the area. I went to the Japanese gardens last time. I've been to omsi a dozen times. What else?
I live in the Portland area. Tell me what you like to do, and I'll likely have suggestions. I don't know what your car situation is, but there's plenty in and outside the public transportation areas, and there are often tours that drive out to places from the city, and I'm sure online friends would be happy to take you on a tour of their favorite places. Most of the online top 10 guides will tell you about the usual stuff in Portland that you can take the Max to. If you have a car and want to do a day trip, there are lots of adventures to choose from.
For beaches where you can touch the water, Canon Beach has iconic Haystack rock. Seaside has beach people (think roller skates and bubbles). Sunset Beach is nice if you want to drive your car onto the beach, which is good if you want to stay close to your car.and stuff (just make sure you pay attention to the tides). Ecola State Park has beautiful views and hiking and has beach access. Astoria isn't so great for the beach, but it is lovely to visit the docks and watch the ships.
History: Chachalu, Warm Springs, Japanese American Museum, Oregon History Museum, Hi Desert Museum (in Bend), End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Ft Stevens and Ft Clatsop, Portland Art Museum.
The Japanese garden is beautiful, and the Chinese garden is too, and the Leech Botanical Garden is pretty, but if you're looking for something less manicured, try the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area (need to reserve a time to visit Multnomah Falls and pay an extra fee on top of the Day pass for the Gorge) and Mt Hood Forest (Trillium Lake is the first place I suggest to new visitors, need a day use pass).
Want something Portland-ish? The Peculiarium. The tunnel tours under the city. Food carts. Voodoo. River cruise if you want to watch the view go by while you relax.
If you're willing to head to Hood River, they've got the train, rail bikes, and some super yummy farms (Hood River Fruit Loop) that will be selling a bunch of yummies in September.
Permaculture stuff: Get in touch with Angela at Parkrose Permaculture. She does suburban permaculture and is rather popular on YouTube. There also Andrew Millison at OSU in Corvallis who teaches courses and has some amazing international examples of permaculture.
If you are into volcanoes, try Newberry Volcanic Monument or head up to Washington for Mt St Helens or Ape Caves.
Want to see some awesome desert river ecosystem stuff and amazing rock climbers, head to Smith Rock State Park.
And if you want to participate in a protest, there's almost always one happening somewhere around here. Indivisible has weekly events.
Show up hungry. There's lots of good food.
