Where to stay in the Portland Region
The Jupiter NEXT Hotel, Portland
With sweeping views of the historic Central Eastside to the glittering West Hills down to the glowing Tilikum Bridge up to the arch of the Fremont, upscale rooms at the NEXT offer unedited, unparalleled views of Portland. Each boutique hotel room offers spectacular city views, 60 inch flat screen tv, mini refrigerator, and high speed wifi. Your comfort zone in the middle of it all.
McMenamins’ Grand Lodge, Forest Grove
This unique hotel offers both rooms and personality in abundance. Situated 25 miles west of Portland city, surrounded by green countryside, the Grand Lodge houses 90 artistic rooms, five restaurants, a luxurious spa and a beautiful outdoor pool. Ten miles outside of the hotel walls you'll find the Hagg Lake, where you can rent a boat or hike and bike on the surrounding trails.
Timberline Lodge, Mt Hood
Perched on the south side of Mt Hood, 60 miles east of Portland, Timberline Lodge served as a location in Kubrick’s The Shining. The historic ski lodge has a rustic feel, with a stone fireplace, exposed wood beams and breathtaking views of the mountains and the stunning national forest. Add its pub, restaurant and resident St. Bernards, Bruno and Heidi, it’s the perfect winter (or anytime) bolthole for miles.
4 wild ways to explore Portland's great outdoors
1. By bike
For a backcountry cycling adventure, follow the Northwest Skyline Boulevard to Sauvie Island starting from Wallace Park along wild, wooded trails into the stretches of countryside to this rural sanctuary, where you’ll see pumpkin patches and peach orchards. For a mellow ride, opt for the six-mile path along the Willamette Greenway Bike Trail.
The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway is also a great option. starting at Rood Bridge Park - just half an hour's drive from the city - the 50-mile trail will zip you past historical and agricultural sites on both sides of the road, including a school house from the 1800s. You'll also pedal past the Fernhill Wetlands, where you can slow down to watch the plethora of birds.
2. By foot
You’ll find wild walking aplenty around Mt Hood, the Tualatin Valley and Killin Wetlands. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail makes for an epic 21-mile hike or bike ride – or a series of smaller jaunts – weaving through the forested foothills of Northwest Oregon’s Coast Range on the tracks of an old railroad. Just minutes from downtown Portland, the Powell Butte Loop offers over six miles of gorgeous hiking, biking and horse trails.
3. By boat
Catch a yacht from downtown Portland with Scovare to see the city from the water with the breeze in your hair. Simply sit back, relax and enjoy the view on board, or for a more hands-on experience, learn the ropes yourself with an on-board sailing lesson.
If you want something a bit more fast-paced, opt to see Portland's waterfront with Willamette Jetboat Excursions. Once onboard, you will zip past 32 miles of historic bridges, fine architecture, wildlife and Willamette Falls.
In spring, wildlife lovers should head straight to the Oregon coast – where the annual gray whale migration is taking place. You can watch this incredible spectacle from late March, as up to 20,000 gray whales pass along the Pacific coast on their journey towards Alaska.
4. By kayak, raft or paddleboard
Kayak the Tualatin River Trail, a 40-mile-stretch edged by cottonwood forests and wetland meadows that bends through the city. You’ll pick up a rental kayak in Willamette Park, for a day of picturesque paddling on the slow-moving river, heading serenely downstream. Or enjoy a peaceful paddle in Scappoose Bay with Next Adventure.
For something more thrilling opt for some white water rafting on the Clackamas River with Blue Sky Rafting. Alternatively, head over to Willamette Falls to enjoy the thunderous sight by kayak or stand-up paddleboard with eNERG Kayaking.
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