3 Things to Do in and Around Portland, Oregon
With only one morning in the Portland area/Oregon, these are the 3 things we did before making a cross-state, basically 7-hour drive to Boise. Obviously, there is so much more to see and do both in Portland and in the entire state. I’m dreaming of an Oregon coast road trip complete with more time in Portland and a trip to Crater Lake National Park. But alas, that will wait for another time when I can combine it with Northern California. All the perfect road trips are in my head, just gotta make time (and money!) for them.
So enjoy this short and sweet (pun intended) quick list for things to get up to while in the area:
1. Voodoo Doughnut
While definitely rising in popularity, the original Voodoo Doughnut is located right in Portland. Like I said, we didn’t have much time, and so we had to stop at the one in Davis so we could head out on the road. But, the very first Voodoo Doughnut is located in Old Town in Portland, and you should definitely read their story on their website! Click here to see their locations, read their story, or just look at all of their mouthwatering doughnuts: Voodoo Doughnut.
Now, if you’ve never seen or heard about Voodoo Doughnut, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see their vibrant pink buildings and interiors. Even though the name sounds more witchy or spooky, that doesn’t stop them from going all-out pink. On the other hand, some of the names of the doughnuts match the name “Voodoo” extremely well. You’ve got “Voodoo Doll”, “Old Dirty Bastard”, and “Maple Blazer Blunt” to name a few. They have both classics as well as decadent goodies – plus, tons of vegan options!
Head on in and get yourself some sweets to start the day, or get yourself a dozen and try all the ones you want! The location we went to had plenty of seating both inside and outside. It was an easy stop on the east side of town since that’s where we were heading for the rest of the road trip. From there it was only about a 30-minute drive to the next stop!
2. Multnomah Falls
Chances are, if you’ve looked up things to do in Portland, you’ve seen the famous Multnomah Falls. Apparently, more than 2 millions visitors go here every year. Located in the stunning Columbia River Gorge, the area is filled with picturesque views and hiking trails galore. You could easily spend the whole day here exploring, hiking, and taking pictures.
Multnomah Falls is probably the most popular area. This comes with its own challenges in terms of parking, so be prepared. There is a parking area across the street from the falls, but it definitely stays full. For your best bet, get there early! We had to drive back and forth at least 3 times, but somehow we managed to make friends with the person at the parking area, and they let us get in. I believe there are a couple other options for parking, but the parking area will make things much smoother.
After you park, head on across the street and make sure to stop in at the Multnomah Falls Visitor Center. There, you can buy lots of different souvenirs, go to the bathroom, or even grab a drink and a snack at the adjoining coffee shop. After that, you can head up to the famous view of the falls. There is an area at the bottom perfect for capturing that picture, or you can even head up and walk across the bridge! For more information, click here: Multnomah Falls.
3. Hood River Lavender Farms
The Pacific Northwest has many areas known for their gorgeous lavender fields. While you can visit at many times of the year, there are specific seasons where they will be in bloom. We were there in late May-early June, so unfortunately we missed the bright colors of the lavender fields. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t go and see the beginning of the bloom or just stop and smell the lavender. Most of these places also have shops where they sell various goods made with lavender: soap, chapstick, candles, etc.
The lavender field that we stopped at is permanently closed, BUT I’ve looked it up and Hood River Lavender Farms is super similar! This is because these fields are located near the bottom of Mount Hood. Mount Hood is its own amazing volcanic mountain located in Oregon. If you have time, this is a must-visit. It is snowy most of the year due to the sheer altitude in which it sits. It is a winter sports paradise, with ski resorts, hiking, and camping.
But, you can just as easily stop at Hood River Lavender Farms to see Mount Hood giving an amazing backdrop to the bright purple flowers. These lavender fields are located about 45 minutes from Multnomah Falls and about 45 minutes to the base of Mount Hood. The area is also full of vineyards and cute bed and breakfast stays if you want to add that to your trip! For more information, click here: Hood River Lavender Farms. I can already smell the lavender as I write.
More Reading:
To read about our full trip, click here: Adventurous Pacific Northwest Road Trip | Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
For more reading about destinations in the Pacific Northwest area, click here: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons | 5-Day Road Trip.
To read more about things to do outside of Boise, Idaho, click here: 3 Beautiful Hot Springs in Idaho | Day Trip from Boise.
Feel free to search around my blog while you’re here! Domestic Destinations will take you to all the places I’ve been around the United States. International Destinations will take you to the 15 countries I’ve visited so far! I love sharing my quick lists and things to do where I’ve visited. As a Nashville native, I love to share my favorite spots around town. My favorite thing to do is simply show you places. Then, you get to plan your own trip customized to your preferences. Happy traveling!
