Northern Oregon
Sep 15th, 2015, 08:13 PM
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Northern Oregon
We are hoping to have a quick trip to Northern Oregon in October. We will only have 6 days. We will spend 1-2 days in Portland . The Japanese Gardens are closed so we won't need 3 days like I first thought. I was thinking of heading north from Portland to either Astoria or Seaside. Then maybe have a couple of days there and then go south to possibly some where near Tillamook or even a little more south for 2 nights and then fly back out of Portland. Of course I know there is much more to see but that will need to be the next time. What are your thoughts of this itinerary and what stops might we include???Do we need a car in Portland. It seems easiest to pick up the car at the airport when we arrive and then drop it when we leave.
Sep 15th, 2015, 09:45 PM
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Hey there! I live in Portland. You can get around Portland itself without a car but it would be much easier with one. My husband votes more time in Portland. The beach cities are beautiful but you could probably just do one and be content. Astoria and seaside are pretty close. Tillamook has the cheese factory but not much else. Newport has a lot to do but it is much farther south.
What all are you looking for in your trip? Portland has tons to do and you could easily spend your whole trip there. Have you been to Portland before? We normally take out of towners to Multnomah falls. There is also a fish ladder in the gorge near there that is kind of interesting. Love the Japanese gardens. I'm kind of surprised they'll be closed? There's a much smaller but pretty Chinese gardens that takes up a block in downtown.
Let us know what you like to do and we can give more suggestions!
What all are you looking for in your trip? Portland has tons to do and you could easily spend your whole trip there. Have you been to Portland before? We normally take out of towners to Multnomah falls. There is also a fish ladder in the gorge near there that is kind of interesting. Love the Japanese gardens. I'm kind of surprised they'll be closed? There's a much smaller but pretty Chinese gardens that takes up a block in downtown.
Let us know what you like to do and we can give more suggestions!
Sep 16th, 2015, 04:31 AM
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I also was surprised about the Japanese gardens, I should try to call one more time to confirm that. we have not been to Portland but have driven along the coast a very long time ago. We plan to do the Chinese gardens and of course the bookstore.the falls that you mentioned sound interesting , how far from Portland are they. as for what we want to do, we enjoy quaint towns, beautiful scenery and possibly a hike. We are from colorado and hike a lot so probably am more interested this time in some time near the water. What other recommendations do you have for Portland and what is there to do in Newport? do you think it is necessary to get hotel reservations ahead or can we find something as we drive. We would be there October 15th till the 20th.
Sep 16th, 2015, 05:44 AM
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The Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast are the two main attractions in northern Oregon.
Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway for great vistas and water falls.
The stretch of the coast from about ten miles south of Cannon Beach to Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach, is particularly scenic.
Another scenic stretch is from Newport to about ten miles south of Cape Perpetua.
Tillamook is good for cheese, jerky, and ice cream but not for enjoying the splendor of the Oregon Coast.
HTtY
Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway for great vistas and water falls.
The stretch of the coast from about ten miles south of Cannon Beach to Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach, is particularly scenic.
Another scenic stretch is from Newport to about ten miles south of Cape Perpetua.
Tillamook is good for cheese, jerky, and ice cream but not for enjoying the splendor of the Oregon Coast.
HTtY
Sep 16th, 2015, 08:13 AM
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The Oregon Coast will not be crowded in Oct so cannon BeCh, a very busy little town will not be swamped with tourists. Lots of shops, restaurants, and beautiful beach. You you probably still a reservation to be sure you had a nice place.
Newport is nice also. I would stay close to Nye Beach.
The Old Town area of Newport is a mix of fishing village and tourism. Shops, restaurants, frequently the sea lions are laying around on the docks basking in the sun so always entertaining to watch them.
There is the Oregon Coast Aquarium, many nice beaches, whale watching ( although I prefer to whale watch out of Depoe Bay).
Try some local beer or wine tasting at Noble Estate Tasting room( one of my favorite wineries). . And for sure have a meal at the Local Ocean Restaurant.
There are lighthouses at either end of town. Yaquina Head lighthouse has a nice visitors center and some trails- one trail leads to a beach via over 100 stairs.
Hiking- stop at Cape Perpetua Visirs Center and get a trail map.
You can keep busy for many days.
Newport is nice also. I would stay close to Nye Beach.
The Old Town area of Newport is a mix of fishing village and tourism. Shops, restaurants, frequently the sea lions are laying around on the docks basking in the sun so always entertaining to watch them.
There is the Oregon Coast Aquarium, many nice beaches, whale watching ( although I prefer to whale watch out of Depoe Bay).
Try some local beer or wine tasting at Noble Estate Tasting room( one of my favorite wineries). . And for sure have a meal at the Local Ocean Restaurant.
There are lighthouses at either end of town. Yaquina Head lighthouse has a nice visitors center and some trails- one trail leads to a beach via over 100 stairs.
Hiking- stop at Cape Perpetua Visirs Center and get a trail map.
You can keep busy for many days.
Sep 16th, 2015, 10:28 AM
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Good suggestions here.
If you guys like hiking I'd definitely check out the gorge area. Multnomah falls is the biggest waterfall but there are many as well as good hiking. There is an overlook that sits on top of a hill overlooking the gorge and it is beautiful.
Maybe you could split your time between the gorge, portland and the coast? The gorge is about 30-40 minutes from downtown. Check out Edgefield if you go. It used to be a poor farm now it is a hotel on a huge property with different restaurants and bars, spa, movie theater, small golf course etc. Very cool. We almost got married there.
If you guys like hiking I'd definitely check out the gorge area. Multnomah falls is the biggest waterfall but there are many as well as good hiking. There is an overlook that sits on top of a hill overlooking the gorge and it is beautiful.
Maybe you could split your time between the gorge, portland and the coast? The gorge is about 30-40 minutes from downtown. Check out Edgefield if you go. It used to be a poor farm now it is a hotel on a huge property with different restaurants and bars, spa, movie theater, small golf course etc. Very cool. We almost got married there.
Sep 16th, 2015, 10:37 AM
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Six Days should be enough time for a couple of days in Portland, a day trip up the Columbia Gorge... with a loop around Mount Hood ("Timberline Lodge") and then the rest of the time invested in the northern coast.
See if you can get an early start and cover this path round-trip from Portland:
(plug these towns into Mapquest or some such thing)
Portland
Hood River, OR
Maryhill, WA
Hood River, OR (again)
Timberline Lodge, OR
Portland, OR
Allow time for the scenic highway on the way east, stopping for certain at Multnomah Falls... but make sure you keep up the pace so you can get all of that in.
(JUST the route alone there is 259 miles / 4 hrs 24 minutes)
Be sure to see the full-sized Stonehenge replica near Maryhill, WA.
See if you can get an early start and cover this path round-trip from Portland:
(plug these towns into Mapquest or some such thing)
Portland
Hood River, OR
Maryhill, WA
Hood River, OR (again)
Timberline Lodge, OR
Portland, OR
Allow time for the scenic highway on the way east, stopping for certain at Multnomah Falls... but make sure you keep up the pace so you can get all of that in.
(JUST the route alone there is 259 miles / 4 hrs 24 minutes)
Be sure to see the full-sized Stonehenge replica near Maryhill, WA.
Sep 16th, 2015, 12:01 PM
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So maybe we spend Thursday night (we arrive late), Friday night and Saturday night in Portland. do the Columbia Gorge drive from Portland on Friday, Saturday visit the Chinese gardens, market and bookstore. Sunday we could drive to Astoria, Seaside and then to Cannon Beach for 3 nights (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). Monday we could drive the 3 capes scenic drive. Tuesday is a free day. this could be put on the Columbia gorge drive and spend the night at timberline lodge instead of at Canon Beach. Wednesday head back to Portland for a late flight out.
thoughts???
Newport and south will be the next trip.
thoughts???
Newport and south will be the next trip.
Sep 16th, 2015, 04:02 PM
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I am inclined to nudge that latest vision just a little, for if you switched those Friday/Saturday plans, doing the Portland local stuff on Friday, you might gain considerably by not overnighting in Portland on the 2nd night, and instead positioning yourself strategically in the Gorge area somewhere, leaving you a tiny bit less to do on a day which could end all the way out in Astoria.
The alternative would be two nights at city prices, potentially paying for parking, and whatever. If you use that in the Gorge somewhere, you will get scenery, and a slightly-less-demanding day. In a perfect world, you could leave Portland area in the evening IN TIME to see Multnomah Falls, and some of the other scenery as you head east along the Columbia River, reducing the many destinations for the would-be next day (if you make a single day trip of it, beginning and ending in Portland, then you have to cover it all...).
Furthermore, the Portland local stuff on Friday would be less demanding on you, after a late Thursday arrival, than would a get-up-and-GO Friday morning en route to the Gorge.
note: The Stonehenge appeal is more for the view from there than for the replica of Stonehenge itself.
The alternative would be two nights at city prices, potentially paying for parking, and whatever. If you use that in the Gorge somewhere, you will get scenery, and a slightly-less-demanding day. In a perfect world, you could leave Portland area in the evening IN TIME to see Multnomah Falls, and some of the other scenery as you head east along the Columbia River, reducing the many destinations for the would-be next day (if you make a single day trip of it, beginning and ending in Portland, then you have to cover it all...).
Furthermore, the Portland local stuff on Friday would be less demanding on you, after a late Thursday arrival, than would a get-up-and-GO Friday morning en route to the Gorge.
note: The Stonehenge appeal is more for the view from there than for the replica of Stonehenge itself.
Sep 16th, 2015, 04:10 PM
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... a challenge is that Sunset on, say October 20 in Portland is just 6:18pm.
And it is 2 hrs 40 minutes (151 miles) to go from Timberline Lodge to Astoria.
Sunrise is 7:34am in Portland (using that random October 20 date I looked up).
So you wouldn't really want to get off the blocks early enough on that Friday morning to utilize the sunrise... (during rush hour, and from Portland)... but if, say, you were somewhere not far from Hood River come Saturday morning, you COULD better expedite the process.
And with "Tuesday" being your free day, and your having to get back to Portland anyway... you'd have the option to improvise on the fly, with new information you'd have, about what you liked in Portland, and only then allocate your extra time as you saw fit.
The Timberline Lodge night isn't a bad idea at all (I just went there about 7 weeks ago, and there is plenty of nature nearby).
And it is 2 hrs 40 minutes (151 miles) to go from Timberline Lodge to Astoria.
Sunrise is 7:34am in Portland (using that random October 20 date I looked up).
So you wouldn't really want to get off the blocks early enough on that Friday morning to utilize the sunrise... (during rush hour, and from Portland)... but if, say, you were somewhere not far from Hood River come Saturday morning, you COULD better expedite the process.
And with "Tuesday" being your free day, and your having to get back to Portland anyway... you'd have the option to improvise on the fly, with new information you'd have, about what you liked in Portland, and only then allocate your extra time as you saw fit.
The Timberline Lodge night isn't a bad idea at all (I just went there about 7 weeks ago, and there is plenty of nature nearby).
Sep 16th, 2015, 04:21 PM
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Be sure to see the full-sized Stonehenge replica near Maryhill, WA.
If those concrete blocks are the same size as the real Stonehenge, the real Stonehenge isn't as impressive as I supposed it to be.
HTtY
If those concrete blocks are the same size as the real Stonehenge, the real Stonehenge isn't as impressive as I supposed it to be.
HTtY
Sep 17th, 2015, 08:35 AM
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... yeah, and none of the blocks at Maryhill have fallen over yet either... (their being not yet 100 years old, er, until somebody comments on this post at Fodors in 2020 - don't rule-out the latter
How "impressed" did you expect to be at the original Stonehenge?
(* and yes, the ones at Maryhill are full-sized)
How "impressed" did you expect to be at the original Stonehenge?
(* and yes, the ones at Maryhill are full-sized)
Sep 17th, 2015, 01:00 PM
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Yeah the stone hence was meh for me. I prefer the views at the Vista house which is way closer.
http://vistahouse.com/
http://vistahouse.com/
Sep 17th, 2015, 04:13 PM
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How "impressed" did you expect to be at the original Stonehenge?
I haven't been to the original Stonehenge, and I have no plans to visit England again. However, I'm glad to know that the replica (which I've visited three times) is the same size as the original. That gives me a sense of what I'm missing out on.
When we go to Hood River, we like to drive from Maryhill to Bingen on WA-14. The views of the gorge and Mt. Hood on that drive are hard to beat.
On the way to Maryhill, we like to take another favorite drive--the loop from Moisier to The Dalles on Old Highway 30 returning to Mosier on 7 Mile Hill Road.
HTtY
I haven't been to the original Stonehenge, and I have no plans to visit England again. However, I'm glad to know that the replica (which I've visited three times) is the same size as the original. That gives me a sense of what I'm missing out on.
When we go to Hood River, we like to drive from Maryhill to Bingen on WA-14. The views of the gorge and Mt. Hood on that drive are hard to beat.
On the way to Maryhill, we like to take another favorite drive--the loop from Moisier to The Dalles on Old Highway 30 returning to Mosier on 7 Mile Hill Road.
HTtY
Sep 19th, 2015, 05:08 PM
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If you have time to go to Astoria, crossing the river into Washington is a great trip. The Lewis and Clark Center is a really neat place and in a beautiful location. We also visited the Maritime Museum in Astoria. We aren't big museum lovers, but greatly enjoyed this informative museum. We had lunch along the river and watched the ships coming into the river from the Pacific. We also visited the replica of Ft Clatsop in Astoria. We are big history lovers and enjoyed the L & C sites.
Sep 19th, 2015, 07:45 PM
#19
If you are going to Seaside or Cannon Beach, use US 26 to get to the coast instead of US 30 to Astoria.
US 30 is among my least favorite roads west of Portland.
In Seaside just off the "prom" is a tiny park marking the spot where members of the "Corps of Discovery" boiled seawater for salt to preserve the meat for their long trip back to St. Louis.
The Tillamook cheese factory is known for great ice cream as well as a big variety of cheeses. You can try free samples.
In McMinnville, you can see the Spruce Goose in the Evergreen Aircraft museum.
US 30 is among my least favorite roads west of Portland.
In Seaside just off the "prom" is a tiny park marking the spot where members of the "Corps of Discovery" boiled seawater for salt to preserve the meat for their long trip back to St. Louis.
The Tillamook cheese factory is known for great ice cream as well as a big variety of cheeses. You can try free samples.
In McMinnville, you can see the Spruce Goose in the Evergreen Aircraft museum.
