My husband and I are visiting family in Tigard Oregon in June and I have never been out west before. We are flying into Portland, and I believe we are staying an hour or so away from Portland. Please help me plan a great trip with lots to do and see. I know we are going to the beach at least one day, and my husband has a day of golf planned. Other than that we could use alot of suggestions. We are active, love to bike, play tennis, etc. We are planning seven days there. Thank you in advance for your help.

We stay in Tigard several times a year... you are not too far from Downtown, which is certainly worth a visit.
Do a Fodors search on Portland and see all the threads. It is an amazing place to visit with literally hundreds of possible places to visit. It totally depends on what you are interested in!

We live very close to Tigard. Like the previous poster said, much depends on your likes and dislikes. But to give you an idea, some of our favorite things are Cannon Beach, the Columbia River Gorge (great hiking), Mount Hood (more great hiking and/or skiing), great shopping and eating in downtown Portland, and visiting the wineries just south of Tigard. The wineries are pretty much a straight shot down 99W from Tigard. Also you might visit one of the McMenamins restaurants/brewpubs/hotels. Each one in the area is unique and lots of fun.

I live in Tigard too; it's 20-30 minutes from downtown Portland.

I agree with Cannon Beach and surrounding area as a good place to get a feel for the Oregon coast. One day there should be fine, but it's worth more if you've got the time.

If you need suggestions on where to play golf, I recommend Pumpkin Ridge. They've held two US Women's Opens there; great golf course.

For tennis, I've always liked the courts in Portland's Washington Park (known for its rose garden). There are roses growing up the fences surrounding the courts, and they'll be in bloom.

If you're serious about biking, Skyline Road, west of Portland, is a popular route. Part of the road runs along a ridge with views of NW Portland off one side, and the Willamette Valley off the other.

Besides what's been mentioned, other area attractions are the Japanese Gardens, the Chinese Gardens, Mt.St. Helen's, and a host of lesser knowns. Maybe you can give us a little more to go on.

How could I forget Mt. St. Helens??? Thanks Beachbum That is a truly amazing place to visit!

good ideas above. Just a tip though...in Oregon, they call it going to the "coast", not to "the beach"

After the coast and golf, take at least a day/maybe two to explore the Columbia River Gorge, Mt.Hood/Mt. Adams, and the emerging area wineries. Good Food, good wine, good golf and wonderful hiking-scenery.
Call 800-98-Gorge to have a Gorge Guide magazine mailed to you to help plan your visit.
Jim

Not to be snide, but I am a third generation Oregonian and grew up with a house at the "beach". Everyone I know, in Oregon, calls it the beach. So don't worry, jordin74.

If you visit the wineries, I would suggest a visit to the Brigantine Monks for fudge and truffles.

There are some very nice hikes in Forest Park; check in with the Hoyt Arboretum. If playing tennis in Washington Park, the roses and the view are amazing in the Rose Garden.

NW Portland is fun for an afternoon of lunch, shopping, coffee and people watching.

Weekend dim sum in Chinatown is always fun. We like Lum's on fourth.

Have a wonderful time in Portland!

I guess if you have a house on the beach, thats what you call it, but I have only ever heard it called the beach when you are already at tthe coast, as in "I'm walking down to the beach".

When speaking of travelling however, I think most people call it going to the "coast". Most posts here are titled or refer to the "Oregon Coast", which is why I pointed it out to jodirn. I wanted to help her in searching for info.

(and I didn't realize we were competing, but I win...I'm a fifth generation Oregonian!)

If you are heading to the gorge, I highly recommend staying at Edgefield (mc Mennamins) it has wonderful rooms, and great breakfast for a deal, usually under $100 a night. Also if you are heading in there are great hikes along the falls (heading east on hwy 84), just turn off any of the exits for the falls -Multnomah is always crowded, but once you hit the trails it thins down. Further in at Hood River are great fruit farms, our fruit is early this year, so you could hit lots of berry farms, a nice time and in 1/2 an hour you will take back a good 10 lbs to share with the family in Tigard.
And there is a new bike path that runs along the gorge, not sure where it starts, but I'm sure the gorge web site would have it.
And if in Portland, you have to hit our best desert spot, Papa Hyden's, there are 2 one in NW on 23rd, and my perference is in Sellwood and SE neighborhood. But I caution do not fill up on dinner or lunch, you must have desert.