Okay, now that I've narrowed it down
to either Portland (warmer) or Seattle,
may I ask those of you who have visited
both the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood
as well as Mt. Rainier, which had the
most stunning scenery?

Our trip will be a short 2 days so I'm trying
to get a 1-day sidetrip from the city to
either of these places, but I need to pick
one due to the driving involved.

Also, any recommendations on 2-room suites
in Seattle and Portland will be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,
p

since we used to live in seattle, thats where i'd go if i could! from pikes market to pioneer sq and the underground tour...only enjoyed mt.rainer from a distance, butthe kids said it was great up close! seattle has it's share of hotels($$$) right downtown, so check your favorite place online for closest.

I love Portland. Great city. The Columbia Gorge is beautiful with many waterfalls and some really stunning scenery.

I haven't been to Seattle, so can't give you a comparison, but the Columbia River Gorge really is gorgeous (no pun intended) with all of it's waterfalls and spectacular views. You can also drive up to the top of Larch Mountain, just south of the Gorge, for a stunning view of nearby Mount Hood; if it's a clear day you'll be able to see Mount St. Helens; also Mount Adams and Mount Ranier in the distance.

I'd opt for Portland for this trip, since you're looking for warmer weather and beautiful scenery. The Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood are well worth a visit. Along your drive, make a stop in Hood River for lunch or an afternoon drink at the Full Sail Brewery. The patio provides a great view spot for watching some afternoon wind sailing along the river.

If you want to try a fun lodging experience, I'd recommend staying at Edgefield in Troutdale. It's close to the Gorge and definitely unique. Nothing fancy, but fun. There's a microbrewery and movie theater right there at the hotel.

While in Portland, check to see if there are any concerts going on in the evenings at the Portland Zoo. A fun outdoor venue.

The Columbia Gorge has some very nice scenery, as described above, but personally, I don't think that it comes close to the spectacular scenery around Mt. Rainier. Mt. Hood is a beautiful mountain in its own right, but it doesn't nearly have the bulk, glaciers, and presence of Rainier. The view from Sunrise can't be beat, and the drive from there up Stevens Canyon to Paradise, and then on down the Nisqually River will be memorable for a lifetime.

A not-so-silly question, Pati - what day of the week? If a weekend, be advised that Mt. Rainier can be a very annoying outing due to traffic - the parking lot at Paradise (there's a song title there) can be hellish, and the lineup can reach down the hill. Timberline Lodge can be similar but in general I think the Gorge/Mt. Hood loop will be less of a hassle.

One other thought, though: if you're really craving heat, you can carry on east along the Columbia as far as The Dalles, then swing over to the Washington side, maybe stop at Maryhill Museum (an interesting place - see http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/) or Stonehenge, and experience the eastern Oregon/Washington high desert, all easily reachable in a day trip from Portland. Guaranteed heat, and a great exposure to the variety of this region.

Definitely Mt. Rainier!!

So weekend traffic is bad in Mt. Rainier? Searching on the net,
appears that there are shuttles
from Seattle airport to Mt. Rainier,
isn't it? Has anyone used them?

Some of you say that Mt. Rainier
is the more spectacular compared
to Columbia River Gorge, right?

I'm taking my parents. Would you
say that there are some easy hikes
in Rainier? One is fearful of heights.
Any altitude problems in either place?

It's been a few years since our visit to Mt. Rainier. We had a rental car. The drive was fantastic, though, because of the scenery along the way. I don't recall any traffic problems while there. The photos we took are some of our best vacation photos ever. Mt. Rainier is at the top of the list of places I'd like to return to again. Columbia River Gorge didn't leave the same grand impression, even though that was one our more recent trips.

I've been to both and would recommend Portland for you and your parents. The Columbia Gorge is absolutely beautiful and has many places that have been designed for older visitors for viewing the waterfalls.

I'd second the suggestion of stopping at the Full Sail Brewery for an afternoon break. Great view from the deck while enjoying some refreshments.

No contest...Portland/Gorge/Mt.Hood. Portland ,as a city ,is much more "tourist friendly" and my friends from Seattle come to 23rd street to shop!

Keep in mind that Oregon has no sales tax, while the tax in Seattle in nearly up to 10%. That fact can really make a difference on a vacation budget.