Portland Region

Trail, tram, trolley, train – those are the four T’s of this self-guided trail that’s a veritable highlight reel of all that the Portland area has to offer. Hop on the trolley to see downtown’s landmarks; transfer to the train past Washington Park; hike the trail over Council Crest for fabulous views; and finish with a ride in an aerial tram over the Willamette River to complete the 12.8-kilometer loop. Check operating schedules, wear comfortable shoes and bring a few dollars for transportation and food along the way.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Portland, Willamette Falls is the second-largest waterfall by volume in the USA – second only to Niagara Falls. The horseshoe-shaped waterfall is a popular day trip for Portland locals and visitors. Park in Oregon City and take the municipal elevator – one of only four in the world – from street level to the top of the falls. Have your camera handy for photos of rainbows in the mist and great views of Oregon City.

In nearby Lake Oswego, Tryon Creek is a well-trafficked, day-use park ideal for nature lovers. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails are set amid the lush greenery of a second-growth forest. Walk over eight pretty footbridges and keep an eye out for a variety of birds and wildlife. The nature center has interpretive exhibits, maps and brochures to help you identify your surroundings. The park is especially scenic in spring when the trillium burst into bloom.

Ponzi Vineyards has been family owned and operated since 1970. Today, it’s regarded as one of the best in Oregon and its wines are sold around the world. Head to the tasting room, where the acclaimed wines are rivaled only by the tremendous vistas of the Willamette Valley. Try the Pinot Noir or the Aurora Chardonnay, winner of the 2014 Year’s Best award from Wine & Spirits Magazine. The winery offers by-appointment tours that give a behind-the-scenes look at the crafting process.

Oregon’s first rail-to-trail project is also one of its most popular. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail features 34 paved kilometers perfectly suited for walking, jogging or riding on two wheels. There’s also an equestrian trail alongside the path. Rent a bike in Banks and pedal through farmland and woods, crossing over the 220-meter Buxton Trestle bridge that used to carry trains over Mendenhall Creek. The town of Vernonia at the trail’s end has quaint restaurants, shops and the Vernonia Pioneer Museum to make for a full day’s outing.

There aren’t many sake breweries in the USA; beer tends to get most of the attention. But if you want to try something different, drive out to Forest Grove (about 40 minutes from Portland) to sip SakéOne’s marvelous, U.S.-brewed sake. The company adopted its brewing process from a Japanese brewery and retains traditional brewing methods while incorporating the unique flavors and famously pure water of the Willamette Valley. Tour the facility and sample in-house and imported sakes. It’s nearly guaranteed you’ll end up taking a bottle back with you.

Bicycles and beers: What better way to get acquainted with Portland’s favorite hobbies than to bring them together? Hop on board this funky bicycle-built-for-15 and pedal your way to three different brew pubs (selection depends on which route you choose). Meet up at Back Pedal Brewing, the BrewCycle’s Pearl District brew pub serving up tasty food and local beers. The company also offers a BrewBarge cruise experience; bring your own beer and enjoy on a pedal-powered, 1.5-hour cruise along the Willamette River.

Jewelry, art, clothing, outdoor gear, beverages, homemade foods – if it’s made here, you’ll find it in the aptly named Made Here PDX stores. There are three retail locations (Pearl District, East Side and Downtown) for convenient access. It’s the ideal place to find that perfect gift or souvenir to take home – with the added bonus of Oregon’s tax-free shopping.

Food carts are widespread in the USA, but Portland has a special affinity for these mobile eateries. Many of its food carts group into pods like the Cartopia food cart pod on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. It’s home to a variety of food carts and a covered, heated seating area. Most carts are lively late into the night, staying open until midnight Tuesday through Thursday and even later on the weekends,

The acclaimed wineries of the Willamette Valley are just 30 minutes away, and Portland’s creativity and love of all things “craft” has brought Wine Country to the city. Since Hip Chicks Do Wine opened in 1999, more than a dozen urban wineries have set up shop here. Local favorites include Seven Bridges Winery, Southeast Wine Collective and Enoteca Nostrana.