The roses should be close to (or even at) peak bloom during our wedding weekend! The Portland Rose Festival goes from May 23rd - June 7th, so make sure to account for extra time for parking/crowds.
Good luck getting out of here without at least buying a few books!
A scenic drive with spectacular views of Mt. Hood, ending at the historic lodge with food/drink/lodging.
Please make sure to check recreation.gov to make a parking reservation in advance. For a more scenic drive, check out many of the other waterfalls along old Highway 30.
While exploring the Columbia River Gorge, make sure to stop by see Herman the Sturgeon. You can guess which one of us made this recommendation.
Bring your fishing rod, purchase an "out of state" license, and catch yourself some dinner! Our favorite rivers are the Clackamas and Sandy, but there are endless options around the area. If you need to re-stock your tackle box, we recommend Fisherman's Marine in Oregon City or Royal Treatment Fly Shop in West Linn.
The coast is a 1.5 - 2 hr drive away, and a great option if you're looking to spend a few extra days in Oregon. Highway 101 offers endless views and lots of coastal towns to explore. In the northern coast, we recommend Astoria, Tillamook, and Cannon Beach. In the central portion, we recommend Pacific City, Lincoln City (where we got engaged here) or Newport. Some of our favorite spots including: - The Bowpicker for fish and chips in Astoria - Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria - The Tillamook Cheese Factory - Cannon Beach (Arcadia Beach offers great sunset views) - Ecola Seafood Restaurant and Market in Cannon Beach - Gracie's Sea Hagg in Depoe Bay for the best clam chowder - Depoe Bay for whale watching - The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport - Pelican Brewing has locations in many of these coastal towns (we celebrated our engagement at the one in Siletz Bay)
One of the main reasons we love to call Oregon home is for all of the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities. If you plan to do any camping/hiking and would like some recommendations, please reach out to us. We have a few "off the map" locations that we can share for those who will appreciate the adventure. As always, if choosing to explore the outdoors - remember to be prepared, know your limitations, and leave no trace.