Things To Do
Columbia River Gorge
A favorite Columbia River Gorge waterfall hike is to Wahclella Falls. Tom McCall Preserve, further east towards Hood River, is also often a great destination in May. If you cross the river to the Washington side, you can soak in the traditional bathhouse tubs or soaking pool at Carson Hot Springs Spa. Marchesi Vineyards near Hood River has casual outdoor seating overlooking their vineyard and great affordable wines. And they allow outside food if you want to bring a picnic lunch.
Mt Hood
The historic Timberline Lodge is on every Oregon best-of list and totally worth a visit. The lodge was built by hand during the 1930s. Splurge on a drink or lunch near the enormous fireplace or in the bar, or sit on the pack patio if the weather is nice and admire the mountain up close. Our other favorite place on Mt Hood is the Skyway Bar & Grill. They have delicious BBQ and live music on Friday and Saturday nights! Most hiking trails on the mountain are still under snow in May but the Old Salmon River Trail is usually open and lovely.
Oregon Coast
The northern Oregon Coast is filled with spectacular scenery. It's hard for us to choose but our favorite beaches are Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park and Indian Beach at Ecola State Park. Both of these beaches have nearby hikes along the coastline. Short Sand Beach is blocked from the wind most days. If the skies are clear, a great May hike nearby is up Neahkahnie Mountain. Cannon Beach and Manzanita are towns near these beaches and hikes where you can find nice restaurants and great shops to explore. Mo's is a local chain famous for its clam chowder.
Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley is home to two-thirds of Oregon's wineries and vineyards, making it an ideal destination for exploration. Ponzi, Alloro and Chehalem are all wineries near our wedding venue. Alloro is a favorite of ours for their food offerings and beautiful tasting house. In addition to wine, the Willamette Valley is known for flowers and May is a perfect time to visit Sebright Gardens, Adelman Peony Gardens or Schreiner's Iris Gardens. If you are looking for a local hike, the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park is a great option. Stopping by the Benedictine Brewery at the Mt Angel monastery for a hard earned beer and soft pretzel after the hike is also recommended.
Portland Neighborhoods
While we love exploring Oregon's outdoors, we also love many of Portland's neighborhoods. These areas are all filled with great restaurants, bars, shopping and activities. Below are a few of our favorites! Multnomah Village - (Our local neighborhood!) Renner's Grill, Yalla Sellwood - Muddy Rudder, Cloud Cap Games, Bible Club PDX (back patio) Pearl District - Powell's Books, Deschutes Brewery Nobb Hill - Negociant (happy hour oysters), Bamboo Sushi, Mox Boarding House, McMenamins Boise - The Rambler, Bar Bar, ¿Por Qué No? Kerns - Music Millennium, Friendship Vietnamese Kitchen, Kens Artisan Pizza Division/Clinton - Oma's Hideaway, Salt & Straw, Artifact Hawthorne - McMenamins Bagdad Theater, Jam on Hawthorne, thrift shopping Buckman - Revolution Hall (rooftop bar), Fire on the Mountain, Rimsky-Korsakoffee House Arlington Heights - Portland Japanese Garden, Washington Park Rose Garden Lake Oswego - Five Spice (happy hour), Nicoletta's Table, Lake Theatre & Cafe (back patio)