Best Day Trips from Portland, Portland, Oregon, is a vibrant, active metropolis. Portland, Oregon is quickly becoming one of the most well-known cities in the United States of America. This is mostly due to the city’s reputation as a mecca for coffee and craft beer.
Portland is cutting edge, tolerant, and kind because of its eco-friendly ethos. You can learn a lot about the history and culture of the area.
There’s a lot to see in Portland, from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to Pioneer Courthouse Square and Pittock Mansion. After you’ve done everything on your “To Do” list in Portland, it’s time to move on to other adventures.
Best Day Trips from Portland
Rowena Crest
Rowena Crest is the excellent destination for a laid-back and relatively inactive day trip.
Drive steadily from Portland’s downtown to the Rowena Crest Lookout.
Here, you may set up camp with a picnic table, some food, and a good book, or lace up your hiking boots and explore the area on one of the trails.
The paths surrounding Rowena Crest are easy and pleasant, perfect for strollers of all ages and fitness levels.
It seems like every direction you go in, there’s another stunning countryside view.
Yachats
Yachats, a little port on the Oregon coast, is a beautiful hidden gem with miles of unspoiled coastline to discover.
Cape Perpetua is a great place to go whale watching because of its vantage point across the Pacific.
One of the most breathtaking sights you’ll see along the coast is Thor’s Well, which is only rivaled in its majesty by Devil’s Churn.
When it comes to high-end eating options, Yachats truly does not disappoint.
There are numerous art galleries, charming boutiques, and cafes all across the city.
It should come as no surprise that Yachats, a beach community, also boasts a fantastic range of ice cream parlors.
Sea Lion Caves
The greatest day trip from Portland is to Sea Lion Caves if you’re a wildlife enthusiast.
Dozens of happy, healthy wild sea lions call this place of beauty home.
Infamously sluggish in motion, sea lions are the ideal creature to contemplate as you practice your photographic talents.
You may spot a sea lion or two while driving along the shore, but to see the larger colony, you’ll need to stop at the Sea Lions Caves center and ride the elevator down to the caves below.
Florence
At the mouth of the Siuslaw River, in a spot that couldn’t be more ideal, is the quaint and nicely constructed city of Florence.
The Old Town, located in the heart of Florence, is a must-see.
Get out into the open and take in the vastness of the Oregon Dunes, a system of ancient sand dunes that has been shaped by wind over millennia.
It is possible to visit Yachats and Florence on a day trip from Portland if you are pressed for time or want to make the most of your time away from the city.
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is an impressive, rough and rocky scenery in Oregon’s High Desert.
Smith Rock State Park is a must-see for adventurers who are looking for a tough hike, bouldering, or rock climbing.
If you’re planning on visiting Smith Rock State Park and have your own mountain bikes, you shouldn’t leave home without them.
One of Oregon’s “Seven Wonders,” this hidden treasure is not to be missed.
Bagby Hot Springs
About 67 miles from Portland’s downtown, the Bagby Hot Springs are another of Oregon’s undiscovered treasures.
Several of these hot springs can be found in the Mount Hood National Forest.
You can choose between the upper deck, the public deck, or the private deck to enjoy your bath.
The five dollars you’ll pay on admission will be the best you spend all year.
Bob Bagby found the springs in 1880, and they weren’t made available to the public until the 1920s.
The Bagby Hot Springs are reachable by a 1.5-mile hike through the national forest.
Mount Hood
Mount Hood is one of the most photogenic places in Oregon.
‘Wy’east’ to the local Multnomahs. Volcanic activity continues on Mount Hood to this day.
There are a wide variety of hikes, from easy strolls to more strenuous treks, in and around Mount Hood’s lower hills, forests, and rivers.
Hood River is a picturesque town with many locally owned and operated restaurants where you may enjoy delicious food while taking in the breathtaking views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams.
On the ski slopes of Mount Hood, you can spend the day carving up the terrain.
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley should be the first and only stop in Oregon for aspiring sommeliers and wine connoisseurs.
A day trip to the Willamette Valley, a region famed for its wines, is an unforgettable experience.
You may easily spend a day driving around the area’s beautiful winding roads and visiting several wineries.
The Pinot Noir grown in this region is often considered to be among the greatest in the world.
While visiting the Willamette Valley, you can not only sample the wines made there, but also learn about the region’s distinctive terroir and the production methods that make use of the chilly environment.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is the perfect destination if you’re looking to trade the smog of the city for the fresh sea air.
Cannon Beach is a popular destination for people from all over the world because to its expansive sandy beach and Haystack Rock.
Cannon Beach is a great place to kick back with a good book and a picnic, but it also offers much to do for the more adventurous traveler.
To explore Ecola State Park, simply stroll around the headland.
Tide pools at Arcadia Beach in the south are very beautiful.
The village of Cannon Seaside itself is home to dozens of cute beach shops.
Columbia River Gorge
While Mount Hood is undoubtedly beautiful, the Columbia River Gorge is the most scenic location within a day’s drive of Portland.
The second highest year-round waterfall in the United States of America, Multnomah Falls is the most recognizable feature in the Columbia River Gorge.
In addition to the awe-inspiring views of the Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Wahkeena Falls, hikers can also stop and take in these natural wonders along the way.
Day hikes in Columbia River Gorge are doable, but if you’re short on time, driving from one picturesque point to the next is the way to go.
Mount St Helens
The last recorded eruption of Mount St. Helens occurred in 2008.
Mount St. Helens is located in Washington State, although it is only 50 miles northeast of Portland, making it a convenient day trip destination.
The events leading up to the massive explosion in May of 1980 are chronicled in the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. An operational seismograph displaying the seismicity of Mount St. Helens can also be viewed by the curious, allowing them to get insight into volcanic geology in real time.
It is possible to see the flaming crater from the Johnston Ridge Observatory, which offers spectacular vistas of the surrounding area.
Eugene
Eugene, like Portland, is an artsy and environmentally conscious city.
The University of Oregon and the city of Eugene share a location on the Willamette River.
Because of this, there is a constant buzz of activity, with festivals, music concerts, and theatrical plays taking place all throughout the city.
In addition to Hendricks Park, Alton Baker Park is a great area to relax for the day.
At Fifth Street Public Market, you’ll find a beautiful assortment of organic eateries and boutique boutiques, perfect for a day of shopping, wining, and dining.
Portland’s Microbreweries
Given that Portland is so well-known for its abundance of microbreweries and craft breweries, it seems only fair to devote a day to exploring them all…or almost all of them.
Brewery tours are a fantastic opportunity to learn about the local beer scene and meet interesting people.
Locals with a love for the city and the beverage have founded several of the breweries here.
It’s overwhelming to have so many options.
Many people enjoy beers from Full Sail Brewery, Widmer Brothers, and Lucky Lab.
Trillium Lake
One of Oregon’s best-kept secrets is Trillium Lake, which may be found near the foot of Mount Hood.
A picnic, a stroll with your sweetheart, or a leisurely kayak trip in this picturesque setting couldn’t be better.
Picnic with the gang at one of the many secure BBQ spots along the beaches of Trillium Lake.
Trillium Lake is clean and clear enough to swim in, however it can be a bit chilly in the winter.
You won’t find anywhere to rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards here, but feel free to bring your own.
Trillium Lake is a beautiful spot for a family outing.
Seattle
The city of Seattle is not only the location for the television shows Grey’s Anatomy and Twin Peaks, but also has some of the top pubs and restaurants in the country, in addition to some fantastic outdoor opportunities.
Organic eateries like Local 360, Portage Bay Cafe, and Unicorn Bar are all must-visits.
Of course, you could spend a whole day in Seattle simply eating at different restaurants.
There’s no doubt that the Space Needle and Pike Place Market will be at the top of your Seattle must-see list.
Outdoorsy types can go on a boat tour of the Seattle Locks or enjoy a stroll around Kerry Park.