Things To Do In Oregon

It's amazing to think that the wedding is only two and a half months away! We're extremely excited to hear that so many of you will be making the journey out to the left coast for the celebration! The following is a list of just a few of the fun things to do in Oregon when you aren't partying with us.

Multnomah Falls

You may recognize the Multnomah Falls from our save-the-dates. They are the second highest waterfalls in the United States and are just over 3o minutes from downtown Portland (for directions from the Hotel Lucia, click here). The view is really spectacular and worth the relatively easy hike to the top (relatively easy meaning Will was able to do it).


There are a number of other waterfalls in the area that are discussed in this article from the New York Times' Frugal Traveler, which also discusses cheap golf options in the area.

Powell's Books

We mentioned it in a previous post but it's worth mentioning twice: Powell's Books is undoubtedly a book-lover's dream. It is one of the biggest bookstores in the country with an unbelievable selection. Its flagship store is right in downtown Portland, just a few blocks away from the Hotel Lucia (directions here). You may need to purchase extra luggage to bring home all of the used books you'll discover there.

Oregon Wineries

Oregon is famous for its wines, especially Pinot Noir, with vineyards in the Columbia Gorge and the Willamette Valley. The Columbia Gorge vineyards are closer to Portland although some of the Willamette Valley wineries, which are generally more prestigious, are only an hour away, making a trip to the vineyard a great way to spend an afternoon (with a designated driver, of course).

Mount Hood

Mount Hood is one of the most famous destinations in all of Oregon and it is only ninety minutes away from Portland. It is absolutely gorgeous with hikes ranging from moderate to Cliffhanger-esque. Amazingly, you can still ski in August if you are so inclined. To top it all off (literally), you can check out the Timberline Lodge, which served as the exterior for the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining." Given the time of year, there hopefully wouldn't be a need to call on Scatman Crothers and his not-so-speedy Snowcat.

Ashland & Crater Lake

For those of you who are thinking about spending time outside of Portland before or after the wedding, we can enthusiastically recommend a trip to Oregon's southern border for two reasons.

Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the largest theater festivals in the country. This year's festival features productions of Macbeth, Don Quixote, and The Music Man, as well as many other productions. With hikes and whitewater rafting nearby, you can take some days off from the theater and create some drama of your own. Tickets sell out early, so purchase them ahead of time.

Crater Lake is a natural wonder: created by the collapse of a volcano, it is the deepest lake in the United States. Because there is very little plant life in the lake, it is amazingly blue and you can see all the way to the bottom! Hike to the top of the mountain (which should still be snow-covered in August!) to take in the view. Click here for more information about this national park.

Again, these are just a few suggestions - there is lots to do in Portland, including the Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry for kids and Widmer and Rogue Breweries for adults. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or want more ideas!