Stuff to do in Oregon & Washington State

[stacey bo bacey]

So I was talking to my friend tonight and we both really like to travel....we both really want to visit Oregon and Washington State. I know there are quite a few of y'all from those parts.

What can you tell me about that area? What is cool there? Stuff we could plan a trip around? Any pointers would be much appreciated, thank you!!!!!!

 

[Nessa]

This time of year is very rainy. I'd go late spring or summer and it's beautiful. I love the coastal areas and mountains. It's a nice trip, have fun !

 

[Alizée]

Any coastal areas.

Seattle.

 

[whereismynotecard]

I've never been there... but there were some X-Files episodes that took place in Oregon, and at least one in Washington, I think... So you might be abducted by aliens, or eaten by tiny bugs that only come out at night...

 

[stacey bo bacey]

I've never been there... but there were some X-Files episodes that took place in Oregon, and at least one in Washington, I think... So you might be abducted by aliens, or eaten by tiny bugs that only come out at night...

I would totally be ok with abduction if it didn't involve experimentation. Also, I might run into some vampires. I'm reading Twilight--it's about vampires and it's set in Washington, tehehe.

 

[Storm]

If you hit Portland, you have to eat at Old Wives Tales.

 

[whereismynotecard]

I would totally be ok with abduction if it didn't involve experimentation. Also, I might run into some vampires. I'm reading Twilight--it's about vampires and it's set in Washington, tehehe.

...is that why you're going there??

 

[stacey bo bacey]

...is that why you're going there??

Hahaha, no! Oregon & Washington are two out of like 6 states I haven't ever been to...actually no...I've been to Washington but I was a wee one. I would just like to see Oregon and Washington now that I'm older. Plus my friend and I were talking and we both expressed very much excitement about visiting them there parts.

 

[whereismynotecard]

I've never been up yonder in them there parts... No sir-ee I haven't...

 

[doppelganger]

I grew up in Washington (born and raised in Spokane, but I lived in Seattle for several years). There's a ton of stuff to do. What time of year are you planning on going?

 

[stacey bo bacey]

I grew up in Washington (born and raised in Spokane, but I lived in Seattle for several years). There's a ton of stuff to do. What time of year are you planning on going?

I dunno. We didn't say anything specific...but of course summer time would be the best time for both of us because of school.

 

[doppelganger]

I dunno. We didn't say anything specific...but of course summer time would be the best time for both of us because of school.

Good. That's the time to go. The rainy season ends in early May most years. So late May-June when the rhododendrons, azaleas and blackberries are out in full force is a great time to go.

As far as things to do, I can't offer much with regard to Portland, though Multonomah Falls in incredible and you should see it if you're down there. But from Seattle grab a ferry up to the San Juan Islands. Make a day trip up to Friday Harbor. From there you can hike up the mountain and look out over the islands and Puget Sound. Incredible views. That's where I proposed to my wife.

Of course, it's pretty touristy, but you have to go to Pike St. Market for the flying fish, the original Starbuck's coffee counter, great food, art, street musicians and people watching. While you're down there, you'll be near the Seattle Aquarium, which is a pretty good one. And you can usually catch some great live music at the clubs downtown afterwards.

If you're more into outdoorsy stuff, there's great hiking and biking trails either in the Cascades (a short trip to the East) or the Olympics (a short trip to the south and west). Kayaking on Lake Washington is fun. There's also great river and lake fishing.

That's just the beginning . . .

 

[Watchmen]

Portland-area:

Powell's Books (the world's largets bookstore)
Multnomah Falls (second-tallest year-round waterfall in the nation)


Oregon Coast:

Crabbing at the Jetty Fishery (JETTY FISHERY ..... on beautiful Nehalem Bay, Oregon)
Tillamook Cheese Factory (way better than that happy-cow cheese from California) (Tillamook | Visitor's Center)

 

[stacey bo bacey]

Good. That's the time to go. The rainy season ends in early May most years. So late May-June when the rhododendrons, azaleas and blackberries are out in full force is a great time to go.

As far as things to do, I can't offer much with regard to Portland, though Multonomah Falls in incredible and you should see it if you're down there. But from Seattle grab a ferry up to the San Juan Islands. Make a day trip up to Friday Harbor. From there you can hike up the mountain and look out over the islands and Puget Sound. Incredible views. That's where I proposed to my wife.

Awww!!! :hearts:

Of course, it's pretty touristy, but you have to go to Pike St. Market for the flying fish, the original Starbuck's coffee counter, great food, art, street musicians and people watching. While you're down there, you'll be near the Seattle Aquarium, which is a pretty good one. And you can usually catch some great live music at the clubs downtown afterwards.

If you're more into outdoorsy stuff, there's great hiking and biking trails either in the Cascades (a short trip to the East) or the Olympics (a short trip to the south and west). Kayaking on Lake Washington is fun. There's also great river and lake fishing.

That's just the beginning . . .

That all sounds great, thank you so much! I'm sure we will try our best to map out a plan but I just tried to start and I was like......I don't know anything about these places and I have no idea where to start. Thank you! I might need a little more help later when it gets closer to next summer.

 

[stacey bo bacey]

Portland-area:

Powell's Books (the world's largets bookstore)
Multnomah Falls (second-tallest year-round waterfall in the nation)


Oregon Coast:

Crabbing at the Jetty Fishery (JETTY FISHERY ..... on beautiful Nehalem Bay, Oregon)
Tillamook Cheese Factory (way better than that happy-cow cheese from California) (Tillamook | Visitor's Center)

Ooh, cool. Thank you! Woohoo we will have a fun trip thanks to you guys!

 

[Aishikyo]

So I was talking to my friend tonight and we both really like to travel....we both really want to visit Oregon and Washington State. I know there are quite a few of y'all from those parts.

What can you tell me about that area? What is cool there? Stuff we could plan a trip around? Any pointers would be much appreciated, thank you!!!!!!

Oddly enough, I plan on moving to Oregon in a few months, 6 or 7 at the latest.
And then after that I may even move to Washington.
I don't know much about Oregon in general but Eugene, Oregon is the city I plan to move to so I do know some things about that area,
Eugene, Oregon is basically a mixture of urban and rural area. It's a city and thus an urban area but at the same time it has many trees, plants, animals, and such.
There is supposed to be a lot of outdoor stuff to do there.
And from what I've heard, there seems to be a focus on art there as well.

 

[Watchmen]

Another thing to do in Portland = OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry).

It rocks!!!

 

[ranjana]

if youre driving, i really recommend the cougar hot springs east of eugene.... i was there a number of years ago but here is a link

 

[Nepenthe]

What Watchmen said, especially Powell's. I'm a native Californian but grew up near Eugene and attended the UofO briefly before moving around. But Powell's....! There's a lot to do in Portland and the food is great. Oregon is beautiful for a visit, but not too appealing when it comes to actually living there and working and whatnot.

 

[Buttercup]

If you're able to visit southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a must see.