Portland is the most vibrant city in the state of Oregon. It is known as being one of the most eco-friendly cities. Moreover, the city is home to some of the finest breweries in the state that you can find all around the city! Portland is great for nature lovers due to the high number of parks.
Moving to a new state, especially if you have a family, can be pretty challenging. Even when you narrow down your choices and get to the final two, things don’t tend to get any easier. But you don’t have to go through this alone!
Going away for a weekend can often be even more exciting than a long trip to a faraway destination. Weekend getaways are popular among couples who want some excitement after a long work week, families ready for some weekend fun, and groups of friends getting together for an unforgettable time.
Oregon might be known for its evergreen forests best. However, we sure have plenty of colors from the fall palette – if you know where to look. You might be surprised by the impressive mixture of dark green, yellow, red, and deep orange. In this article, we will embark on an adventure to find the top six fall foliage hikes in Oregon. Each of the hikes provides fantastic scenery with mountain views, rivers, waterfalls, and of course, a wonderful blend of autumn colors.
Fall is here, and that means one thing: fall dresses!
If you’re native of Portland or the Northwest, then you’re familiar with the cool weather.
There are so many enjoyable activities to soak up the ambiance of fall. If you’re looking for something to do, try cozying up to a cup of Stumptown Coffee and watch the leaves fall. Maybe pack some snacks and enjoy the crisp air as you explore Portland’s Forest Park.
Whatever your fall activity of choice, make sure you’re dressed for the occasion.
If you’re looking for cute fall dresses, then Portland is one of the best places to shop. Check out our list of shopping locations in Portland to find something unique.
The Red Light Clothing Exchange has been around since 1999. They’ve created an entire clothing emporium from their buy-sell-trade business.
Now they carry an array of women’s and men’s clothing, from modern brands to vintage pieces. Their inventory is vast, and it changes almost daily due to the number of shoppers and sellers.
If you’re looking for a unique fall dress from a different era, this is the first place you should look.
They’re open from 11 am – 8 pm every day except Sunday. On Sundays, they open at 12 pm instead.
Wild Fang is a female-founded brand based in Portland. They specialize in men’s wear for women, with feminine details and empowering messages.
Their newest collection is Wild Feminist. It features floral designs with messages of encouragement. Their shirts would look great under a custom leather coat, another Portland find.
Wild Fang is more about power suits than dresses, but there are still great long layering pieces. You can wear their long, well-tailored jackets while you’re exploring Portland.
Frances May is a small boutique that’s named after the owner’s grandmother. They offer a mix of well-known brands along with smaller labels.
One of the most popular designers they offer is Rachel Comey. She offers women smart, sleek designs that are still feminine.
Their fall dresses are pricier than something you’d find at a thrift store. But the cuts are trendy, and everything is a quality piece of clothing. If you have some money to blow on a beautiful fall dress, Frances May is your boutique.
If you’re all about taking it slow and enjoying the coffee, then you should visit Lizard Lounge.
The Lizard Lounge is a women’s and men’s boutique in the Pearl District of Portland. It used to be a 4,100 sqft factory. Now they specialize in relaxed weekend wear, with denim and flannels galore. They carry Horny Toad and Levi’s vintage jeans.
Lizard Lounge believes that shopping should a relaxing experience. So other than great clothing, they also host live music and serve drinks. Beats shopping at Target, right?
Vintage fall dresses are something that Portland does well. That’s something that continues at the Vintage Pink store.
Open from 11 pm – 7 pm, Vintage Pink has something for everyone. They specialize in Danish furniture and antique pieces. But they also have a selection of vintage clothing and accessories.
Even if you don’t walk away with the perfect fall dress, you might end up having a new chair for your living room.
If you’re a thrifter, then you’re not new to Goodwill. It’s a hit or miss kind of place. But on the best days, you find something that changes your life.
In Portland, Goodwill takes vintage thrifting to a new level. The city is home to one of Goodwill’s boutique stores. That means that they remove all the terrible parts of Goodwill shopping, and leave all the good stuff.
Affordable prices, great pieces, and you feel good about reducing fashion waste. What’s not to love?
Margaret O’Leary is a San Francisco based company. They have a boutique in Northwest Portland.
Their claim to fame is their line of knits and sweaters. Whether you’re looking for a fall sweater dress or a cashmere scarf, this is the place to visit.
Check out their chunky sweaters to wear over black turtleneck dresses. Or grab a scarf to make the transition from day to night dress. Their styles are affordable and comfortable, two important things for a fall wardrobe.
If you’re a casual shopper, Palace is the perfect mix of clothing, accessories, and oddities.
Palace offers space to independent designers. They offer anything from clothes, lingerie, jewelry, and home goods. If you’ve got some time to wander around and enjoy custom-made goods, then you have to stop here.
They’re open all week from 11 am to 7 pm. If you hit the store on Monday’s, the shop will give you a 15% discount off regular priced items. That’s a pretty sweet deal from such a cool place.
Lululemon has been making a big name for themselves over the past few years. They offer a line of high-end activity clothing that is designed to sweat in. This includes dresses you can throw over your workout gear or during long bike rides.
While most other shops on this list are local spots, Lululemon is well known across the country. So why did we include it? Because they offer free yoga sessions during the week!
This is one great example of a chain company reaching out to their local community. That’s the kind of company mentality we can get behind.
If you’re exploring Portland and you’ve packed your fall dresses, then you’re looking for cool stuff to do.
Look no further! We have a collection of articles to help you find the best activities in Portland, Oregon. Click here to read about recommendations.
Are you looking to turn your Portland home into a cozy fall oasis?
It’s officially the start of the season and living in Portland means after September 21st, things really start to indeed feel like autumn. The leaves begin to change and the temperature drops which means it’s time for sweater weather and some fall decor.
Wondering how to turn your home into a pumpkin spice filled sanctuary for the next few months without breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered!
Read on for 10 fall decor ideas you can try today.
Not only is fall a season, but it’s also a feeling. For many, the season remains a nostalgic one even into adult-hood since it was the time of year you went back to school and started fresh.
You likely remember back to school shopping for all your new supplies and a few cute new wardrobe staples. You can implement the same feeling by making some subtle changes to your home.
Pick an area of your house, whether it be your bedroom, family room or home office and make it a cozy, relaxing and inviting space. Add more blankets, throw pillows or candles to create a seasonal feel.
Since we inevitably spend more time indoors once the season changes, it will be nice to create a personal sanctuary you’ll be excited to hang out in.
You can easily create a tablescape you leave standing for the next few months. This way, you’ll have something seasonal to look at while eating dinner on a casual night in as well as something to show off to your guests if you invite people over.
There are a few ways to do this. One is to find a decorative bowl you love and fill it will gourds or pinecones or both. You can make an arrangement in a bowl that way it can be easily moved if you need more space on the table.
You can also fill a vase with rustic branches. The natural colors of the wood will immediately create a cozy and cool-weather atmosphere. These are great options because both of them require no maintenance and can be left for a while on your table without having to be switched out or thrown away.
What better way to welcome your guests or return home than with a decorative porch? You can add some rustic seating like a rocking chair or a bench and cover it with a blanket to spend time outside enjoying the fresh cool air.
You can also paint pumpkins or put larger gourds around the front door. An accessory like that isn’t only reserved for Halloween. If you have an indoor fireplace, keep a basket with chopped wood outside as a decorative element.
One of the least expensive ways to get the feel of fall in your home is to make it smell like fall. We all have our favorite fall scents from cedarwood to pumpkin to cinnamon. Adding a hint of them will spice things up.
Purchase seasonal candles or you can even buy cinnamon sticks and leave them out in a small mason jar as a decorative item as well. If you don’t love candles, consider baking.
Baking your favorite fall treat will fill the air with the scents of autumn and make you feel as though you’ve transitioned your whole home.
Fall flowers can add some seasonal flair to your home with ease. Many farmer’s markets and even supermarkets will begin carrying flowers in burnt orange, yellow and red. So you don’t even have to go to the florist to find what you’re looking for.
Create a colorful centerpiece for your dining room table or buy two or three bouquets and mix and match. Make several smaller bouquets, and distribute them throughout the house so you have a little bit of fall in every room.
This pattern is usually associated with the season. We think of plaid coats and even school uniforms. You can add plaid to your home with a simple throw blanket. If you want to take it further, consider plaid napkins, a tablecloth or runner.
You can also swap out your usual throw pillows with one or two plaid patterned ones to change up the look of your living room or bedroom.
Who doesn’t think of pumpkins when they think of fall? From the orange gourds themselves to a bread loaf or a latte made to reflect it’s flavor, pumpkins are truly a staple of the season.
You can add small pumpkins to your table centerpiece or even scatter them throughout your home for decoration. You don’t always have to carve them! Consider purchasing some flavored syrup or cream to make your favorite pumpkin spice coffee drink every morning and consider purchasing a pumpkin candle.
This scent and flavor are one of the best ways to get into the spirit.
If you don’t have a large porch to decorate, use your front door. This is a great place to put a seasonal wreath. Consider one made of twine or birch wood so that it lasts all season as opposed to something that will go bad like flowers or leaves.
You can also purchase a fake wreath that has colorful leaves on it and no one will know the difference. Just make sure to pack it away in a bag, or dust it off when you pull it off next season!
Fall comes with its own color palette. If you aren’t into adding bold patterns or strong scents to your home, this could be a subtle and easy way to make some changes.
Think about replacing items like throw pillows, blankets and your bedspread with fall colored decor. You want to stick to rich neutrals like browns, dark greens, beige and white. Then you can add pops of color like burnt orange and a deep red.
Like we mentioned earlier, you’ll be spending less time outdoors as the temperature cools so bringing the outdoors inside may be a good bet.
You can collect fall leaves and place them in a bowl or bring in firewood and store it inside. You can also bring in branches or pinecones and make your own centerpieces or displays in whichever area of the home you prefer.
The season will be over before we know it so make the most of this time by adding in your fall decor now. You can enjoy these little tweaks to your home for the next three months and feel excited to go home to your cozy autumn-filled abode.
Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more tips!
The cool crisp morning air filled my lungs as I prepared to go cycling with friends. It was late Autumn and there was still a little color left in the leaves. I could smell rain from the night before, but thankfully it was it staved off for a bit.
I didn’t own a sufficient rain jacket, and didn’t bring enough layers for the ride but I knew I’d warm up after a couple miles. This lack of winterized-cycling-garb never stopped me before. Click for some tips on how to dress in layers
I never considered myself one who looks the part of a cyclist. I’m a big guy weighing in at 220, broad shoulders and relatively tall. I’ve become comfortable standing out on the trail.
This bike ride was long overdue. A few friends and I gathered in the shadow of the Sellwood Bridge. It was the inaugural ride of what became a regular occurrence.
Looking across the Willamette River toward Portland.
Since this was our first ride together we played a majority of it by ear. We didn’t have a mileage goal and no one really knew where each other was at regarding pace and cadence. We were there to have fun.
Our starting point sat on the Eastern shore of the Willamette River at Sellwood Riverfront Park. It’s the perfect launching point for any cycling in Portland. No matter the season, there are plenty of options when starting out at Sellwood.
Cycling West across the Sellwood Bridge lets you ride south into Lake Oswego and even further into Tigard.
Heading North you can take a trail along the East bank of the river which leads past Oaks Amusement Park, OMSI, and onward to a local architectural landmark, the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. You can West across the bridge into Downtown Portland, or keep heading North on the Eastside of the river toward North Portland.
If you stay on the Eastside, you can take the Eastbank Esplanade all the way north to the Steel bridge. Cycling farther up this route leads up a number of switchbacks, to Wheeler then Williams. You eventually find yourself heading in the achievable direction of St. John’s and Cathedral Park.
Our route for the day would lead us to the gothic towers of the St. Johns Bridge.
*note: just east of the Steel Bridge is BiketownPDX where you can rent bikes from $2.50 a trip to $12 a month.
I’ve been an Eastside rider for the majority of my time in Portland. It seems to be more accessible. In my opinion, it has better bike-parking, better cafes, restaurants, and even bars for foodies and beer lovers alike. Let’s be real who doesn’t love good beers and/or great food? Both are a perfect counterpart to a long bike ride.
*note: A runner up to cycling the Eastside would be cycling the farm country out near Scholls between Roy Rogers and Farmington.
After we setup our bikes and prepared our bags, we clipped in and set off from Sellwood, staying on the Eastside of the river. We approached the east corridor from Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and headed to the Hawthorne Bridge. There weren’t many pedestrians on the trail, which gave us free reign to move at our own pace. At one point my rear wheel caliper began to seize. We stopped so I could make an adjustment. After a quick fix, we were back on the trail.
We rode past the Vera Katz Statue, down the gangplanks and onto the floating trail of the Eastbank Esplanade. The esplanade was championed by Katz when she was Mayor of Portland.
We rode on to the Steel Bridge (it’s over one hundred years old). We rode the switchbacks up to Wheeler, past the Moda Center, and headed North on Washington.
*note: if you ride on the cracks on the gangplanks you won’t make a sound headed up or down
Some light hearted graffiti along the way.
One thing I love about this part of town is that everyone is out walking around. Between Belmont, Division, and Hawthorne the sidewalks are occupied and these streets are filled with cyclists more than any other neighborhood of the Eastside. I would speculate even more than any other district of Portland. It’s exactly where you want to be if you are a person like myself who appreciates being amongst people.
The last direction many choose to take is east. By taking Spokane street up and over 17th on down to 19th. By taking a right there you’ll find yourself meeting up with The Springwater Corridor.
Although it’s a little rough around the edges, The Springwater Corridor a favorite for both locals and tourists alike. This paved trail gives the Cyclist a tour through industrial areas, deep forests, and isolated suburbs of Portland. The section of trail from Johnson Creek to Boring spans roughly 20 miles. With only minor and intermittent inclines, it supplies any rider with an easy 40 mile ride.
There are a number of places to stop along the way and take in the sights. One noted spot is Cartlandia, which is home to over 30 food carts including Voo Doo Donuts. While having some opportunities for the leisurely cyclist, this trail is certainly primed toward those looking to get some miles in without many cars or distractions.
On The Trail.
*note: Parents! There’s plenty of space for taking your kids whether it’s with the two seated baby carrier or the ride-alongs. This ride is great for two or more people giving you the advantage of bonding with friends or family.
If you’re like me, once you’ve completed a ride, you want to head straight to food. There are two Mexican taquerias I recommend in the area. The first one is along Hawthorne and is called Cha!Cha!Cha! The other one is called Por Que No? While the lines may be longer, it remains a gem that rivals its counter part. Delicious food, outdoor seating, and great service all while enjoying the urban scene.
We rode through the bustle of North Portland, reaching out far beyond Alberta, through neighborhoods where the one ways incorporate traffic reducing medians that only permit cycling traffic. The streets here were quiet. We eventuallystopped to replenish our supplies at a Plaid Pantry then continued on our way. We rounded the slow turn on the Willamette turning ride continuing north again past the University of Portland. St. John’s was ahead.
Enjoying the view from St. Johns Bridge.
St. John’s is a little known secret of Portland. The summer months draw folks in while the Winter makes this district a sleepy rendezvous. The St. Johns Farmers Market is a favorite weekend destination in the summer, along with Cathedral Park which sits under the Gothic Towers of St. Johns Bridge. It’s a beautiful place to sit a sketch, meet a friend for coffee, or stroll in the rain. Everything here feels like Portland, with a bit less bustle.
A shot of me on the deck of St. Johns Bridge.
As we crossed the deck of the bridge, the fog brought texture to the forest. The tall green spires of the bridge towered above us. There were only a few cars at a time on the bridge. We stuck to the right side of the bridge and rode up to the first transition. Here you can barely ride so we simply walked our bikes around the spires then hopped back on to continue.
We crossed over to the south side and took in the beauty that was all around us. Typically Portland is visible from here, but on not on this day. A thick layer of fog prevented such a view. It was a beautiful reward for the ride. Sometimes it is about the journey and sometimes it’s also about the destination. Each at times have their merits.
As you may already know, there are plenty of things to do in Bend Oregon. So much so that you may be at a lost for what approach to take. Dig into this article and take some note. We hope to give you some ideas as you plan your day in Bend.
At the heart of the Bend city experience is it’s Downtown area. Otherwise known as Wall Street (click for map view), this area has plenty of shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
The Tower Theatre is just a stones throw away from Drake Park and the Deschutes River. The theatre plays hosts to many different concerts and film events throughout the year, including the annual Bend Film Festival, which is held in October.
Pine Tavern and Bend Brewing Company are just down Bond Street from The Tower Theater. Deschutes Brewery Brew Pub and McMenamin’s Old St Francis School are within a close walk as well. You may see a pattern here, yes Breweries are kind of a big deal on the list of things to do in Bend Oregon.
As for coffee shops you have local providers Bellatazza and Thump coffee along with an obligatory Starbucks. Lone Pine Coffee Roasters and Townshends Tea house are nearby. Café Sintra offers coffee and a Portuguese inspired menu of omelets sandwiches and dinner on the weekend (Quick Guide to Portuguese Cuisine).
Other downtown favorites include Pizza Mondo where you can buy a slice and a pint, and Toomie’s which features a wonderful menu of Thai cuisine.
Mirror Pond at Drake Park may offer one of the calmest sections of the Deschutes River that you can experience. It’s a lovely setting with beautiful homes across the river (check out the real estate), large established trees and walking paths within steps of shopping and restaurants in Bend’s Old town. Don’t be surprised if you see someone fishing the banks of the river from their backyard, or people paddling kayaks, canoes or SUPs through the area.
If you are lucky you might just find a rubber duck hiding in the weeds long the shoreline. Early each fall, The Great Drake Park Duck Race hosts up to 30,000 entries who pay a nominal entry fee to race a duck down the river for charity.
Another fun event is Munch and Music, a food and music festival, that’s been going on for over 25 years.
Fun Fact: How much of the Deschutes River’s water is used for irrigation (Click For Answer)?
At one time the Timber Industry ruled in Bend. Today Bend’s industry has shifted as has the focus of the property at The Old Mill District. Premium restaurants and retailers line the Deschutes River in what constitutes a wonderful blend of shops, dining, entertainment, natural wonder and recreation.
Across the river is the Les Schwab Amphitheater, which hosts some of the biggest names in Entertainment. People of all ages often float the river or line the shores to hear the music for free (How to float the river like a pro).
Floating the river is something of a pastime in Bend, but be careful when approaching the Bend Whitewater Park. Of the three channels, only one is for non-experts. The center channel is for experts, while the far right channel (going downstream) is reserved for the wildlife.
Do you need some gear to hit the water in? No worries, REI is one of the anchor stores at The Old Mill District (Click here for Store Hours). If getting wet isn’t your thing, Wheel Fun Rentals offers a selection of pedaled carriages and bicycles that you can rent to explore the area.
Not far from the Old Mill District is the home of Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale , Obsidian Stout and Inversion IPA. Deschutes Brewery has been crafting these fine beverages for some time, and they do offer brewery tours.
Central Oregon plays host to over 25 local breweries, so cruising the area and testing out these fine creations is definitely high on the list of things to do in Bend. If you are visiting in the winter months, be sure to ask if Jubelale is on draught.
Looking for kid friendly things to do in Bend? Head a few miles south to the High Desert Museum. Historic displays of the region along with live animals, and interactive experiences make the High Desert Museum a place to stop on any trip to Central Oregon. It’s a great way to get a grasp on what makes the High Desert of Central Oregon so Special.
The Deschutes Historical Museum is located near Downtown Bend in the Reid School which is on the National Register of Historic Sites. The museum has exhibits on the early days of Bend along with Native and Pioneer artifacts. There is an early example of a classroom, and exhibits on the forestry of Central Oregon.
Fun Fact: Who founded Bend’s first High School? (Click for answer)
On the South end of town, just off Highway 97 are the Bend Factory Stores. Oregon natives Columbia, Nike and Pendleton have stores here along with Coach, Carter’s & Kids and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. There’s nothing like losing yourself in a little air-conditioned shopping spree, especially when it’s tax free. (Click to find a Pendleton store near you)
Lastly or Firstly on the list of things to do in Bend should be a trip up Pilot Butte to survey the land and the many peaks of Central Oregon. Pilot Butte is an approximate 500-foot-tall extinct Volcano, or cinder-cone as it is often referred to.
You may choose one of three trails to the top, or drive your vehicle up a paved road that winds its way to a scenic lookout with parking and sculpted maps to help your orientation.
Fun Fact: Which US State Capital has a Volcano sitting 2900 feet below its surface? (Click for Answer)