Ah, the Pacific Northwest. We have a special place in our hearts for this region, so it was a special treat when we were able to spend a long weekend in Oregon (shout out to our Companion Pass!).
Read on as we break down the best spots to check out in Portland and Bend in this weekend travel guide to Oregon.
Portland
We arrived at Portland International Airport and rented a car from Dollar Car Rental. We knew we’d be road tripping to Bend and wanted the flexibility to stop at spots along the way, so a rental car was the best option for us. However, Portland is known to be one of the most “green” cities in the world, so it’s easy to get around by foot or bike.
When in Portland, make sure to check out the following spots:
- Powell’s City of Books: This is the flagship shop of the largest independent chain of bookstores in the world. Each of the rooms have a theme, and it’s fun to walk through the different sections and read the employee recommendations.
Portland is a coffee lover’s dream, so this wouldn’t be a true weekend travel guide to Oregon without listing out some of our favorites:
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Chances are you’ve heard of Stumptown before, but did you know they started in Portland?)
- Barista: All coffee is good in PDX, but some say this tops the others.
- Crema: Locally sourced ingredients and coffee beans, the hardest part about this place is you’ll find yourself taking forever to figure out what to order.
- Jim & Patty’s Coffee: Come for the coffee, stay for the food. This cafe has a homey, small town coffee shop feel to it with board games to keep you entertained while you eat!
And, lastly, don’t forget to check out Portland’s great restaurants. Here is a list of 38 essential Portland restaurants, and check out some of our recommendations below:
- Multnomah Whiskey Library: We weren’t able to make it here during our trip, but wanted to include this spot on our weekend guide to Oregon as we hear this place is amazing (get the brussel sprouts)! Even if you’re not a whiskey fan, it’s worth a visit for the ambience alone.
- Petite Provence: A great spot for for baked goods, and their breakfast and lunch options are delicious.
And for dessert, make sure to check out Salt & Straw for some of the most amazing ice cream you’ll ever taste! With some of the most unique flavors (Freckled Chocolate Zucchini Bread, anyone?!), Salt & Straw began as a food cart on Alberta Street in Portland and has began to open stores in other places along the West Coast.
Road Trip: Portland to Bend
After a day and a half in Portland, we started our road trip to Bend. The drive through the Colombia Gorge is one of the most draw-dropping drives you’ll ever make. With countless waterfalls and hikes in the area we picked out just a few to venture to.
- Multnomah Falls: Probably one of the most recognizable falls in Oregon, there is no reason not to visit this even if it is a huge tourist trap. The exit off the freeway literally takes you straight to parking lot and its just a short walk from there. The waterfall was unfortunately closed when we visited due to the Eagle Creek Fire, but was still worth the view from afar.
- Latourell Falls: Another one you have probably seen many photos of already, but still a must see. This one made us feel like we were in Iceland again as the falls pour over the undercut lip of basalt columns creating an area you can walk behind. This one is easily accessible, as its a short drive off the highway and a short hike from the parking lot.
- Wah Gwin Gwin Falls: A cool place to stop for breakfast overlooking the Columbia river located on the Columbia Gorge Hotel grounds. A very scenic area hosting a waterfall you’ll view from above over a little footbridge! If you’re feeling adventurous you can even take a kayak out on the river to get a view of the falls from below.
- Hike Oneonta Gorge: If you’re feeling up for a quick adventure and don’t mind getting a bit wet, we’d suggest checking this place out. You’ll be rewarded with some lush green walls with a waterfall cutting through at the end. You have to climb a few logs and walk through a stream which can get up to chest high in places, so make sure you go on a warm day during the summer months (and wear some clothes that’ll dry quickly).
Another great place to stop on your road trip is Smith Rock. Smith Rock has great hiking trails and rock climbing and the views of the beautiful red rocks are amazing. Try and make it here around sunset to catch the golden glow from the rocks.
Bend
Bend is a small city on the Deschutes River, but despite its small size there are endless things to do and fun restaurants to visit.
For breakfast, make sure to check out McKay Cottage Restaurant. This place is voted best breakfast in Bend, Oregon and boy does it live up to this title. The restaurant is full of charm, built in a historic craftsman bungalow, and they serve fresh scones with their breakfast dishes.
For coffee, visit Backporch Coffee Roasters. They have a couple of spots around Bend and boast amazing coffee and pastries.
Some other great dining experiences:
- Deschutes Brewery: Some of the best beer on Bend (get the pretzel).
- Old Mill District: A historic area formerly occupied by two lumber mills, this area is now home to various shops and restaurants.
There is a lot to do in the food and drink department, but one of our favorite things about Bend is how active the people are. We visited in February and were amazed by how many people were out running and snowshoeing in the snow.
We took a tip from the locals, rented some snowshoes, and went for one of the most beautiful hikes to Tumalo Falls. Fairly close to downtown Definitely recommend this hike in winter or summer!
And lastly, be sure to check out Mt. Bachelor for mountain biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.