Diana’s guidebook
Sightseeing
In August and September, this is a must-visit for a gorgeous field of dahlias.
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Swan Island Dahlias
995 NW 22nd AveIn August and September, this is a must-visit for a gorgeous field of dahlias.
Just about a five minute drive from our home, the Tulip Festival is the thing to do in the Spring. Check the website before going to make sure flowers are blooming. It can be muddy!
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Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
33814 S Meridian RdJust about a five minute drive from our home, the Tulip Festival is the thing to do in the Spring. Check the website before going to make sure flowers are blooming. It can be muddy!
This is a store that feels like an art gallery and a museum. One of my favorite places to go and stroll about (even though it's pricey).
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Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage
14971 1st St NEThis is a store that feels like an art gallery and a museum. One of my favorite places to go and stroll about (even though it's pricey).
Fields of irises -- need I say more? Check their website to see if they're open.
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Schreiner's Iris Gardens
3625 Quinaby Rd NEFields of irises -- need I say more? Check their website to see if they're open.
One of the major highlights in our area. It can be crowded, so we always go when it's raining or cold :) Lots of short and long hiking options.
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Silver Falls State Park
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastOne of the major highlights in our area. It can be crowded, so we always go when it's raining or cold :) Lots of short and long hiking options.
This is one of our favorite hikes that showcases views North and South on the Cascade range. About 7 miles roundtrip. To get to the trailhead, you need to tolerate several miles of gravel road. Here's a good description: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Table_Rock_Hike
Table Rock Trailhead
This is one of our favorite hikes that showcases views North and South on the Cascade range. About 7 miles roundtrip. To get to the trailhead, you need to tolerate several miles of gravel road. Here's a good description: https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Table_Rock_Hike
A curious and delightful place with books and treats, situating in an old print shop, next to the abbey cemetery. Why not? A peaceful place to read after exploring the abbey.
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Mount Angel Abbey Bookstore
1 Abbey DrA curious and delightful place with books and treats, situating in an old print shop, next to the abbey cemetery. Why not? A peaceful place to read after exploring the abbey.
Fairy tales! Roller coasters! Rabbit holes! Many a birthday has been spent here. If you have a sense of humor or a quirky disposition, you don't have to be celebrating your sixth birthday to enjoy your time in this beloved Oregon park.
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Verzauberter Wald
8462 Enchanted Way SEFairy tales! Roller coasters! Rabbit holes! Many a birthday has been spent here. If you have a sense of humor or a quirky disposition, you don't have to be celebrating your sixth birthday to enjoy your time in this beloved Oregon park.
There are many hiking and mountain biking opportunities in this lovely wooded area. Do your research or ask us for tips before venturing out!
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Molalla River Recreation Area
36287 S Dickey Prairie RdThere are many hiking and mountain biking opportunities in this lovely wooded area. Do your research or ask us for tips before venturing out!
It's where we went to see movies before COVID! Charming historic theater.
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Palace Theatre
200 N Water StIt's where we went to see movies before COVID! Charming historic theater.
This shade garden and nursery is a plant-person's paradise. Greenhouses full of ferns, hostas, and other shade dwellers. A gorgeous display garden to stroll through. Very pleasant on a misty day (or any day).
Sebright Gardens
7185 Lakeside Dr NEThis shade garden and nursery is a plant-person's paradise. Greenhouses full of ferns, hostas, and other shade dwellers. A gorgeous display garden to stroll through. Very pleasant on a misty day (or any day).
Cascade Head
My absolute favorite hike on the Oregon Coast.
One of the most spectacular spots on the Oregon Coast.
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Cape Perpetua Lookout
One of the most spectacular spots on the Oregon Coast.
Indian Beach
Another gorgeous beach with hiking opportunities.
Pre-COVID, Portland's favorite thing to do in September was to watch the Swifts (small migrating birds) turn into a dramatic bird tornado and descend into an old chimney to roost at sunset. Everyone brings a picnic and relaxes on the grass. "Charming" doesn't cut it. If you are lucky enough to visit in September in the post-COVID vaccine era and don't mind the drive to PDX, oh, do visit.
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Chapman Elementary School
1445 NW 26th AvePre-COVID, Portland's favorite thing to do in September was to watch the Swifts (small migrating birds) turn into a dramatic bird tornado and descend into an old chimney to roost at sunset. Everyone brings a picnic and relaxes on the grass. "Charming" doesn't cut it. If you are lucky enough to visit in September in the post-COVID vaccine era and don't mind the drive to PDX, oh, do visit.
I'd go every season if I could. The garden is open on a limited-ticket basis. Check their website.
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Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveI'd go every season if I could. The garden is open on a limited-ticket basis. Check their website.
A dramatic roadside attraction! Check your tide table.
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Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area
122 1st StreetA dramatic roadside attraction! Check your tide table.
Pup Creek Waterfall
A lovely riverside hike through old growth forest to a waterfall.
This is a sleeper hike: no dramatic vistas or waterfalls -- just a lovely trail along the river through pristine woodlands. Fabulous mushrooms in spring and fall -- I've never seen so many different kinds. Easy trail; walk as far as you like.
Riverside Trailhead #723
This is a sleeper hike: no dramatic vistas or waterfalls -- just a lovely trail along the river through pristine woodlands. Fabulous mushrooms in spring and fall -- I've never seen so many different kinds. Easy trail; walk as far as you like.
Serene Lake
A long hike, but worth it, especially in September when the bugs have abated.
Old growth forests and magical blue water. Like Silver Falls, this wonderful area suffers from over-popularity. We like to visit in the off-season. Mostly flat, easy walking.
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Opal Creek Trailhead
Opal Creek TrailOld growth forests and magical blue water. Like Silver Falls, this wonderful area suffers from over-popularity. We like to visit in the off-season. Mostly flat, easy walking.
Food scene
Burger Time
450 S Main StOur favorite local fast food. Great shakes and fries.
Gear Up Espresso
442 McClaine StGreat coffee. You're welcome.
The Old Oak Oven
311 Jersey StAmazing wood fired pizza food cart.
A newer addition to our part of the world and a quick favorite. Unique brews on tap and in the bottle. A few bites available, too.
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Benedictine Brewery
400 Humpert Ln NEA newer addition to our part of the world and a quick favorite. Unique brews on tap and in the bottle. A few bites available, too.
Great food (though the atmosphere can be lacking -- we always do takeout).
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Thai Dish Cuisine
209 N Water StGreat food (though the atmosphere can be lacking -- we always do takeout).
The meat-eaters in this house recommend this place! As a pescatarian, I can recommend the smokey potato salad :)
Loco Ono BBQ
402 McClaine StThe meat-eaters in this house recommend this place! As a pescatarian, I can recommend the smokey potato salad :)
The gorgeous surrounding farm country makes this tasting room a delight to visit.
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Rogue Farms Tasting Room
3590 Wigrich RoadThe gorgeous surrounding farm country makes this tasting room a delight to visit.
There are many wonderful vineyards to visit in Oregon, but this one has it all: a gorgeous view, great food, olive oil tastings, garden center, and gift shop.
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Durant Vineyards Tasting Room
5430 NE Breyman Orchards RdThere are many wonderful vineyards to visit in Oregon, but this one has it all: a gorgeous view, great food, olive oil tastings, garden center, and gift shop.
A favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. They've been closed due to COVID -- check that they're open before heading over.
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Gather
200 E Main StA favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. They've been closed due to COVID -- check that they're open before heading over.
With an incredible whiskey bar tucked away upstairs, this place has a moody atmosphere we enjoy on cold days. The downstairs often has live music. The outdoor patio upstairs looks over the river. Good bar food.
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The Highland Stillhouse
201 S 2nd StWith an incredible whiskey bar tucked away upstairs, this place has a moody atmosphere we enjoy on cold days. The downstairs often has live music. The outdoor patio upstairs looks over the river. Good bar food.
We're not a gluten-free house, but this GF-friendly bakery is a beloved local spot (lots of glutenful options, too).
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White Rabbit Bakery
21368 Pacific Hwy EWe're not a gluten-free house, but this GF-friendly bakery is a beloved local spot (lots of glutenful options, too).
Loncheria Mitzil Mexican Eatery
212 Molalla AveDelicious food in a delightful space.
Of course we'd recommend the only Scandinavian food in town! Get your lefse!
Ingrid's Scandinavian Food. Oregon City.
209 7th StOf course we'd recommend the only Scandinavian food in town! Get your lefse!
I am obsessed with smoked salmon. They make the best.
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Barnacle Bill's Seafood Market
2174 US-101I am obsessed with smoked salmon. They make the best.
The line stretches out the door most days. Delightful ambiance and great coffee. Visit when it's raining to avoid the crowds :)
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Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters
1235 S Hemlock StThe line stretches out the door most days. Delightful ambiance and great coffee. Visit when it's raining to avoid the crowds :)
Fantastic coffee, tea, and food and a delightfully funky, very Oregon atmosphere.
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Green Salmon
220 US-101Fantastic coffee, tea, and food and a delightfully funky, very Oregon atmosphere.
Yachats Brewing + Farmstore
348 US-101Fantastic food and drinks.
A fantastic bakery we always seek out. Obsessed with the cardamom bread.
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Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe
1493 Duane StA fantastic bakery we always seek out. Obsessed with the cardamom bread.
Shopping
Our favorite local jewelry designer! Plus other great souvenirs like tea, candles, ceramics, and locally made clothing.
Shayla Lynn: Jewelry and Gifts
210 S Water StOur favorite local jewelry designer! Plus other great souvenirs like tea, candles, ceramics, and locally made clothing.
A lovely Silverton home goods store. Cozy blankets, pillows, kitchen items, stickers, bags, decor, etc.
The Wild Dandelion
108 S Water StA lovely Silverton home goods store. Cozy blankets, pillows, kitchen items, stickers, bags, decor, etc.
Daylight Vintage
106 S 1st StGorgeous vintage clothes!
North Star Antiques & Collectibles
209 N Water StFunky antique mall with delightfully squeaky floors.
Oh, Bauman's! I went here as a tot to visit the petting zoo and now I go to pick up seasonal produce. Most people visit during the fall festival (pumpkins, petting zoos, cider tastings, mazes, etc), but it's always a joy with local produce, baked goods, gifts, and garden center. They make great cider (both the fizzy boozy kind and the non-boozy), donuts, preserves, and more.
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Bauman Farms
12989 Howell Prairie Road NortheastOh, Bauman's! I went here as a tot to visit the petting zoo and now I go to pick up seasonal produce. Most people visit during the fall festival (pumpkins, petting zoos, cider tastings, mazes, etc), but it's always a joy with local produce, baked goods, gifts, and garden center. They make great cider (both the fizzy boozy kind and the non-boozy), donuts, preserves, and more.
Books and clocks! Why not? Mostly used (very affordable) and a few well-picked new titles.
Books In Time
210 N Water StBooks and clocks! Why not? Mostly used (very affordable) and a few well-picked new titles.
Black Ink Coffee
503 Main StGreat coffee and gifts with an Alice in Wonderland vibe.
Cannon Beach Bookstore
130 N Hemlock StA beloved book store.
City/town information
If you have the time to take a beach trip, Yachats (pronounced "YA-hots") is our favorite. The fall mushroom festival is a real treat, but this is just the sweetest beach town with an awe-inspiring rugged coastline. Plus, the Alsea highway is just gorgeous, especially when the maples turn in the fall.
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Yachats
If you have the time to take a beach trip, Yachats (pronounced "YA-hots") is our favorite. The fall mushroom festival is a real treat, but this is just the sweetest beach town with an awe-inspiring rugged coastline. Plus, the Alsea highway is just gorgeous, especially when the maples turn in the fall.
Cannon Beach is a busy place, and for good reason: beautiful beaches and fantastic beach shops and art galleries. We avoid this place on the weekends -- it's just too crowded -- but if you can time your visit mid-week or for the off-season, we highly recommend it.
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Cannon Beach
Center StreetCannon Beach is a busy place, and for good reason: beautiful beaches and fantastic beach shops and art galleries. We avoid this place on the weekends -- it's just too crowded -- but if you can time your visit mid-week or for the off-season, we highly recommend it.
Neighborhoods
For a great Portland day, you can pack a lot in just visiting the NW. The rose garden, Japanese Garden, arboretum, shopping and eating in the alphabet district, and dashing over to Powell's -- you won't see the whole city, but you'll have a fantastic time. If you time your visit for September, you can watch the Swifts land!
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Northwest Portland
For a great Portland day, you can pack a lot in just visiting the NW. The rose garden, Japanese Garden, arboretum, shopping and eating in the alphabet district, and dashing over to Powell's -- you won't see the whole city, but you'll have a fantastic time. If you time your visit for September, you can watch the Swifts land!