When visiting Oregon we were excited to get out of the city and explore some of the natural beauty in the area. There are so many cool places to explore just outside of Portland. From the ocean to the forests we wanted to share four amazing day trips. Each trip is less than a two hour drive from Portland.
Portland Day Trips
If you’re looking for some short road trips from Portland you can see the forest or the ocean and everything in between.
- Our favorite day trip was driving along the Columbia River Gorge Historic Route
- Woodburn Tulip Festival
- Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock
- Visit Vancouver Washington
1. Columbia River Gorge Historic Route
If you are Portland and can only take one day trip, the Columbia River Gorge Historic Route was our favorite. This route has stunning waterfalls and is an excellent day trip from Portland.
2. Woodburn Tulip Festival
Lucky us we were in town during the annual Tulip Festival. Oregon has flower festivals throughout the year, so there is bound to be one when you are visiting too. A one hour drive transported us to a flower wonderland.
At the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm you can see fields and fields of tulips.
3. Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock
Want to hear the crashing of the waves and taste the salt in the air? You’re in luck in an hour and a half from Portland you can walk barefoot in the sand. After spending time at the ocean, you can visit the shops in town.
Ecola State Park
Just a few miles from Cannon Beach is a hidden gem: Oregon’s Ecola State Park. This park has some of the best views of Oregon’s coastline. For $5 you can take several hiking trails and enchanting paths that lead to some amazing views.
4. Visit Washington
Woodland, Washington
Less than two hours from Portland is the small town of Woodland. This city is home to Cedar Creek Grist Mill. It is a working mill with an absolutely gorgeous backdrop.
You can tour the inside of the mill and take a short hike in the surrounding area. The scenery is something right out of a fairy tale.
Woodland has an annual Lilac festival. In addition it is home to Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a national historic site where visitors can stop and smell the flowers. I love the smell of lilacs.
Vancouver, Washington
Just over the bridge in Vancouver you can walk along the river and see Officer’s Row. See what early 19th century life was like in at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This beautiful tree-lined street has 21 historic houses of former U.S. military officers.
