With spring break just around the corner and fair weather theoretically in our future, it’s time to start thinking about taking advantage of the Pacific Northwest’s best natural features. Whether you’re a senior taking your final spring break or a prospective student looking to explore the region, these are the must see attractions within a day’s drive of Portland.
Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls
The scenic columbia gorge.
A rainbow over the upper Multnomah Falls.
Located just an hour’s drive outside of Portland, the Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls are two picaresque destinations easily visitable in a single afternoon. The Gorge cuts through the Cascadia Mountain Range, which provides the perfect vantage point to take in the panoramic scenario. Just a few miles from one such vantage point is Multnomah Falls is a multi-level waterfall with a pedestrian bridge extending over the lower falls (not pictured). Both are popular tourist destinations and great places to take visiting family or friends.
Mt. Hood
Mt. Hood as seen from Portland’s western hills.
Mt. Hood is that snowy peak visible from Portland’s western hills and the very scenic airport exit. It’s about an hour and a half to two hour’s drive from Reed, depending on how far up the mountain you intend to travel. The summit boasts patches of snow even during Portland’s hottest months, and Reed maintains a ski cabin for Reed students and community members year round.
Sauvie Island
Hills, farmlands, and a gorgeous view of Mt. Hood (not pictured).
Sauvie Island is the largest Island on the Columbia River, located just forty minutes north of Reed’s campus, and it’s nothing if not the perfect pastoral escape from Portlandia life. Popular destinations on Sauvie Island include the numerous public beaches and you-pick farms.
The Coast (Astoria, OR)
Astoria looks across the Columbia River to Washington state.
The straightest shot from Portland to the Pacific Ocean is about a ninety minute drive (Tillamook Bay, to be exact, which boasts the Tillamook Cheese Factory), but the extra half-hour of driving time to Astoria is worth every second. Astoria is situated in the most northwestern county of Oregon, just inland of where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect pitstop after a quick trip to the ocean, and features attractions such as the Oregon Film Museum, the Astoria Column, and the house from the movie The Goonies.
Seattle
Portland’s big sibling has its own mountain view.
A three hour and fifteen minute drive (six and a half hours round trip) may be pushing the definition of “day trip”, but if you’re looking for a big city with uniquely Pacific Northwest vibes, Seattle is it. Listing the city’s numerous attractions would require a blog post in and of itself, so it may be prudent to do some research beforehand to determine your itinerary. You can also make the trip there and back using BoltBus, an intercity bus service that boasts low fares and in-bus wifi.
Crater Lake
Fun fact: Crater Lake is featured on the Oregon commemorative quarter.
Crater Lake is truly a weekend trip, rather than a day trip, but it’s worth every minute of the four and a half hour drive from Portland. Crater Lake is one of the clearest, most unpolluted lakes in the world and in fact has the deepest maximum depth of any lake in the United States. If you’re interested in camping around Crater Lake, you may want to hold off on making the trip until July or August. Crater Lake has a subapline climate, which means that late summer are the only months where the average temperature is significantly above freezing.
