5 Great Urban Paddles
One of the greatest assets of living near so much water is getting out into it. In much of the Pacific Northwest, our cities and neighborhoods are literally surrounded by sparkling bodies of water—rivers, small lakes, large lakes and even a big, beautiful saltwater sound. And while all this water is lovely to look at, it’s […]
Wine Tasting 101: Tips for First-Timers
So, you’re a tasting room virgin. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. Maybe you’re in the camp that thinks wine-tasting is a silly pastime for urbanites who can say “nice residual sugar” with a straight face. Or perhaps you’re just deathly afraid to walk into one of those granite-clad tasting rooms with no freakin’ clue what to do […]
Tulip Festivals Jump Start Spring in the Northwest
There’s something about rows upon rows of brightly-colored tulips that screams: GOODBYE, WINTER! HELLO, SPRING! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs April 1-30, 2014. Will you be going? Because we have a nice scenic drive itinerary for the Skagit flats that might help you plan your trip, with places to eat and things to do in the Skagit […]
5 Cheap, Great Dates in the Northwest Great Outdoors
It’s February, the month when sweethearts everywhere exchange symbols of their affection, from heart-shaped boxes of chocolates to richly-embellished cards. And that’s all before noon. When the sun goes down hand-holding over fancy dinners booked weeks in advance will commence, perhaps followed by a little nooky by candlelight for the lucky ones. A traditional Valentines Day […]
State Park Cabins in Oregon, from Rustic to Deluxe
Picture this. After an unexpectedly chilly night spent sleeping on the hard, bumpy ground at a local state park, you skip your morning shower (too cold!) only to get rained on from the sky while eating instant oatmeal, shivering in your gortex. It’s car camping in the Northwest! And if you’ve had an overnight experience […]
Q: Where Should I Stay Near the Amtrak Station in Portland?
We know you have questions, so here’s the deal: You ask, we’ll answer. Sweet, huh? Whatever your Northwest travel inquiry, we will put on our concierge hats and try our best to answer you. Dear TripFinder, We’re taking the train from Seattle to Portland next weekend. Where should we stay that is close to the train or […]
NEWS: Free National Parks, Great Small Towns
Ah, spring. You are here. Which means I should be planning our summer travel now. Despite the uber-organized facade I present (ha ha), I am not much of an advanced planner. And every summer, it gets us stuck. Once, it was three hours of scouring campgrounds from Leavenworth to North Bend for an empty campsite […]
Got a Payroll Tax Cut? Take a Local Trip.
While Congress squabbles over the merits and pitfalls of extending the middle-class payroll tax cut worth about $1000 per family for another year, I am already spending mine. In my head, anyway. One thousand dollars will buy us a couple of nice local family getaways next year, and help stimulate the local tourism economy in the […]
Explore Portland
View Oregon Trip Finder Map in a larger map Though it’s not quite a big city, PDX (as it is called) is no small town, either. Its residents are crafty and creative, its style is comfortable and laid-back, its tastes are slow and delicious. And yet, there is a spirit to Portland that remains gritty […]
Oregon Trip Finder
Where do you want to explore in Oregon? Click a region to get started. >>Not sure where to go? Find your next trip to Oregon. Beach Lover Do you like small coastal towns, storm-watching, and saltwater taffy? How about flying kites, or exploring tidepools? Want to see what it’s like to stay in a […]
