Best Day Trips from Portland

Portland itself is a fantastic city with a ton to offer and limitless things to do. However with wonderful environment and breathtaking landscape in every direction, there are also many fantastic alternatives when it comes to day excursions from Portland.

The largest city in Oregon is bordered by beautiful coastal villages, world-class state parks and recreation regions with endless hiking and mountain bike paths. There is also a significant cultural legacy reaching back to the 19th century. Not to mention a seemingly unlimited number of local microbreweries, coffee bars, food trucks, and hole-in-the-wall seafood places.

In this guide, we’re sharing our top day excursions from Portland, including all the particular things to see, do, eat, and drink that should be on your schedule. Each of these hand-picked activities are within a 2.5-hour drive from Portland, so you can easily journey there and back in a day.

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1. Hood River

• At a glance: Widely regarded the windsurfing capital of the world (really!), Hood River boasts some of the greatest water activities available, plus an excellent wine culture.

• Distance from Portland: 62 miles; slightly over 1 hour

Hood River is a little town in northern Oregon that carries a huge impact. Nestled at the foot of snow-capped Mount Hood and between the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range, Hood River Valley offers a ton of diverse excursions on day trips from Portland.

Best things to do in Hood River

• Try windsurfing or kiteboarding on the Columbia River Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and stop for a couple of walks along the route. We definitely recommend the simple 2-mile Wahclella Falls walk.

• Go skiing or snowboarding around the slopes of Mount Hood

• Drive the 35-mile picturesque circle through local farms, vineyards, cideries, fruit markets, and orchards known as the Hood River Fruit circle

• Stop into one of the many of Hood River wineries (or breweries!) for a taste and/or tour

2. Columbia River Gorge

• At a Glance: The gorgeous Columbia River Gorge is filled with some of the greatest waterfalls in Oregon, family-friendly hiking routes, and myriad other outdoor leisure activities.

• Distance from Portland: 15-100-ish miles, depending on precise location; 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (ex: Multnomah Falls is 30 miles from downtown Portland)

Chasing waterfalls is one of our favorite things to do in Oregon. When you need a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge is within easy access for one of the greatest day excursions from Portland.

Top things to do in the Columbia River Gorge

• Road-trip down the 70-mile Historic Columbia River Highway, pausing to take in spectacular sights (including wayside waterfalls!) along the route.

• Stop at the 100-year-old Crown Point Vista House observatory for ahhh-mazing vistas

• Visit Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in Oregon, where you may just wonder and take photographs or start on a short trek.

• Hike the Oneonta Gorge Trail through slot canyons and waist-deep water to Lower Oneonta Falls.

• Watch the seasonal salmon spawn, swimming from the ocean and moving upstream.

• Take a river boat and savor local artisan beer and excellent pizza in Cascade Locks.

3. Mount Hood

• At a Glance: Iconic Mount Hood provides countless chances for outdoor leisure.

• Distance from Portland: 76 miles; 1 hour, 20 minutes

Named one of the 7 wonders of Oregon by the Oregon Tourism board, the 11,249-foot-tall Mount Hood is the tallest peak in Oregon and visible from just about anyplace in Portland.

Best things to do at Mount Hood

• Take a gorgeous road ride on the 100-mile Mount Hood gorgeous Byway

• Hike the renowned Trillium Lake Loop Trail, one of the greatest hikes around Portland

• Glimpse the greatest view of Mount Hood is from Lost Lake which is located deep in Mount Hood National Forest

• On your journey to Lost Lake, stop at the gorgeous Lavender Valley (shown in our cover photo!) just outside of Parkdale, Oregon

• Hit the slopes at one of the two Mount Hood Ski Resorts during the winter months

• If you wish to make your day excursion an overnight stay, consider a night at the Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark (and site of a filming location in The Shining!).

4. Astoria

• At a Glance: A traditional PNW coastal town packed with cultural and historic sites, with a lovely waterfront, fantastic restaurants, and outdoor activity abounding

• Distance from Portland: 95 miles; 2 hours Scandinavian-influenced Astoria has a lengthy fishing and fur trade history. In reality, it’s the oldest American community west of the Rockies, founded in 1811 by our country’s first-ever billionaire, John Jacob Astor.

Best things to do in Astoria

• Ride the famous Astoria Riverfront Trolley

• Climb up all the stairs of the Astoria Column for spectacular views

• Visit the family-friendly Columbia River Maritime Museum

• Hike the very simple Cathedral Tree Trail to the genuine Cathedral Tree, a gigantic 300-year-old Sitka spruce.

• Revisit Civil War and World War II history at Fort Stevens State Park

• Hop across the bridge and visit the Long Beach Peninsula

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5. Cannon Beach

• At a Glance: An lovely, ultra-charming Oregon Coast town with famous sea stacks and fantastic access to sandy beaches and amazing hiking routes.

• Distance from Portland: 80 miles; 1.5 hours

Another one of the wonderful Oregon seaside communities. When people think of the Oregon Coast, they often see Cannon Beach - the famed Haystack Rock really is that iconic.

Top things to do in Cannon Beach

• Take advantage of the natural photo-op that Haystack Rock affords, especially after sunset. Look for nesting bald eagles and puffins!

• Walk the beach during low tide and discover tidal pools.

• Head to Hug Point to watch a sea cave and waterfall spilling directly onto the beach!

• Explore the various trails and roadside vistas in Ecola State Park, just a few minutes north.