The Oregon trail

[Not Afraid]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

As far as Oregon goes.....the coastline is beautiful as is Mt. Hood, and the Columbia River. Portland has a several fantastic book stores with the incredible Powell's being one of the absolute best used book stores around.

The Cascades can be stunning in the Spring - depending on the type of winter they've had. I love the mountains in the springtime as a rule.

[Kevy Baby]

Portland is said to have some of the best strip clubs.

[BarTopDancer]

[wendybeth]

We like to go to Seaside and Cannon Beach. Fort Stevens is cool as well- they have the remains of a shipwreck on the shore there.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

We like to go to Seaside and Cannon Beach. Fort Stevens is cool as well- they have the remains of a shipwreck on the shore there.

The Wreck of the Peter Iredale(which my family likes to sing to the tune of Edmund Fitzgerald) at Fort Stevens State Park is an annual destination for my family every Labor Day weekend. Normas Restaurant at Seaside has the best clam chowder on the Oregon coast with the two possible exceptions of Mo's, in Newport and the Dory Cove in Lincoln City.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTLAND: I was born on the side of a volcano that resides in this city....it's called Mt. Tabor Park. The crater is now an amphitheater and the Hospital where I was born is now a convalesence center. The reservoirs on the Mt., built in the early part of the last century are a must see. A political fight is underway to save them from being covered up...and the good guys are losing; so see them soon.

The Portland Winterhawks is North Americas most successfull Junior Hockey Franshise....Watching a game there against the Seatle Thunderbirds was listed in Sports Illustrated as one of "Hockeys Top 10 Experiences"....sadly, it looks like the Winterhawks will not be playing much in April this year(they are the youngest team in the league this year and are not winning too many games)...but if you're here early enough in April they still might be playing...check them out.

Sky Tram....going from the riverfront up into the west hills overlooking Portland is our newest boondoggle. If you miss Disneylands skyway consider a ride---this one goes from one Hospital campus to another but is still worth a look. Other options include a free street car in the downtown area that changes colors, an extensive Light Rail system including a spectacular stop at the Oregon Zoo; hundreds of feet below the surface..an elevator will take you from the Rail station to the Zoo itself, and bike trails that crisscross the entire city.

Enchanted Forest Just south of Salem on I-5 is one of the best Theme Parks in the World.....it's pretty small and only has a few great rides but the whole park is built upon a forested hillside and once you step inside the immersion is comparable to the better parts of Disneyland(it shoots DCA out of the water). I am not sure if they are open durring the early parts of April...weekends only perhaps.

The Spruce Goose In McMinnville....about 30 miles West of Oregon City is a small municipal airport/flight museum. The largest wooden plane ever built is open for tours here. How it came to be in this small town, scores of miles away from any bay or harbor is a long story but some of the players are quite familier to everyone on this message board...........

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry..or OMSI. Basically your typical large city Science Museum with a planitarium, IMAX screen, and two or three traveling exhibits.....plus the USS Blueback nuclear submarine....the same one used in the movie The Hunt for Red October...it's open for tours daily. OMSI is also the launch point for Willamette River jet boats. If the weather is nice this is a truly unique and fun way to see Portland((side note. There may be an Oregon City launch too...I am not sure))

The Hotel Lucia Known as the "Hippest Hotel in Portland"...this Downtown Hotel is near many of Portlands trendier spots including Pioneer Square, Powells City Books, Salmon St. Fountain, and much more. The Hotel is known for its' extensive photos that adorn every wall and the cozy rooms with luxurious beds.

Multnomah Falls Second highest waterfall in North America and only 40 minutes East of the City on I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. April is also the best month to see the falls! At Cascade Locks, just a few more miles from the falls you can catch the Comumbia River Sternwheeler...as seen in the Jodi Foster movie Maverick. You can even hum the Oregon State Song which the music from Maverick is derived...it goes Wild as the wind in Oregon, blowing up the Canyon...something, something

Ya HalaAuthentic Lebanese cuisine. Located in SE Portland in the Montivilla district near Mt. Tabor.

Skiing/Mt Hood Ski season can last well into the summer on the higher slopes above Timberline.

Forest Park The largest City Park in the United States....so big that about 20 years ago a plane went down and it took the searchers two weeks to find the wreckage. The Park is crisscrossed with Mt. bike trails.

The Grotto A Beautiful 62 acre Catholic Santctuary. Lush gardens, quiet paths, and peaceful spots to just sit and meditate.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

WOOHOO! I'm an image theif!

[tracilicious]

Now I really want to play Oregon Trail! I wonder if there's an online version...

Thanks so much for the tips! How far of a drive are these things from Corvallis? I'm thinking maybe we should do a few nights in Portland instead of driving those two days.

[sleepyjeff]

Except for Enchanted Forest and the Spruce Goose most of those I listed are going to be about an hour or more from Corvalis.

Stay in Portland if you can...I'd reccomend the Hotel Lucia in the spirit of swank

More economical Hotels can be found out near Troutdale(about 20 minutes East of Downtown) which is not a bad place to stay if you plan on seeing the Multnomah Falls or Mt. Hood....but it is less convenient to much of everything else.

Also wish to amend my list:

Mt St. Helens Drive north on I-5 to Woodland then follow the St. Helens National Monument signs. If you have a full day try to go up to the North side of the volcano to the Windy Ridge Lookout---it is quite eerie.

Beverely Cleary Sculpture Garden Portlands most famous childrens author is celebrated at this wonderful, whimsical little spot in Grant Park in NE Portland.

[Drince88]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

The Wreck of the Peter Iredale(which my family likes to sing to the tune of Edmund Fitzgerald) at Fort Stevens State Park is an annual destination for my family every Labor Day weekend.

Can you see the New Carissa stern still in Coos Bay? It ran aground, they tried to burn the fuel off, it broke in half - they pulled the bow off the beach, it broke free, went further up the coast. They finally succeeded in scuttling the bow with a torpedo from a Navy Submarine (after the Navy surface ship failed to sink it).

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Sky Tram....going from the riverfront up into the west hills overlooking Portland is our newest boondoggle. If you miss Disneylands skyway consider a ride---this one goes from one Hospital campus to another but is still worth a look. Other options include a free street car in the downtown area that changes colors, an extensive Light Rail system including a spectacular stop at the Oregon Zoo; hundreds of feet below the surface..an elevator will take you from the Rail station to the Zoo itself, and bike trails that crisscross the entire city.

I saw that for the first time this past Christmas (from I-5 - note no 'the' before that!) Very interesting design on the pod (or whatever they call it)

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry..or OMSI. Basically your typical large city Science Museum with a planitarium, IMAX screen, and two or three traveling exhibits.....plus the USS Blueback nuclear submarine....the same one used in the movie The Hunt for Red October...it's open for tours daily. OMSI is also the launch point for Willamette River jet boats. If the weather is nice this is a truly unique and fun way to see Portland((side note. There may be an Oregon City launch too...I am not sure))

Slight technical correction here, the Blue Back is a diesel (last diesel built, I believe).

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Multnomah Falls Second highest waterfall in North America and only 40 minutes East of the City on I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. April is also the best month to see the falls! At Cascade Locks, just a few more miles from the falls you can catch the Comumbia River Sternwheeler...as seen in the Jodi Foster movie Maverick. You can even hum the Oregon State Song which the music from Maverick is derived...it goes Wild as the wind in Oregon, blowing up the Canyon...something, something

Sorry, that's not the Oregon State Song (don't the oddest things stick in your brain from grade school education?)

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Mt St. Helens Drive north on I-5 to Woodland then follow the St. Helens National Monument signs. If you have a full day try to go up to the North side of the volcano to the Windy Ridge Lookout---it is quite eerie.

I FINALLY did that a couple of 4th of Julys ago - Totally cool - though I liked the Johnston Ridge visitor center best of the places we stopped - WATCH THE MOVIE, especially if it's a clear day! However, I'm not sure how soon Johnston Ridge in particular opens, that might be a problem with an April visit.

I agree with everything else sleepyjeff mentioned (though I haven't been to Enchanted Forest since I was in grade school) - but had to add
Winery touring.

I would NOT stay in Corvallis to do the Portland stuff. You'd be spending too much time on the boring Interstate. Besides, if you're flying in, you'll probably fly into/out of Portland, anyway.

[innerSpaceman]

No one has yet mentioned Crater Lake ... in my opinion Oregon's most beautiful and beguiling spot.