Portland, Oregon is a fantastic city to visit for a weekend. It also makes for a great place to head out on some weekend trips. There are so many unique and fun weekend trips from Portland. Oregon is not one of the most visited states such as California and Florida, but it contains many hidden gems and some awesome road trips.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in [Portland] here. They are very affordable too!
The following are some of the best weekend trips from Portland that are perfect for a long weekend. All of these are less than a 4 hours drive from Portland.
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Where to Stay in Portland
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Portland hotels here! Also, check out this post with some of my favorite Portland hotels.
The following are some of the best hotels in Portland. *means it is one of my favorites!
- Hilton Portland Downtown
- The Duniway Portland*
- Hyatt Centric Downtown*
- AC Marriott Portland Downtown*
- Moxy Portland Downtown
- Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
- Home2Suites Portland Airport
- Residence Inn Portland Airport
- Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station
- Hampton Inn Portland East
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Drive Time: 4 hours
One of the best weekend trips from Portland is a visit to Crater Lake National Park. About a 4 hours drive from Portland, it is the perfect outdoor escape. Plan to spend two nights so you can get the full experience of the park.
You can opt to stay inside the park or stay in Medford to save some money. The Resort at Eagle Point is a great choice for people wanting to stay outside of the park. You will need a car to get around the park.
Once in the make, make sure to take the 33-mile Rim drive all the way around the lake. Stop to hike down to Cleetwood Cove, the only access to the shore of the lake. From there you can opt to swim in the lake to jump in.
Do not miss the views from the Watchman Overlook which offers the best views of Wizard Island and the Cloudcap Overlook, the highest spot in the park.
Seattle, Washington
Drive Time: 3 hours
Another one of the best weekend trips from Portland is to Seattle, Washington. This is one of the gems of the Pacific Northwest and contains plenty to keep you busy for a weekend or longer. Plan to spend 2-3 days exploring what the city has to offer.
If possible, stay in the Downtown area. You can also opt to stay near the Space Needle/Seattle Center to save some money. You can opt to drive to Seattle or take the train from Portland. Once there, you can use buses to get around the city.
Seattle has so many things to keep you busy. Make sure to visit the Space Needle to see the glass floors and the Chihuly Gardens and Glass. Grab some food and coffee at Pike Place Market.
The next day, head to Pioneer Square to take an Underground Tour and visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The Underground Tour takes you through tunnels under the city that date back to the 1800s. At Klondike Gold Rush NHP, you can learn about the history of the gold rush in the area.
Seattle has tons of other options to keep you busy as well such as day trips to Bainbridge Island and Snoqualmie Falls.
The Willamette Valley, Oregon
Drive Time: 1 hour
The Willamette Valley is another fabulous and best weekend trip from Portland. It is a fantastic area for wine lovers making it perfect for a girl’s weekend or a romantic getaway. The majority of the wineries lie less than 30 miles from Portland, making it such an easy weekend trip. In total, there are over 700 wineries scattered between Portland and Salem in the Willamette Valley.
Wine lovers should opt to spend 2-3 days in the Willamette Valley. The area contains various B&B or you can opt to stay at McMenamins, a fun hotel that was built in an old school.
To get around the area, you will need a car or opt to hire a driver if you will be hitting up many wineries.
Visitors must go wine tasting at Brick House Wines, which has some of the best Pinot Noirs and Gammays in the area. It is only $20 for a tasting and all are by appointment only. Also, make sure to check out Adelsheim Vineyard. You could easily spend an entire afternoon there taking in the views from the tasting room. Adelsheim also produces some really delicious Pinot Noirs.
Make sure to plan out which winery you would like to visit in advance as many of them require reservations. Many of the tastings rooms can also get quite busy on the weekends, especially during the summertime.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Drive Time: 3-4 hours
Olympic National Park is about a 3 to 4 hours drive from Portland, depending on which part of the park you decide to visit. You will want at least 2 days to explore all the areas of the park, but more if you have time.
The most popular areas of the park are near Port Angeles, so staying in that area will be the best option unless you will camp in the park. The area does not have many chain hotels, so you will have to look around a bit for a great deal.
To get around to the different areas of Olympic National Park, you will need a car. Admission to the park costs $30, but you can get in for free with the America the Beautiful Pass.
Make sure to visit the Hoh Rain Forest and hike the Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail. A stop at First Beach in La Push and Forks is a must for any Twilight fan. The Sol Duc Falls Trail is also worth a visit. At the end of the day, you can even relax at the Sol Duc Hot Springs.
Get an early start in the morning to beat the crowds as the entrance to certain areas of the park is limited and gets busy quickly. This is a great outdoor getaway and one of the best weekend trips from Portland.
Astoria
Drive Time: 2 hours
Astoria, a small seaside town in Oregon is about a 2-hour drive from Portland. Two days is plenty of time to get the full Astoria experience so it makes for one of the best weekend trips from Portland.
There is a scattering of boutique hotels in Astoria as well as Hampton Inn. Although you can walk around the main part of Downtown Astoria, you will need a car to get out to the coast or some of the other parts of Astoria.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is one of the main sites to visit in Astoria. This is the site where Lewis and Clark spent the winter when they were exploring the new territory. If you want to visit the coast, head over to Fort Stevens State Park where you can see the wreck of the Peter Iredale. Other cool things to do in Astoria include the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Oregon Film Museum, and the Goonies House.
If visiting during the summertime, make sure to book hotels and any tours early as it can get very busy during that time.
Salem
Drive Time: 1 hour
Salem is a very easy weekend trip from Portland as it is only a little over an hour away. Salem is the capital of Oregon and has some pretty fun things to do. Two days in Salem is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring the capital city.
Salem has a ton of chain hotels super close to the downtown area. Visitors can walk around the downtown area, but to get to some of the other attractions, you may want a car.
There are a plethora of things to do in Salem. The number one thing to do is visit and tour the state capitol building. Capitol tours are usually offered twice a day during the week. The Oregon Garden, an 80-acre botanical garden is another fun place to spend an afternoon. Other attractions include the Museum of Art, the Willamette Heritage Center, and the Riverfront City park are also fun places to check out. You can also take a ton of different hikes around Salem like South Falls, or go wine tasting.
Make sure to eat at Venti’s Cafe which serves amazing chicken and hummus and visit Archive Coffee and Bar: It is a coffee shop by day and a bar at night!
Cannon Beach, Oregon
By Candice of CS Ginger
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Cannon Beach is a beautiful coastal beach town near Portland. It is about an hour and 30 minutes northwest of the Portland area near Seaside. The drive is about 80 miles. Spending two to three days in Cannon Beach will give you enough time to enjoy the tide pools, hike the dramatic coastlines and explore the charming downtown area. There are so many fun things to do in Cannon Beach.
The best way to get around Cannon Beach and the surrounding area is by car or using rideshares. The downtown area is very walkable but if you want to explore up in Ecola State Park or down the coast, you will need transportation.
The downtown area has lots of fun little specialty shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. During the summer, you can visit the Cannon Beach Farmers Market. You can also pick up a kite from Once Upon a Breeze to enjoy flying kites at the beach.
The most iconic place in Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock. It is just offshore at the end of 2nd Street. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the beach. Be sure to visit Haystack Rock at low tide to explore the tide pools. There are educational programs at Haystack Rock during low tide.
Ecola State Park is a beautiful place to hike near Cannon Beach. Along with hiking, you can picnic, enjoy the beach and take pictures in the park. You can hike from Ecola Point down to Crescent Beach. The hike is about 1.25 miles. No matter what, an escape to Cannon Beach is one of the best weekend trips from Portland.
Lincoln City, Oregon
By Michelle of Intentional Travelers
Drive Time: 2 hours
Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast is 90 miles or roughly two hours from Portland, by way of Oregon wine country. (It’s slightly longer if heading West first for a worthwhile snack stop at the Tillamook Creamery.) It is one of the best weekend trips from Portland.
It can easily be done as a day trip, in combination with neighboring Pacific City. Most of the sights can be seen in a weekend, though many choose to stay for a longer vacation as well.
There are plenty of good coastal hotels and vacation rentals. Looking Glass Inn is not only on the beach but also a neighbor of Mo’s seafood restaurant, which is a favorite for clam chowder bowls. Public transit is not particularly convenient on the coast, so it’s recommended to visit with your own vehicle.
Things to do in Lincoln City include hiking, picnicking on the sandy beaches, visiting tide pools, surfing (with a wet suit), flying kites, and shopping for souvenirs or deals at the outlet mall. Be sure to sample saltwater taffy at Candyland and admire the glass blown works at the Glass Art Studio.
Pair your Lincoln City visit with a trip to Pacific City, known for its giant sand dune and one of two “haystack rocks” on the Oregon Coast.
Don’t forget to pack some layers. Coastal temperatures tend not to get too extreme but rain is possible. And head out early on holidays – roads to the coast can get very busy with visitors from the Valley.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
By Erica of Trip Scholars
Drive Time: 2.5 hours
A short 2.5-hour drive from Portland will bring you to one of the best weekend trips from Portland: dramatic Mount Rainier National Park. Plan to spend two nights (more if you are able) and use your car to get around the expansive park.
There are many lodging options to fit any interest or budget. The park offers both the historic Paradise Inn and the National Park Inn, but reservations go very quickly. The nearby towns of Packwood and Ashford offer lodges, motels, and home rentals. Camping is highly recommended but again, reservations go quickly within park boundaries. You can often find excellent sites at nearby campgrounds like La Wis Wis, which offers some sites available without reservations.
Once in the park, you will have your pick of outstanding views and activities. There are easy hikes for everyone at Longmire where you can see evidence that Mount Rainier is an active volcano. Enjoy bubbling hot springs and learn about the early history of the park. The Grove of the Patriarchs in Ohanapecosh is another relatively easy trail that brings you across a suspension bridge and out to stunning old-growth giants.
Plan to spend some time at Paradise. There is an informative visitor center that is entertaining for everyone. If you are traveling with kids, be sure to check out their Junior Ranger Program. You’ll also find a cafeteria and gift shop here. The Paradise area bursts with wildflowers in the summer boasts trails to view breathtaking glaciers, includes waterfalls, and is the launching area of many longer, more rigorous trails that lace through the area.
In the winter, enjoy sledding, cross country skiing, or ranger-led snowshoeing. You will have plenty of snow to enjoy since Mount Rainier ties with nearby Mount Baker as receiving the greatest amount of snowfall in the lower 48!
Enjoy your 140-mile drive back to Portland reminiscing about your adventures and planning your return trip to majestic Mount Rainier.
Shaniko Ghost Town, Oregon
By Agnes of The Van Escape
Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Shaniko Ghost Town is an unusual place in Oregon, where you can step back in times. The story is fascinating as Shaniko was once the “Wool Capital of the World.” Now you can walk among the remnants of a historic hotel’s structures, a jail, church, stores, and a schoolhouse. You can also see the old remains of railway, abandoned carriages, and cars. Everything is in pretty good shape.
The land around Shaniko was not good farmland, but it was adequate as sheep and cattle country. Bringing the railway in 1900 to the town exaggerated its fate and great prosperity.
A rail terminal, a water system, and the possibility of transport meant that sheep were raised, and breeders sold wool on a world scale. The heyday of the city was from 1901 to 1911. The town’s fall came when a competitive railway line was opened along the Deschutes River Canyon to Bend.
Only 131 miles of an amazingly scenic, breathtaking route across US 26 is from Portland to Shaniko Ghost Town. It’s about 2 hours and 30 minutes of driving as the route passes through the mountains where you can admire the magnificent Mount Hood Peak, Mount Hood Village, and full of lush greenery Mount Hood National Forest.
You need at least 3-4 hours to explore Shaniko. So, it’s a perfect idea as a day trip from Portland or as a weekend trip if combined with the Mount Hood area. If you want to stay nearby, the best lodging options you will find are in the Mount Hood area of Madras. There is no local transportation, so the only way to get to this ghost town is by own or rented car.
Shaniko is a great place for a few hours’ walk to imagine how people live in the Wild West. This town is perfect for a trip with kids or teens to show them old times or for a wild west-styled photo session. All you need is cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, jeans, and a checkered flannel shirt to make great pictures next to abandoned wooden buildings. It is one of the most unique and best weekend trips from Portland.
Bend, Oregon
By Nick and Val of Wandering Wheatleys
Drive Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Located just 165 miles southeast of Portland in Oregon’s high desert, Bend makes for the perfect weekend getaway from Portland. It takes about 3.5 hours to drive between the two cities. The most popular routes are over the picturesque Mt Hood Highway (Hwy 26) or further south through the equally beautiful Santiam Pass (Hwy 22).
A true outdoor mecca, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Bend regardless of the season. In the winter you’ll want to hit the slopes of nearby Mt. Bachelor or go snowshoeing to Tumalo Falls. And in the summer you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice – rock climbing in Smith Rock State Park, hiking, mountain biking, floating the Deschutes River, and even exploring ancient underground lava tubes!
Bend is also known for its abundance of microbreweries. In fact, it has a population of under 100,000 but over 22 breweries! And no weekend trip would be complete without sampling a few of the local beers. Our favorite Bend brewery is Crux Fermentation Project. It has a large outdoor space that hosts food trucks – the perfect spot to meet new friends in the warm summer months.
If you’re still trying to decide where to stay in Bend then check out The Old Francis School Hotel which is housed in a former 1936 Catholic schoolhouse and has onsite soaking pools. Or if you love golf you’ll definitely want to book a couple of nights at Tetherow Resort which is situated on an award-winning golf course that features a stunning backdrop of the cascade mountains.
Florence, Oregon
by Steve from Maps Over Coffee
Drive Time: 3 hours
If you are looking for one of the best weekend trips from Portland to a quaint little town with historic boutiques, amazing seafood, and miles of sandy beaches just a short drive from Portland, look no further than Florence.
Only 170 miles south, you could be strolling on the beach in less than 3 hours. You can also take the slow way and drive down the Pacific Coast on Highway 101 right into Florence.
Either way, you could leave in the morning and enjoy Mo’s signature clam chowder for lunch.
Located on the Siuslaw River, Mo’s is part of the historic downtown where you can find local shops and artisanal wares for a bit of window shopping.
For an adventurous afternoon, take an ATV or dune buggy out for a spin on the sand dunes along the coast. Windswept hair and bugs in your teeth are true signs of a good time.
Others may prefer to take a slower pace. Walk along the beach. Take a ride up the highway for some hiking and whale watching.
Speaking of whale watching, the Heceta Head Lighthouse is perched just right to get a sweeping view of the migrating cetaceans.
You can take a guided tour of the operational lighthouse at the eponymous State Scenic Viewpoint.
You just may like it enough to stay at its B&B where you will unwind overlooking the cliffs and the pounding waves.
But if you would like to be even closer to nature, Florence is surrounded by campgrounds. Offering everything from basic car camping, RV hookups, and cabins Florence is equipped to suit any style of “roughing it”.
Whether an endpoint for a day trip or a weekend destination, Florence is a respite from the city and suburbs. With plenty to discover, explore, and relax you will be coming back for more.
Some of the other best weekend trips from Portland, Oregon include Walla Walla (Washington’s newer wine country), Medford, Hood River, Corvallis, and Eugene. If you have longer than a weekend, you could check out North Cascades National Park, Boise, Spokane, or Vancouver, Canada.
