One of the best parts about being a WAF is traveling and adventuring all over the United States, and if you’re lucky, internationally! I know that no matter what part of the U.S. I want to go to, I have connections with all the amazing WAFs I have met so far and an endless list of recommendations! Currently my husband and I are based at McChord AFB, but we grew up in Oregon and have traversed most of the Pacific Northwest. I’m so excited to give you a quick guide to all things Oregon, and my personal “must do’s”!
I was born and raised in Portland and my love for the Rose City is endless. Whether you are visiting in the winter (bring your raincoat) or summer (yep, still bring a rain coat) Portland has so much to offer! If you’re like me, I plan my days around the restaurants I want to hit up SOOO, here are the ones you don’t want to miss.
BRUNCH
Depending on what part of town you are in, and how long of a wait you are willing to take, these are all worth it. Portland takes brunch VERY seriously.
Broder PDX
There are 3 locations around Portland, all Nordic cuisine, all delish.
Besaw’s
This is a classic in NW, not as well known on Yelp, but just as good.
Mother’s Bistro
Downtown in an older building and very walkable if you’re staying near by.
Tasty & Alder or Tasty & Sons
Both great locations, both great food.
LUNCH/DINNER
If there only one place you go to in PDX, go to Portland City Grill (or PCG as we call it) for happy hour. This restaurant sits at the top of “big pink” the tallest building downtown and looks over the entire city. The bar will be busy, the piano will be playing, and you will be living your best life. You can thank me later. Others that won’t disappoint:
Jake’s Grill
This is an old PDX restaurant in the heart of the city. The Seafood is amazing.
Noble Rot
This is your “farm to table” restaurant you probably thought I would recommend at some point and yes it’s awesome. They have a garden on the rooftop and an extensive wine list.
Pok Pok
This is a thai place that has won a ton of awards. There will definitely be a wait…oh but it will be so worth it.
Por Que No?
Your casual go to lunch spot for tacos, because who doesn’t love tacos?
This list could go on and on and if nothing but DMs come from this from WAFs inquiring about PDX, I will be MORE THAN happy to reply!
THINGS TO DO
Walk and shop on NW 23rd Street
Powell’s Book Store
Shopping in the Pearl District
Take a Barre3 class (It’s based out of PDX!!)
Visit the Portland Rose Garden and Japanese Gardens
Walk on the waterfront esplanade
Check out OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
Hit up a Blazer’s game
NIGHT LIFE
Jack Knife
Departure
Doug Fir Lounge
Live music!
There’s so much more and so many fun things to do. You can’t go wrong by walking around town and stumbling upon a great coffee shop or a unique vintage shop.
BEND, OR
Bend is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone visiting Oregon. Nestled in the mountains, it’s known for endless outdoor adventures. In the summer, be sure to plan a hike, float down the river, and rent a paddleboard. In the winter you will want to hit up Mt. Bachelor for some skiing rent some snowshoes or find a great sledding hill. Bend has beautiful mountains, fresh running rivers, GREAT beer and it good for your soul.
HIKES
South Sister
12 miles total, 3rd tallest mountain in OR. If you’re a badass and can whip out 12 miles in no time, you must look into this. Or if you’re like me and was sore for a week after…here are a few more “beer friendly” hikes.
Tumalo Mountain
4 miles total with a great view of the all the central cascade mountains. You can hike it in the summer, or snowshoe in the winter. Fun fact: this is where we got engaged!
Smith Rock State Park-Misery Ridge Trail:
The misery is 1 mile at a steep incline, but the view is beyond worth it!
Tumalo Falls
This is your instant gratification hike. The waterfall is literally at the parking lot and then you can follow the trail along the river above it for as long as you like. Only 15 minutes outside of town.
The River Trail
This is in Bend; you can walk along the Deschutes river as short or as long as you like.
Broken Top
6 miles round trip; you can only do this between late July and September before the first snowfall in October. You will also need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trail. This is quite literally the most beautiful hike I have ever been on; it’s pure magic. Here’s a photo to prove it.
FOOD + BREWERIES
Bend has the highest brewery per capita in the US so beer is food and there is a food selection at the breweries in Bend.
Brother John’s
This is your post-hike burger and beer, it doesn’t get better than this. I still dream about the Mac and Cheese too.
10 Barrel Brewery
Atmosphere, beer, pizza, this place has the best of the best. I never go to Bend without a stop here.
Jackson’s Corner
Breakfast and lunch, a cute café with a fabulous menu.
Hola!
Mexican food with an unique margarita menu
Mother’s Juice Bar
Perfect for some quick energy to start your day
Bend Brewing
Get the Ching Ching, it’s the best sour beer out there.
McMenamins
If you’re never been to one, go here and bring your swimsuit. Soaking pool, Ruby beer and the Cajun tots. It’s really what dreams are made of.
Boneyard Brewery (I saved the best for last:) )
They are working on a pub, but for now it’s a hole in the wall tasting room and it’s the motherland of IPA’s and just good freakin’ beer. Your husband will thank me. Or you will, this can be our secret.
Honorable mentions: Deschutes Brewery, Worthy Brewing, GoodLife Brewing, Crux (great atmosphere) and Atlas Cider.
OREGON WINE COUNTRY
If you haven’t figured it out already, Oregon likes to drink. Just 40 minutes outside of Portland in the valley are some of the best wineries in the US and you can easily make a day trip out of it. Here are some of my favs, but you’ll see as you drive out HWY 99 there’s a winery about every 100 yards. The best way my girlfriends and I do these day trips is to stop at Red Hills Market (call in your order so you don’t have to wait) and take a picnic of pizzas, meats, cheeses, fruit and chocolates.
WINERIES
Stoller
Sokol
Blosser
Domaine
Serene
On top of a hill with a great view and you feel like you’re wine tasting in France Erath (you can find this in a ton of grocery stores)
Rex Hill
Four Graces
Youngberg Hill
Maysara
If you end up deciding to stay in the valley, The Allison Inn and Spa is a great little resort in Newberg, or if you’d like something a little more historic + eclectic, I’d suggest the Hotel Oregon in McMinville.
There’s so much to explore in Oregon, this really is only a small snap shot of it all. I love being able to share my home state with you and can’t wait to learn about more WAFs experiences. It truly is a small military, in such a big world and I’m so grateful to be apart of it alongside each of you!
XO, SARA
