The natural beauty of the region is overwhelming. The Portland/Vancouver area is ideally situated between the Cascade Range and the Oregon Coast. Beautiful beaches at Cannon Beach and Seaside are only about an hour west of the city. If the mountains are more your thing, try a trip to Timberline Lodge, which lies a little over an hour to the east of the city near the summit of Mt. Hood. Timberline Lodge also offers snow skiing all year round.

• Cannon Beach
  
• Seaside
  
• Newport Aquarium
  
• Timberline Lodge

The region also has some wonderful wine country to the west and south of Portland. Many of the local wineries offer convenient tours and tasting.

• Wine Tours

The Columbia River Gorge, just minutes to the east of Portland, offers some of the best wind and kite surfing in the world. Along the Historic Columbia River Highway, which snakes its way through the gorge, are some of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see. The gorge also offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails, too. If you require something a little more adventurous, try a whitewater rafting trip down the White Salmon River, about an hour east of the city just across from Hood River; or the Clackamas River, a few minutes east of Portland.

• Columbia River Gorge
  
• White Water Rafting the Salmon River
  
• White Water Rafting the Clackamas River

Portland itself has many exciting and entertaining attractions, too. There are extensive hiking trails and parks, as well as a very modern transit system (MAX) that makes it very easy to move around the city at minimal cost. Here is a small list of places to see in and around the city:

• Oaks Park – Local Amusement Park
  
• Forest Park
  
• Japanese Gardens
  
• Washington Park
  
• Oregon Zoo
  
• OMSI
  
• Pittock Mansion
  
• Powell Books
  
• Fort Vancouver