Things to do in Oregon

Let Pine Path Cabin lead you down a trail to romance along Crescent Creek with adventures in fishing on nearby lakes, skiing and mountain biking.

Adventures Around Five Romantic Cabins

Pack the wine and chocolates—plus the skis, bikes and hiking boots written by K.M. Collins Want to get snowed in on a romantic getaway this winter? While the wind blows and the snow falls, snuggle up beside a fire or in a hot tub at a cabin in the middle of a forest. Here are five ways to do just that. COAST WildSpring Eco Friendly Cabin WildSpring Guest Habitat, overlooking the Pacific in southern Oregon, is set on five acres of temperate rainforest, in quaint Port Orford. These luxurious cabins in a naturally beautiful environment let you doze off to the sound of the wind through the trees and wake to deer grazing outside cabin windows. Have a meditative morning, walking the resort’s labyrinth and strolling through the sculpture garden, then head to the beach for agate hunting, or walk about a mile into town to explore this working fishing…

Take the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge

Take the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge

Pro tips for your own challenge to explore 100 scenic state sights Written and photographed by Travis Hughes The mark of a truly great adventure is when the memories outnumber the miles traveled. A few years ago, I embarked on a quest to see 100 of Oregon’s most scenic spaces. It took me just over three years to complete, and the memories will last a lifetime. As a lifelong Oregonian, I wanted to see Oregon’s iconic places, such as Blue Pool, Multnomah Falls, Crater Lake and Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, but I also wanted to see the state’s lesser-known gems. My final list included everything from crashing waterfalls and towering rock formations to mountain summits, stunning beach vistas, wind-whipped deserts and spooky caves. Taking the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge requires some planning. Here are some tips I learned along the way. Think outside the box Every corner of Oregon is…

Kiteboarders harness the wind of the Columbia River Gorge, where wing foiling is helping beginners.

7 Summer Itineraries for New Experiences

Get inspired to press pause on sightseeing and plunge into the action Written by Kelsey Swenson Peeking out from under your shell after winter and spring, new experiences await in a world that’s coming back to life. Where to begin? We’ve curated a list of seven ways to redefine vacation. Jump into the deep end—stretch your legs and train your mind with the practice of trying new things. Our state’s abundance of outdoor adventures is matched only by the joy Oregonians reap when sharing them with others. Push the boundaries of your next getaway, and you’ll find people offering musical joy, confidence on the waves and in life, soul-restorative forest retreats, and the fulfillment of playing on trails while remedying the devastation of last year’s wildfires, too. This summer will be the one you were dreaming of in 2020 as you—and our community—reopens, rebuilds and recreates. 1. Art When you walk…

Capitol Hotel

Central Hotel: Shot in the Dark

In Burns, only those in the know get into The Boiler Room’s secret whiskey stash. written by Shirley A. Hancockphotography by Chris Murray While restoring the prohibition-era Central Hotel in Burns, residents Jen and Forrest Keady discovered a 500-square-foot-space hidden deep beneath the lobby. It had a distinctly mysterious, seedy, bootlegger vibe, said Jen Keady, a history buff and restoration junkie who grew up in the Eastern Oregon town. She got to work. Using repurposed lumber, brick and metals, the Keadys created a secret, underground lair that celebrates the 1920s age of the speakeasies, the juice joints, the blind tigers. They call their’s The Boiler Room. You won’t find much on their website and there’s no password, but a whispered inquiry to the proprietors may get you a tour—and complimentary tasting. Through the dead-bolted door that reads, “Private. Boiler Room,” down the creaky wooden staircase, dimly lit by red lights…

romantic getaways

Wild and Romantic Outdoor Getaways

Getting outside can be an aphrodisiac— turn up the heat this summer with an outdoor adventure written by Kevin Max We know you like to make travel plans around new and exciting experiences in the outdoors, so we happily brought together some of our top picks for outdoor getaways in every region of Oregon. These range from remote hike-in cabins in Eastern Oregon to hot springs resorts in Central Oregon, a fabulous Mid-century makeover in Southern Oregon, a fire lookout in the Willamette Valley and more. Here is the fruit of this exploration. Eastern Oregon » Halfway In a southwest breach of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest and 10 miles west of the Snake River lies tiny Halfway. It’s the remoteness of Halfway and the cuteness of Pine Valley Lodge that makes this a romantic outdoorsy getaway. The bed & breakfast has twelve rooms with two stand-alone cottages, one that…

Freeland Whiskey

Spring Whiskey Events Around Oregon

MARCH 25 Distillery Startup Workshop Mon, Mar 25 – Fri, Mar 29 Corvallis Corvallis, OR MARCH 28 The Eastburn’s Whiskey Cocktail Dinner | 4 Courses Thu, 6:00 – 8:30 PM EastBurn Public House, 1800 E Burnside St Portland, OR MARCH 30 Poor Man’s Whiskey (Band) Sat, 8 – 10 PM The Belfry, 302 E Main Ave Sisters, OR APRIL 7 Whiskey distilling and blending workshop with master distiller Molly Troupe Sunday Freeland Spirits, 2671 NW Vaughn St Portland, OR APRIL 13 Wine, Whiskey and Women: The EXPO!  Sat, 4:00 – 8:30 PM Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St SE Salem, OR APRIL 28 Hands-On Whiskey Making Class Sun, 10 AM – 3 PM New Deal Distillery and Tasting Room, 900 SE Salmon St Portland, OR AUGUST 25 Hands-On Whiskey Making Class Sun, 8 AM – 5 PM New Deal Distillery and Tasting Room, 900 SE Salmon St Portland, OR

gravel riding

Gravel Riding Calendar 2019

WASHINGTON Cascadia Super Gravel (Olympia) — March 30 www.racecascadia.com Vicious Cycle’s Gran Fondo Series wwwrideciciouscycle.com Ephrata — March 17 Goldendale — April 14 Beezley Burn — April 27 Leavenworth — May 19 Ellensburg — June 16 Winthrop — Sept. 21 OREGON Oregon Gorge Gravel Grinder www.oregongravelgrinder.com Gorge Gravel Grinder (The Dalles) — April 7 Cascade Gravel Grinder (Bend) — April 26-28 Oregon Coast Gravel Epic (Waldport) — May 4 Sasquatch Duro (Oakridge) — May 18 Oregon Gran Fondo (Cottage Grove) — June 1 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder (Sisters) — June 19-23 Oregon Triple Crown — May 4, May 18, June 1 www.oregontriplecrown.com Ochoco Roubaix — Aug. 24 www.ochocogravelroubaix.com IDAHO Rebecca’s Private Idaho—Queen’s Stage Race: A multiday festival that finishes with a race on Sunday. The main event (The Big Potato) covers a little more than 90 miles. www.rebeccasprivateidaho.com Camps: Rebecca Rusch’s Academy offers three gravel-riding camps this summer. www.rebeccarusch.com Wildhorse…

Tidbits + To-dos

Each issue we scour the state looking for the best local products and events to share with you. Here’s our list for January and February. Black Butte Ranch Jam You know Black Butte Ranch as a perfect spot for a Central Oregon getaway. Did you know it also sells its own housemade jams? Made with Oregon strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and marionberries, they’re a great gift for the Oregon fan in your life. www.blackbutteranch.com FisherPoets Gathering Since 1998, fisherpoets and their fans have gathered in Astoria to tell stories, sing songs about the commercial fishing industry, filling the area’s taphouses, galleries and restaurants from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on February 23 and 24. The event also includes workshops on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and a Story Circle, at which fisherpoets tell oral histories and show fishing films. www.fisherpoets.org wool& Discover the magic of wool clothing with wool&, a new…

A Perfect Pair – Theater and Dining In Downtown Medford

A Perfect Pair – Theater and Dining In Downtown Medford sponsored content provided by Travel Medford Downtown Medford is a mecca for theater-lovers and foodies. Feed your mind, body and soul, and experience the thrills of downtown — all within walking distance! Great performances are a cornerstone of Medford’s downtown core. The Craterian Theater is the Rogue Valley’s premier live performance venue. Enjoy everything from ballet, to professional acrobatics, the local symphony and performances from famous musicians. As a cultural focal point of downtown Medford, every performance will amaze you. We guarantee you’ll return for an encore. But the fun doesn’t end there for theater fans. The Randall Theatre Company has a jam-packed season of stage plays and musicals. If you make a last-minute decision to see a show, the Randall Theatre allows you to pay what you want at the door for seats that remain unsold 30 minutes before showtime….