Where to Take a Pacific Northwest Break? (writer's choice - story 1)

Looking to relax after LBCC’s Winter Term?  Want to spend time with your family?  Here are some ideas where to go for the upcoming 2013 Spring Break!

Depending on when your last final occurs, there are at least 11 days to seek a place to rest, relax and have some fun!  The official last day of Winter Term falls on March 20 and Spring Term does not begin until April Fool’s Day, April 1.  So there is plenty of time to travel to the perfect destination, whether here in Oregon or Washington.

“I am likely staying within the state, maybe Portland or head up to Washington.  I am mainly looking to relax and unwind,” said Jacqueline Gomez, a student at LBCC.

There are all kinds of locations, from day trips or a week of enjoying Oregon or Washington.  So take some much needed time to rest and relax, explore and unwind, or party and forget.  It is up to you what to do with fast approaching days of Spring Break, 2013. 

“The mid-coast and ski resorts are the most popular local locations, then Portland,” said Anne Sherman of AAA.  She also added, “Watch the weather. Watch the news. They are the best source for road conditions.”

Mid Coast, like Newport and Lincoln City offer inexpensive options for couple and families.  Trips can be tailored to personal needs.  Just the opposite, spring breakers can head east to the mountains for skiing.  Popular locations to travel to are Mt.Bachelor, Mt. Hood, Black Butte, Sun River, Inn of the Seventh Mountain or a hidden gem like Anthony Lakes in Baker City, Ore.

Depending on the weather, Oregon offers a myriad of natural vistas that are easy to enjoy.  Traveling south, Eugene offers two great hiking options, Mt. Pisgah and Spencer Butte or head north and hike Silver Falls, Multnomah Falls or Wizards Falls.

Anthony Lakes (picture courtesy of Anthony Lakes Resort)

If shopping is the way to relax then Bend, Sisters, Ashland, Lincoln City or Woodburn offer day excursion into retail therapy.  Of course, Portland can’t be passed over for shopping with it various malls, downtown shopping and Saturday Market!

Bsides shopping, Portland is another great destination that you can spend a day or a week exploring.  There are some great options to play in or out of the rain.  Family friendly options are the Portland Zoo, OMSI or Powell’s Book Store.  Portland has various Museums to spend the day wandering around.  Portland Art Museum offers free admission from 5-8pm on the fourth Friday of the month and the Oregon History Museum has family day that offers free admission for up to two children with each adult admission on the third Saturday of the month.  Also don’t miss the Portland Contemporary Craft Museum, Portland’s Children’s Museum, or Oregon Rail Heritage Center.

If you want to enjoy the Portland’s club, theater or music scenes in the evenings and the outdoors during the day, consider venturing in to Hoyt Arboretum and hike its 185 acres or wander through Portland’s Rose Garden, The Grotto or the Japanese Garden.

Many of the Portland area brewery and distilleries offer free tours and complimentary tasting.  Enjoy the local brewing of Bridgeport, Clear Creek Distillery, House Spirits Distillery, Rogue Ales Distillery and Public House, and Widmer Brother Brewing.

Another great way to spend day trip(s) is geo caching.  It is a fun way to spend a day or afternoon with friends or family and can be included into longer trips as a fun way to break up long road trips.  You will need a GPS unit or a smart phone with a GPS app on it, good hiking shoes, multiple layers of clothing including rain gear, and numerous “gifts or treasures” to leave at the cache.  Once you find the cache, you take a treasure and leave one behind.  Geo caching has several good website to explore where explorers can print off location, GPS coordinates and hints.

Some locations that are perfect for a couple in the Pacific Northwest are scattered throughout Oregon and Washington.  Maryhill, Washington is 100 miles east of Portland on the Gorge.  It offers beautiful vistas, a castle atop the Columbia Gorge, gardens, an elegant art museum and a full size replica of Stonehenge.  It is open daily for 9 am to 5 pm and costs $9 for adults and $3 for children.

Other romantic destinations for couple to enjoy are The Wild Iris, Salish Lodge and Spa, Tulalip Resort andCasino, Bonnville Hot Springs Resort; Breiten Bush Hot Springs, and Kah-Nee-Ta Resort, Spa and Casino.

At a glance

When: 3/20/2013 to 3/31/2013

Where: your choice

Top 5 Choices:
Maryhill Museum
Portland
Skiing Anthony Lake
Kah-Nee-Ta Resort, Spa and Casino
Salish Lodge and Spa
Travel tips:
Check the weather the day before you travel
Pack for all types of weather
Pack all necessities to avoid high prices from hotels
For road trips, check the news and road condition sites
Budget travel and stick to budget