Winter Trips in the Portland Region

Creativity isn’t just nurtured in the Portland Region; it’s a way of life. From its homespun craft beverages (coffee, tea, kombucha, beer, wine and spirits) to its nationally lauded food scene (known to be more accessible and affordable than larger cities), Portland and its nearby communities inspire wonder all year long. In winter, the Portland Region comes alive with festive and creative holiday traditions for all ages and interests, from artisan gift fairs and art walks to light shows and tasting events. You don’t have to leave the city for an awe-inspiring nature retreat — Forest Park, the largest urban nature park in the United States, is evidence of that. But just beyond the city’s borders — in the verdant agricultural valleys of Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Gresham, Oregon City, West Linn, Scappoose and other areas just east, west, north and south of Portland — you can see winter wildlife at its most active; and cool, misty trails at their least crowded. You can even get there without a car, if you so choose. Grab your thermos, hiking boots, maps and reading material and hop aboard the Portland Region’s accessible light-rail system for an unforgettable trip this winter. 

Destination Downtown

Downtown Portland is a vibrant hub of shopping, dining, parks and performance halls, and it can be explored easily on foot, by bike or by scooter. The compact, walkable blocks from the Willamette River west to the hills and north of Burnside to Old Town/Chinatown, the Pearl District and the Northwest Alphabet District are constantly buzzing with energy. From Pioneer Courthouse Square near the elegant 19th-century courthouse, a stroll along the leafy South Park Blocks leads past the venerable Portland Art Museum and the classic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, one of five venues that make up Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. Farther east, Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers a path for walkers and runners along the lazy Willamette River. Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, houses a full city block of titles for browsing and frequent readings. The hip West End and Pearl District are a shopper’s paradise, with scores of unique boutiques for gifts. And you could spend weeks here at a different hot spot each day — try the eclectic chef-driven eateries at the indoor Pine Street Market and hop on a BIKETOWN bike or e-scooter to travel 2 miles northwest to the the hip Slabtown location of Breakside Brewery for award-winning IPAs. Hop in a rideshare to travel 3 miles north to funky North Portland, where Ex Novo Brewing Co. and many more standout breweries are ideal for sipping on a drizzly day. Downtown revelers can also witness the lighting of the 75-foot tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square just after Thanksgiving, the free annual tuba concert and the cheery Holiday Ale Festival in December.

Urban Nature Retreats

In Portland you don’t have to go far to feel like you are out of the city and into the wild. Forest Park — one of the largest urban parks in the nation — offers 5,200 acres/2,104 hectares of grand old trees, meadows and wildflowers. Thanks to a brand-new pedestrian bridge, Barbara Walker Crossing, Forest Park’s iconic 30-mile/48.3-kilometer Wildwood Trail just became even more of a vital and accessible link for nature lovers in the city. Just north of the city, time seems to stand still at the Scappoose Bay Marine Park Nature Trail, a haven for wildlife and migratory birds. Soak up the tranquility with a brisk two-hour guided winter wonderland kayak tour. Sauvie Island is also a birding oasis, with thousands of snow geese, Canada geese and more flocking here in the winter months. Amateur birders are welcome to join in Portland Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count in December. Just south of Portland, Lake Oswego’s George Rogers Park stretches across 26 acres/10.5 hectares with river access, picnic areas, walking trails and the historic “Iron Furnace,” a testament to the region’s industrial past. Mary S. Young Park in West Linn is a draw for ample birdlife on the wooded trails and also features a large off-leash area for canine day-trippers. In Hillsboro, Cooper Mountain Nature Park is an oasis of family-friendly trails that wind through Oregon white oaks; if they’re not tired yet, there’s a nature play area with supreme views of the Chehalem Mountains and Tualatin Valley below. Orenco Woods Nature Park is a designated regional trail that allows dogs on leash, with giant woven structures in the children’s nature play and an arched bridge that overlooks the wetland below. Just west of Hillsboro, Forest Grove is a major gateway to the outdoors, with stunning trails for hiking, biking and wildlife watching year-round. Try Hagg Lake (which is popular in the summertime with fishers, boaters and paddlers) and Fernhill Wetlands, a winter birding hotspot at the confluence of Gales Creek and the Tualatin River. See thousands of migratory birds as well as beavers and waterfowl from short trails and viewing spots.