Even though the days of spontaneously hitting the open road with nothing more than the clothes on your back and a packed cooler are long gone, the idea of getting out of town for Memorial Day weekend is still appealing. While your car may look a bit different these days (car seats and goldfish, anyone?) you can still hit the open road, albeit family-style. We’ve got all of you wanderlust moms and dads covered this Memorial Day weekend 8 great destinations that aren’t too far from Portland.
Not looking to go very far? An hour-and-a-half from Portland and a world away from our everyday (in only the best sense), this little town sits right on the uber-pretty and incredibly treacherous mouth of the Columbia River. There you’ll find an ocean-themed day of adventure for you and your little mariners. The town was even named one of the Top 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013 by Smithsonian Magazine.
It may be hard to believe, but just an hour away from Portland is a sleepy little beach town that’s rife with sandy adventures. If your little ones are up for a drive, head to the coast spend the day building sand castles, playing don’t touch the wave, and splashing about. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, hit up the boutique shops in town before making the trek back home.
For those families who want the complete nature experience, take the kiddos to one of the Portland area’s best natural swimming spots. Once there, you can venture out on a hike, climb a log jam, hike through a creek, and splash underneath a 100 foot waterfall. It’s a little less than an hour outside of town and it’s an ideal summertime destination.
We’re lucky to live within such close proximity to so many amazing little towns. Just 30 minutes south of Portland is a charming little stop known as Sherwood. It’s recently become revitalized due to increased traffic but still retains quite a bit of it’s small town flair. Make a day trip out of exploring their convenient shopping, nature preserve, and seasonal berry picking.
Fans of the traditional Memorial Day camping trip can enjoy nature “without getting it all over them” at these semi-rough it camping spots that aren’t far from the city. It’s a great way to feel like you’ve really left the city life behind without foregoing things like heat and working plumbing.
If your weekend finds you traveling along Highway 6 (perhaps on the way to the central coast?) You’ll definitely want to make a pit stop along the way and let the kids stretch their legs with some hiking as well as explore the local wildlife.
About two hours outside of the city lies a true gem of the Pacific Northwest. This place truly is a natural wonderland filled with 800 year old trees, a 1930s mining camp, and a crystal clear swimming hole. Explorations are most definitely encouraged, so you’ll want to bring hiking shoes and a camera for this trip.
For something a little closer to home, take a nature-centric trip just outside of town and check out schools of swimming fish through glass viewing windows. Enjoy the peaceful drive alone the river and take time to enjoy the surrounding nature with your family.
Where will you be taking off this Memorial Day weekend?
photo credit: ToriaURU via flickr, woodleywonderworks via flickr, & Mads Boedker via flickr
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