Appreciate the life of the outdoors as you take in the sights at the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. As America's largest protected urban wetland, this natural area is home to animals like beavers, river otters, bald eagles, turtles, osprey and more. While Bybee Lake serves as a preserve, Smith Lake is a popular destination for light water recreation like fishing or canoeing.
For tours that expose the fine points of the region's natural beauty, get on board a journey with EcoTours of Oregon. Check out specialized tours like the Mount Saint Helens Volcano Tour, a tour of the Northern Oregon Coast, a Whale Watching Tour, and the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls. If you're not so much into the nature thing, enjoy tours like the Winery Tour of Oregon's countryside or the Portland Microbrewery Tour.
Grab your skis and get ready to conquer a mountain with a little help from the Timberline Lodge. The lodge is located on the south side of Mount Hood and provides the nation's longest skiing season. Along with skiing, Timberline's recreation area hosts snowboarding, hiking, and climbing. Fun fact: aerial shots of the lodge were used as part of the opening scenes of Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining.
Dinner and happy hour, a DJ and cocktails; it's all part of the routine at Saucebox. Art adorns the walls at this popular and swanky nightlife venue as music remains an essential part of the lounge's atmosphere. While you're here, trying something from the menu is a must.