Best Weekend Trips From Portland, Oregon: 11 Getaways Worth the Drive
Portland is one of those cities where you don’t have to drive very far to feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere. Within a couple of hours, you can be soaking in a hot spring, drinking wine in the Willamette Valley, hiking beside waterfalls, walking on the Oregon Coast, or sitting beside a river in the mountains.
That makes Portland an excellent home base for weekend getaways. And because I have spent a lot of time exploring Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, I have a slightly different definition of a “weekend trip” than some travel websites. If I’m going to pack a bag, I want the destination to give me a reason to be excited about leaving home.
So I’ve put together some of the best weekend trips from Portland, Oregon, starting with the closest options and working our way toward longer road trips. Some are only about 20 minutes away, while others are better for a long weekend. I included a mix of family-friendly destinations, girlfriend getaways, romantic escapes, outdoor adventures, and places where the best activity is essentially doing absolutely nothing.
Table of Contents
1. McMenamins Edgefield – Troutdale
Distance from Portland: About 15 miles | Approximately 20–25 minutes
If you want a weekend getaway without actually driving very far, McMenamins Edgefield may be my favorite answer.
I have been going to Edgefield since 2005, back when I lived less than 15 minutes away and long before it became the destination people travel to visit. I’ve stayed there with girlfriends and with my kids, and I genuinely love just about everything about this place.
Edgefield is a 74-acre historic property in Troutdale with a hotel, restaurants, bars, brewery, winery, distillery, spa, soaking pool, golf course, movie theater, gardens, live music and plenty of places to wander. It is only about 20 to 25 minutes from downtown Portland, but once you’re there, it feels like you’ve escaped the city.
And then there is the soaking pool.
I cannot overstate how much I love this pool. It is a heated saltwater soaking pool behind Ruby’s Spa, and it is one of those places where you can spend a ridiculous amount of time doing absolutely nothing and feel completely justified.
For a girlfriend getaway, Edgefield is almost ridiculously convenient. Get a room, book a spa treatment, eat, drink, soak, listen to music, and wander around the property. Nobody has to drive anywhere, which is particularly important once the wine tasting portion of the weekend begins.
Families can enjoy it, too, although this is not a traditional modern resort. The rooms are intentionally quirky, there are no televisions in the guestrooms, and the property is much more about exploring than sitting around watching cartoons.
Best for: Girlfriend getaways, couples, families who like unusual places, food and drink, soaking and people who want a vacation without a long drive.
Read my McMenamins Edgefield guide
2. Willamette Valley Wine Country
Distance from Portland: About 30–60 miles | Approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
If your idea of a great weekend involves wine, beautiful scenery, good food, and not having an itinerary packed down to the minute, head south from Portland into the Willamette Valley.
The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s premier wine region, particularly known for Pinot Noir, and there are numerous small towns and wine areas where you can build a weekend around tasting rooms, restaurants and comfortable places to stay.
One of the reasons I like this option is that you can make it as fancy or as casual as you want. You can spend the weekend doing serious wine tasting, choose a few family-friendly wineries, book a nice hotel or vacation rental, or combine wine country with outdoor activities.
For families, don’t assume wine country is automatically off-limits. I have specifically written about kid-friendly wineries in the Willamette Valley, because yes, parents would also like to drink wine occasionally without having to leave the children in the car.
This is also a good choice when you want a relaxing weekend but don’t want to spend half of it driving.
Best for: Wine lovers, couples, girlfriends, and relaxed weekends.
A Wine-Soaked Weekend in Willamette Valley
3. Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge
Distance from Portland: About 60 miles | Approximately 1 hour
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the easiest weekend escapes from Portland and one of the places I would recommend if you want a combination of scenery, outdoor activities, food, wine, and a fun small town.
Hood River sits about an hour east of Portland, making it possible to leave Friday afternoon and be drinking a local beer or wandering around town before dinner.
The Gorge itself is packed with waterfalls and hiking trails. Multnomah Falls is the obvious superstar, but there are plenty of other waterfalls and hikes to explore, including places I’ve written about such as Punchbowl Falls.
Hood River also gives you access to wineries, breweries, restaurants and outdoor activities on the Columbia River. My favorite way to approach a weekend here is to spend one day exploring the Gorge and another enjoying Hood River itself.
And if you are traveling with kids, Hood River is particularly good because there are plenty of activities beyond wine tasting. You can hike, bike, get out on the water or explore the Fruit Loop when it is in season.
Best for: Families, active travelers, couples, wine lovers and anyone who wants a little bit of everything.
Read my Mount Hood Scenic Loop guide
4. Mt. Hood and Government Camp
Distance from Portland: About 55–70 miles | Approximately 1–1.5 hours
For a mountain weekend without committing to a giant road trip, Mt. Hood is hard to beat.
I have a particularly strong connection to Mt. Hood because I lived at the base of the mountain for more than 10 years and taught all three of my kids to ski there. There is something very satisfying about leaving Portland and being on the mountain less than an hour and a half.
In winter, you can ski and snowboard at Mt. Hood Meadows, Skibowl, Summit or Cooper Spur. Government Camp makes a good base for a weekend, particularly if you want a mountain-town atmosphere without going all the way to a major ski destination.
But Mount Hood isn’t just a winter destination. Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing and scenic drives, and Trillium Lake is one of my favorite easy stops for mountain views.
Best for: Families, skiing, hiking, outdoor adventures, and mountain escapes.
Read my guide to things to do on Mount Hood
5. Cannon Beach
Distance from Portland: About 80 miles | Approximately 1.5 hours
Sometimes you just need the ocean.
Cannon Beach is one of the easiest classic Oregon Coast getaways from Portland, and it feels like a completely different vacation from anything you’ll find in the city.
Haystack Rock is the famous centerpiece, but there is more to the town than taking the obligatory photograph in front of the giant rock. You can walk the beach, explore Ecola State Park, shop in downtown Cannon Beach, eat seafood, and spend a weekend doing as much or as little as you want.
I have been to Cannon Beach countless times, and Surfsand Resort remains one of my favorite places to stay. I have stayed there in a two-bedroom suite that worked particularly well for families or groups traveling together.
For a weekend trip, Cannon Beach is especially good because you don’t have to build an elaborate itinerary. Walk the beach in the morning, explore town, have lunch, head back to the beach, eat dinner and repeat.
Frankly, that sounds like a perfectly respectable itinerary to me.
Best for: Couples, families, girlfriends and anyone who needs an ocean reset.
Read my Surfsand Resort review
6. Astoria
Distance from Portland: About 95 miles | Approximately 2 hours
Astoria makes a great weekend trip when you want the Oregon Coast experience with a little more history and personality.
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria has a long maritime history and is known for its historic buildings, river views, museums and connection to several movies. You can walk around downtown, visit the Astoria Column, explore the waterfront and eat your way through town.
Astoria also works well as a base for exploring the northern Oregon Coast. You can easily combine it with Cannon Beach, Seaside and other coastal stops rather than staying in one place the entire weekend.
I particularly like Astoria for people who want more to do than simply sit on a beach. There is enough history and sightseeing to keep you busy without making the weekend feel like a school field trip.
Best for: History lovers, couples, families and anyone who wants a coastal getaway with plenty to explore.
7. Salishan Coastal Lodge – Gleneden Beach
Distance from Portland: About 95 miles | Approximately 2 hours
If you want a resort-style Oregon Coast weekend, Salishan Coastal Lodge in Gleneden Beach is one of my favorites.
Salishan sits between the forest and Siletz Bay and is just off Highway 101. The property has lodging, a spa, golf, nature trails, an aerial park, a fitness center, swimming pool and hot tub, plus private road access toward the beach.
I wrote about Salishan after staying there and found it particularly appealing for families because there is enough to do on the property that you don’t have to spend the entire weekend getting back in the car.
It is also close enough to Newport and Lincoln City that you can venture out for a meal or attraction and return to the resort afterward.
For families, this is one of those places where everyone can do something different. Parents can enjoy the spa or golf while kids explore the trails or other activities, and then everyone can meet back up.
Best for: Families, resort weekends, couples, golf and spa getaways.
Read my 23 Reasons Families Love Salishan Resort
8. Bend and Sunriver
Distance from Portland: About 175 miles | Approximately 3–3.5 hours
Bend and Sunriver are where I would go when I want a weekend that feels substantially different from Portland.
Central Oregon gives you mountains, high desert scenery, rivers, hiking, biking, breweries, and an absurd number of outdoor activities. Sunriver is particularly family-friendly, while Bend has a livelier downtown and restaurant scene.
I’ve taken my family to Bend and Sunriver and packed our time with everything from whitewater rafting to hiking and horseback riding. You can also visit the High Desert Museum, go tubing, bike, kayak, ski, or simply enjoy the resort atmosphere.
One of my favorite family activities in the area is off-roading with Polaris Adventures. We spent two days in Bend driving a four-person Polaris RZR, and it was the sort of activity that even teenagers who are normally difficult to impress can get excited about.
Bend also works beautifully as a base for exploring farther into Central Oregon, so if you have a long weekend rather than just two nights, you can turn this into a much bigger adventure.
Best for: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, active weekends and travelers who want a lot of choices.
Read my Sunriver & Bend Travel Guide
Read about our Polaris Adventures experience in Bend
9. Seattle, Washington
Distance from Portland: About 175 miles | Approximately 3 hours
Seattle is the obvious choice when you want a city weekend rather than a nature getaway.
The drive from Portland is long enough that I prefer to stay at least two nights. You can spend a weekend exploring Pike Place Market, the waterfront, museums, neighborhoods, restaurants, and Seattle’s famous coffee scene without feeling like you spent your entire vacation behind the wheel.
Seattle also works well for families because there are plenty of attractions that appeal to different ages. You can combine sightseeing with museums, markets, parks and waterfront activities instead of trying to cram every tourist attraction into one exhausting day.
The other advantage is that Seattle feels distinctly different from Portland. The two cities have plenty in common, but a weekend in Seattle still feels like you’ve traveled somewhere.
Best for: Families, couples, food lovers, museums, shopping and city weekends.
Read: Seattle City Guide: What to do, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay
10. Bellevue, Washington
Distance from Portland: About 175 miles | Approximately 3 hours
If you want the Seattle area without staying in downtown Seattle, consider Bellevue.
Bellevue is on the east side of Lake Washington and offers a very different experience from downtown Seattle. It is polished, walkable in many areas, full of restaurants and shopping, and gives you easy access to both Seattle and the surrounding region.
For families, Bellevue can be a particularly good base because you can spend one day exploring Bellevue and another heading into Seattle. You get the option of a quieter hotel experience while still being close enough to enjoy the big-city attractions.
It also works well for a girlfriend weekend if your priorities lean more toward shopping, restaurants, spas, and a nice hotel rather than museums and tourist attractions.
And let’s be honest: sometimes a weekend where you shop, eat somewhere fabulous and sleep in a comfortable hotel is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Best for: Girlfriend getaways, shopping, restaurants, couples and travelers who want Seattle access without staying downtown.
11. Steamboat Inn – Southern Oregon
Distance from Portland: About 250 miles | Approximately 4 hours
If you are willing to drive farther for a truly special weekend, Steamboat Inn is one of the places I would put at the top of the list.
Steamboat Inn sits on the North Umpqua River along Highway 138, also known as the Highway of Waterfalls, in the Umpqua National Forest. The inn is about four hours from Portland, so this is better suited to a long weekend than a quick two-night escape.
And that drive is part of the point.
Steamboat Inn is designed around disconnecting. There are no televisions, phones or Wi-Fi in the rooms, which means you can’t spend your entire weekend sitting in bed scrolling through your phone while pretending you’re relaxing.
Instead, you have the North Umpqua River, forests, hiking, waterfalls, fishing, and a property designed for slowing down. Lodging options include rooms, suites, cabins and cottages, including a two-bedroom Hideaway Cottage that sleeps up to four people.
Steamboat Inn is also about 72 miles from the north entrance of Crater Lake, making it possible to combine the inn with a Crater Lake adventure if you have additional time.
This is the weekend trip I would choose when the goal isn’t to see how many things I can check off a list. It is the one I would choose when I want to disappear into the woods for a couple of days and remember that my phone can, in fact, survive without me.
Best for: Couples, nature lovers, romantic getaways, fly fishing, waterfall adventures and serious unplugging.
Which Portland Weekend Getaway Is Right for You?
The nice thing about having this many options is that you don’t have to choose the same type of weekend every time.
For the shortest escape: McMenamins Edgefield is the clear winner. You can be there in about 20 minutes and still feel like you’ve left Portland.
For wine: The Willamette Valley is the obvious choice, with Hood River offering a nice alternative if you want wine mixed with outdoor adventure.
For the mountains: Mount Hood gives you the easiest access to skiing, hiking and mountain scenery.
For the Oregon Coast: Cannon Beach is the classic choice, while Salishan is better if you want a resort-style stay and Astoria is ideal if you want more history and sightseeing.
For families: Bend/Sunriver, Salishan, Hood River and Mount Hood all offer enough activities to keep different ages entertained.
For girlfriends: Edgefield, Willamette Valley and Bellevue are my picks depending on whether your group wants soaking, wine or shopping and restaurants.
For a city weekend: Seattle gives you the most to explore, while Bellevue is a more relaxed base for exploring the Seattle area.
For truly getting away: Steamboat Inn wins this category. Four hours of driving is a commitment, but once you arrive, the whole point is to stop rushing.
How Far Should You Drive for a Portland Weekend Trip?
I think the sweet spot for a normal two-night weekend is about one to three hours from Portland. That gives you enough distance to feel like you’ve escaped without sacrificing an entire day to the drive.
Once you get into the four-hour range, I would consider adding an extra night if your schedule allows. Steamboat Inn is absolutely worth the drive, but I wouldn’t leave Portland at 5 p.m. Friday, arrive exhausted at 9 p.m., and then announce that this is my idea of relaxation.
For a quick reset, stay close. For a long weekend, go farther. The best part about Portland is that you have both options.
Final Thoughts on the Best Weekend Trips From Portland
Portland is an unusually good place to live or visit if you like weekend travel. Within a few hours, you can go from city life to the Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast, wine country, the mountains, the high desert or another major Pacific Northwest city.
And that’s why I wouldn’t limit yourself to one type of getaway. Some weekends call for a soaking pool at Edgefield. Some call for wine in the Willamette Valley. Sometimes you need the beach, sometimes you need the mountains, and occasionally you need to drive four hours into the forest where there is no Wi-Fi and nobody can text you asking where you are.
Honestly, that last one might be the most luxurious option of all.
More Oregon Travel From MommyTravels
If you’re planning a Portland weekend getaway, check out my other Oregon guides for more ideas, including best day trips from Portland, the Mount Hood Scenic Loop, hiking near Portland, Bend and Sunriver, Hood River, Cannon Beach, Newport, Crater Lake and Southern Oregon road trips.
Portland makes an excellent base for exploring the Pacific Northwest, but the real trick is knowing which direction to drive when you have only two or three days. Hopefully, this list makes that decision a little easier.
