Summertime in Portland is a sweet reward for all the grey months before. During the summer months, there is very little rainfall, usually only about 4.5 inches during the entire summer. This is a huge difference compared to the other seasons we endure! Summer days are warm and dry, but rarely too hot, generally topping out just above 80 degrees in August. With this in mind, it’s no wonder we’re all excited to get out and explore!
An Introduction to Things to Do In Portland
We’ve all been going a little stir crazy the last few months in Portland. Between the cold wet weather and the pandemic, I think we are all ready to get back to a normal, fun year. Summer is right around the corner and we need some great things to do around the Portland area.
We have so many options within a 2-hour drive, so the possibilities are endless. In two hours you can be at the beach eating clam chowder or on a mountain hiking scenic trails. You can be at your local farmer’s markets getting fresh local food or picking berries on Sauvies Island. Whatever your idea of fun is, you can usually find it around Portland with very little effort. Here are some of our favorite spots to spend a warm, sunny day around Portland!
Our Top 7 Things to Do In Portland During the Summer
1. Float the Sandy River
The Sandy River is a 38 mile stretch of river that runs off Mount Hood’s Sandy Glacier. There are many options for floating on the river. The Sandy has options for experienced floaters and very leisurely options as well.
You can do a four-mile section of the river from Dabney State Recreation Site and ending at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site. This float ends east of Troutdale and is a popular section for last-minute floaters. You may find stops along the way to get food or drinks. This section of the river is pretty slow and easy for novice floaters and should only take 2 or 3 hours to complete.
If you are more of an experienced floater, you might try going to Dodge Park and ending at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site. This float can take about 6 hours to complete. You can stop at Oxbox Park if the other option is too long. You may experience some large rapids just down from Dodge Park so be careful taking this route!
2. Pick berries at Sauvies Island
Sauvies Island is just minutes from downtown Portland and is a fun way to spend a day picking berries. You can find many types of berries and fruits on the island including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, marionberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, and pears. You can start picking strawberries in early June until early July. Raspberries and blueberries start around the middle of June and end in July/August. Marionberries and blackberries show up in late summer along with peaches. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it at multiple farms on the island.
3. Waterfall Hike in the Gorge
Less than an hour drive from downtown Portland you can find Multnomah Falls, right off highway 84 in the Columbia River Gorge. It is a beautiful drive from Portland out to this waterfall. You can bring your dog and enjoy the view of the falls from down below. If you are feeling adventurous you can take the hike up to the top of the falls for a great view. It is a 750-foot elevation change, so be ready for a fun hike.
4. Farmers Markets
Portland has so many amazing farmer’s markets to choose from. We all want to support our local farmers and eat healthier, so this is the place to start! You get a great choice from local farmers of seasonal fruits and veggies. You can find amazing food choices along with fresh flowers and live music at some locations. Local artists are doing amazing work and can be found at your local farmer’s markets too. Take your kids to the market for a super fun and delicious weekend experience.
5. Go to the beach
You can find some amazing beaches about an hour and a half away from Portland. Head out highway 26 west and head towards Seaside for a fun summer getaway. Seaside has some great options for food, shopping, and a great beach experience. If you want a little slower pace you can head a few miles down the road to Cannon Beach which has great food and shopping as well. Manzanita is another favorite beach town of ours!
6. Wineries
Oregon is famous for really great wines including amazing Pinot Noir and it is always fun to go explore the different wineries in the area. You can find wine tasting rooms around Portland as well as in smaller towns such as Newberg and other smaller towns on the way to McMinnville. Wine tasting is a great way to discover what you like for a small fee and can be a great time with friends. Most wineries allow outside food, so pack a picnic and make a whole day of it!
7. Fun Dining Experience
About 30 minutes from downtown Portland you can find a small tavern out in the country with a reputation for the best hamburgers around. Helvetia Tavern has been a landmark for many years just outside of Hillsboro. The building is very old but they have recently remodeled and added on to it and they have an amazing outdoor dining area now for the entire family. It is still very rustic and surrounded by beautiful farmland all around. It is a local secret that we have enjoyed for years. If you are really hungry I suggest the jumbo cheeseburger with fries or onion rings. They even make their own delicious fry sauce that they call “goop”. You will not leave hungry!
Highly-Experienced and Trusted Portland Painters
Although we are super busy in the spring and summer with painting homes, we always make time to do all the fun things we have listed above. The Portland area has so many things to offer within a short drive, so plan ahead and go see what you can this season!
If you’re looking for Portland Oregon house painters, request a free estimate from our team! With over 25 years of experience, we know how to make a house shine!
