Unique things to do in Oregon

Multnomah Falls and other waterfalls and vistas of the Columbia Gorge are astonishing icons of geology, the sort that have inspired mythology and lore of warriors, gods and passions. We will drive out in our vans to meet the tallest waterfall in the state, and then drive to a few of the shorter but even more stunning ones, too; falls which could only be the daughters and sons of legend. In this half-day experience, we will explore wonders with some short hikes (totaling less than 2.5 miles/4 km) and visits to overlooks and vistas that will have you gasping in awe. While Multnomah Falls and its iconic Benson Bridge are together the most-visited tourist attraction in the Portland area, they are only a part of our experience. We will meet at our shop in inner SE Portland, where we'll ride in our comfortable Sprinter and Transit vans to the nearby gorge. Depending on weather conditions, we will visit a few small hidden waterfalls and spectacular plunge-style falls whose columnar basalt has us learning words for "amazing" in other languages. We'll also tell you stories, geology, botany and oft-repeated tales of pioneers and road-builders, but also the old stories we've learned, of gods and wild spirits and about the oldest North American civilization, forever altered by “manifest destiny." Please note we book directly as well as through AirBNB, and your group may be up to 10.

Come experience life on the farm! Have you ever milked a goat? Try your hand at milking goats, feeding cows, bottle feeding calves or goats, and more! Learn about life on the farm and how milk is made. After the chores are done take a break with a glass of fresh milk or a cup of coffee. Other things to note Please inquire about other available times!

The White Salmon River flows through a collapsed lava tube coming off Mt. Adams, a designated Wild and Scenic area - it's stunning. Expect to paddle several rapids, the size of the rapids and length of the trip changes with the seasons. Shorter trip length and larger rapids during high water spring time. We'll meet at Northwestern Park just outside of White Salmon WA, across the river from from Hood River. It's an hour and a half from Portland in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We'll be rafting the White Salmon River, an estuary of the Columbia. After introductions we'll outfit you with a wetsuit, wetsuit booties, helmet and personal floatation device. We'll then take a short van ride to the put in. After an informative river orientation talk we walk down a path to the river, the noise of the rapids ever growing as we descend! Three hours later we'll be back at our cars; Photos of the trip as well as merchandise will be for sale. You may choose to bring a picnic and relax in the park after our trip or check out downtown White Salmon and Hood River. I love this river and sharing the experience and I look forward to seeing you soon! ~Scott Other things to note Your experience may just be your group on a raft with your guide or some new friends may join! Sometimes up to 7 rafts may go depending on who joins that day. We go rain or shine, expect to get wet!

We will teach you how to milk a cow. *At the beginning we allow you time to spend with the animals. Petting, brushing, or just hanging out with them. *Next we take you through what we feed our animals and how we care for them. We can talk about what goes into the cleanliness of the process and getting everything ready. *We will then go through the experience of milking the cow (whether by hand or with the machine, you decide). Allowing you to do as much of the work as you feel comfortable with. *Afterwards we will strain the milk and get it cooled and clean up. *Before you leave we will give you the opportunity to taste any of the products from our farm with the option to purchase milk at a 50% discount. *Congrats! You will have milked a cow!

We’ll introduce you to the process and materials that comprise fragrance creation. We'll spend about half the workshop smelling our way through a selection of over 45 raw ingredients, while discussing fragrance and blending techniques. You'll spend the remainder of the workshop developing and blending your own fragrance, with tips and pointers along the way. After this, you'll turn your fragrance into a 10mL oil-based roll-on personal fragrance. You’ll take home your very own scent creation compounded and mixed into a 10mL roll-on bottle of perfume. Other things to note: Avoid wearing strong fragrances to this workshop as it may disrupt yours' and others' olfactory experience.

Come and spend a day at a farm and make art! We are a woman owned organic farm located near the Sandy River. We have converted a century old dairy barn into a ceramic studio. Let’s spend the day playing with clay and learning together. Here we have options based around your skill level and interests. I can lead you on the potters wheel or in hand building techniques. For an additional cost of $25 per person I will fire your projects in my kiln and you can choose a glaze color for your finished pieces. You can choose to pick up a couple weeks after your booking or pay to have your pieces shipped. Please have a look on my IG for more pictures of this experience @sandyriverstudio Please note: For a private experience of just you and your group, please book the group rate. When booking the individual rate there may be other guests in your class. For corporate, team building groups or party’s larger than 5 please contact me about pricing!!

Immersive tea tasting in our small tea house, with different tabletop flower arrangements and aromatherapy every week! There are Chinese-style tea art demonstrations, and there are also Guzheng (Chinese musical instruments) performances on certain holidays! Choose black tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, green tea, dark tea, white tea and scented tea from China according to different tea tasting times

During this interactive session I’ll teach you the basics of canning and preserving. You’ll learn how to water-bath and can delicious local produce in new and unique combinations. I’ll also teach you how to make brine, pack your jars properly, sterilize equipment, and ensure that your produce is properly sealed. Of course, we’ll take breaks to enjoy some local snacks and taste some hot sauces, made right here. You’ll get to take home your own jar of the canned creation to share with friends and family. Other things to note All canning supplies and produce will be provided.

Join us for an evening of leather crafting and create your very own secret stash key FOB or minimalist wallet. Our hands-on workshop invites you to unleash your creativity and craft a personalized accessory that perfectly suits your style. We'll provide everything you need, and guide you through the process of hand forming and stitching your one-of-a-kind creation. To add to the fun, we'll have complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and delicious snacks to fuel your imagination. And for those over 21, feel free to bring your own favorite "adult" drink to sip on while you craft. So, grab a friend or come solo, and join us for a memorable and rewarding crafting experience!

My goal is to provide an exciting , interactive adventure into the forest where you will see amazing plants, animals and mushrooms. You'll gain confidence to identify multiple species of edible and poisonous mushrooms and learn where, when and how to find them on your own; ultimately you will hone your mushroom hunting skills. We’ll be hunting my favorite "secret" spots in the PNW, looking for edible mushrooms: Fall- chanterelle, boletes, lobster, king porcini, elfin saddle, chicken of the woods, Spring - Morels, Spring Kings, Corals. These highly prized gourmet mushrooms sell at farmers markets and specialty stores for $20-$50 per pound. You will be able to keep everything you find. We will decide on a meeting location prior to our hunt, as well as a meeting time. Once everyone arrives at the meeting place, we will caravan to our first hunting spot. We will hunt for 3-4 hours in one or more locations and have a break to enjoy lunch together and talk about what we have found. Hunting in pairs, and in close proximity to each other, we will periodically check in via walkie talkie. I will also provide education on where to look and what to look for; we'll discuss ideal environments, elevation and slope direction, how to identify mushrooms with confidence, and how to harvest. Additionally, I will offer key instruction on navigation and safety in the forest.

It's a picnic, but with alpacas! Yup, you heard right, an Alpaca Picnic. We'll set you up at your own picnic table (and picnic blanket!) in one of our pastures with a picnic basket filled with food and drink and all the fixins. You'll get to sit, drink, eat & be merry while surrounded by a pack of friendly alpacas. We'll even leave you with some alpaca food. Some will come up as curious about you as you are about them. Some won't even acknowledge your existence. But the one thing that is guaranteed is that ALL of them will put smiles on your face that you may never be able to wipe. I mean, c'mon...an alpaca picnic! You know you want to... Please be aware when you book the price is 150 per adult, 50 per child, so make sure to pick how many people will be coming so that we prepare enough food for everyone. The $300/group price is set for 2 adults by default. The best experience in Bend is great for couples, families, groups, & team-building! Also just to note, while they're adorable year round, if you're looking to picnic during maximum floof, consider booking before they are sheared in mid-May, at which point they'll look goofy aliens for a few months. We can accommodate for most food sensitivities (also vegan, vegetarian, keto). (Please reach out if your preferred date is not listed)

Multnomah Falls and other waterfalls and vistas of the Columbia Gorge are astonishing icons of geology, the sort that have inspired mythology and lore of warriors, gods and passions. We will drive out in our vans to meet the tallest waterfall in the state, and then drive to a few of the shorter but even more stunning ones, too; falls which could only be the daughters and sons of legend. In this half-day experience, we will explore wonders with some short hikes (totaling less than 2.5 miles/4 km) and visits to overlooks and vistas that will have you gasping in awe. While Multnomah Falls and its iconic Benson Bridge are together the most-visited tourist attraction in the Portland area, they are only a part of our experience. We will meet at our shop in inner SE Portland, where we'll ride in our comfortable Sprinter and Transit vans to the nearby gorge. Depending on weather conditions, we will visit a few small hidden waterfalls and spectacular plunge-style falls whose columnar basalt has us learning words for "amazing" in other languages. We'll also tell you stories, geology, botany and oft-repeated tales of pioneers and road-builders, but also the old stories we've learned, of gods and wild spirits and about the oldest North American civilization, forever altered by “manifest destiny." Please note we book directly as well as through AirBNB, and your group may be up to 10.

If you do not see times available that you would like, please send a message as I can often add rides to the schedule if you request a certain day/time in the future. We are open year round. We will start off with introducing everyone to their assigned horses. Then, we will give a safety speech and demonstrate the basics of riding the horse. Next, we will ride on a beautiful path, through the woods and along open meadows with breathtaking views of the mountains all around. It is our mission to make sure everyone has fun, learns about nature and the history of the area, and has a safe and comfortable experience with their horse. Perfect for first time riders!

Come experience life on the farm! Have you ever milked a goat? Try your hand at milking goats, feeding cows, bottle feeding calves or goats, and more! Learn about life on the farm and how milk is made. After the chores are done take a break with a glass of fresh milk or a cup of coffee. Other things to note Please inquire about other available times!

The White Salmon River flows through a collapsed lava tube coming off Mt. Adams, a designated Wild and Scenic area - it's stunning. Expect to paddle several rapids, the size of the rapids and length of the trip changes with the seasons. Shorter trip length and larger rapids during high water spring time. We'll meet at Northwestern Park just outside of White Salmon WA, across the river from from Hood River. It's an hour and a half from Portland in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We'll be rafting the White Salmon River, an estuary of the Columbia. After introductions we'll outfit you with a wetsuit, wetsuit booties, helmet and personal floatation device. We'll then take a short van ride to the put in. After an informative river orientation talk we walk down a path to the river, the noise of the rapids ever growing as we descend! Three hours later we'll be back at our cars; Photos of the trip as well as merchandise will be for sale. You may choose to bring a picnic and relax in the park after our trip or check out downtown White Salmon and Hood River. I love this river and sharing the experience and I look forward to seeing you soon! ~Scott Other things to note Your experience may just be your group on a raft with your guide or some new friends may join! Sometimes up to 7 rafts may go depending on who joins that day. We go rain or shine, expect to get wet!

Come and spend a day at a farm and make art! We are a woman owned organic farm located near the Sandy River. We have converted a century old dairy barn into a ceramic studio. Let’s spend the day playing with clay and learning together. Here we have options based around your skill level and interests. I can lead you on the potters wheel or in hand building techniques. For an additional cost of $25 per person I will fire your projects in my kiln and you can choose a glaze color for your finished pieces. You can choose to pick up a couple weeks after your booking or pay to have your pieces shipped. Please have a look on my IG for more pictures of this experience @sandyriverstudio Please note: For a private experience of just you and your group, please book the group rate. When booking the individual rate there may be other guests in your class. For corporate, team building groups or party’s larger than 5 please contact me about pricing!!

Immersive tea tasting in our small tea house, with different tabletop flower arrangements and aromatherapy every week! There are Chinese-style tea art demonstrations, and there are also Guzheng (Chinese musical instruments) performances on certain holidays! Choose black tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, green tea, dark tea, white tea and scented tea from China according to different tea tasting times

Tours will resume in June 2024. (Note, these are not sleep-overs) Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Sanctuary life and the wildcats we care for. This is a unique opportunity to learn about a true Sanctuary. Because we aren't a zoo, you'll see the animals in a relaxed, peaceful setting, unlike anything you've experienced before. Included in the tour you'll see lions, tigers, cheetahs, bobcats, servals, caracals, hybrid and domestic cats and our farm animal rescues. Tours are limited to four people maximum and two people MINIMUM with no children under the age of fourteen. (That allows us to provide a personal experience without adding stress to the wildcats. You'll hear the heartbreaking stories, meet the animals and see their personalities. *Please note, tours are not available for a single guest, the minimum is two people or tours do not happen. Walking tours run for about two hours. We have golf carts available as needed. Please dress for the weather and no open-toe shoes. Tours must have at least two people and no more than four. There is no contact between guests and animals, but you will have the opportunity to see them up close and personal for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Photos are NOT allowed to be taken at the Sanctuary. Other things to note: Silverton, Oregon is only seven miles away and there are several excellent restaurants to choose from.

This tour is 8-10am, during members-only hours. Enjoy tranquility in the Portland Japanese Garden, best outside Japan! Serenity exists among the exquisite landscapes of plant, stone, wood and water. As my private guest we enter before the public when the garden is quiet and peaceful. Stroll the endless rows of roses in the International Test Garden, emblem and essence of the Rose City! After our tour, you have three excellent options. One, request I drop you off nearby or downtown. Two, explore on your own--Washington Park has a free shuttle & trail system to reach other attractions* in the park or Portland. Three, come on another tour with me--waterfalls, wine, or other secret gardens! *Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, Powells Books, Pittock Mansion, Forest Park, NW 23rd, Pearl District, PC Square, Art Museum, Historical Society, PSU, Waterfront, Aerial Tram, OMSI, Convention Center, Portland Airport, Trimet Bus & Max Train So, come with me to see our famous Japanese Garden in the zen silence it was designed for and you deserve!

Discover what the food cart hype is all about in the city that invent food cart pods! With over 1000 food carts throughout the city, let us take you around to some of the best and taste the delicious foods that make Portland a true foodie destination. On this small-group walking tour you’ll discover global foods, quench your thirst with tasty drinks, and learn fun history in this off-the-beaten-path neighborhood. We like to think this is the perfect way to discover quirky Portland, eat where the locals eat, and have fun! What to expect: - Try hearty servings of food and beverages from 5-7 different food carts, including a visit to a food hall and final stop at a local brewery. You'll get more than a full meal! - Discover Portland’s historic, off-the-beaten-path Eastside neighborhood with your local guide and chat with some cart owners you visit along the way. - Learn all about Portland food cart culture. (We don't call them trucks for a reason.) - Try a selection of diverse food like Slavic, Mexican, Bavarian, and Burmese delights. - Discover Portland’s historic, off-the-beaten-path Eastside neighborhood to check out the local street art. Other things to note Vegetarians can be accommodated, other strict diets not recommended. Please reach out prior to booking with any questions.

*Reservations with 1 - 4 guests = (1) 4-seater ATV *Meet at trail location 15 mins. before tour start time *Guide Gratuity is always appreciated, but never expected. Your Oregon Outback Off-Road Adventure tour with Outriders Northwest begins at our La Pine location south of Bend & Sunriver Oregon. I will meet the guest with all ATVs & helmets ready for them to go explore the vast volcano lands of Central Oregon. After sizing up helmets and presenting a safety & operational tutorial the guests will be ready to set off. This is a hands on experience and guests will have their own 2024 Polaris XP 1000 to drive or ride in with their group of up to 4 guests per ATV. The tour begins with some exciting Ponderosa Pine forest trails that wind through the Deschutes National Forest. As are guests drive the machines, they will be able to enjoy the local fauna and flora in this unique forest setting. At the lava flow, guests will have the rare opportunity to hike on petrified lava formations and appreciate the dramatic landscapes that were formed when flowing. The adventure continues on as the tours climbs higher and higher through the high desert surrounding and ending up on top of a volcanic butte. From this breathtaking viewpoint the guests will be able to soak in a 360 panoramic vista of the entire Central Oregon region.

SUPERLOW TIDES! July21-26 Aug5-7, 21-24 We drive west. The city stops, nature begins. Across the valley floor for foggy forests. Thoughts begin of Bigfoot. "So green," you say. Sunbeams make the misty moss glow. The air, fresh and clean. "you'll want to move to Oregon" ~S Stories are told. Volcanoes and floods, natives and shipwrecks, explorers and pioneers. Legendary women, diverse ancestry, and an unknown world influence. "amazing tour guide, driver, and host" ~K A cedar shingle town. Wind spinners, saltwater taffy, brewpubs and seagulls. A secret path to the beach. "Haystack," points the guide. You walk closer. Pacific breakers roll in around rocks looming along shore. An old couple strolls, hands held. Kids dig a sandcastle, and kites fly. Dogs run with unleashed joy. "Keep an eye on the ocean," reminds the guide. A surfer rides a wave. Whales pass the lighthouse. You find a hidden cove of sea caves, driftwood and tide pools. "so glad I chose this tour over others" ~G Sea stars and anemone, sand dollars and sea lion. Elk, eagle and perhaps a puffin. Film sites for Twilight, The Goonies, Point Break! Come once or again! Request my other beach tours: Astoria, Cape Disappointment or Tillamook &Three Capes! Or join my waterfall, wine, dart & beer, film site, or city garden tours! FYI: Portland pickup, roundtrip 8+ hours. Itinerary may vary with conditions.

Ever been interested in trying your hand at blowing glass? Join me in my flameworking studio and learn how to make your first piece of glass art at Chadly Glass Studio! I’m a professional borosilicate glass blower with over 10 years of experience and offer hands-on, beginner's classes in inner SE Portland. In this introductory group class, students will be taught basic glass blowing safety, skills, and will have the opportunity to create 2-3 pieces of glass art: a mushroom sculpture, wine bottle stopper or pendant, and a small blown ornament. This class may be shared with other individuals (up to 6 participants per class). Class duration is approximately 3 hours. Students get to keep any glass they create, and gain knowledge and hands-on experience in a very unique field. *Glass made during lesson will require kilning for durability, which takes a minimum of 4 hours. Most students choose to pick up the glass they made the next day (or at their earliest convenience).* ** Participants are required to sign a liability waiver prior to instruction. Minimum age requirement is 14 years old. Participants between ages 14-17 must have their parent/guardian present for the duration of the class. Classes are open to people of all skill levels and abilities! However, dexterity in both hands and the ability to recall important safety instruction for the duration of class is crucial.

We will teach you how to milk a cow. *At the beginning we allow you time to spend with the animals. Petting, brushing, or just hanging out with them. *Next we take you through what we feed our animals and how we care for them. We can talk about what goes into the cleanliness of the process and getting everything ready. *We will then go through the experience of milking the cow (whether by hand or with the machine, you decide). Allowing you to do as much of the work as you feel comfortable with. *Afterwards we will strain the milk and get it cooled and clean up. *Before you leave we will give you the opportunity to taste any of the products from our farm with the option to purchase milk at a 50% discount. *Congrats! You will have milked a cow!

We will meet at the Wind River Boat Ramp for a 2 hour Sunset Kayak Tour. We will introduce you to your equipment and size you for a PFD. We enter the water and practice a few basic paddle techniques to get you started. I will lead you up the river to explore the calm and clear waters of the Wind River. We generally see osprey, eagles, and fish swimming under the kayaks. The tour will then head out onto the Columbia River for the Sunset where we relax and soak in the view. Other things to note Guests must be comfortable sitting for 2 hours and be able to paddle themselves for that duration at a casual pace.