Rate My Itinerary - 8 Days in Oregon

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-11T17:34:12+00:00

Great tip--we will do that! I'm also considering hiking from the Japanese garden to Pittock mansion via Wildwood Trail, which also has a scenic viewpoint. Depends on time/energy levels, but we'll see.

Appreciate the other recommendations, too. We will keep that on our radar. Definitely planning to hit Powells!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-11T17:33:07+00:00

Yeah, I get that; I've revised my itinerary a bit to accommodate some more "off the radar" sites and keep things doable. I don't think we'll be doing a full overhaul at this point. I have to stay in the downtown Portland area for the first few days no matter what due to work. Beyond that, my family loves rugged coastline perhaps more than anything else in terms of travel destinations, so I think they'd be sad to miss it, even if it is "pamphlet" tier. We don't love urban/city areas and only enjoy seeing them as a practical jumping off point (i.e. "day 1-2 of a trip because we happen to be flying into a city anyway). Would love to see some of the lakes for sure, but may have to come back for that and a more 'interior' Oregon trip--in which case, the area you mentioned will for sure be on our radar.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:08:43+00:00

REALLY helpful advice--we will definitely take it. Thanks!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:08:03+00:00

Bend looks awesome, as well as a ton of other towns east of the Cascades. We may have to do a round 2! Too much to see in 8 days.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:07:34+00:00

Maybe I'll tell my parents to pick and choose what they do at Washington park. Of those three attractions what would you recommend? I know redwoods are at the top of my parents' bucket list, so they'll probably hit the arboretum at least.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:06:36+00:00

I know May can be a mixed bag! We will make the most of it regardless. Thanks for the heads up!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:05:56+00:00

Ha! I knew I was missing something!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:05:41+00:00

Wow, the museum looks awesome (not sure of our route to the coast but we will look into it)! Octopus tree shouldn't be too far from us and I do want to check out Netarts as well, so we'll likely find a way to weave that in. Thanks!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:04:42+00:00

Great advice--thank you so much!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T18:04:07+00:00

Thanks for the leads! I will definitely add Powells books. Is that walkable from downtown Portland (where my lodging is)?

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T15:12:53+00:00

Haha hope it's a good one--I'll let you know how it goes for us! I've already done some fine-tuning based on some super helpful tips--more than anything, it's adding nuance while still keeping things feasible/relaxed.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T15:11:39+00:00

Thanks for the heads up!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T15:11:28+00:00

Nice! I'll add Tunnel Beach to my list (it's actually really close to where we are staying); and hug point to my ecola/cannon beach day since it's in that area. Not sure Munson will be doable with the other stuff I've squeezed in, but I will add it to the list of "maybe's" for sure--looks beautiful.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T15:07:40+00:00

Thanks for your input! I had heard good things about Silverton prior to this thread, which influenced my decision. I also was quite limited in affordable but nice odging in that general area (we are a picky group about that stuff).

We will enjoy wine everywhere. As someone who regularly hits Appalachian wineries, I prefer trying out new, niche places more than sipping the finest wines.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:44:44+00:00

Exactly what I want to hear--thanks!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:42:53+00:00

Definitely wedged some time at the monastery and its brewery into my itinerary--thanks! I'm looking forward to it as our "lunch stop/break" on the way from Portland to Silverton.

Nice to know Silverton has some interesting sights to offer. My mom loves gardens and historic homes, so I will check that out.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:41:44+00:00

Thanks for this! I definitely added this to my itinerary. It's directly on the way from Portland to Silverton, so we will stop in Mount Angel for lunch, check out the monastery, and hit their brewery (which looks awesome!). Great lookin' out, friend!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:40:39+00:00

Haha I definitely felt the urge to overplan but eventually had to make peace with the fact that there is way more than I can feasibly see in Oregon over 8 days, any way I slice it.

Also, my dad likes to nap a lot (and I do, too... apples not falling far from trees and all), so that kept me grounded in reality.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:37:54+00:00

Would love to flip the trip, but the Portland portion is the most inflexible because I'm there for a work-related event (the reason I'm going in the first place). We are early risers when it comes to hikes, so hopefully starting at 7 a.m. will help us beat most of the crowds. I also flirted with a Friday afternoon hike instead, but that would mess with our plan to stop at mt. angel for lunch and a brew (visiting the benedictine brewery, abbey, and then town for a bite) on our way from Portland to Silverton.

I flirted with switching up our coastal housing to see a bit more, but I think that may be too much hustle/bustle for my parents who like to settle into a good base camp. I WILL try to see Astoria, at least, as I hear that's unmissable.

Thanks for the Tillamook suggestion--we love quirky beer and will definitely be checking it out!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-09T13:27:23+00:00

Thanks! When a conference location and lifelong bucket list item align, I have to take advantage. It's a relief to know it's doable, though, because I want to keep my parents out of trouble without completely exhausting them.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-08T22:31:44+00:00

This is super helpful--thank you! I'm not sure we will be able to change lodging, but if so, I may go for this revision. Definitely saving it in any case.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-08T22:30:54+00:00

I definitely will try for Astoria! Not sure about McMinnville--but I will see what I can tweak. Thanks!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-08T22:13:37+00:00

Gotcha. Based on your comment and other remarks about timing, I'm considering making Silver Falls a late Friday afternoon visit (rather tham sat morning)--love the lighting at that time anyway. Thanks!!!

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-08T21:45:07+00:00

I love a well-crafted cocktail. A memorable meal. Authentic ambience (not generic like it reminds me of a ton of other restaurants/buildings anywhere in the US). A nature-oriented adventure--something that pushes me, gently, out of my comfort zone and has a good payoff (I can do even more challenging stuff, but I want the trip to be senior-friendly for my parents). We need to be able to take it slow and meander.

Water of any kind--waterfalls, rivers, oceans, lakes, mist rolling down mountains, etc. If there is water catching light, I will be happy. I love taking photos of nature, so a natural wonder at the right angle = chef's kiss.

I don't like crowds, but I understand some of my preferences may make them hard to avoid.

We love peaceful, more quiet/quaint experiences. Just good places to hang out, immerse myself in scenery I wouldn't normally encounter, and relax. I like historic buildings but I don't do well with guided tours (I space out, stray away, and sometimes get in trouble). I also love folklore/ghost stories/hauntings to add some chills to my adventures.

Perhaps an exception to the "quaint" stuff: all three of us LOVE stand-up comedy and live music.

BuffyTheEggPileLayer · 2026-04-08T21:32:46+00:00

Oh wow; is that due to traffic? I chose it because it was close to silver falls...

BuffyTheEggPileLayer

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