go to the U of O take a tour, stop in Portland on the way, thee's lots to do and between Eugene and Portland there's Salem, the State Capitol

We may or may not make it back to Eugene. We like nature and parks more than cities I think, but we are open to any ideas.

You must visit Multnomah falls, not too far into Oregon near Portland...if you have the time Hood River is a lovely town with good eats and the scenery along the Columbia is spectacular.

http://www.oregon.com/attractions/multnomah_falls

Hope your visit is terrific!

Thanks for the link. It looks gorgeous. I love a good waterfall!

Husband is researching various hot springs at this moment. I am such a water baby!

I'm sure it will be the best vacation ever!

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php/

Silver Falls State Park if you love a good waterfall.

http://www.yachats.org/

Our favorite town on the Oregon Coast. It's a little south but the drive down the coast is spectacular and Yachats is in the heart of the most dramatic scenery. The area between Yachats and Florence is one of my favorite places on Earth.

http://www.ci.manzanita.or.us/

Manzanita is a cute little coastal town that's closer to Portland but is not overrun like Cannon Beach and Seaside are.


Let us know what you end up doing, would love to get your impressions of this great state.

I am passing everyone's good ideas over to him and letting him be the trip planner.

Apparently there will be at least one night in Eugene for a Jazz jam session with some of his old musician friends. Husband got his undergrad degree in music in Eugene.

I will report back to you wonderful, helpful folks after our trip!

because you live in Eugene or are a jazz musician or yet another category? Husband graduated in the early 80's. You can PM me if you prefer.

But I've only been here for ten years. It's a pretty small town, though for a town this size there are a lot of great musicians, for sure.

Hope he gets to jam while he's here and I hope you all have a great time on your trip!

In Tillamook: The Cheese Factory, McMinville: the Air and Flight Museum, Portland OMSI, If you're interested in religion: The Grotto, The Art Museum

I was once on a planning committee for a Science and Technology museum. The folks there were super helpful. Our group was given a behind the scenes tour. It was great! Wonderful place and people!

Where's the Grotto?

it's downtown, I think on 5th Street. The Grotto is at 83rd and NE Sandy BLvd. if you go take the elevator to the chapel on the cliff..it is well worth the view specially on a sunny day. Another thing to do when the sun is out is to drive to the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) and take the Gondola over south of downtown..it's really fun!!!

We were not going to spend too much time in Portland this time around I think. My elder daughter insists on a pilgrimage to Powell's Bookstore with at least some of what time we have.

If we don't make all your excellent suggestions on this trip, I'll try them on a follow up excursion with just my elder daughter when there are less folks to get on board for any given location.

The Gondola sounds fun!

it's one of my favorite places to visit. I spent a summer there working at 3 Portland Lutheran Churches and fell in love with the place!!!

I'm not in the Oregon group but the Oregon Coast is just about my favorite place in the world.

My short list - Newport, Agate Beach, Seal Rock, Cape Perpetua!

All of the places I listed are on the Pacific Coast Highway a couple hours from Portland, and well worth the drive.

He is lobbying hard for staying on the coast. I still remember some restaurant we ate at 18 years ago. (last time we were there) where the waves were crashing around us as we ate our lunch. Gorgeous!

Oregon City. There are some museums and historic houses to tour, with a free trolley between. It isn't a WOW thing, but interesting to Western history buffs.

The Columbia River Gorge is a must-see, and will include Multnomah Falls and Hood River. If you take the historic highway, you will see many beautiful waterfalls and vistas. You can also visit Bonneville Dam along the way.

We are leaving Friday night for Seattle and will be in Oregon by Sunday morning.
Thanks for the information.

Only a few miles from where I live here in Portland right next to the zoo, so I think I'm going to try and make it. He's done a lot of great work for Oregon and our country since being voted in in 2008. Hoping he will lead us to reforming the filibuster rules (like he's been trying to during his time in the Senate) if we can get back the House and retain the presidency and the Senate in November.

http://www.washcodems.org/node/3466

Perhaps some other Portland area DUers might want to go too and we can have in effect a "meetup" there.

Unfortunately, between my husband's old friends and the many incredible sites of your beautiful state, we got pretty tied up already. Another time when it's just my daughter and I would be great though!

My family and I had a wonderful visit to your gorgeous state. Your excellent advice was invaluable!
We had a day in Seattle then then a night with friends in Vancouver WA.

Then came the Oregon part of the trip. Lovely day driving the Columbia River Gorge visiting waterfalls along the way. Ended up at Manzanita that night. Great recommendation! My husband lived in Oregon for 8 years, but had never made it that far up the coast. Stopped at the cheese factory in Tillamook.

Saw whales and sea lions on the way to second night at Yachats which was also fabulous! The coast drive to Florence was divine We shopped the Alphabits farm store on the way into Eugene. Visited with Eugene friends at a fabulous dessert store.

Spent night in the mountains in friends' lovely home outside of Brownsville.

Daughters wanted shopping in Portland and Seattle the next two nights and then back home to Texas. I did a little bit of work here and there on our trip.

Thanks again for your help in making such a nice excursion for us!