The sun is starting to shine more often. The flowers have started blooming. Portlanders are wearing shorts. These are the signs that tell us Spring is coming! So long winter, it’s time to get out and start enjoying all fun things there are to do during Spring. We’ve put together a small list to get you started.
Portland Dining Month
March is the city’s official Dining Month where participating restaurants offer a set menu for $33 per person. This makes it a great time to try some of the best restaurants in Portland like Ataula, Aviv, Bullard, Canard, Departure, Gado Gado, Higgins, Kachka, Nel Centro, Olympia Provisions, Pok Pok NW, Q Restaurant & Bar, and St. Jack. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hot Springs Near Portland
There are a few options when it comes to soaking in a natural bath near Portland. You’ve got Bagby Hot Springs which is the most popular public hot springs. Then there’s Austin Hot Springs which would be the closest to Portland. And finally, Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat which is the largest private geothermal facility in the Pacific Northwest. It’s best to make a reservation in advance to use their facilities. So now that you have that information, get out there and soak! Who doesn’t love a natural hot tub filled with the Earths minerals?
Portland Rose Festival
The official and most common nickname for Portland is The City of Roses and the Portland Rose Festival has been going on in Portland for over 100 years! In 2010, the Rose Festival was acknowledged as Portland’s Official Festival. With dozens of events around the city, the Rose Festival brings smiles to the faces of both locals and visitors. The festival has three popular parades, a three-weekend urban fair packed with great entertainment, lots of good food and fantastic features.
Hiking in Portland
Hiking is a year-round thing in Portland, but Springtime is when it really starts to pick up again. Some of the best hiking trails are easy to get to from downtown. Lower Macleay Park Trailhead up to Pittock Mansion is one of the most popular. The trail features a creek, a lush forest with some old-growth Douglas-firs, and an old stone house. It ends at Pittock Mansion, a Victorian-era mansion with an expansive view over downtown Portland. Tryon Creek will have you feeling like you’re 100 miles from the city but really, you’re still in Portland proper. This is an easy hike through a lush misty forest. A little further from the city in the scenic Columbia Gorge, hiking to Latourell Falls is a must and much less crowded than Multnomah Falls. Regardless of where you go hiking in and around Portland, you won’t be disappointed.
Cherry Blossoms in Portland
Did you know that cherry trees are planted throughout Portland? Every year for about 2-3 weeks, usually at the end of March or early April, you can view the blossoms. There are two places that are ideal for viewing. The Japanese Historical Plaza at tom McCall Waterfront Park has 100 Akebono cherry trees. This is probably the best place to check out the cherry blossoms. Its proximity to the downtown area makes it easily accessible. Another great spot is the Hoyt Arboretum with somewhere around 60 trees. These trees bloom a little bit later than the ones on the waterfront. Make sure you have your cameras ready and that you look your best for some spectacular shots!
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Roses and cherry blossoms aren’t the only flowers that Portland is known for. Between the end of March and early May, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival takes place just 45 minutes from downtown Portland in Woodburn. The display of tulips is out of this world and great for your Instagram feed.
UFO Festival
The McMinnville UFO Fest is in its 21st year. This year’s events will take place May 14-16, 2020 and includes an Alien Abduction 5K, a UFO Festival Parade and an Alien Pet Costume Contest, plus so much more! The festival began as a way to honor the famous 1950 Trent sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed a UFO, said to be some of the best credible images of UFOs to date.