Beyond Portland

Drive through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and admire the vast Columbia River. At 1,243 miles long, it's the 12th longest river in the United States. You can hike, bike, kayak or raft your way along it, or in the cooler months, ski and snowshoe.

Crown Point promontory was created by a lava flow nearly 17 million years ago and rises 733 feet from the gorge's floor. Vista House, originally built as an observatory in 1918, is the perfect spot to view the gorge.e.

Wine buffs know that the best American Pinot Noirs come from Portland, and some of the best Portland Pinots come from Dundee. Named after the Scottish birthplace of the man who established the Oregon Railway, there are over 40 different wineries to visit.

The area offers other activities such as kayaking or canoeing down the Willamette River. Admire the cottonwood, alder and dogwood trees while keeping your eyes peeled for a Red-tailed Hawk.

Mount Hood has a variety of outdoor activities. When it’s warmer, rafting, camping and fishing draw people who love the outdoors. But many come here for something more creepy: Timberline Lodge. The lodge is better known as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s movie "The Shining." At about 11,240 feet, Mount Hood is Oregon’s highest mountain and thought to be its "most likely to erupt" volcano.

After all that greenery, why not a bit of desert? Head to the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, a 1,019-square-mile area occupied by Wasco, Tenino and Paiute Indians who are part of the Confederate Tribes.

Learn more about Oregon’s American Indian culture at the Warm Springs Museum, which includes interactive exhibits about Wasco culture and traditions. At the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort and Spa, you can immerse yourself even further. Stay in an authentic hand-painted teepee, or take part in salmon bakes, drumming and storytelling sessions. Visitors also can enjoy the hot springs, fish or tour the rivers with a guide from the Confederate Tribes.

Due to its 28 miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, Long Beach is one of America’s favourite beach towns.

But it’s also known for the bizarre museum exhibit called Jake the Alligator Man. A mummified half-man, half-alligator (allegedly) on display at Marsh's Free Museum on South Pacific Avenue. Bought by the Marsh family in 1967 for $750, Jake is said to have been found in a Florida swamp. Jake has something of a cult following locally, so expect to see local bumper stickers bearing his name.