Susan Stephens
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Articles by Susan Stephens
Florentine Waterfront Hotel: The Most Romantic on the Oregon Coast
Disclosure: The owners of the Florentine Waterfront Hotel hosted me for a complimentary two-night stay, however, every opinion here is my own.
7 Romantic Getaways on the Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is wildly romantic right up until you realize the “ocean view” room you booked overlooks a parking lot, the town is packed with families on spring break, and you just spent four hours in the car arguing about whether Highway 101 counts as scenic when it’s raining sideways.
The Perfect 3-Day Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
The temptation is real. You open a map, see 363 miles of Oregon coastline, and think you can do it all in a long weekend. You can’t. Well, you can, but you’ll spend most of it staring at the bumper in front of you on Highway 101. I spent more than 20 years living in Oregon, and this is the coast trip I give friends when they only have three days. Two towns, Newport and Florence. One lakeside cabin.
The Best Seattle Ghost Tours (from a Local)
I’ll admit it: I’m still skeptical about ghosts. But after taking a Seattle ghost tour through historic Pioneer Square, I’d absolutely recommend booking one—even if you’re not convinced the paranormal is real. I’m a Pacific Northwest local who has spent years exploring Seattle, and what made this tour worthwhile for me wasn’t ghost hunting.
Best Time to Visit Oregon (From a Local): A Season-by-Season Guide
Wondering when to visit Oregon? After living in Oregon for more than 20 years and exploring nearly every corner of the state, I can say without hesitation there’s no single “best” time to visit—it depends entirely on what kind of trip you want to have. Do you want to hike beneath roaring waterfalls? Drive the rugged Oregon Coast? Wander fields of blooming lavender? Ski fresh powder on Mount Hood? Or sip Pinot Noir during harvest season?
Best Things to Do on San Juan Island from a Local
As you step off the San Juan Island ferry into Friday Harbor, the quintessential charm of the place hits you square on. It is all at once a seaside port town and a throwback to 1940’s resort glamour. Not to say that everything isn’t up-to-date – San Juan Island has modern hotels and contemporary, chef-run restaurants. It’s just that the overall feel of the place, to me, is reminiscent of a laid-back, simplistic life dictated by the charm of island waters.
Things to Do on Bainbridge Island: Day Trip Advice from a Local
If you’re looking for the perfect day trip to Bainbridge Island, you’re in for one of Washington’s easiest and most rewarding escapes. Just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island feels worlds away, with waterfront trails, local wineries, art galleries, cozy cafés, forests, and charming Winslow all waiting just beyond the ferry dock. It’s one of my favorite Pacific Northwest escapes when I want to slow down without traveling far.
The Best Oregon and Washington Road Trip (7- and 10-Day Itineraries)
If you’re dreaming of one epic Pacific Northwest adventure, combining Oregon and Washington into a single road trip is hard to beat. You’ll experience rugged coastlines, snow-capped volcanoes, lush rainforests, charming waterfront towns, world-class wineries, and two of the region’s best cities—all in one vacation. One important tip before you start planning: if you have less than seven days, I recommend sticking to either Oregon or Washington, not both.
Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Days of Best Stops and Where to Stay
Planning a road trip along the Oregon Coast? You’re in for a special treat! This scenic drive, one of the best in the country, offers an amazing mix of breathtaking vistas, charming coastal towns, and hidden pockets waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the open road, the Oregon Coast Highway promises an unforgettable adventure.
Best Food Carts in Portland
Updated May 10, 2024. In all of my travels, I have not been in (or heard of) any other city in the world that has as many diverse food carts as Portland, Oregon. These are some of the best places to eat in Portland on a budget. Food trucks in Oregon, in particular Portland, are called food carts. Why? Because they are established eateries that tend to stay in one place. With well over 600 (and counting) food carts, they are usually found in clusters throughout the city, called pods.
5 Best Portland Food Tours
Every city usually has their standard cuisine. But not Portland. The Rose City is literally a cornucopia of worldwide flavors. Sure, many of the best restaurants and food carts religiously use local ingredients to make the freshest dishes. But there really is no one type of cuisine or dish that Portland is famous for. We do it all! After living in Portland for more than 20 years and taking several Portland foodie tours myself, my top recommendation is Side Dish Mafia.
14 Cool Boutique Hotels in Portland Oregon
Planning a trip to Portland and overwhelmed by the hotel options? You’re not alone. With dozens of quirky, cool, and downright stunning places to stay, it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth your money—and which are just riding the “hipster” reputation. After living in Portland for over 20 years and staying in nearly all of these hotels myself, I’ve handpicked the absolute best boutique hotels in Portland.
Awesome Free Things to Do in Portland
Planning your first trip and looking for free things to do in Portland Oregon that are actually worth your time? You’re in the right place. I lived in Portland for over 20 years, and one of the best things about the city is that some of its most memorable experiences don’t cost a dime. You can wander through rose gardens with Mount Hood views, hike in a massive urban forest, browse one of the world’s best bookstores, explore quirky neighborhoods, and catch some of the best city viewpoints for free.
Where to Eat in Portland, Oregon for First-Time Visitors
**This post was updated June 7th, 2026** If you’re planning your first trip to Portland and looking for the best restaurants, you’re in the right place. It’s very easy to waste meals here if you’re not careful; there are so many restaurants, food carts, coffee shops, brunch spots, and bakeries that narrowing it down can feel harder than it should.
High Desert Country in Eastern Oregon
As a kid, my desert imagination was basically a Sahara screensaver: endless dunes, heat-haze mirages, and a sky so blue it looked aggressive. If there were camels and pyramids, even better. Deserts felt far away—exotic, overseas, and definitely made of sand. Then I grew up and realized the American West has deserts too… and most of them aren’t dune oceans at all.
Where to Find Good Coffee in Portland
Looking for the best coffee places in Portland? You’re in the right spot — and this isn’t one of those copy-paste lists that names the “popular” cafés and calls it a day. I’m a Portland local and genuinely coffee-obsessed (as in: I judge a place by the cappuccino texture, the espresso balance, and whether the pastry case is worth derailing your whole morning). Luckily, my home town of Portland is renowned for its vibrant coffee culture as well as being a foodie destination.
Best Viewpoints in Portland (According to a Local)
Portland is basically a city built on hills, trees, and mild chaos — which is exactly why the best Portland viewpoints go so hard.
11 Epic Hikes in Oregon Near Portland
If you’ve ever found yourself staring out your Portland window, craving a quiet forest escape but overwhelmed by too many trail options — you’re not alone. Whether you’re a visitor hoping to squeeze in some iconic Oregon nature or a local tired of circling the same neighborhood loop, it’s easy to feel stuck.
Spending the Holidays in Portland
So, you’re dreaming of a white Christmas… and booked a flight to Portland? Yeah, about that — unless you’ve made a deal with the snow gods, there’s a good chance you’re not getting flakes. But you are about to experience one of the coziest, quirkiest, and most festive holiday seasons in the Pacific Northwest. As a local who’s lived through more drizzle-than-dazzle Decembers, I can promise you this: Portland knows how to make up for the lack of snow with serious sparkle.
7 Best RV Parks on the Oregon Coast
**This post was updated October 10, 2025** Looking for the perfect RV park along the Oregon Coast — but overwhelmed by too many choices and not enough real insights? You’re not alone. With over 60 coastal RV parks from Astoria to Brookings, picking the right one for your rig, budget, and vibe can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve dug through reviews, analyzed amenities, and compared dozens of locations to help you choose parks that aren’t just well-rated — but are actually worth your time and money.
6 Best Food Cart Pods in Portland
Portland blazes the trail in the food cart revolution. It all started back in the 1990s when a few carts took center stage for the downtown lunch crowd. The scene quickly gained traction over the next decade, and before you knew it, over 600 food carts were counted throughout the Portland metro area. Guess how many there are as of 2025? Over 1,000. And counting…(yes, you read that right.
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon for Every Budget
Feeling overwhelmed by all the neighborhoods in Portland? You’re not alone. When I first visited the city, I spent hours bouncing between hotel options in downtown, the Pearl District, and Alberta—unsure what vibe would actually match my trip. I ended up in a spot that looked perfect online but felt totally wrong for what I wanted. And yet, the city drew me in like a moth to the proverbial flame.
Not Your Normal Portland 2-Day Itinerary
So, you’re headed to Portland. Maybe it’s your first time and you’ve heard the legends—bearded men on bikes, coffee that requires a barista certification exam, and locals who compost more seriously than they pay taxes. Or maybe you’ve been before and still can’t figure out why the donuts are shaped like voodoo dolls. Either way, you want a solid, not-too-touristy, not-too-boring, and ideally “not-trying-to-bankrupt-me” way to spend 2 days in Portland. Well, lucky you.
3-Day Itinerary in Portland, Oregon: Off the Beaten Path
**This post was updated October 21, 2025** Thinking about a trip to Portland but unsure where to start? Between the indie thrift shops, moody forest hikes, and more breweries than you can count, planning a trip to Oregon’s quirkiest city can feel… weirdly overwhelming. You want the good stuff, not just another cookie-cutter list of things to do. I’ve been there—wandering downtown with a soggy umbrella, a coffee in one hand, and a Google Map full of “meh” recommendations in the other.
15 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Oregon Coast
**This article was updated October 9, 2025** If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to crashing waves, salty sea breezes, and a steaming mug of coffee on your balcony, the Oregon Coast delivers in spades. But here’s the catch — from cozy cliffside inns to sprawling family resorts, there are hundreds of options. Booking the wrong one could mean trading your ocean view for a parking lot.
11 Best Indoor Things to Do in Portland
Portland might be known for its lush green landscapes and outdoorsy culture, but let’s be real — it rains. A lot. As someone who lived in Portland for over 20 years, I’ve weathered more gray, soggy winters than I can count (and I stopped trying after year ten). That’s why I’ve become something of an indoor activities connoisseur — because when the drizzle doesn’t stop, neither should your fun.
7 Best Waterfalls Near Bend, Oregon
When I first moved to Oregon, I could not believe the sheer number of waterfalls I encountered as I slowly made my way around the state. I was born and raised in Iowa, the land of no-waterfalls-to-speak-of, so this was pretty special. These grand testaments to nature are everywhere in Oregon; nestled in lush forests, along scenic rivers, and at the base of towering mountain ranges. The state’s waterfalls offer a perfect escape for those seeking adventure or tranquility.
21 Romantic Date Ideas in Portland (from a Local)
Portland, Oregon, is a city that effortlessly blends its quirky charm with natural beauty, making it a perfect playground for couples looking to create memorable date experiences. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s no shortage of fun and romantic activities to explore. Here’s a roundup of the best date ideas in Portland that are sure to impress and delight.
The Best Coastal Hikes in Oregon
The Oregon Coast is a hiker’s paradise, offering an array of trails that range from easy strolls to challenging climbs. In this guide, I’ll take you to some of the best hiking trails along this stunning coastline. We’ll cover their locations, trail lengths, difficulty levels, unique features, and the best aspects of each trail.
Zip Lining in Portland, Oregon
Are you a thrill-seeker and looking for an adventure that will get your adrenaline pumping while offering incredible views? Look no further! Portland zip lining is the perfect outdoor activity for anyone who loves a blend of excitement, nature, and fun. This guide will introduce you to the best zip lining spots in and around Portland, ensuring you make the most of your high-flying experience. I spent an incredible morning just outside of Portland zip lining through the trees. What is scary?
17 Unusual Things to Do in Portland (from a Local)
Portland is celebrated for its food and a vibrant creative culture. But it’s also celebrated for being weird. Dig deep and you’ll find a treasure trove of the unusual and the unique. For adventurers looking beyond the conventional tourist trails, Portland offers a plethora of odd and intriguing activities to explore. In my two decades in Portland, I’ve lived in a number of different quirky neighborhoods. Each one has its own ‘small town’ feel and each embodies a unique spirit of individuality.
Southern Oregon Coast: The Thrill of Fiction or Natural Facts?
This article was written by my good friend John Schoppert, who lives in Southern Oregon and intimately knows the Southern Oregon Coast. Dropping over the edge of 50 floors of a sand dune precipice onto a hair-raising incline is no laughing matter. Or is it? Outside of Florence, Oregon, on the southern Oregon coast, is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area where dune buggies, sandboarders, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pitch over cliffs of wind-blown peaks of sand dune mountains.
Meet the Makers Who are Redefining Baker City, Oregon
Few people who pass by Baker City as they speed along Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon know what a gem of a town they are missing. A former gold and copper rush area located on the historic Oregon Trail, what appears to be a simple collection of motels and gas stations just off the interstate, holds a unique culture and collection of attractions that reveal themselves when you peel back the layers.
Oregon Waterfalls Road Trip: 10 Must-See Stops on One Byway
Oregon is known for its waterfalls, but did you know you can see at least 10 of them along one spectacular drive? Having lived in Portland for over 20 years, this road of waterfalls was on my radar for quite some time. If you’ve ever dreamed of a road trip filled with thundering waterfalls, moss-covered forests, and scenic highway views — this is the route for you.
Unique Hotels in Oregon
Table of Contents Toggle For some, a chain resort is preferable. One with a lovely pool where they can just park themselves there for a week. That is SO BORING. Who wants to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles just to sit and bask in front of a pool the whole time? For others, they like to get up at the crack of dawn and head to the attraction of their choice before most people have even cracked their eyes open. And for others… Unique hotels in Oregon are a given.
3 Awesome Portland Self-Guided Walking Tours
Thinking about visiting Portland and wondering how to really experience the city—not just skim it? These self-guided walking tours are for travelers who want to see more than just the postcard spots. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a day trip, Portland’s charm reveals itself best when explored slowly, on foot. As a travel planner and longtime Portland local, I’ve walked these streets more times than I can count.
Exploring Downtown Portland: 1st Ave and Main Street
**Note: Even though the state-at-home order has been imposed pretty much everywhere, that doesn’t stop us from planning a fantastic trip around Portland when we are able to move around again. Until then, enjoy this armchair journey through downtown.** Here is a guest blog from Marc Johnston, a long-time Portland resident and personal injury attorney, whose law firm office is located on Main Street and 1st Avenue.
Opulence in the Wild West: The Geiser Grand Hotel
My first trip to Baker City was smack dab in the middle of winter, but this historic gold mining town managed to charm the pants off of me anyway. Located right along Interstate Highway 84, it follows the Oregon Trail and is steeped in history. But nothing compares to the incredible history and Wild West beauty of The Geiser Grand Hotel.
Portland’s 2nd Annual Mac & Cheese Fest: A Review
Who doesn’t absolutely adore the iconic American comfort food – macaroni and cheese?? As a kid, my Mom would cook it up for us, with fish sticks, almost every Friday. We’d gorge ourselves on it, then go out and play. You could do that when you’re a kid and not throw up. I also consider myself a foodie. So when I caught wind that there was actually a Mac & Cheese FESTIVAL in my hometown, of course, I jumped on it. But… Table of Contents Toggle …I was short on cash. Boo. So what did I do?
The Bicycle Culture in Portland, Oregon
Portlanders take their biking pretty seriously. I mean, we’re certainly not Amsterdam, where you are genuinely putting your life at risk should you step out in front of a biker on the street. Those guys don’t mess around, they’re FAST and take no prisoners. But here in Portland, it’s much safer to share the road with cyclists. It’s almost too easy to ditch your car and commute everywhere on a bike. Most major streets and even a few residential streets have clearly marked bike lanes.
Funny Slash Interesting Things About the PNW
What is the quirkiest thing you can think of where you live? I always love finding out new and interesting things about my area of the world. So I decided to go on a mission to hunt for what makes the Pacific Northwest unique. I searched Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia for those shining examples of uniqueness that sparkle like a diamond in the imagination. I looked for the interesting, the strange, the funky….basically anything that made me go “hmmmm!” So here is what I came up with.
Nightlife in Portland
Portland, Oregon is a unique charmer of an American city. Yes, I am biased, because it’s been my home for two decades. But honestly, there are so many things that make Portland unique, and the nightlife is one of them.
Day Trips from Portland for Every Season
When you need to take a break from the city, away from the great coffee shops, the incredible food scene or just the bustle of downtown Portland, there is a myriad of places you can get away to for a day. Portland is smack dab in the middle of what seems like everything. You could think of it as the center of the universe (or at least of the Pacific Northwest.) To the south is wine country. To the north is Washington State and Seattle. To the east is the pristine Cascade Mountain range.
Charming Small Towns Around Puget Sound
There’s just something about small towns located next to large bodies of water that fascinate me. Unlike small communities of the land-locked variety, tiny coastal town exude an air of specialness all their own. Because people tend to flock toward water when on vacation, these small towns are used to a lot of visitors and reciprocate by providing great places to eat and shop. Such as it is with the small towns along the western side of Puget Sound.
10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Oregon
We’ve all been there…it is the thick of winter. There are grey skies…all the time. Okay, not really ALL the time, but it sure as hell feels that way! Nevertheless, it seems that we get up in the morning in the dark, we go about our day, and for those of us who work inside with little to no natural lighting or windows, it can get a bit depressing. And when it’s time to go home? Guess what? It’s dark again. Too many days of that can get even the happiest of us down. Seasonal Affective Disorder, y’all.
Tiny House Travel and Why You Should Do It
Don’t you sometimes just want to simplify your life? Travel more? The vast majority of us (at least in America) are bogged down by the roof over our heads. About 72% of us spend a full 50% of our income on our homes. That’s insane!! It’s a big reason why Americans have an unprecedented amount of debt, and many are living paycheck to paycheck. (Pssst….tiny house travel!) Whoops, I’m so excited, I’m getting ahead of myself.
What Makes Portland So Weird?
What does “being weird” mean to you? It could mean different things for different people. And surely it takes on a different connotation when you are talking about an entire city as opposed to a person or group of people. The general meaning of weird means out of the ordinary, or peculiar. Just something that the status quo is not used to. I never actually have considered Portland to be weird, and yet this moniker has stuck to the city for decades. Weird things to do in Portland?
Why Portland is the Best Foodie City in America
I am so proud of my city. And finally, Portland has been officially recognized as the best foodie city in the U.S. Because you know something?
Which City is Better: Seattle or Portland? With Quiz
Ah….the age-old Pacific Northwest question! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked that one! Okay, so without making you scroll all the way down to the end of this blog post, I’m just going to tell you what the answer is RIGHT NOW. Are you ready???? Table of Contents Toggle Wait for it….. It depends! That is to say, it depends on your taste and desires when visiting a world-class city! It’s true. The long and short of it is you really cannot compare Portland to Seattle.
5 Things to Pack for the Pacific Northwest (Any Time of Year)
Table of Contents Toggle First of all….CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming PNW adventure. You are going to have so much FUN. But now it’s time to start thinking about getting to the nitty-gritty of things and figure out what to pack for Oregon, Washington, or British Columbia…the cities, the country, the mountains, the coast, you’ll want to pack thoughtfully. ***This post was updated on April 9th, 2023.
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