Feeling restless? Well, here is the cure. Head to Union Station and hop on the Amtrak for one of these day trip adventures. Bring a deck of cards, a good book, or some headphones for music (enjoying the journey is part of the fun of train travel) and head to these fun destinations. Here is our list of the best day trips in Portland that you can take by train!
- Seattle
Howard Ignatius / Flickr Sitting at just a little over three hours away by train, Seattle is a perfect day trip that’s home to numerous bucket-list-worthy attractions. Take the first train out in the morning and take the last back to enjoy a full day in the city and see the Space Needle, Experience Music Project Museum, Pike Place Market, or the Woodland Park Zoo. Seattle, WA, USA
- Eugene
Erik Bishoff / Flickr Head down south to the home of the University of Oregon for a day of fun. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a great visit, as is the Cascades Raptor Center. For kids, the Science Factory Children’s Museum and Planetarium is the best. At two and a half hours away, Eugene is great for a day trip and fun for the whole family. Eugene, OR, USA
- Salem
Jasperdo / Flickr If you haven’t been to Salem, the beautiful Oregon state capitol, consider visiting by train for the day. Visit the capitol building, stroll Riverfront Park, explore the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, or check out the Oregon State Hospital’s Museum of Mental Health. You can even be back before dinner. Salem, OR, USA
- Centralia
George Bernstein / Flickr Halfway between Seattle and Portland, Centralia is a great day trip, especially if you want to spend the day shopping. This small town features plenty of opportunities for antiquing, a lovely historic downtown, a farmer’s market, and lots of retail spots for shopping. Fort Borst Park, featuring an 1860 homestead and replica of a one-room schoolhouse along with plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities, is a lovely place to visit when exploring Centralia, too. Centralia, WA, USA
- Tacoma
Atomic Taco / Flickr If you have never made a stop in Tacoma on your way to Seattle, consider a day trip to this bustling city. The Museum of Glass is awe-inspiring, as is the Tacoma Art Museum, which features an extensive collection of Chihuly glass. History buffs will enjoy the Washington State History Museum, and the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a great place for tourists of all ages. Tacoma, WA, USA
- Olympia
Orin Blomberg / Flickr You will have to get off the train in Lacey, Washington, a suburb of Olympia, but at just five miles from the city, you will be close to the action – including its amazing array of restaurants! Head to Washington’s capitol building, visit the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, or try your luck at the Nisqually Red Wind Casino. Kids will enjoy the Hands On Children’s Museum, while the Olympic Flight Museum will satisfy visitors of all ages. Olympia, WA, USA
What are your picks for the best day trips in Portland? Did you know Rose City was so close to all these lovely destinations? For more amazing adventures in and around Portland, Oregon, check out these 10 day trips.
Howard Ignatius / Flickr
Sitting at just a little over three hours away by train, Seattle is a perfect day trip that’s home to numerous bucket-list-worthy attractions. Take the first train out in the morning and take the last back to enjoy a full day in the city and see the Space Needle, Experience Music Project Museum, Pike Place Market, or the Woodland Park Zoo.
Seattle, WA, USA
Erik Bishoff / Flickr
Head down south to the home of the University of Oregon for a day of fun. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a great visit, as is the Cascades Raptor Center. For kids, the Science Factory Children’s Museum and Planetarium is the best. At two and a half hours away, Eugene is great for a day trip and fun for the whole family.
Eugene, OR, USA
Jasperdo / Flickr
If you haven’t been to Salem, the beautiful Oregon state capitol, consider visiting by train for the day. Visit the capitol building, stroll Riverfront Park, explore the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, or check out the Oregon State Hospital’s Museum of Mental Health. You can even be back before dinner.
Salem, OR, USA
George Bernstein / Flickr
Halfway between Seattle and Portland, Centralia is a great day trip, especially if you want to spend the day shopping. This small town features plenty of opportunities for antiquing, a lovely historic downtown, a farmer’s market, and lots of retail spots for shopping. Fort Borst Park, featuring an 1860 homestead and replica of a one-room schoolhouse along with plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities, is a lovely place to visit when exploring Centralia, too.
Centralia, WA, USA
Atomic Taco / Flickr
If you have never made a stop in Tacoma on your way to Seattle, consider a day trip to this bustling city. The Museum of Glass is awe-inspiring, as is the Tacoma Art Museum, which features an extensive collection of Chihuly glass. History buffs will enjoy the Washington State History Museum, and the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a great place for tourists of all ages.
Tacoma, WA, USA
Orin Blomberg / Flickr
You will have to get off the train in Lacey, Washington, a suburb of Olympia, but at just five miles from the city, you will be close to the action – including its amazing array of restaurants! Head to Washington’s capitol building, visit the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, or try your luck at the Nisqually Red Wind Casino. Kids will enjoy the Hands On Children’s Museum, while the Olympic Flight Museum will satisfy visitors of all ages.
Olympia, WA, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in Portland March 25, 2022 Sarah M. What are some fun hikes near Portland, Oregon? If your idea of an amazing day trip involves lacing up your boots and hitting the trails, then Portland, Oregon, is for you. This PWN town is a beautiful place that’s full of amazing hikes and little pockets of paradise within city limits. If you’re into riverwalks, this is one of the best cities to do just that, with the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is an incredibly scenic place to go for a stroll. Another Portland hike we recommend is a wooded trek that leads to one of the most intriguing spots in the Beaver State: the infamous Witch’s Castle! What are some beautiful day trips near Portland? It doesn’t get any better or more beautiful than the Columbia River Gorge, and Rose City is located just 20 minutes away from this resplendent treasure! Hailed as The Crown Jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Gorge is the largest natural scenic area in the United States. The mighty Columbia River serves as the border between Oregon and Washington, and there are all sorts of treasures awaiting you on both states’ sides. And with more than 90 cascades on the Oregon side alone, waterfall hikes abound in the Gorge. What’s a scenic train that runs year-round in Oregon? If you were particularly fond of the “trains” aspect of the above day trips in Portland, you’ll want to hop aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Located about 90 minutes west of PDX, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has been providing scenic excursions of the Beaver State’s beautiful shoreline, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, since 2003. This attraction, which runs all year, is our favorite way to immerse ourselves in the splendor of the Beaver State.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in Portland
March 25, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some fun hikes near Portland, Oregon? If your idea of an amazing day trip involves lacing up your boots and hitting the trails, then Portland, Oregon, is for you. This PWN town is a beautiful place that’s full of amazing hikes and little pockets of paradise within city limits. If you’re into riverwalks, this is one of the best cities to do just that, with the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is an incredibly scenic place to go for a stroll. Another Portland hike we recommend is a wooded trek that leads to one of the most intriguing spots in the Beaver State: the infamous Witch’s Castle! What are some beautiful day trips near Portland? It doesn’t get any better or more beautiful than the Columbia River Gorge, and Rose City is located just 20 minutes away from this resplendent treasure! Hailed as The Crown Jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Gorge is the largest natural scenic area in the United States. The mighty Columbia River serves as the border between Oregon and Washington, and there are all sorts of treasures awaiting you on both states’ sides. And with more than 90 cascades on the Oregon side alone, waterfall hikes abound in the Gorge. What’s a scenic train that runs year-round in Oregon? If you were particularly fond of the “trains” aspect of the above day trips in Portland, you’ll want to hop aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Located about 90 minutes west of PDX, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has been providing scenic excursions of the Beaver State’s beautiful shoreline, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, since 2003. This attraction, which runs all year, is our favorite way to immerse ourselves in the splendor of the Beaver State.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If your idea of an amazing day trip involves lacing up your boots and hitting the trails, then Portland, Oregon, is for you. This PWN town is a beautiful place that’s full of amazing hikes and little pockets of paradise within city limits. If you’re into riverwalks, this is one of the best cities to do just that, with the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is an incredibly scenic place to go for a stroll. Another Portland hike we recommend is a wooded trek that leads to one of the most intriguing spots in the Beaver State: the infamous Witch’s Castle!
What are some beautiful day trips near Portland?
It doesn’t get any better or more beautiful than the Columbia River Gorge, and Rose City is located just 20 minutes away from this resplendent treasure! Hailed as The Crown Jewel of the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Gorge is the largest natural scenic area in the United States. The mighty Columbia River serves as the border between Oregon and Washington, and there are all sorts of treasures awaiting you on both states’ sides. And with more than 90 cascades on the Oregon side alone, waterfall hikes abound in the Gorge.
What’s a scenic train that runs year-round in Oregon?
If you were particularly fond of the “trains” aspect of the above day trips in Portland, you’ll want to hop aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Located about 90 minutes west of PDX, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad has been providing scenic excursions of the Beaver State’s beautiful shoreline, primarily between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, since 2003. This attraction, which runs all year, is our favorite way to immerse ourselves in the splendor of the Beaver State.
