One of the top things to do in Portland, according to the Internet, is to see the Portland Japanese Garden. Even if it weren’t so highly ranked, as someone who will forever love nature, I would have probably come here anyway while I was in Portland. I love Japanese gardens, how simple, clean and minimalist… More Go into zen mode at Portland Japanese Garden

My favorite feature of the Pacific Northwest are the characteristic fir trees that are almost always captured in photographs of the region. And I loved being able to be right up with them when I visited Mount Tabor Park in Portland. The park is a 197-acre volcanic park, but don’t worry because the volcano is… More Destination appreciation: Mount Tabor Park

The Vista House is a building on Crown Point, a basalt cliff along the Columbia River Highway that offers a breathtaking scenic view of the area. I swung by the Vista House with a friend while I was in Portland, right before we went to see Latourell Falls (which is only 2.4 miles east of… More See expansive views of Oregon at the Vista House

For a nominal fee of $10, you can explore Pittock Mansion, a grandiose home that was previously owned by one of the most influential families in Oregon. Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion was owned by Henry Pittock, the owner of a newspaper called The Oregonian. Today it’s a museum where visitors can get a glimpse… More One of Oregon’s most influential families used to live in this grandiose mansion

Multnomah Falls might be the most frequently visited spot along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, but there are other places along the Gorge that are worthy of seeing, too. One of them is Latourell Falls, which is just six miles west of Multnomah Falls. There’s an easy 2.1- to 2.4-mile loop (sources vary on… More This 249-foot waterfall is a sight to see along the Columbia River Gorge

Having grown up on the Pacific Island of Saipan, I cannot resist devouring Chamorro food whenever the opportunity presents itself. In Portland, I took the opportunity to indulge in Chamorro food at the PDX Six Seven One food cart. It’s something I’d heard about from friends who grew up on Saipan, who either live there… More A taste of the Marianas at PDX Six Seven One

One of the best investments of time I made in Portland was at the International Rose Test Garden. It was a place I’d read about briefly online and one that was free of charge to visit. According to Travel Portland, It’s the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, and… More Destination appreciation: International Rose Test Garden

You don’t need to go far or spend much money for a peaceful getaway. In Portland, The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, which is popularly known as The Grotto, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an environment where you can be still and feel inspired. The Grotto is a Catholic shrine that’s… More Find tranquility and quiet solitude at The Grotto

In the Pacific Northwest region of North America, the most heavily visited natural recreation site is Multnomah Falls. If you’ve ever been to Portland or close to the area, or if you’re planning a trip there, you’ve most likely visited or heard of this popular natural wonder. Every year, more than 2 million people visit… More Over 2 million people visit this popular Oregon waterfall every year, and it’s easy to see why

As the world’s demand for food rises exponentially, I’m working toward being more conscious about what restaurants and food businesses my dollars support, both when I’m in my own city and when I’m out exploring other backyards. In the next thirty-some years, the demand for food is expected to rise between 59 percent to 98… More You won’t want to miss out on this sustainable sushi spot in Portland