Calling all Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Slytherins and Hufflepuffs. We rounded up these six magical places across Oregon where you can recreate the wizarding world of Harry Potter, right here in the Pacific Northwest. 1. Duplicative Forest Bordering Hogwarts, Forbidden Forest was a dark place that Harry, Ron and Hermoine had become all too familiar with. Similarly, Oregon had this stretch of woods known as the “Duplicative Forest” that you could view along I-84 that almost looked like an optical illusion. Recently the trees in this forest (formerly known as the Boardman Tree Farm) have been cut down and the land will…

California is a total paradise for photography. Between the crashing ocean waves, sandy beaches, seaside cliffs, piers, redwood forest, mountains and beautiful palm trees, you’re never too far away from a picture perfect landscape. Plus, you don’t even need a pricey Nikon DSLR camera to get amazing images – you can get plenty of great shots by just using your trusty old smartphone. Most people just flock to the famous Yosemite National Park to get pics, but California has 280 smaller state parks with just as many great photo ops. These ten parks across the state are especially photogenic behind…

You don’t need a passport to experience Germany – in fact, you don’t even need to leave Washington at all. We have our own slice of Bavaria right here in the Pacific Northwest. Hidden among the Cascades, Leavenworth is a charming little village with German roots celebrated everywhere from the architecture to the authentic food and events. It’s a popular destination all year, but the area gets especially busy in the fall and winter, thanks to Oktoberfest and the Christmas Lighting Festival. It’s a hot spot for outdoor recreation, and luckily there are tons of cabins, bed & breakfasts, and…

Oregon has plenty of cabin retreats to choose from: you can stay in secluded rentals in the middle of the woods, just steps from the Pacific coastline, or in remote mountain cabins high up in the Cascades. You can’t go wrong with any of them, really – or going any time of year. But there’s something especially relaxing about renting out a log cabin for the weekend in the middle of the winter – when the weather’s cold, and you just want to curl up by the fireplace, in a cabin far away from the chaos of everyday life. If…

Disneyland may be magical, but getting to meet Minnie and Mickey doesn’t come cheap. Ticket prices can be costly, especially during the peak summer season. But you can get so much more for your money – and have just as much of a great time with the family – by visiting the many smaller, more affordable theme parks and attractions dotted throughout California. These eight hot spots across the state are perfect if you’re looking for a family vacation, but don’t want to go over budget. 1. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk   The world-famous amusement park in Santa Cruz isn’t just…

Eastern and Western Washington are almost like two different worlds. Not only is there a big difference in culture, but the landscapes on each side of the Cascades have just as much contrast. Western Washington is better known for Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific coastline, but Eastern Washington has its own share of diverse hiking opportunities through canyons and along beautiful lakes & rivers. These eight hikes of various lengths are some of the most scenic adventures you can take on the eastern side of the mountains. 1. Umtanum Creek Canyon Umtanum Creek Canyon makes for a pleasant,…

You don’t need to shell out a ton of money to have a great time in Portland. Oregon’s largest city is lucky to have beautiful public parks and cost-free things to do around almost every corner. These are just ten of the many fun things you can do across the city that won’t break the bank. 1. Hike (or bike) the Eastbank Esplanade Talk about a walk with a view! This mile-and-a-half long path is open to both pedestrians and cyclists on the eastern shore of the Willamette River. The esplanade stretches north from Hawthorne Bridge to the Steel Bridge…

If you’re in need of trip ideas for 2017, consider driving up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. It’s renowned as one of the most scenic road trips in America, and of course there are dozens of fun places to stop and check out along the way. These are just ten of the many places off Highway 1 that you’ll want to experience. 1. Solvang Wish you could explore Europe, but don’t want to pay for a flight and hotel? Solvang, California has everything you need and more, just outside of Santa Barbara in Santa Ynez Valley. The charming little town…

Bainbridge is only a half hour ferry ride from Seattle, but it’s like a whole other world because of how quiet, relaxing and slow-moving everything is. The island’s packed with small town restaurants, parks with historical significance, and attractions that are perfect for a girls weekend or family fun getaway. These are a few of our favorite places you’ll want to make a stop in the next time you visit. 1. Bloedel Reserve A place of solitude, stillness and reflection, Bloedel Reserve is a great place to collect your thoughts and unwind a little bit. The reserve includes beautifully landscaped gardens,…

In northern Oregon, Mount Hood looms 11,250-feet high overhead as one of the most iconic natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. It’s surrounded by the lush Mount Hood National Forest, with miles of trails for both new and experienced hikers. You don’t even need to go hiking for views of this peak – just driving the Mount Hood Scenic Byway will take you past the massive volcano up-close. But if you do love a good adventure (especially ones that lead out to a pristine lake), try taking on some of these trails for the mountain’s most picture perfect viewpoints. 1.…

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