Meet Suzanne Hall

Tucked into rolling hills, McMinnville is home to gorgeous landscapes, sprawling vineyards, and romantic bed and breakfasts. It’s also home to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, which houses the Spruce Goose, the largest wooden airplane ever constructed, and the Wings and Waves Waterpark.

In downtown McMinnville, bookshops, cutes cafes, and local restaurants abound. Nearby, there’s the Erratic Rock State Natural Site, a state park featuring a 40-ton glacial erratic from the Missoula Floods.

Straddling the Willamette River, Oregon’s largest city offers culture, history, coffee, and many books. While Pacific Northwest winters may be damp, outdoor beauty abounds year-round. Forest Park, a 5,200-acre space that provides refuge to native wildlife, offers easy access to hiking and mountain biking trails. For a scenic stroll, head to the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, or the International Rose Test Garden.

Portland is home to many family-friendly attractions, including the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Pittock Mansion, the Oregon Zoo, and Oaks Amusement Park, one of the country's oldest continually operating amusement parks.

Plus, readers rejoice—the City of Roses is home to Powell’s, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Once you’ve picked out a book, grab a cup of coffee at Portland Coffee Roasters or Stumptown.