Meet Venessa Eck

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.

In Forest Grove, you’ll find some of Oregon’s oldest wineries, locally-produced produced beer and kombucha, and the region’s only saké brewery.

Located at the base of the Tillamook State Forest, there are nearby hiking trails, including the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and bird-watching at Fernhill Wetlands Park.

With a small-town vibe, Forest Grove hosts several annual events, including a medieval-themed Faire in the Grove and the Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival.

Steeped in tradition, Sherwood hosts several popular annual events, including the Cruisin’ Sherwood car show, the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival, and a bird festival at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.

With some of the region’s finest wineries, Sherwood shows off with historic architecture and quaint bakeries, cafes, and wine bars.

The Magness Memorial Tree Farm, an 80-acre property operated by the World Forestry Center, educates about forest management and silviculture. Sherwood is also home to Sleighbells, a year-round Christmas shop.

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.