來到波特蘭以後，你會懷疑為什麼自己不住在這個悠閒而友善的城市。波特蘭擁有修剪整齊的公園、不拘一格的夜生活、當地精緻的小釀酒廠，以及有如大自然的市區，是美國西北部一個必到景點。不要錯過有名的日本庭園 (Japanese Garden)，這是日本境外最大最美麗的和式庭園之一。

Steeped in history, Vancouver is the oldest city in Washington. Once the largest western outpost of the British Hudson's Bay Company, where supplies and food were bartered in the 1800s, it was closed in 1860 as Americans took over commerce. The outpost was later recreated as the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. For more history, check out the Pearson Air Field, the oldest operating airfield in the West, where vintage aircraft are displayed at the Pearson Air Museum. If adventure is your bag, Vancouver is the perfect base for day trips to the Columbia River Gorge, the breathtakingly beautiful 70-mile river stretch that cuts through the Cascade Mountains, or Mount St. Helens, the site of the famous volcano, both of which offer a slew of outdoor activities. For calmer pastimes, cruise the picturesque river in the Columbia Gorge riverboat, or visit Beacon Rock, the world's second largest monolith, where a walking trail leads to spectacular panoramic views.

Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory offers visitors an incredible range of experiences that reflect the diversity of the landscape, from the Willamette Valley’s wineries, flower farms and farm-to-table dining to the iconic 11,250-foot peak of Mt. Hood itself. Adventurers can enjoy skiing and snowboarding all winter long, as well as hiking and mountain biking in warmer months. Cities near Portland also offer a wide selection of craft breweries, tax-free shopping, and a thriving arts scene.

Located along the Willamette River and its namesake lake, the city of Lake Oswego has a beautiful downtown area featuring riverfront parks, boutique shopping and speciality dining including a European-style farmers market open from May – October. Lake Oswego also offers visitors an active arts scene: Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the outdoor “Gallery Without Walls,” or attend the annual Festival of the Arts in June.

Hood River beckons travelers with the scent of orchard blooms and the promise of adventure on the rushing waters of the Columbia River. The winds through the Columbia River Gorge provide the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kite surfing, making the city a hotspot for those sports in recent years. The surrounding area is ripe with orchards growing cherries, apples, peaches and other sweets. Take the Mt. Hood Scenic Railroad through the orchard route and take in the views of Mt. Hood.

A short ride away from New York City on the Metro North commuter rail, Poughkeepsie sits on the banks of the Hudson River. The close proximity of Vassar College and the Culinary Institute of America guarantees the presence of fun boutiques and fine dining. Main Mall Row, a group of 1870s Renaissance Revival storefronts along Poughkeepsie's Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. The twenty-two surrounding parks provide the opportunity to take a relaxing break from city life.