Learn More

Spend the day at Rockaway Beach eating good seafood, walking along the shore, and ending it with a pronto pup! 

Here's your plan for a fun day at Rockaway Beach with seafood, beach walks, and corn dogs

Dog-friendly day trip to Rockaway Beach ☀️🪨

At Old Oregon Smokehouse, indulge in fresh, crispy fish n chips and other seafood delicacies, all served in a lively, outdoor setting.

Fish and Chips

✅ Before you go
• It’s outdoor seating only 
• It’s street parking only 

💪 Pro tips
• We ordered the fish n chips, crab cake, clam chowder, and calamari rings.
• It’s on a street of small shops that’s definitely worth checking out! 

Devour fish n chips at Old Oregon Smokehouse

Relax on the sandy shores of Rockaway Beach, a perfect spot for walking, sunbathing, and rock hounding.

Beach Walking

✅ Before you go
• Check out their Instagram for beach updates https://www.instagram.com/visitrockawaybeach?igsh=MXc3MXdvamF2eHQ1OQ==
• There’s ample parking at the entrance of the beach 

💪 Pro tip
• You can go rock hounding at the beach and find agates, jasper, or fossils. 

Wall on the shore at Rockaway Beach 

Visit Pronto Pup in Rockaway Beach for a delightful corndog snack. Try their Super pup, hotdogs, and indulge in soft serve, with a fun 50 cent mechanical corndog ride.

Eat Corndog

✅ Before you go
• Limited parking in the area
• It’s mostly outdoor seating 

💪 Pro tips
• We got the Super pup, a few hotdogs on a stick, and their soft serve 
• If you have 50 cents, you can ride their mechanical corndog 

Enjoy a corndog at Pronto Pup

Here's a dog friendly day trip itinerary at Rockaway Beach,

and check out the home of the original corn dog.

We're starting our trip at the Old Oregon Smokehouse,

Our favorite was the fish and chips because the fish was fresh and flaky,

We then walked across the street to the beach entrance and walked along the shore.

It was such a beautiful day out and you can see the twin rocks arch in the distance.

We found a spot to lay down and enjoy the sun.

and it was a great way to end our day trip.

So take a drive to the coast to enjoy some classic food options,

A cultural event that showcases Thailand through food, traditions, and community! 

Annual Thai Festival in NE 🇹🇭

Experience vibrant Thai culture, delicious food from local vendors, and traditional performances at Portland's annual Thai Festival in the Kerns neighborhood.

Thai Food Festival

✅ Before you go
• There is limited parking so I recommend carpooling or taking public transit! 
• check out the list of vendors that will be at the event https://www.tasteofthailandpdx.com/vendors

💪Pro tips 
• If you’re going with friends, have everyone line up at different booths and order different items to share. 
• I recommend going at opening because it gets busy

Attend the Portland Thai Festival 

The Thai festival is coming back to Portland,

There's a huge variety of Thai restaurants in Portland,

There will be so many booths with delicious food.

There will be cultural dances and prizes you can win.

It's a great way to hang out with the community,

Conspirators’ Coffee Lounge is shaking up the cafe game here in PDX, from a hidden spot inside a frozen custard shop.

Here's your plan for finding a secret password, unlocking a hidden door, and enjoying coffee vibes

New speakeasy coffee shop ☕️🗝️

Visit Black Cat Frozen Custard in Old Town-Chinatown, give the password at the counter, and unlock access to the secret Conspirators’ Coffee Lounge speakeasy!

Frozen custard treats

✅ Before you go
• try to take public transport - or be prepared to find & pay for parking downtown 

💪 Pro tips
• when you enter, head to the counter and give the person at the register the secret password
• you can find the password in the caption of most of @conspiratorscoffeelounge instagram posts (it’s a phrase in all caps)
• after you give the person at the front of Black Cat the password, you’ll be given a clue to find the secret door as well as a key to get through 
• here’s Conspirators’ insta: https://www.instagram.com/conspiratorscoffeelounge?igsh=eDE2MnY5eTYwZGls

Head to Black Cat Frozen Custard

Find cozy academic vibes at Conspirators’ Coffee Lounge, a secret speakeasy café for ages 13+, offering creative drinks and pastries in a unique hidden spot downtown.

Coffee & pastries

✅ Before you go
• no one under 13 is allowed in the cafe 
• after 8pm, it’s 18+ only 

💪 Pro tips
• you can order the frozen custard from black cat in the cafe as well! 
• they’re gonna start offering alcoholic beverages in the evenings as well - follow their insta to stay fully in the loop as they continue to settle in (they only opened in June 2025!)
• they’re open late! 

Kick back at Conspirators’ Coffee Lounge

When I heard there's a speakeasy coffee shop in Portland,

It's in Black Cat Frozen Custard downtown.

you need to give the password to the person at the counter in Black Cat.

You'll get a clue and a key to the secret passage.

you'll find yourself in the coolest dark academia vibes coffee shop.

I'll put more info on how to find the password below.

There's a downstairs which was filled with light

they have yummy pastries and great seasonal specials,

and you can also order any of the frozen custard from Black Cat on this side as well.

It was really delicious and I highly recommend trying some.

Go camping on an island in the middle of the Columbia River in St. Helens!

Here's your plan for camping, boating, hiking, cooking, playing games, and enjoying river views

Camping on an Island in St. Helens ⛺️🏝️

Camp on Sand Island in St. Helens for river views, outdoor fun, and peaceful nights under the stars. Activities include hiking, games, and campfire cooking.

Island Camping

✅ Before you go
• make your reservations here https://www.sandislandcampground.com/camping-reservations
• There is no running water! I recommend bringing a pack baby wipes and 2 gallons of water per person. 
• Bathrooms are on the island and showers are on the mainland

💪 Pro tips
• The courtesy shuttle is at the Marina Boat Launch
• Each site has a fire pit and picnic table
• They have horseshoes, corn hole, and disc golf on the island 
• You can take the boat shuttle back to the mainland to buy food at St. Helens River front district 
• You can purchase bundles of firewood on the island 
• We cooked pasta, curry, sandwiches, breakfast items.
• We booked site 52! 

Escape from the city to Sand Island 

Catch me by the campfire at Sand Island Campground,

an affordable campground that's on an island in Saint Helens,

They have a pontoon boat that will ferry you and your group across the channel,

and they also have a tractor on the island

that will bring your stuff to your campsite.

We chose Spot 52 because it's close to the shore,

and you get a good view of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Hood.

They have a fire pit at each site to cook and warm up your meals.

My friend and I chose to bring along a stove as well to help with all the cooking.

It was really beautiful and peaceful to be surrounded by the Columbia River

If you want to escape the city and lay amongst the stars,

One of Oregon’s top summer destinations about 3 hours from Portland! 

Here's your plan for hiking to a stunning blue pool, enjoying views, and watching cliff divers

Vibrant Blue Pool in the Willamette Forest 🌲

Hike 2 scenic miles along the McKenzie River Trail to reach the stunning Tamolitch Blue Pool. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers. Free parking available.

Hiking McKenzie River Trail

✅ Before you go
• dogs are welcome, must be on leash 
• there is no cell signal in the area 
• the McKenzie River Trail north is a short hike vs Carmen Smith Reservoir. 
• parking is free! 
• it is 4 miles out and back (not including walking down for embankment)
💪 Pro tip
• Really busy in the summer and on weekends. Plan to head there early in the morning. 

Hike via McKenzie River Trailhead

Marvel at the stunning blue waters of Tamolitch Blue Pool from the overlook or hike down to the embankment. The water is spectacular but too cold for swimming.

Scenic viewpoint

✅ Before you go
• the water is bluer on sunnier days 
• the water is 37° year-round! It is not meant for swimming. 

💪 Pro tips
• If you continue following the path along the cliff, you will find a path down to the embankment. Please be aware that you’re going to have to climb the rocks back up. 
• Cliff diving is not encouraged because the water is freezing temperature and it may cause injury. 

Enjoy the view at Tamolitch Blue Pool

This is one of Oregon's top summer destinations and it’s

known for its remarkable blue hue and freezing cold waters.

Tamolitch Blue Pool is located in the Willamette National Forest,

You'll walk 2 miles along the McKenzie River Trail,

and it'll lead you to this gorgeous breathtaking view.

embankment and get closer to the crystal clear water.

with an average temperature of 37 degrees.

We hung out on the shore and watched professionals cliff dive from the top.

and you should definitely check it out this summer.