Historic Richmond, Virginia
Historic Richmond is the perfect place for a romantic weekend, a fun family getaway, or a long-term stay. With its thrilling Civil War re-enactments, lively sports scene, and many fascinating museums, you'll find plenty to do and see. Be sure not to miss the NASCAR races, rafting on the James River, and all the animals at the Richmond zoo!
Outdoor Adventures
With the nearby James River offering fishing, hiking, and Class IV rapids for river rafters, Richmond has plenty of outdoor fun. The city boasts over 20 local golf courses as well as a climbing wall and all kinds of sports. You can go bird watching in one of the city's many parks, paddle down the James, or hit the tennis courts for a quick game.
NASCAR Racing
For heart-pumping fun on the racecourse, just pay a visit to the Richmond International Raceway and take in the Richmond NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. In June, the Indy Racing League heats up the track while the Southside Speedway has great stock-car action. Between March and November, every weekend is a drag racing weekend at the Richmond Dragway, home of the International Hot Rod Association championship. Maybe you're hoping to do your own driving? Then just head to G-Force Karts and take their Belgian go-karts for a spin on the professionally designed track.
Wildlife Viewing
Richmond offers a number of great places for wildlife viewing, including the Three Lakes Nature Center and the Metro Richmond Zoo. The zoo has over 600 animals in natural settings, so you can see everything from giraffes and kangaroos to chimpanzees and elephants. Don't miss the goats and other farmyard critters in the petting zoo!
At the Dutch Gap Conservation Area, set along the banks of the James River, you can hike through 810 acres of woods, watching for wildlife. Head to the freshwater marsh to look for beavers, muskrats, and great blue herons, then visit the river for a view of eagles hunting near the tidal lagoon. Fishing is also allowed at Dutch Gap.
Family-Friendly Events
You can watch Civil War battles played out by costumed re-enactors, see plays depicting pivotal events in the nation's founding, and much more. Richmond has a colorful 400-year history and a lively events calendar.
Historical Sites
From a tour of Edgar Allen Poe's childhood home to Henricus Historical Park, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond is steeped in history. You can tour Tuckahoe Plantation, Thomas Jefferson's boyhood home, or take a walk along Monument Avenue, a street that was the site of so many historic events, it's now a National Historic Landmark.
The newly-renovated Hanover Tavern is a historic building that also serves as a restaurant and theater. Across the street at the courthouse, you can watch a historic re-enactment of Parson’s Cause, an important event leading up to the American Revolution. Admire the architecture of 1822 Magnolia Grange or visit the Meadow Farm Museum for a trip back in time to the turbulent 1860s.
Arts and Entertainment
From world-famous theater to ballet, dance performances, and musicals, Richmond's arts scene is truly on the move. This city boasts the superb Richmond Ballet, Richmond Symphony, and Virginia Opera, as well as Theater IV's family plays and shows. Every year Richmond hosts the Richmond Shakespeare Festival with its outdoor performances of the Bard's greatest works, plus a special “Broadway in Richmond” series at the Landmark and Carpenter Theatre.
Museums
It only stands to reason that a city with such a grand past would have a wide range of museums documenting that history. Richmond's museums include the Confederate War Memorial Chapel, the 15th-century Agecroft Hall, and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Be sure not to miss the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (with more than 40 acres of spectacular gardens), Hanover Tavern, Chesterfield Museum Complex, and the Library of Virginia (where you can see an original copy of the Bill of Rights).
Oregon Brewpubs
If you love settling back with a glass of cold beer, sampling different varieties and enjoying some superb pub food, then you might be ready to design your own brand of pub crawl. Imagine planning a trip through beautiful Oregon, taking in everything from the dramatic coast to the golden fields of the east, stopping at brewpubs along the way. You'll get to know the best microbrews in the state, you'll meet some great people, and will expand your knowledge of beer.
A microbrewery is a brewery that only produces a small amount of beer every year. Unlike large distributors, these smaller outfits offer their beer at specific, local locations, so it can't be found everywhere. Brewpubs are establishments that have both a microbrewery and a restaurant. In other words, it's a place where you can enjoy a fine meal and sample the creations of the brewery at the same time.
Microbreweries and craft beer brewers are on the rise in the U.S. Samuel Adams is the largest craft brewery, but small brewers are popping up all over the country. The states with the most microbreweries per capita are Oregon, Montana, and Maine. And because Oregon has a fairly large population, you can be sure to find plenty of terrific Oregon brewpubs!
Below is a list of select brewpubs in some of Oregon's finest towns and cities. Whether you're heading to Hood River to watch the wind surfers on the Columbia River or are touring the many parks of Portland, Oregon's rose city, you'll find an excellent brewpub to visit.
ALBANY
Oregon Trader Brewing
140 Hill Street NE
Albany OR 97321
Ph 541.928.1931
Oregon Trader Brewing
140 Hill Street NE
Albany OR 97321
Ph 541.928.1931
ASHLAND
Caldera Brewing
540 Clover Lane
Ashland OR 97520
Ph 541.482.4677
Standing Stone Brewing
101 Oak Street
Ashland OR 97520
Ph 541.482.2448
BEND
Bend Brewing
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend OR 97701
Ph 541.383.1599
www.bendbrewingco.com
Deschutes Brewery
1044 NW Bond Street
Bend OR 97701
Ph 541.382.9242
www.deschutesbrewery.com
Deschutes Brewery
901 SW Simpson Avenue
Bend OR 97702
Ph 541.385.8606
www.deschutesbrewery.com
Silver Moon Brewing
2538 NE Division St.
Bend OR 97701
Ph 541.388.8331
CANNON BEACH
Bill's Tavern
188 North Hemlock
Cannon Beach OR 97110
Ph 503.436.2202
HOOD RIVER
Big Horse Brewing
115 State Ave.
Hood River OR 97031
Ph 541.386.4411
Full Sail Brewing
506 Columbia Street
Hood River OR 97031
Ph 541.386.2281
www.fullsailbrewing.com
KLAMATH FALLS
Mia and Pia's Brewhouse
3545 Summers Lane
Klamath Falls OR 97603
Ph 541.884.4880
www.miapia.com
NEWPORT
Bay Front Brewery
748 SW Bay Boulevard
Newport OR 97365
Ph 541.265.3188
Oregon Brewing
2320 SE OSU Drive
Newport OR 97365
Ph 541.867.3664
www.rogueales.com
PACIFIC CITY
Pacific City Brewing
33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive
Pacific City OR 97135
Ph 503.965.7007
www.pelicanbrewery.com
PORTLAND
Alameda Brewhouse
4765 NE Fremont
Portland OR 97213
Ph 503.460.9025
BJ's Pizza, Grill, and Brewery
12105 North Center Avenue
Portland OR 97217
Ph 503.289.5566
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
BJ's Pizza, Grill, and Brewery
825 NE Weidler
Portland OR 97232
Ph 503.288.0111
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
BridgePort Brewing
1313 NW Marshall Street
Portland OR 97209
Ph 503.241.7179
www.bridgeportbrew.com
Concordia Brewery
5736 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland OR 97211
Ph 503.249.3983
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
Crystal Ballroom Brewery
1332 West Burnside
Portland OR 97205
Ph 503.225.0627
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
Full Sail Brewing
0307 SW Montgomery
Portland OR 97201
Ph 503.222.5343
www.fullsailbrewing.com
Fulton Pub and Brewery
0618 SW Nebraska Street
Portland OR 97201
Ph 503.246.9530
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
Hair of the Dog Brewing
4509 SE 23rd Avenue
Portland OR 97202
Ph 503.232.6585
www.hairofthedog.com
Hawthorne Street Ale House
3632 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland OR 97214
Ph 503.241.7179
www.bridgeportbrew.com
Hillsdale Brewery and Public House
1505 SW Sunset Boulevard
Portland OR 97201
Ph 503.246.3938
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
Laurelwood Pub
1728 NE 40 Avenue
Portland OR 97212
Ph 503.282.0622
www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com
Lucky Labrador Brewing
915 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland OR 97214
Ph 503.236.3555
www.luckylab.com
Lucky Labrador Brewing
7675 SW Capitol Highway
Portland OR 97219
Ph 503.244.2537
www.luckylab.com
Oak Hills Brewpub
14740 NW Cornell Road #80
Portland OR 97229
Ph 503.645.0286
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
Old Chicago Brewery
11211 SE 82nd
Portland OR 97266
Ph 503.786.5009
Old Lompoc
1616 NW 23rd Ave.
Portland OR 97210
Ph 503.225.1855
Old Market Pub and Brewery
6969 SW Multnomah Boulevard
Portland OR 97223
Ph 503.244.0450
Philadelphia's Steaks and Hoagies
6410 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Portland OR 97202
Ph 503.239.8544
Portland Brewing
2730 NW 31st Avenue
Portland OR 97210
Ph 503.226.7623
www.portlandbrew.com
Raccoon Lodge and Brewpub
7424 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway
Portland OR 97225
Ph 503.296.0110
www.raclodge.com
Rock Bottom
210 SW Morrison Street
Portland OR 97204
Ph 503.796.2739
www.rockbottom.com
Rogue Public House
1339 NW Flanders
Portland OR 97209
Ph 503.222.5910
www.rogueales.com
Rose City Brewing
8434 NE Glisan Street
Portland OR 97220
Ph 503.257.7912
Tugboat Brewpub and Cafe
711 SW Ankeny Street
Portland OR 97205
Ph 503.226.2508
Widmer Brothers Brewing
929 North Russell Street
Portland OR 97227
Ph 503.281.2437
www.widmer.com
SALEM
Cascade Microbrewery
3529 Fairview Industrial Dr SE
Salem OR 97302
Ph 503.378.0737
Ram Restaurant
515 Twelfth Street SE
Salem OR 97301
Ph 503.363.1904
www.theram.com
Thompson Brewery and Public House
3575 Liberty Road South
Salem OR 97302
Ph 503.363.7286
www.mcmenaminspubs.com
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Sitka, an Alaskan TreasureThe gorgeous city of Sitka, Alaska couldn't be more perfectly placed. With towering mountains to one side and island-dotted waters to the other, Sitka is a vacationer's paradise. This seaside town is located on Baranof Island, between the outer waters of the Inside Passage and seemingly-endless mainland pine and spruce forests. With a lively history, Tlingit culture, Russian-influenced architecture, and a strong spirit of independence, Sitka is 100% Alaska. Sitka is set in Alaska's southern-most region, the narrow piece of land that runs between Canada's Yukon Territory and the Pacific Ocean. As a result, Sitka enjoys mild temperatures and tons of wildlife. Fishing is a popular sport and business here, and many visitors come to watch the humpback whales feeding offshore in the late fall and early spring. Don't miss the sea otters, sea lions, whales, tufted puffins, and other amazing sea birds! The Kiksadi Clan, a group of Tlingit Indians, have lived in the Sitka area for centuries--and had even before the first Russian or American set foot in Alaska. The Kiksadi called their settlement Shee Atika, which means "people on the outside of Shee," (Shee being their name for the island). Sitka is a contraction of Shee Atika. In 1799 the first Russian settlers arrived and built a fort a few miles north of Sitka. Today, you can learn about the area's unique history at a number of local museums and historic sites. Alaska is all about the great outdoors, and Sitka is no exception. When you visit, you'll find world-class salmon and halibut fishing, amazing sea kayaking routes, fishing and boating charters, and many miles of scenic hiking trails. You can plan a day trip to Kruzof Island and climb up Mt Edgecumbe, the only volcano in southeast Alaska, or head out on an ocean tour of whales, otters, and seabird rookeries. For more exotic adventures, take an ATV tour of Kruzoff island, plan a flight over the dramatic Baranof Island ice fields, or experience the underwater world with a trip in a glass-bottomed kayak or semi-submersible boat. Sitka is known for its seaside parks, all of which are great places to enjoy a walk or a picnic lunch. You can take a scenic ride aboard the Southeast Alaska Marine Highway ferry, tour the 107-acre Sitka National Historic Park, or visit the world-famous Alaska Raptor Center, a state-of-the-art facility that rehabilitates and cares for injured birds of prey. Visitors are welcome to tour the new flight barn and the newly expanded facility. Visitors to Sitka will enjoy a number of great nearby attractions. You can take day trips to Juneau, Alaska's capital, or to the gorgeous Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. To the south of Sitka lies Tongass National Forest, miles of coastline and islands to explore, and Ketchican. No matter what you're here to do, you're going to love Sitka. With its stunning scenery and easy access to the great outdoors, this Alaskan town truly has everything!
American Volcanoes
Mountains add drama to the horizon, they inspire and comfort us, and they provide living space for thousands of animals and birds. But how often do you stop and think about where mountains came from? With the recent eruption of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska, more and more people are heading out to see America's active volcanoes. From the Hawaii lava floes to the ash-spouting peaks of the western Cascade range, our nation has plenty of hot spots to capture the interest of budding vulcanologists.
Alaska Volcanoes
With its towering peaks and snow-capped ranges, Alaska is a volcano lover's dream. The Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands have about 80 major volcanic centers. Alaskan volcanoes have produced one or two eruptions per year since 1900, the most famous of which is Mt. Redoubt. Mt. Redoubt, which erupted on March 22, 2009, is located on the gorgeous Kenai Peninsula west of Cook Inlet. The mountain has actually erupted five times since 1900, including once in 1989.
The 2009 Mt. Redoubt eruption reached a dramatic state on March 22 when the mountain spewed vast amounts of steam and ash, disturbing air flight patterns for a number of weeks. Activity continues with ongoing seismic changes and steam coming out of the summit crater. There have also been ongoing rock falls coming down the side of the lava dome.
Hawaiian Volcanoes
Hawaii is a volcano lover's dream. Not many places on earth allow a person to get so up-close and personal with active volcanoes. On your next visit to the island state, be sure to visit the Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on the island of Hawaii. These two mountains erupt frequently but in non-explosive ways that make them perfect for family and tourist visits. The volcanoes have also been studied extensively, which means that visitors can get a good picture of each volcano's magma reservoir "plumbing" system.
Cascade Volcanoes
In the contiguous United States, the active volcanoes are in the Cascade range that runs from California, north through Oregon and Washington states, and on into Canada. These mountains don't erupt with the frequency of Hawaii's volcanoes, but they're equally interesting and can be easier to reach. At the same time, it's important to remember that Cascade volcanoes can be far more dangerous (when active) than Hawaiian volcanoes because they tend to be more explosive.
The most famous Cascade volcano is Mt. St. Helens in southwestern Washington state. St. Helens erupted in 1980, spewing enormous clouds of ash and causing massive mud slides that destroyed all life on one side of the mountain. Today Mt. St. Helens is safe to visit and can be a fascinating place to explore. Visitors can take in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument above Spirit Lake, watch the mountain's activity on web cams, and learn all about what makes this volcano tick.
Unlike the Hawaiian volcanoes, the Cascade volcanoes release a variety of magma types and are more likely to develop steep-sided cones (these are then called "composite volcanoes"). With so many different types of volcanoes to learn about, you may just have to visit them all!
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Camping Gems
