The weather didn't cooperate, but when does it in Oregon? After almost two years of watching the…read morerestoration of the historic Arch Bridge, the Willamette Falls Festival celebrated the reopening of the link between West Linn and Oregon City by the scenic falls. The organizers planned a nice event. A 3-day festival and each day has a different theme: Friday - "An Evening of Arts & Culture" Saturday - "Family fun Day" Sunday - "Get Active Day" The rain put a bit of a damper on some of the activities, but it was still a nice, small town event. In downtown Oregon City, the focus of the festival, you could walk around town to the sounds of a barbershop quartet. There was a small farmer's market on one block and an artisan's market on the next. We saw fireworks Saturday night from the McLoughlin Promenade. On Sunday there is a 5k Fun Run, as well as a run/bike/paddle race starting at Clackamette Park. It is also the official bridge reopening for walkers, bikes and antique cars. We enjoyed this festival all weekend long and one of the highlights for me was taking the trolley tour of Oregon City and West Linn. We were lucky to have the President of the Old Willamette Historical Society as our guide. Very informative and just a lovely way to continue to learn more about our local area. Many of the historic homes in the area, on both sides of the river, were also open expanded hours and volunteers in period costume were there to provide information, assistance and a dose of fun. The Arch Bridge will officially open to traffic at 5:00a on Monday.

it was wonderful that was great food and dancing. Also a fantastic jet boat ride I think so very…read moremuch for the wonderful fun festival.

Let me paint you a picture…read more.. In my bucolic little 'burb, there is an annual arts festival in one of my favorite parks. To folks in Portland, yes, there are two Willamette Parks. This one is located at the confluence of the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers in my lovely West Linn. The fields are green and lush and there are rows of white roses in bloom along the border. Children are splashing in the fountain and people are laughing and eating festival food. I am so impressed by the organization of this annual event. The layout of the vendor stalls, plus music and a food court are all excellent. While the number of diversity of the art booths are outstanding this year, the food court is pretty minimal. So you may want to bring your own picnic or stop for lunch in the Old Willamette District. However, I am always a sucker for the burgers served by the West Linn Lions Club. Now, a couple notes. While the artists and their offerings are diverse (watercolors, baskets, glass, pottery, textiles, jewelry, photography, furniture, garden statues), it is not alternative. An art festival in the Alberta or Hawthorne neighborhoods of Portland would look quite different. This festival is comprised primarily of local artists and although there are some from Portland, you are more likely to see the artistic endeavors of folks from Lake Oswego, Oregon City and Canby. There isn't a lot of angst going on in this part of our metro area. The other thing is that it was already packed and parking almost gone when the festival opened at 10:00a. So you can either park in the Old Willamette neighborhood and walk or take one of the free shuttles from West Linn High School (http://www.westlinnartsfestival.com/parking.html). It is kind of a pain, I know. Willamette Park is down a steep hill from Old Willamette, so if you park and walk, be prepared for a steep climb upon your return. If you ever had the desire to visit West Linn, this is a great time and event. Everything is looking very good in my 'hood.

2.5 stars. Brought the family out here as first timers to see the pumpkin patch and do some fun…read morekid-friendly activities listed on the website. Unfortunately the carnival rides are only turned on and operational on weekends and we went on a Tuesday so our kid was disappointed. We liked the big fun slide, jump pad, sandpit and playground. On the other hand, admission was expensive, refreshments were at additional costs, limited in selection and there was no food or beer. There were donuts but that's it. Dusty parking lot and barrel wagon rides. Everything was kind of meh, and to top everything off, our toddler picked up germs and caught a cold from playing here.

Family owned farm with huge fields of Christmas trees; sunflowers late summer; pumpkins in the…read morefall. The weekend after Thanksgiving they host a Holiday Market with about a dozen vendors selling their handmade crafts and treats. It's a fun way to kick off the holidays. Inside their barn, they have their own year round market where they sell honey, jams, baked goods, and pies and fruit in the freezer. Fun to visit throughout the seasons!

A nice selection of craft breweries for the first ever Oregon Trails Brew Fest. We bought the…read morememorabilia cup and ticket package. $20 bucks for the cup and 15 tickets. They also had shirts available for $15. I was pleasantly pleased with the number of breweries and beer selection that was available. Each pour was cold and refreshing, colder than some pubs I've been in. There were two food trucks next to the stands that offered yúr typical American fair with a twist.

What a beautiful place to stroll and enjoy. The sheer number and variety of flowers is amazing. The…read moreblooms were prolific and well tended. We looked at the amazing community gardens too. The fact that this is all volunteer grown is quite impressive. Worth a visit.

I had never heard of this garden. A friend knew I love visiting gardens and flower festivals, he…read moreput it on my radar. I decided the next time I did a delivery in Lake Oswego, I would make sure to pay a visit. So glad I did! Clematis are a fairly new to me flower variety. I mean I've seen them, but haven't paid close attention. I've visited friend's gardens that contain clematis, and noticed how beautiful the blooms are. So perfect they almost seem fake! The clematis garden has different varieties. All of them so beautiful! There are plants for sale, I'm planning on moving soon, didn't buy any now. I really want to get some to plant in my next space!

One of the best art festivals in the area. We attend every year at least once during the 3-day…read morefestival and always have a great time. To get the less positive elements out of the way, I will say that parking is a challenge. You will be met with no parking signs and street closures in the neighborhoods surrounding the two venues (Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park). The festival compensates for this by offering free shuttles from various locations around town. The other thing to be aware of is that while the festival is "free" to attend, the volunteers are relatively aggressive about you making the "voluntary" donation. I spend most of my time in George Rogers Park wandering through the aisles viewing the myriad forms of art. Painters, photographers, jewelry makers, sculptors, woodworkers, knitters, designers, landscapers, cookware, etc. It is a very large and diverse collection of artisans from around the state and beyond. Each tent has the artist's name and location, and the items tend to be of very high quality. Prices reflect that quality and the venue in Lake Oswego. My mother and I each have a similar mantra, "Don't look at the jewelry." It is too beautiful and at some point we just have to stop buying. My other weakness is glass, and I was drooling over several pieces this year but managed to remain a looky-loo only. There is a large stage in the park and about ten food vendors, a beer & wine garden, and covered seating areas. Nice since every year the weather seems to be either extremely hot or raining. Even though it is an art festival, there are some limited activities for children. In the Lakewood building they also included galleries of artwork from high school and K-8 artists. However, no pets are permitted. There is also a large Pavilion tent in the parking lot behind Lakewood with more artwork, music, and hands on activities. This year was particularly interesting because of a rather large exhibit of 3D printing displays and sculptures as well as a virtual reality demo. Nice to see the festival embracing the confluence of art and technology. In one of the rooms, you could also take a 3D "selfie" which produces a model of you (think of a cake topper) for a fee. Looking forward to seeing what will be introduced next year.

I have commissioned two pieces (one piece of furniture, one painting) from artists I met at the…read morefestival. Kellee is super talented http://4muddypawsart.com/Site/Portland_Pet_Artist_Kellee_Beaudry.html The parking is a pain, but that's why they offer shuttles. I suspect the no parking signs are so that emergency vehicles can get in during an emergency since the roads in first edition are narrow. There are a lot of food options that are priced like you would expect. There is a large beer garden.

Imagine a super cozy alpine ski lodge, wood panels festooned with eclectic memorabilia, with a…read morehefty menu full of wine, cocktails, snacks, desserts, and generously-portioned entrees - throw in live musical entertainment that varies from sultry cocktail lounge to funky soul - I don't know, it's hard to pin down exactly what all of this adds up to, but you really owe it to yourself to check out Arrivederci. The space is pretty big, so it's usually easy enough to get seated, although there are live music nights where the place is JUMPING and you might need to settle for grabbing a spot at the bar. Service is generally pretty quick and attentive. I'm thinking - date night? taking your grandkids (or your grandparents) out for a nice meal? Showing off a local gem to the uninitiated? I think those are all good excuses to go.

Lovely place with great music! Nice bartender. Easy to drive past it so keep your eyes peeled!read more

Pet Friendly Bonus! If you're looking for a place that truly feels like community, warmth, and…read moreheart, Yesteryear Farms is one of those rare gems that keeps me coming back year after year. This is a local, family-run farm, and you can feel that love in everything they do. They grow so much throughout the year--from pumpkins and corn to Christmas trees and beautiful wreaths--and they've created a space that's genuinely welcoming and accessible for everyone. One of the biggest reasons this is one of my favorite farms is how affordable and inclusive it is, especially during hard or uncertain times for many of us here on the West Coast. Free entry alone opens the door for families and individuals to create forever memories--whether that's snapping photos, wandering the grounds, or simply soaking in the atmosphere without pressure to spend money. Their gift shop is thoughtfully stocked with locally made treasures: popcorn seasonings, charcuterie boards, fresh preserves, handmade chocolates and truffles... truly a little bit of everything. It's the kind of place where you can find meaningful gifts while supporting local makers. Between fall and the holiday season, pricing across the farm is incredibly reasonable, making it perfect for kids, families, couples, solo visitors, or anyone who just wants to people-watch and enjoy being around others. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed, and joyful--and I honestly can't express enough gratitude for the whole family behind this farm and what they have created. From complimentary treats to the kindness of the staff and employees, every visit feels generous and intentional. During the holidays, the farm becomes extra magical with special guest appearances from Elsa, Santa Claus, and the Grinch, and around Halloween we've even had ghosts and ghouls stop by to say hello--pure magic for kids and adults alike. If you're searching for pumpkins, Christmas trees, hot apple cider, fresh donuts, or just a wholesome place to spend time together, I highly recommend checking out their website, reviewing their weekend schedule, and planning a visit. This farm is a reminder of how powerful small, local businesses can be--and how much joy they bring to a community.

Cute place for activities and buying local good. They have pumpkin patch during fall and Christmas…read moretree + decor during winter. Their tree is pretty and the service is excellent. They also have photo booth, Christmas character, decor, and free hot chocolate

Another fantastic museum in Oregon City!…read more This one was a comprehensive look at local history with an exceptionally interesting exhibit on the water as a power source and harnessing this power for electricity for local homes as innovators in the US at the time. There were also exhibits on schooling, clothing and pharmacy, which was fascinating as well.

This is a neat little museum nearby in Oregon city. It has several different displays with…read moreinformation about the Oregon territory. I enjoy learning about history, especially local since I'm a native Oregonian. The displays definitely had a lot going on. Sometimes you don't get as much material in the displays, so this was really nice. It's small, so it won't take a long time to go through, but it is really interesting. It would be fun to bring out of state guests to. A little Oregon history without being too overwhelming. It's kind of a nice view from so high up too. Plus they have free parking which is always nice.