Travelling with a special needs adventurer adds a unique dynamic to any voyage. Discovering places that acknowledge and celebrate those unique challenges creates lasting, positive memories for everyone. Oregon is one of them. My neurodiverse son and I experienced the state’s caring, compassionate hospitality firsthand.
Stretching 650 km across and over 500 km long, it is geographically expansive with exquisite, diverse scenery. Rugged ocean cliffs expose incredible beauty and offer the opportunity to witness the power of the ocean crashing against rocks. Calming parks with towering, centuries-old trees, paths to explore, and trees to climb (more on that) offer a different, more calming experience, and magnificent volcanoes are just another reminder of the power of the earth.
While it has a mild west coast winter, for those who love the snow, there are still seasonal activities, which makes it a perfect winter getaway.
No trip to Oregon is complete without a visit to Portland, and there is a lot of truth to its quirky reputation. “Keep Portland Weird” (there is even a big sign attesting to it) is accurate. The city has a vacuum cleaner museum, a naked bike race and the world’s smallest park. Even the fashion is eclectic.
The city has many different neighbourhoods (ninety-five to be exact, divided into quadrants). Downtown is a great place to soak up the beautiful architecture that is a mix of old and new. This trip didn’t afford the opportunity to fully explore the city, but it whetted my appetite, and I am going back on my own to explore.
However, February is a fabulous time to visit Portland as there are great festivals. The Biamp Portland Jazz Festival is one of them. A ten-day multi-venue celebration of this sensual musical genre, it attracts big names. The Jack London Revue has created an old Jazz bar, speakeasy feel with long red velvet curtains and is an easy walk from downtown.
The Portland Winter Light Festival illuminates the city, chasing away the mid-winter blues and is a great way to see the eclectic Portland neighbourhoods.
Donuts are an obsession in this city and the famous Voodoo Donuts is an institution for good reason. “The magic is in the hole” and with concoctions like the gigantic Cock and Ball, you know a good time is ahead.
Blue Star Donuts are legendary, gourmet “donuts for grownups.” Annie’s is deliciously old school, and Mikiko Mochi are gluten-dairy-nut-free beauties. In short, Portlanders can’t get enough of the sweet stuff.
Food carts (as opposed to trucks — Portlanders just have to be different) are everywhere. There are 500 of them in business at any given time. Groups of them cluster together with benches and fairy lighting to serve up inspired cuisines from around the world.
When was the last time you had fondue? It may be an American chain (with only one franchise in Canada — in Edmonton — opened by a huge fan), and not part of Portland’s emerging reputation as a foodie heaven, but The Melting Pot is a fun experience for everyone and an unexpectedly delectable experience. Fondue has come a long way from bread cubes dipped in cheese.
Washington Park has multiple attractions and trails to walk off the delectable dishes. The Portland Japanese Garden, a peaceful oasis, is one of the most authentic outside of Japan. The meticulous attention to detail is breathtaking.
The Oregon Zoo, also in the park, delights people of all ages. Pink flamingos never get old and animals calm my neurodivergent son, and me too, truth be told.
The aptly named Powell’s City of Books is the world’s largest bookstore, with more than one million books, and a sanctuary for bibliophiles.
Sleep: A necessary evil. You can’t go wrong at The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton downtown is central to everything, has a quirky vibe to it and an indoor pool.
Portland may be fab, but the majesty of Oregon is its natural beauty.
An active volcano dominates the Northern Oregon landscape. Mount Hood towers over the area with its 11,000 feet of magnificence — but don’t worry — it hasn’t erupted since the 1800s. The highest mountain in the state, with almost year-round snow and exhilarating skiing, it is not unusual to see skiers in early July working their way down a mountain that is a burning cauldron deep underneath. In full winter, there are over 200 km of thrilling ski runs.
However, skiing can be tricky and triggering for some people, my son included, but there is an extremely peaceful and satisfying alternative to experience the area.
Adventure Without Limits specializes in creating adaptive outdoor programs for “folks from diverse life experiences.” Their vision is to bring nature experiences all year to people of all ability levels and backgrounds.
Mount Hood has a soothing trail system that offers stunning snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It is a multi-sensory immersion, with the soft crunch of snow under your feet, the muffled silence when you stop to listen and the feast for the eyes of the trees, to streams that create deep crevices in the snow and continue to gurgle and comfort.
To try and do it alone is daunting. Adventure Without Limits provides all the necessary snowshoe equipment, and the guides are extremely supportive. The inclusive approach permeates everything they do. Jacob, my neurodivergent son: “I recommend Mount Hood any time of the year. It may sound weird but they make everything calm. I can’t ski downhill, but they open up this incredible volcano experience to everyone. I loved it. And when I had problems or when I struggled, they were patient with me.” My son Jacob was right. When nerves got in the way, our guide understood and provided a safe environment for him. Adventure Without Limits also organizes summer activities that include kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddling, rafting, and rock climbing. We are going back for that experience (stay tuned.)
After the snow adventure, hit the Timberline Lodge to warm up with a cup of cocoa. If you get a chill as you walk into the building, that is probably because the entrance was used in the Jack Nicholson movie, The Shining. Go to the bar for the view of the area and other volcanoes in the distance.
There are many places to get some shut-eye, but, again, with the theme of tranquillity for your special needs traveller, hang your hat at the Cooper Spur Resort. The Cooper Spur has been around since 1885 and has that beautiful, rustic feel with wood-panelled rooms and log cabins. Very hospitable staff, and the restaurant’s farm-to-table region-sourced ingredients add a local flavour. It is a beautiful 45-drive to get there from Timberline, but it’s still located in the expansive Mount Hood Region.
My boy loves sweets (hence the donut tour in Portland.) However, a beautiful ride into Hood River will get you the most delectable cinnamon buns, scones and Marionberry pie (it is the official state pie of Oregon after all) at Bette’sRestaurant. Worth every carb and the drive, which is beautiful and scenic.
The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep.
Amazing views, hiking, mountain bike trails and more than 90 waterfalls provide the chance to just breathe.
The stretch of Interstate 84 between Troutdale and The Dalles is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. You can see a lot from the freeway; but for a truly spectacular view, take a detour and drive part of the historic Columbia River Highway which is over 100 years old. It was built as the nnation’sfirst Scenic Byway. The western section starts in Troutdale and takes you to gorgeous views, lush green forest, hiking trails and yes, majestic waterfalls.
Mutnomah Falls, OOregon’stallest waterfall and second tallest in the U.S. (48 km east of Portland) are friendly for people of all abilities. Two million visitors come here annually, and while crowds for anyone with sensory sensitivities can be overwhelming, a visit during non-peak hours is possible and provides a more intimate, leisurely experience. (The site is also wheelchair accessible.) Parking is a bit of a hike from the falls and through a tunnel under the highway, but my son loves waterfalls, so we did it, and the falls are spectacular.
McMenimans is a hospitality empire in Oregon. They take old buildings, give them new life while respecting the original ethos of the establishment. McMenimans Edgefield in Troutdale was built in 1911 and served as a ““oor House””(a real thing) that gave 600 people in need a place to live and a job. Then, it became a sseniors’residence, so everywhere is accessible. Today, it is a quirky resort with great amenities that include a winery, spa, brewpub, movie theatre, gorgeous pool and spa. Its massive metal room doors and gigantic rooms give it an almost creepy ambience, which they nurture with a binder full of ghost sightings. If you dare, ask to enter the now-meeting room that was once a morgue. It is definitely an intriguing resort concept, and everyone has fun working there. It leaves a lasting impression. Build in time to experience the amenities. It is a fabulous playground for everyone and it was reassuring that my son could wander around safely on the expansive 74 acres, giving me some respite by the spectacular pool and the chance to explore the on-site bars (I loved the basement wine bar that had live music.)
Celebrate weird. Sasquatch lore peppers the state — there are even Sasquatch crossing signs on roads. A visit to the quirky museum dedicated to the mythical (or not-so-mythical?) character will enlighten on the role the hairy large creature plays in the Pacific Northwest. The North American Bigfoot Center, in Boring, Oregon (yes, its name for real) is the hub for the subculture and houses research artifacts and gatherings. Well worth the stop to dive into the fascinating psyche of believers but also for the entertainment factor.
In northern Willamette, aviation fanatics, including my son who is obsessed with planes and space, will love the Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of the Spruce Goose. Think Howard Hughes and The Aviator. The Goose was once the largest (now second largest) aircraft in the world. It only flew once, and at that, it barely left the ground, but its wingspan was longer than the first flight of the Wright Brothers.
DDon’tmiss the space section of the museum to experience American space history.
While the first Oregon winery opened in the mid-1800s, the industry blossomed in the 1960s. With 23 designated wine-growing areas located in five diverse regions, Oregon boasts more than 900 wineries producing wine from over 80 grape varieties, but their pinot noir wines are particularly divine, as are their chardonnays and pinot gris. Pop into any of them around McMinnville for wine tastings. (Columbia Gorge area has a rich viticulture industry and a vibrant craft brew industry as well.)
The park, called the ‘‘rown jewel’’of the Oregon State Parks system, has a 12 km stunning Trail of Ten Falls (a hit because my sson’spassion for waterfalls.)
The park may also look familiar to film fans as it has been featured in many, Twilight, The Hunted and Just Before Dawn, to name a few.
They say you should do something every day that scares you. Tree Climbing at Silver Falls offers a 300-climb into the sky. This isn’t the tree climbing you did as a kid; it is your chance to try something not even 0.001% of the population has done. And it is so rewarding. Recreational tree climbing, also known as canopy climbing, is a half-day adventure and the guides are calm, patient and never push. This is a hardcore, harness, pull-yourself-up-in-the-air kind of experience.
It is challenging but fantastic, and in my son’s case, it was a huge boost to his self-esteem because he succeeded and was encouraged by the staff.
So close to the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs and breathtaking coastal terrain are worth the detour from inland. There are parks everywhere along this famous coastal highway where you can view the spectacular rock formations. Crashing waves and the smell of sea air soothe anyone’s soul.
Oregon’s motto is Alis volat propriis, which means “She flies with her own wings,” and that is exactly what the state provides, a chance for everyone of every ability to soar. To watch my neurodivergent son’s curiosity about the world be fed by beauty and a variety of experiences has resulted in us already organizing another Oregon adventure, but a summer one.
Crater Lake and other Oregon volcanoes are calling. Stay tuned for that story in the summer of 2025.
