Take a drive outside the immediate area, to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Just go for a drive, or take a walk, a hike, or a bike ride. Visit these sites to check them out:

Banks-Vernonia State Trail (21 miles of hiking, drive for 51 minutes, start in Banks, Oregon)
Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first “rails-to-trails” park in Oregon. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between the cities of Banks and Vernonia. The trail consists of a paved 8-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail alongside a gravel trail for horses that's about 4 feet wide in most sections. The gentle grade in all but one area allows hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people of all abilities to enjoy the scenic mountains, fields and forests of Washington and Columbia counties.

Multnomah Falls (2.4 miles of hiking (optional), scenic drive for 1 hour 21 minutes)
Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million visitors stopping by each year to take in the views. Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls varies, but is usually highest during the winter and spring seasons. This is also one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods. The Multnomah Falls Lodge is well maintained with restrooms, a Visitor Center, a snack bar, a gift shop and a restaurant. Make a day trip, have a scenic drive, and consider a short but steep hike to the top of the falls. Follow along the beautiful Columbia River on Interstate 84 east from Portland, Oregon.

Nestucca River Back Country Byway (start from Carlton, drive for 1 hour 16 minutes, to Beaver, Oregon)
Follow the Nestucca River through a wooded canyon. The river has been designated an Oregon State Scenic Waterway. The canyon is lined with weathered cliffs made of seafloor sandstones and basalts. The walls are covered by lichens, worts, and mosses. The woods lining the canyon is a temperate rain forest because it rains 120 inches annually. The area is considered one of the richest biomasses in the world. Places to picnic are available along the route. Best recommendation is to follow your GPS navigator after you stay going west from Carlton. Set Beaver, Oregon as your destination. For a different way home, head south on Oregon Coast Highway 101 to Hwy 18 and follow the mountains east back to McMinnville, Oregon.

Oregon Coast Trail (384 miles of hiking, drive for 1 hour 15 minutes, start in Lincoln City, Oregon)
The Oregon Coast Trail is 384 miles from border to border and 344 miles are designated scenic trail. See the Oregon Coast Trail web page for maps of the entire trail. The trail traverses all that the coast has to offer from breathtaking ocean vistas to the centers of bustling coastal towns.

Silver Falls State Park - Trail of Ten Falls (7.4 miles of hiking, drive for 1 hour 19 minutes, start at Silver Falls State Park)
Consisting of the Canyon Trail and Rim Trail, the entire Trail of Ten Falls loop takes you above, behind and around 10 stunning waterfalls. The moderate hike includes 800 feet of elevation gain on mostly unpaved trails. Begin this loop at any of the four trailheads.

Western Willamette Valley Road Trip (start anywhere nearby, drive as long/far as you like)
With world-class wineries, cozy farm communities, small towns both sleepy and sophisticated, and lively college towns Eugene and Corvallis on route, there’s plenty to see, do, eat and drink. Here’s a sample itinerary hitting some of the many highlights.