• Home
  • About me
  • Destinations
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Travel Tips
  • Bucket List
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL PNW
  • Home
  • About me
  • Destinations
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Travel Tips
  • Bucket List

Travel Tips & Tricks

Travel Local for Less
Updated Jan 4, 2025
Oregon
The  wonders of Oregon, 3 min video,
       plus a 2 week itinerary to see the state . . . 
https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/7-wonders/2-weeks-7-wonders/ 
Portland
Astoria to Newport
Newport to Bandon
Bandon to Crater Lake
Crater Lake to Bend
Bend to John Day
John Day to Baker City
Baker City to Joseph & Wallowas
Joseph to Hood River
Hood River, Mt Hood
Mt Hood to Willamette Valley

Museums for All (low income)
museums listed alphabetically by state:
https://museums4all.org/participating-museums/ 
 
Portland Metro
Multnomah Co Library Discovery Pass 
https://multcolib.org/how-it-works-my-discovery-pass 
 
Access to Arts and Culture, Portland Region
https://explore.publicartarchive.org/regional-arts-and-culture-council/
 
Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Portland OR
Thursday - Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00pm
Free Admission, Free Parking, has a holiday train
https://orhf.org/

Oregon Jewish Museum, Portland OR
Hours:  Wednesday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm
https://www.ojmche.org/exhibit-type/core-exhibitions/

PDX Parent lists free/discount activities & venues
https://www.pdxparent.com/free-and-discounted-portland-area-museum-days/ 
Portland Rainy Day Fun
https://pdxparent.com/pdx-rainy-day/

Portland Living on the Cheap
https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/events/ 

A great travel guide for Portland & more, including accessibility 
http://wheelchairtraveling.com/portland-oregon-wheelchair-accessible-travel-guide/ 
 
Free to look
Powells City of Books  
​   https://www.powells.com/locations/powells-city-of-books/
Portland Saturday Market 
   https://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/#close
Farmers Market PSU    https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/psu/
King Farmers Market, Sundays May-Nov
   https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/king/
Picture
Transit Travel--Portland & Vancouver WA    
 
Get a HOP pass at Safeway, Fred Meyer, and many other stores.  It's like a re-loadable phone card--you don't have to worry about having change or exact change.
https://trimet.org/fares/hopcard.htm
 
Tap the PASS as you board a bus, but before you get on the MAX (Portland’s Light Rail), look for a post like the one pictured at left.
Discounts for Seniors/Disabled, Low Income, Youth.

2025 Reciprocal Admission Program--"membership to one of the participating organizations is your key to free admission for a member and three guests of any age to a different attraction each month."
Jan--Oregon Zoo (Portland)
Feb--Oregon Historical Society (Portland) & Columbia River Maritime Museum (Astoria)
Mar—Pittock Mansion (Portland) & Cannon Beach History Center (Cannon Beach)
Apr—Deepwood Museum & Gardens (Salem) & Hallie Ford Museum of Art (Salem)
May—Architectural Heritage Center (Portland)
June—Oregon Jewish Museum (Portland) & Lan Su Chinese Garden (Portland)
July—Museum at Warm Springs (Warm Spings, west of Madras)
Aug—Five Oaks Museum (Portland)
Sept—Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals (Hillsboro)
Oct—Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
Nov—Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport) & World Forestry Center (Portland)
Dec—Clark County Historical Museum (Vancouver WA)


Nationwide Zoos & Aquarium reciprocal memberships
As of September 2024
https://www.aza.org/find-a-zoo-or-aquarium

Oregon State Parks info
  • https://stateparks.oregon.gov/
  • Oregon State Parks brochures & Maps
    https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.publication
  • https://stateparks.oregon.gov/?do=v.page&id=19 special access passes
  • https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=visit.find  find a park​
  • https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=things-to-do.events events calendar

Universal Access Hikes (last update 2020)
https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Category:Universal_Access_Hikes

METRO parks & free parking days (Portland regional)
https://www.oregonmetro.gov/  click on Parks & Venues
https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/free-parking-days-portland-metro-parks/ free parking days
 
OR Free Fishing Days for 2025
https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/
Feb 15-16, June 7-8, Nov 28-29
*The FINE PRINT: Area closures, bag limits and all other regulations still apply.​

Oregon Museum of Science & Industry--OMSI
https://omsi.edu/events
OMSI YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/omsimuseum?app=desktop

Rose City Astronomers Star Party Page 
https://www.rosecityastronomers.net/star-party-page

The Cove Palisades State Park, near Madrus & Redmond OR
brochure
https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles%2Fpublications%2F%2FCove_Palisades_LOW_RES083631.pdf

For more ideas check the Destinations page of this site.

More in Oregon
Link to Travel Oregon . . . https://traveloregon.com/
Oregon Coast map & mileage
  • https://www.beachconnection.net/200609_oregoncoastmap_miles.htm
​
​Oregon Rest Areas
https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Rest-Areas?fbclid=IwAR1_WIlLcU3QGY_1Gm6qR97no9g-FLafBGLu9sgbAFlLHfzXFs12LAnNlZ4
 
Salem
  • https://www.travelsalem.com/things-to-do
  • https://vacationidea.com/ideas/best-things-to-do-in-salem-or.html
 
Eugene
https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/eugene/? 
 
Corvallis/Albany
  • Free public transportation in Corvallis
  • http://www.tripbuzz.com/free-things-to-do/corvallis-or/ free & cheap To Do
  • Peavy Arboretum, OSU
  • Avery Park & Rose Garden
  • Wildcat Park, ADA accessible equipment
  • Central Park free summer concerts
  • William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
 
Medford/Ashland/southern Oregon
https://www.travelmedford.org/things-to-do 
 
Bend & Central Oregon
  • https://visitcentraloregon.com/things-to-do/ 
  • https://tripmemos.com/things-to-do-in-bend/ 
  • High Desert Museum, Bend
  • Drake Park, Bend
  • Newberry National Monument, visitor ctr off Hwy 97
  • Rafting, tubing, swimming in  the Deschutes River
Getting Gas
Check out
  • https://www.gasbuddy.com/  Search cheap gas by state.    
  • https://www.i5exitguide.com/exit-services/oregon/i-5-gas-stations/  Amenities at OR exits along I-5.
  • https://iexitapp.com/exits/Washington/I-5/North/141?origin=by_state  WA amenities/exits on I-5.
  • https://iexitapp.com/exits/Oregon/I-84/East/214?origin=by_state&start=27899  OR amenities/exits, I-84.
 
Advice from a frequent traveler 
(stations below just off the highway)

I-5 Oregon
1. Flying J at Donald/Aurora, OR;  exit  278
2. Pilot at Brooks, OR; exit 263
3. AM/PM at Lebanon/Corvallis, OR; exit 228
4. Arco at Creswell, OR (used to be competitive); exit 182
 
Hwy 101 at the Coast
1. Union 76 at Bandon, OR
2. Coos Bay 76  (one going north, one going south)
3. Fred Meyer at Warrenton, OR
4. Fred Meyer at Tillamook, OR
 
I-5 Washington
1. Exxon at Burlington (George Hopper Rd); exit 229
     Compare Arco same exit, across street (one or other might be better)
     And Costco gasoline close
2.  AM/PM  Slater Rd, Bellingham, WA; exit 260
3.  Pilot at Ferndale, WA, east side of I-5; exit 262

I-84
1.  Arco exit 16 before Troutdale
2.  Space Age gas station about 200 mi east of Portland,
     exit 182 near Hermiston
3.  Pilot station exit 188 not too bad


Note:  if you have Safeway rewards, you can use them at
​                           Chevron and Texaco.

 New for 2021--checked 1/4/2025
Washington & Oregon compared--6 min video posted 2018
https://youtu.be/j7oxBYGW1Kw

Access Recreation—helpful reviews of local trails and parks in the Portland/Vancouver WA area
https://www.accesstrails.org/overview/home/index.html
Washington
Vancouver & Southwest WA
​

FVRL Experience Pass (Fort Vancouver Regional Library)
https://www.fvrl.org/experience-pass
--use your library card for a free pass to:
  • Bickleton Carousel Museum (Bickleton WA)
  • Cascade Locks Hitorical Museum (Cascade Locks OR, not wheelchair accessible)
  • Clark County Historical Museum (Vancouver WA)
  • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (The Dalles OR)
  • Columbia Gorge Museum (Stevenson WA)
  • Genealogical Forum of OR (Portland OR)
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden (Portland OR)
  • Maryhill Museum of Art (Goldendale WA)
  • Pittock Mansion (Portland OR)
  • Presby Museum (Goldendale WA)
  • Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals (Hillsboro OR)
  • Wonder Works Children’s Museum (The Dalles OR)

FVRL calendar of events
  • https://fvrl.librarymarket.com/events/upcoming  
​Fort Vancouver & Pearson Field/Air Museum, Vancouver WA
  • https://www.nps.gov/fova/index.htm 
 
City of Vancouver WA—Columbia River Renaissance Trail
  • https://thewaterfrontvancouverusa.com/
  • https://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks_trails/columbia-river-renaissance-trail/
  • https://www.visitvancouverwa.com/things-to-do/the-waterfront-development/ includes a video
  • https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/saturdays-and-other-days-in-the-parks scroll down

Esther Short Park, downtown Vancouver WA
  • https://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks_trails/esther-short-park/​
Vancouver Farmers Market--begins in March
  • https://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com/

Annual Events Vancouver WA
​Family Valentine Ball Feb 7-8 Pearson Air Museum hangar
Thurs Waterfront Concert Series
Fri Night movies in the Parks
  • https://www.cityofvancouver.us/government/department/parks-recreation-and-cultural-services/special-events-in-vancouver/

Juneteenth, June 14, 2025
Esther Short Park
  • https://www.jfcvancouver.org/

Hawaiian Festival July 24-27, 2025
Clark College & Esther Short Park 
  • https://4daysofaloha.com/

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival
2025 would be the 25th Annual event
Held in Aug at Esther Short Park; 2024 post
  • https://www.vancouverwinejazz.com/? 

2025 dates not set yet (Esther Short Park):
Día de los Muertos
Hanukkah Celebration--Menorah lighting
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Vancouver WA Parks, Rec, & Cultural Services
  • https://www.cityofvancouver.us/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-services/​

Water Resource Education Center
Free educational activities and learning, various events
  • https://www.cityofvancouver.us/publicworks/page/water-resources-education-center

Pendleton Woolen Mills Tour (Washougal WA) 11 min video
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGN4_FDx1YE&ab_channel=ThePendletonPride
You can sign up for a tour at either Washougal WA or Pendleton OR at 
  • https://www.pendleton-usa.com/mill-tours.html

Ridgefield, Steigerwald, Franz Lake, Pierce Nat Wildlife Refuges
  • https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield
  • https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield/about-us

Cedar Creek Grist Mill
  • https://www.cedarcreekgristmill.org/
  • https://www.facebook.com/cedarcreekgristmill/?ref=page_internal more frequent updates
​
To-Do Vancouver, WA
https://www.visitvancouverusa.com/things-to-do/
 
More places of interest in
   SW Washington

Long Beach, WA
Fort Borst Park, Centralia
Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery
Loggers’ Jubilee, Morton WA (see post, under Destinations)

For more ideas check the Destinations page of this site.

Washington state
​WA State Dept of Transportation
https://wsdot.wa.gov/
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/toll-roads-bridges-tunnels toll roads, bridges, & tunnels

WA State Parks, searchable 
https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks

WA State Parks free days 2025
—day use only--

https://discoverpass.wa.gov/ "Washington State Parks and the Washington Departments of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and Natural Resources (DNR) offer several 'free days' when a Discover Pass is not required to visit these lands."
Following are the 2025 free days:
  • Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
  • Jan. 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • March 9 —  Billy Frank Junior's Birthday
  • March 19 — State Parks’ Birthday
  • April 22  — Earth Day
  • June 7 — Free Fishing Weekend
  • June 8 — Free Fishing Weekend
  • June 19 — Juneteenth
  • Aug. 9 — Smokey Bear's Birthday
  • Sept. 27 —  National Public Lands Day
  • Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
  • Nov. 11 — Veteran's Day
"Free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities). Free days are valid at state parks and Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife lands. Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season."

Historical Highway Markers—WA State

https://wsdot.wa.gov/engineering-standards/design-topics/environment/environmental-disciplines/cultural-resources/history-archaeology-culture/historic-highways/historical-highway-markers
​
12 Free activities in WA pub Nov 2016
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/washington/fun-free-things-wa/
 
25 Best to do WA State includes 2025 events
https://vacationidea.com/washington/best-things-to-do-in-washington-state.html 
 
Greater Seattle on the Cheap, including events (2025)
https://www.greaterseattleonthecheap.com/ 
 
Wheelchair Travel in Seattle, including accessible taxis
https://wheelchairtravel.org/seattle/

National Parks & Lands--2025 free days
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
  • January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • April 19: First day of National Park Week
  • June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • September 27: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11: Veterans Day
​
Free & reduced passes--
Military
4th Grade
Seniors
Disabled
Volunteers
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm 

Accessibility in the National Parks
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/index.htm

US Forest Service, and fees & passes
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits/recreation-fees-passes
Here's a good article on the Benefits of Camping, though it doesn't directly discuss accessibility.
https://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/benefits-of-camping.html 

Smithsonian  Magazine Free Museum Day   
Sept 17, 2025

according to 
  • https://nationaltoday.com/smithsonian-day/
Smithsonian Museum and Zoos
https://www.si.edu/contacts


Transit Travel—other cities
Seattle  https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/getting-around/transit
 
Vancouver BC public transit
https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/visitors-guide-to-public-transit.aspx
​
Victoria BC public transit     www.bctransit.com/victoria 

Volcano Row
https://pnsn.org/volcanoes 
Lassen Peak, CA
Mt. Shasta, CA
Medicine Lake, CA
Crater Lake, OR
Newberry Volcano, OR
Three Sisters, OR
Mt. Jefferson, OR
Mt. Hood, OR
Mt. Adams, WA
Mt. St. Helens, WA
Mt. Rainier, WA
Glacier Peak, WA
Mt. Baker, WA
     
Travel your Local Planet
Link to:
https://happytowander.com/resources/ 

Pretty comprehensive website for worldwide wheelchair travel and issues by a man who lives & travels in a wheelchair:
https://wheelchairtravel.org/destinations/

Wheelchair Jimmy has a special rating system, videos, etc.
https://wheelchairjimmy.com/

Mobility International USA--resources, helps, tips for Disabled travel  https://www.miusa.org/plan/americans-abroad 

A travel company that arranges for disabled travel adventures:  https://gowheeltheworld.com/ 

Disabled travel & adventures in Utah (you'll be amazed)
https://www.visitutah.com/plan-your-trip/accessible-utah/

Here's an article about Travel Rewards Credit Cards, if you want to know more about them:  https://money.com/best-travel-credit-card/ 
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo from m01229
  • Home
  • About me
  • Destinations
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Travel Tips
  • Bucket List