Willamette River, Portland, Oregon

One of the best ways to see the natural beauty that surrounds Portland is by strolling along the Willamette River on the three-mile Tom McCall Waterfront Loop. The loop passes by the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade and then circles around to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park (Naito Pkwy. between SW Harrison St. and NW Glisan St.; 503-823-7529) in historic Old Town, where the Portland Saturday Market (108 W. Burnside St.; 503-222-6072; portlandsaturdaymarket.com) opens on weekends; check out the locally made pottery and glasswork, and stop for fresh Lebanese food at the outpost of popular Beirut Café (503-880-7811) here. Those in the mood for a true nature walk can stop by the market for breakfast before heading on to an eight-mile river loop, which snakes through Oaks Bottom (SE Seventh Ave. and Sellwood Blvd.; 503-823-6131) and Springwater (SE Ivon St.; 503-823-7529) wildlife refuges.