Summer WAVE Excursion Options

Nature Therapy and Mindfulness: One of the most celebrated and authentic Japanese gardens in the U.S., the Portland Japanese Garden inspires peace and tranquility. Join us as we tour this living experiential classroom to learn more about how mindfulness and connecting to nature can contribute to lasting health and wellness. (Not open Tuesday, June 23.)

The Animal Kingdom: What do Asian elephants and ring-tailed lemurs have in common? They’re among the more than 230 species of animals thriving at the Oregon Zoo. A hub for science, education, and animal well-being, the Oregon Zoo is at the forefront of conservation efforts for species such as American Pikas, Western Pond Turtles, and California Condors. You’ll get to see them all and learn more about the zoo’s incredible work on this guided tour.

Riverboat Cruise: Take a page from UP’s mascot, Wally the riverboat pilot, and spend an afternoon cruising up and down the Willamette! We’ll leave from UP’s own boat dock and hop aboard an Island Style Charter Boat. As you pass under Portland’s iconic bridges and float past downtown, you might spy bald eagles and great blue herons, leaping fish, and maybe even a sea lion or two. You haven’t truly experienced Portland until you’ve seen it from the river!

Hiking Leif Erikson Drive: Forest Park is one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the country, stretching for more than seven miles across the hills of Northwest Portland, and the Leif Erikson Drive trail is one of the best ways to explore it. Soak up the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest as we walk this wide and gently sloped trail beloved by runners, cyclists, and nature-lovers of all ages.

Heart of St. Johns Bike Ride: Just up the road from campus, St. Johns is known for its laid back coffee shops, vintage stores, and iconic bridge on the banks of the Willamette River. Join UP’s Outdoor Pursuits team as we explore the neighborhood by bike. We’ll pedal a 4-mile loop of mostly flat terrain starting at UP and stopping for some mini-golf at Wonderwood! Bikes and helmets are provided.

The Sweet Life: Portland takes its sweets seriously, which is why there’s no shortage of outstanding bakeries, ice cream shops, and confectioners in every neighborhood, for every taste. Come with us to Creo Chocolate, one of the city’s best bean-to-bar chocolate factories, for a behind-the-scenes experience where you will learn about chocolate-making and craft a custom chocolate bar of your own!

Berry Picking: Once you’ve tasted Oregon’s candy-sweet Hood strawberries or juicy Chester blackberries as big as your thumb, you’ll be spoiled for anything else. Luckily, you can pick your own berries on this fun excursion to a farm on bucolic Sauvie Island. Located just a stone’s throw from campus, this area is home to dozens of family farms offering u-pick flowers and fruits, farmstands brimming with pies, shady picnic grounds, and so much more.

Groovin’: Strap on your skates and get ready to shoot-the-duck at the oldest roller rink in the country! From roller coasters to roller derby, Oaks Amusement Park has been an epicenter of fun for 100 years, and the nearby Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood is a hotbed of eclectic antique malls, thrift shops, and cafes. Join us for an old-school afternoon of skating and thrifting in one of Portland’s favorite destinations.