AEG 66th Annual Meeting
Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists
Portland, Oregon Marriott Downtown Waterfront
September 19-24, 2023
Guest Tours
Guests of attendees are a special part of the Annual Meeting. The local committee takes great care to help make their time at the
meeting pleasant and entertaining by offering a variety of activities while attendees participate in the daily sessions.
Guest Registrations are a great value and include the Opening Welcome Icebreaker, unlimited entrance to the
Exhibit Hall with all day coffee , and a Guest Welcome Coffee and Tea Get Together
Due to low guest tour registrations in the past, we are trying a new format for the guest tours this year. We will be providing ideas for tours, attractions,
and experiences for guests to do on their own. We will be sending out all guest registration emails (for those that would like to participate) to the guest registrants so that guests can arrange to enjoy the tours and experiences together. We will also be adding a Guest Welcome Get Together on
Wednesday morning for guests to meet each other and plan their week. Guests are also welcome to join the Field Courses.
TOUR OPTIONS
Head out to the Columbia River Gorge for half a day of visiting cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks with this tour from Portland. You'll visit Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in the state, as well as lesser-known falls throughout the region. You'll also have the chance to take mini-hikes in the area to get better views of waterfalls and the surrounding scenery. Take in Columbia Gorge Scenery and leave the driving to someone else Learn about the Columbia River from an expert local guide. Small group sizes keep this tour intimate
Visit the magical Ecola State Park and gaze at stunning views of the rugged and lush Oregon coast. Revel in the misty coastal rainforests which abound with wild berries, ancient Sitka Spruce trees, dozens of species of ferns and lichens and myriad other exotic species! Stroll through the quaint coastal town of Cannon Beach, known for its long stretch of sandy beach, Haystack rock, art galleries and boutique shopping. Travel along scenic Highway 101 stopping at secluded beaches along the way and enjoy the hearty Oregon surfers who brave the mighty Pacific! Look for gray whales, sea lions, seals, rare seabirds (Tufted Puffins!), bald eagles, ospreys, majestic herds of Roosevelt Elk and countless other beautiful examples of exciting fauna (& flora) throughout the day from windswept basalt cliff perches. This tour includes snacks, beverages, luxury van transportation and a naturalist guide.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and bounty of Willamette Valley wine country on this full-day tour from Portland. Perfect for all level of wine enthusiast – from newcomers to connoisseurs – this 7.5-hour trip offers the insight of expertly trained guides and visits to 3-5 vineyards to sample unique varietals including renowned pinots, chardonnays and rieslings. Tasting fees are not included. Visit 3-5 wineries. Try pinots, chardonnays and rieslings. Learn about wine grape production. Wine country style lunch at a winery is included.
Enjoy lunch along the Willamette River on a 2-hour cruise in Portland. Great for newcomers and locals alike, the leisurely cruise presents an expansive vista of Portland from the water. In addition to exceptional views and food, the afternoon tour also includes commentary from your captain and live entertainment. Prepared with local ingredients, your meal can be upgraded to include an appetizer and dessert. Experience Portland from the Willamette River. Enjoy live entertainment during your meal. Eat a freshly prepared Northwest lunch. Listen to live commentary about the city’s landmarks.
Visit many of Portland's highlights in just half a day with this small-group tour of the city. You'll make stops along the way to see the thousands of flowers at the International Rose Test Gardens and take in the views from the elegant Pittock Mansion. You'll also pass plenty of the city's most interesting sights and neighborhoods, making this tour a great option for those who want to orient themselves. Familiarize yourself with Portland in just half a day. A knowledgeable local guide will provide commentary. Snacks and water will be provided. Small group sizes keep this tour intimate.
EXPERIENCE OPTIONS
Discover the history and legends behind Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels on a small-group walking tour. Follow your guide beneath a restaurant to the tunnels, which once connected local businesses and hotels to the Willamette River. Learn about subterranean historic events and perhaps catch a glimpse of Nina, the resident ghost. Afterwards, resurface and enjoy three tastings and a full pint of locally produced beer. Take an offbeat sightseeing tour in Portland. Visit a little-known historical attraction. Try award-winning locally produced beer. Learn about Portland's ghosts and history.
See Portland as few people do—from the sky and rooftops—with this experience. You'll start with a trip up and down Portland's famous aerial tram, which offers great views of the city, followed by a jaunt to the city's Old Town to check out views from the rooftops of two more buildings. See aerial views of Portland with a local guide. Ride on the city's aerial tram. Check out the rooftop views from two local buildings. All transportation is included in the tour price.
See Portland like a local—by bicycle—with this guided tour. Your guide will take you on an eight- to 11-mile ride through town, past beautiful neighborhoods filled with flowers and across the river via the pedestrian- and bicycle-only Tilikum Bridge towards downtown, with a stop at a local donut shop for some sugary fuel along the way. A local guide will show you around town. Bicycles and helmet rentals are included. Bottled water will be provided. Group sizes capped at 15 travelers for a personalized experience.
ATTRACTION OPTIONS
Covering an entire city block, Powell’s City of Books is more than a great bookstore: It’s a microcosm of Portland, packed with smart and eclectic offerings and passionate people. And, just like Portland, it’s open 365 days a year!
High in the West Hills above Northwest Portland and surrounded by Forest Park, the historic turn-of-the-century Pittock Mansion offers picture-perfect views of the city and its surroundings and insights into Portland history.
The Portland Art Museum is the largest art museum in Oregon and one of the oldest in the country. Located in two historic buildings on Portland’s South Park Blocks, the museum is central to the city’s cultural district and houses a large and wide-ranging art collection.
A year-round wonder, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden built by Suzhou artisans that brings together art, architecture, design and nature in this 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition. The garden takes up an entire block of the city’s historic Chinatown district.
Tucked into the scenic West Hills of Portland, above Washington Park and near the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty. Proclaimed as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) space includes an authentic Japanese tea house, meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.
