If you're a golfer, don't forget to bring your clubs along on a trip to Portland. There are plenty of public courses around the area, and greens fees at municipal courses are as low as $21 for 18 holes on a weekday and $35 on weekends and holidays. Municipal golf courses operated by the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation include Redtail Golf Course, 8200 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. (tel. 503/646-5166); Eastmoreland Golf Course, 2425 SE Bybee Blvd. (tel. 503/775-2900), which is the second oldest golf course in the state (this one gets our vote for best municipal course); Heron Lakes Golf Course, 3500 N. Victory Blvd. (tel. 503/289-1818), a Robert Trent Jones design; and Rose City Golf Course, 2200 NE 71st Ave. (tel. 503/253-4744), on the site of a former country club.

If you want to tee off where the pros play, head west from Portland 20 miles to * Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, 12930 NW Old Pumpkin Ridge Rd. (tel. 503/647-4747), which has hosted the U.S. Women's Open. Greens fees are $120 ($135 with cart) and $65 after 3pm Monday to Thursday.

Also west of the city, on the south side of Hillsboro, you'll find the * Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club, 4805 SW 229th Ave., Aloha (tel. 503/649-8191; www.reservegolf.com). Greens fees are $65 Monday through Thursday and $79 Friday through Sunday.