Ben McBee

Portland

Editor, ExplorePNW at Formidable

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Articles

Places to paddle around Portland

3 weeks ago | pdxtoday.6amcity.com | Ben McBee

Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are great ways to explore the Portland area. These water sports also offer both physical and mental health benefits that extend far beyond a day on the water. Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday Before we dive in, let’s get a lay of the land (er, water).
Restaurant Roundup: Panda Fest, Canlis Chooses a Chef, and Good Voyage

3 weeks ago | seattlemag.com | Ben McBee

The best salads are a bit like summer: filled with bright and flavorful produce and definitely not soggy. If you’re looking to toss that questionably healthy hodgepodge you made at home, lettuce point you in the right direction. And while we’re at it, here are some other fresh Seattle food finds to stick your fork into. It’s Panda Fest, the massive Asian outdoor food festival that’s coming to Seattle for the first time this weekend.
Restaurant Roundup: ‘Bear-Garten,’ Chefs Tray Table, and a New Women’s Sports Bar

4 weeks ago | seattlemag.com | Ben McBee

June starts this weekend and with it comes Pride Month, a time for celebration of love in all forms throughout the city. That includes food, of course. If you’re looking for somewhere to revel, Rhein Haus Seattle will host a “Bear-Garten” all month, offering poolside fun, photo-ops, frozen drinks, and more for all ages. Join the patio party on Saturday, June 7 — there’ll be music from DJ Alfonso Tan and rainbow Jell-O shots. Here are some other bits of food news you’ll adore.
Say Yay to Zurich: Summer in Switzerland is Only a Flight Away

4 weeks ago | seattlemet.com | Ben McBee

From the mountains to the lake, top-class food and art, you really could say Zurich speaks Seattle’s language (even more so if you understand German). And with the addition of a new direct flight from SeaTac to Switzerland’s largest city, courtesy of Edelweiss Air, easy travel translates to a summer of exploration in one of Europe's most beautiful and culturally rich destinations. The heartbeat of Zurich lies by the water. Sound familiar?
Kid-friendly activities in Portland

4 weeks ago | pdxtoday.6amcity.com | Cambrie Juarez |Ben McBee

We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to hidden gems like Creo Chocolate, there’s something in the City of Roses for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 25 kid-friendly activities around Portland.
Set your sights on these summer festivals

1 month ago | seattlemag.com | Ben McBee

Summer on the Puget Sound is filled with certainties, like extra daylight for outdoor adventures or telling your friends “oh, I’ve always wanted to go to that” — the week after that happened. This year, it’s time to drop that all too common refrain and check out our favorite summer festivals in Seattle and beyond before the season runs out.
Restaurant Roundup: Blindfolded Bites, Rooftop Tacos, and Shipping Container Farming

1 month ago | seattlemag.com | Ben McBee

Some would say Seattle’s food scene is at its best when the impact stretches beyond the immediate benefits of nourishment and taste. That’s certainly the case at Cherry Street Farm, where Hip Hop is Green founder Keith Tuckets uses a shipping container hydroponic farm to help feed Seattle families, with future plans to educate kids about climate justice, sustainability, and vegan cooking.
The Portland Rose Festival is back and blooming

1 month ago | pdxtoday.6amcity.com | Ben McBee

The Portland Rose Festival is a tradition that blossoms like no other, rooted in the city since 1907. On Friday, May 23, it returns for more than two weeks, bringing Stumptown “All Together Now!” for some fun. Take a moment to stop and smell these events. Photo via Portland Rose Festival/Patrick F. Smith Opening Night | Friday, May 23 | 5-10 p.m.CityFair’s rollicking rides and carnival games get up and running and bloom go the fireworks (at 9:45 p.m.).
Restaurant Roundup: Experimental Pizza, Fundraiser Dinners, Skyline Views

1 month ago | seattlemag.com | Ben McBee

The food scene in Seattle is fast-paced, and in the age of instant gratification the attention often shines on what’s fresh. But everyone has that favorite diamond in the rough, where the menu has been phenomenal for decades and the service feels like home, even though the appearance could use a little polish. That’s where the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” (BHSR) grant program comes in.
Just add water: Lake Union’s best-kept spa secrets

1 month ago | seattlemet.com | Ben McBee

You breathe in the warm smell of wood and exhale slowly, swirling the steam that’s working hard to extract the stress from your body. On the surface, you are the picture of relaxation, gazing through a wide window into dark, tranquil waters. How does that sauna? This isn’t a daydream or a social media video posted to entice your envy. Check your bank account — there’s no sign of a recently purchased plane ticket to Scandinavia.