A Getaway On The Water In Lake Oswego

By Guest Author: Molly Allen

The city of Lake Oswego is south of Portland, nestled next to the Willamette River. It gets its namesake from the 405-acre lake that sits at its center, offering a picturesque respite for any traveler. The historic downtown core is dotted with tasty eateries, wine tasting rooms and carefully curated shops. There’s also plenty of ways to access the water, whether you want to kayak, paddleboard or simply sit and relax while sipping a beverage next to the lake. I recently visited for a memorable water-filled getaway and here’s what I did during my stay. Use these details to help plan your own lakeside visit, blending adventure and relaxation, to this Oregon gem.

Arriving in downtown Lake Oswego, I checked into The Lakeshore Inn. What was once a waterfront apartment building built in 1962 has been transformed into a hotel. It’s the only hotel on the lake, with a heated lakeside pool and patio. The hotel has a selection of king and queen rooms, with courtyard options, poolside rooms and upper level lakeview rooms with balconies. Many of the rooms were recently refreshed in early 2026, bringing modern touches throughout the hotel. Roger, my dog, and I made our way up to our third floor room, and he was met with a surprise — the hotel’s VIP Pup Package which included a cute toy and water bowel, along with a paw towel and a bag of natural dog treats. He loved getting a few extra tasty treats after our drive to the hotel!

Roger loved being treated to the VIP Pup Packages at the Lakeshore Inn.

Before dinner, I wanted to get in some time on the water. I headed to George Rogers Park, which is just a three-minute drive from The Lakeshore Inn. I pumped up my board and walked down to the sandy beach to launch onto a calm section of the Willamette River. No paddleboard of your own? Alder Creek Kayak offers kayak and paddleboard rentals at the park on weekends to make access easier. They do book up fast so I recommend making a reservation if you're interested in renting one. After some sunny time spent on the water, we wrapped up the afternoon and it was time for dinner. 

I parked back at The Lakeshore Inn and walked next door to Mann’s On The Lake. This was an impressive spot with impeccable decor inside and a lively lakefront patio. I was lucky enough to snag a table right on the edge of the water. The ducks swimming next to the dock were great dining company. The bread basket and the burrata and roasted beets were wonderful starters on a warm evening. I ordered the braised chicken as the main event, which was nothing short of phenomenal. It was moist and flavorful with a side of creamy polenta and brussels sprouts as the ideal pairing. The food was fantastic, but the atmosphere and lake view made it that much better. 

Mann's On The Lake pairs incredible food with amazing lake views.

I took a stroll after dinner up to the Millenium Plaza Park and around the restaurants and shops in this area. This was home to several sculptures that are part of the city’s Gallery Without Walls, which exhibits dozens of outdoor sculptures. I made it back to my room in time to catch the sunset over the lake from the balcony before tucking in for the night. 

After an excellent sleep, I woke up just in time to catch a serene, calm view of the lake with the sun just beginning to shine on it. I stopped in at Morse Coffee Company, which features local coffee roasters along with their own roast, for a drink for the road before making my drive home. My visit to Lake Oswego was a jam-packed experience filled with one of my favorite elements — water. 

Relaxing in the heated, lakeside pool is the perfect way to end the day in Lake Oswego.