Sandwiched between California and Washington, Oregon is often forgotten next to its famous neighbors. However, it is a treasure trove of natural wonders from lush pine forests, staggering waterfalls and beautiful lakes to a wild and scenic coastline.
A preferred destination amongst nature lovers, Oregon is equally famous for its urban charms: the second largest city of Portland with its offbeat and welcoming culture, the thriving university town of Eugene, the state capital of Salem, or the coastal city of Newport are all interesting and worth visiting.
Oregon is probably the finest example of the wilderness and beauty of America’s Pacific Northwest. With interesting cultural venues that are worth exploring, diverse, and captivating landscapes, the tenth-largest state in the United States is definitely one of the best places to visit.
Portland
Portland is Oregon’s largest city and it straddles the Willamette River near the point where it meets the mighty Columbia. With the impressive Mount Hood that can be appreciated in the distance and the Pacific Ocean just a short drive away, Portland is surrounded by natural beauty and offers locals and visitors an interesting array of varied opportunities to embrace outdoor life.
It has splendid manicured green spaces as well and some of the most pedestrian-friendly streets in the country, which has made Portland emerge as an urbanite’s dream.
It’s also considered one of the best food cities in the USA and it’s famous for its many culinary offerings including beer, coffee, food cart fare, and locally-sourced farmers market treats.
But the city is also strong in historical and cultural attractions with plenty of museums, galleries and a thriving art scene awaiting both locals and visitors. Known for its hip and cool vibe, you can’t miss spending some time in Portland when planning a trip to Oregon.
Being one of the 25 largest museums in the country, the Portland Art Museum showcases impressive temporary exhibitions and permanent collections of American, European, Asian, Native American, and contemporary art.
Portland Art Museum is home to more than 35 thousand works of art and it’s acknowledged as the region’s most comprehensive visual arts resource. It’s one of the highlights in the city and a must-see for art lovers.
If art is not your thing, perhaps you find your soft spot at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry or OMSI.
It’s a fascinating hands-on museum that offers educational and fun exhibitions that allow you to learn plenty of things about the world around you while having a great time. It’s definitely a magnet for children as there are more than 200 captivating exhibits dedicated to everything from ocean waves to dinosaurs!
There’s also a planetarium, a movie theater where you can enjoy documentaries about sharks, submarines, hurricanes, butterflies… you mention and hands-on science labs! Designed for science fans of all ages, it’s one of those museums where you can’t get bored!
Portland Children’s Museum is a kids-friendly museum located in Washington Park, close to the Discovery Museum/World Forestry Center and the Oregon Zoo. In fact, it can be a good idea to pair a visit to the city’s Children’s Museum with these other attractions for a joyful and playful afternoon.
There’s a hands-on construction zone, a fantastic clay studio, and a make-believe veterinary clinic. Washington Park, nearby, is a delightful green area and one of the best hiking trails in the city.
And for those looking for a fun and touristy thing to do in Portland, why don’t you ride the Portland Aerial Tram? It’s not only a thoughtful and useful public transport alternative but also a great way to enjoy some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city, including Mount Hood’s perfect peak and the Willamette River!
Bookworms visiting the city can’t leave Portland without getting lost at Powell’s City of Books. It occupies a square city block and rises three stories high. It’s so large that visitors are given a map so that they don’t get lost.
While you wander through the stacks, keep in mind that you’re tracing the footsteps of great writers, many of which have scrawled their signatures on one of the building’s pillars. Peaceful and quiet, it offers a huge range of used and new books and loads of shelves to explore! There’s also a cozy on-site cafe where you can sit down and comfortably sip a coffee while reading your newest book!
Mount Hood and Mount Hood National Forest
Mount Hood is the tallest peak in Oregon and it’s much more than just a stunning backdrop for your pictures in Portland: it’s an attraction in itself and a magnet for tourists all year long.
There are plenty of beautiful cross-country trails, five downhill ski areas for skiing, and snowboarding and it’s also possible to climb up to the top if you’re an experienced mountaineer. If skiing is too much for you, you can enjoy its many hiking trails; you can also explore its foothills where you can find wildflowers and many lodges where you can stay too.
And for the ultimate thrillseeker satisfaction, it’s even possible to enjoy extreme sports such as windsurfing, hang-gliding, parasailing, or sailing in the magnificent shadow of Mount Hood. Yes! It’s definitely one of the best places in Oregon to participate in outdoor activities.
Mount Hood, reaching the impressive height of 11239 feet is surrounded by the verdant Mount Hood National Forest that extends from Columbia River Gorge to the Olallie Scenic Area. The forest is over 1,067,043 acres in size and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions not only in Oregon but in the US as a whole as well.
Visitors are mostly attracted to Timberline Lodge, Trillium Lake, the Old Oregon Trail, and Rock Creek Reservoir.
There are also officially designated wilderness areas that are definitely worth exploring because of their unique biodiversity, natural scenery, flora, and fauna.
Spending time in this idyllic destination is fantastic for outdoor enthusiasts as it offers an interesting variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping boating, swimming, and much more.
Newport
Presenting the right balance between beach scenery and Victorian heritage, the city of Newport _ on the Oregon coast _ is another highlight in any trip to Oregon as it is packed with thrilling family activities such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium or the Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Taking a stroll on the gorgeous beach with soft sand dunes and enjoying a bowl of fresh clam are some of the best things you can do in this coastal city!.
Newport is a picturesque town on the central coast. It’s famous for its white sandy beaches that are ideal for building sandcastles and flying kites! There’s also the famous Yaquina Head, which is the tallest and second oldest active lighthouse in Oregon! It’s surrounded by a multitude of tide pools that often house starfish, hermit crabs, and sea anemones.
Go Road Tripping!
With a stunning coastline and breathtaking landscapes, there’s probably no better way to explore everything that Oregon has to offer than going on a road trip. If this sounds like a great idea and your plans include renting a car, don’t forget to get familiar with driving laws in Oregon state but also consider buying a car rental insurance policy that provides you with the coverage you need without blowing up your budget.
There are many options available in the market and it’s a wise decision to explore them beforehand.
Driving down the Cascade Lakes Highway is one of the many road trips you can enjoy in Oregon. This 66-mile driving tour takes you through volcanic landscapes, mountains, and around lakes and rivers. It starts in Bend, Central Oregon, and heads west around Mount Bachelor, then south past lakes of various sizes. It’s not a very long ride but it allows you to admire really breathtaking scenery!
Those visiting Oregon in late summer or early fall can try the Mackenzie Pass/ Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. The route passes right by Black Butte and between Mount Washington and Three-Fingered Jack, heading south along the Mackenzie River before looping back along Oregon Route 242. Stopping at the Dee Wright Observatory to catch stunning views of the Three Sisters is a must-do.
Crater Lake National Park
Located in the Cascade Mountains of SW Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is actually an ancient caldera of an extinct volcano, Mount Mazama, and its lava cliffs rise to heights up to 2 thousand feet around the intensely blue and extremely deep lake.
It’s a popular weekend trip for those living in Oregon as it takes about for or five hours by car and it’s also easily reachable by bus and train service.
There are extended backpacking and hiking opportunities at the national park away from the rim and stunning trails like Watchman Peak that gives great views of the caldera. The intensely blue water is a photographer’s dream and it’s a great place to relax, camp and have a great time in summer, surrounded by the towering peaks of Mount Mazama, lava cliffs, and two tiny islands located right in the middle of the sapphire waters.
For the best views and pictures, we encourage you to drive around the lake along the circular Rim Drive road that surrounds the lake and provides a majestic overview of the scenery.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country and its intensely deep blue waters are mesmerizing.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area follows the course of the Columbia River as it cuts through the Cascade Range. As boundary line between Oregon and Washington, the gorge is famous for its spectacular views and numerous waterfalls, including the Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. The area offers a range of biking and hiking trails and camping facilities as well.
Located close to Portland, it makes a fantastic day trip for those interested in exploring not only the city but its beautiful surroundings as well.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a popular tourist resort on the northern Oregon coast that offers not only a wide stretch of sand but also spectacular views of jagged coastal rocks.
The background is dominated by the impressive Haystack Rock. It’s one of the best small towns on the Oregon coast and it also delivers on cultural appeal with boutique shops, restaurants, and great hotels.
Cannon Beach is much more than just another extraordinary beach: it’s truly stunning with powder sand beaches and looming coastal rocks located near the beach. It’s a fantastic place to try water sports and it’s one of the most popular seaside resorts in Oregon. Once rustic, it has now scaled to a charming coast side town with many in-town attractions.
Astoria
Close to Cannon Beach, the historic city of Astoria lies just a few miles SW of the spot where explorers Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-1806 before returning to the East. Five years later, John Jacob Astor founded Astoria, making it the first United States settlement on the West Coast.
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, the city’s backdrop is the scenic Astoria-Megler Bridge, the longest continuous truss bridge in the US. It’s a favorite destination amongst history buffs and movie fans as well, as it was the setting of the cult classic “The Goonies” back in the mid-1980s.
It’s packed with history and small-town charm. It’s proximity to the river makes Astoria ideal for kayaking and sailing. Don’t forget to climb up to the top of the Astoria Column and take in the fantastic views from above.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The dune landscape of Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area begins in the south of Florence. It stretches along the Pacific Coast for about 40 miles before reaching Coos Bay.
The wind-shaped sand dunes between the beaches and pocket forests can be explored on foot or via off-highway vehicles.
Wanna try sandboarding? Great! This is the place to do so. Just be aware of snowy plovers and remember to protect their habitat.
Eugene
As the third most populous city in Oregon, Eugene is rich in culture thanks to its many art and historical institutions.
Eugene welcomes visitors easy access to bike trails, hiking paths, and kayaking areas as well as beautiful green spaces and a stunning rose garden.