Vacation Spots in Oregon
Vacation Places in Oregon
What To Do in Oregon

Oregon is a great adventure. This western state on the Pacific coast is an inviting place full of vacation spots. Here seven distinctive regions offer different climates, topologies and recreation. Long ago settled by native tribes, Oregon was organized by traders, explorers and settlers as the Oregon Territory and became the 33rd state in 1859.

It's not possible to describe all the scenic beauty of vacation spots around Oregon. There are the spectacular Cascade Mountain Range, towering canyons, cascading waterfalls, the views of Mount Hood, waterfalls like Multnomah Falls and primeval evergreen forests. The coast area has ocean cliffs, sand dunes, tall Douglas firs and redwoods. Eastern Oregon has high deserts and forests of junipers and pine trees. There are also prairies, deserts and meadows.

The Cities of Oregon

Here are the important cities in Oregon. Salem is the capital city. Portland is the largest city in Oregon with about 2.2 million people. Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River, is the first permanent English-speaking settlement west of the Rockies. Oregon City was founded at the end of the famous Oregon Trail. Bend is in the center of the state and Medford is to the south. Ashland is the site of the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Eugene is in the south with the University of Oregon. Corvallis is the home of Oregon State University

Vacation Spots in Oregon, Part 1

1. Visit Crater Lake National Park, Oregon's only national park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the world above sea level.
2. See the scenic beauty and changing colors of Painted Hills, one of the most photographed areas in Oregon.
3. Go rafting on the wild and scenic Rogue River and Grants Pass. It offers Class III rafting, camping and lodge trips.
4. See the Oregon National Historical Trail. The famous Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for covered wagons, fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others.
5. Drive the Oregon coast along the Pacific Ocean, 363 miles long, to see the diverse features of Oregon. This part of the state is famous for rugged cliffs, mild temperatures, evergreen forests, sand dunes, and sandy beaches. Astoria is the northernmost point of the coastal drive and Brookings is the southern city.
6. Go whale watching to see the gray whales that migrate north along the Pacific coast in early spring. You can see them from land or boat.
7. Watch for Roosevelt elk and other wildlife as you hike Washburne State Park.
8. Go to Sea Lion Caves, near Florence, the world's largest sea cave. You'll take the elevator down 12 stories to the cave opening and listen to the barking of the Steller sea lions there.
9. Old Town Florence is known for the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum and the riverfront boardwalk.
10. Enjoy an incredible fresh-caught seafood dinner at a restaurant with an oceanfront view.
11. Head for the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Take an ATV or a dune buggy ride through this immense dunescape, with or without a local guide.
12. Go canoeing along the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail, a small river that flows from Siltcoos Lake out to the ocean. You are likely to see belted kingfishers, great blue herons, river otters and possibly sea lions.
13. Drive the Cape Arago Beach Loop near Charleston, and make the brief circle through three state parks. Enjoy the wildlife and scenic views.
14. Oregon has delicious pleasures for foodies. Shop the many farmers markets and roadside stands for the local produce, strawberries, jams, pies. Visit a u-pick farm.
15. Taste some hazelnuts. Oregon grows 99% of America's hazelnuts.
16. Mount Hood offers snowboarding & skiing all year, snowshoeing, alpine slides, hiking, backpacking, camping. Mount Hood is the highest point in the state at 11,249 feet.
17. Try Willamette National Forest for outdoor recreation activities including hiking, sailing, and camping at Waldo Lake.
18. Visit Prehistoric Gardens at the coast to see life-size dinosaurs in a forest setting.
19. See Silver Falls State Park near Salem with 10 waterfalls and a circular hiking trail past them.

More Vacation Spots in Oregon

1. Visit Hecata Head Lighthouse and other historic lighthouses along the Pacific coast. The coastal highway leads you to state parks, quaint towns, galleries, museums and an aquarium.
2. Head to the Oregon Vortex in Gold Hill, where gravity is defied, balls roll uphill and brooms stand on end.
3. Take a tour and a taste at the many wineries outside of Portland. Pinot is the Oregon specialty. Located a scenic sixty miles east of Portland, the Hood River valley has a dozen wineries, with restaurants, lodging, and lots of local charm in the area.
4. Gamble and watch the shows at Three Rivers Casino or visit Warm Springs Indian Reservation Resort and Casino.
5. Attend a murder mystery dinner on the Crooked River Railroad of Central Oregon.
6. Hike the foothills of Mount Hood, 50 miles east of Portland, a dormant volcano. Mount Hood is a convenient and relatively easy ascent for the 10,000 people who attempt it each year. Mount Hood National Forest has over a million acres and 1,200 miles of hiking trails. There are also 12 glaciers or snow fields, the most visited being Palmer Glacier.
7. Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark located on the south side of Mount Hood just below Palmer Glacier. For skiers, Timberline offers the only year-round ski-lift in North America.
8. Take the Antique Loop around southeast Portland and the Northern Willamette Valley for antiquing in the quaint shops.
9. Soak in the natural hot springs at Bagby Hot Springs, Breitenbush Resort, or the edge of Alvord Desert
10. St. Helens is another town full of charm with a historic Olde Town, Riverfront District, and eclectic shops. It is 30 miles north of downtown Portland on the Columbia River. Locals love to go kayaking in the bay at Scappoose, about 10 miles south of St. Helens.

See Portland, Oregon for More Vacation Spots

Portland, one of the world's most liveable cities is an urban megapolis with a giant plaza, great public transportation, lots of parks and green spaces and an active arts community. Portland is relatively flat, with lots of bike lanes. No wonder it has been called one of "America's Best Walking Towns," and one of the "Ten Best Cycling Cities in North America." The Spring Water Bike Trail runs through downtown.

For more about the vacation spots of Portland, click here.

1. Visit Saturday Market in downtown Portland for local food, arts & crafts and music. Portland is a shoppers haven because there is no sales tax.
2. Smell the International Rose Test Gardens. It's free. Portland is called the Rose City.
3. Go to the Oregon Zoo.
4. Watch a Portland Trail Blazer game for NBA basketball.
5. Watch a Portland Timbers game for major league soccer.
6. Watch a Portland Winterhawks game, the western hockey league team.
7. Stop in the Voodoo Doughnut shop in Portland. They make unusual doughnuts with weird ingredients like fruit loops and bacon.
8. The Velveteria art gallery in Portland is dedicated to paintings on velvet. Elvis looks attractive on velvet.

I hope you have an exciting trip.
I wish you a very happy day.

Travel Guide Jeff, Travel Welcome

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Vacation Spots in Oregon



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