Often referred to as The Beaver State, Oregon is among the most colorful and charming places to visit in the USA. This state boasts a varied geography where you will find jagged coastlines, lush forests, rivers, waterfalls, age-old deserts with fossils, clear lakes, glaciers, and even volcanoes. There are lively towns and historical trails to explore as well as many culinary adventures to be had here. Whether you are in the state for a short weekend or an extended holiday, there’s plenty to do here. In fact, with so many wonderful options to explore you might end up feeling overwhelmed by the choices. So, we have put together a list of the best places to visit in Oregon, the USA.
1. Seaside
Seaside is the perfect way to enjoy the Oregon coast offering a host of activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, and surfing for adventure seekers and outdoor lovers. A popular beach town famous for vintage promenades, aquariums, and boardwalks, Seaside has everything a beach lover looks for - surf breaks, a 19th-century lighthouse, great seafood, endless miles of clean beach, combined with a historical connection through WWII and Native American memorabilia. Located in Clatsop County, it is surrounded by ample wildlife and birds in Necanicum River Estuary, and natural beauty, with Tillamook Head National Recreation Trail offering an adventurous trek opportunity to Ecola State Park.
2. Astoria
Astoria, also known as Oregon’s first city, is a historic coastal city located on the south shore of the Columbia River as it meets the Pacific Ocean. The Port of Astoria enjoys a rich history as a prominent port being explored by traders, settlers, and navigators since the 19th century, and hence is a landmark and tourist hotspot for activities like Astoria Riverwalk, museum tours to Maritime Memorial Museum, and exploration of ships from all over the world at the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge and Astoria Column. This humid yet beautiful city offers many attractions including a great brewery scene, ocean cruise rides, and hiking trails to the Saddle Mountain.
3. Medford
Medford is a beautiful outdoorsy city in Jackson County, Southern Oregon. Situated in the Rogue Valley and surrounded by Cascade and Siskiyou Mountains, there are plenty of trails, natural landscapes, and scenery to be enjoyed in the vicinity of Prescott Park and Roxy Ann Peak. It is well-connected to all the major nearby cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and Denver. Climate is moderate and the city has a thriving arts and culture scene with Craterian Theater being a center of performances, concerts, and musicals. The city has vibrant wineries, museums, and verdant neighborhood parks, which make for a fun time.
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4. Cannon Beach (from USD 130.0)
Cannon Beach is a landmark destination on the Oregon Coast which is popular among tourists, nature, wildlife, and adventure enthusiasts for endless shoreline and hiking trails. It is reachable from Seattle within a four-hour drive. Scenic ocean views, rich marine life thriving at low tide, and attractions like Haystack Rock, Arcadia Beach, Hug Point caves, and Ecola State Park make it a must-visit place in Oregon. The city also boasts of interesting activities in its many restaurants, art galleries, retail markets for a fun shopping time, and hotels to have a romantic stay.
Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Duration: 8 hours
5. Beaverton
Located just 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) west of downtown Portland in Washington County, Beaverton is a beautiful city in the lap of the picturesque Tualatin River Valley and West Hills. Oregon’s sixth-largest city, it is known for its great outdoors, high quality of life with premium residential facilities and community service activities, and active suburban culture and entertainment scene. There are plenty of well-maintained parks, bike paths, and hiking trails. Apart from its wineries and premium local and international restaurants, Beaverton is also known for being Nike’s global headquarters.
6. Hood River
Hood River, known as the windsurfing capital of the world, is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon. Located at the confluence of Hood and Columbia rivers in the Columbia River Gorge, it is famous for delicious fruit produce like pears, cherries, and apples. Accessible from the Portland International Airport at a distance of 60 miles (97 kilometers), it is a beautiful little town famous among sports enthusiasts, with hiking and mountain biking trails. Food lovers also head there for the famous breweries, food establishments, farmers markets, and wineries.
7. Albany (from USD 92.03)
Albany, the 11th-largest city in the State of Oregon located in the Willamette Valley, is the county seat of Linn County. Nicknamed “The Hub of the Valley”, Albany enjoys unique geography, being situated at the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette rivers amidst a lush level stretch of the valley. This historic city boasts of nostalgic structures which celebrate 19th-century architecture, well-preserved houses, and a carousel museum. A well-endowed natural bounty provides Albany with the greenest farmlands, rich harvest of the finest crops, and eateries and wineries that celebrate this connection to nature. There are enough opportunities here for tourists in the form of outdoor activities like hiking and biking, apart from exploring the thriving microbreweries and wineries.
Albany: History and Highlights Tour
Duration: 3.5 hour
8. The City of The Dalles
The Dalles is the largest city in Wasco County, Oregon and has a rich Native American history, having been a prominent trading center along the historic Columbia River among gold miners, soldiers, and pioneers. The city offers travelers a peek into its rich history through its museums and architecture. Scenic outdoor views are another attraction here, thanks to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area placed beautifully at the shores of Columbia River, which provides ample opportunities for adventure seekers who are into biking, hiking, paddling, and fishing. The Dalles also boasts many famous eateries, fruit farms, and wineries, apart from great outdoor spots like waterfalls, dams, a paddle wheeler, and bridges.
9. Baker City
Baker City , known as the Queen City of the historic Inland Empire, is a charming city and cultural hub in Eastern Oregon high desert established in 1865 in the Gold Rush era. Named after Edward D. Baker, it enjoys a pristine scenic location between Wallowa Mountains and Elhorn Mountains, with the Powder River running through the downtown on course to meeting the Snake River eventually. Historically a host to gold mining, timber and railroad industry, the city was styled as a Victorian town with vintage structure, opera, and hotels and is a popular spot on Interstate 84. Baker City attracts travelers with its thriving microbreweries like Barley Brown’s, the annual Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally, historical architecture in the downtown district with timeless structures and attractions like Geiser Grand Hotel, the Chinese Cemetery, and Baker Heritage Museum.
Self-Guided Baker City Walking & Tasting Tour- "A Taste of History"
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
10. Yachats
Known as The Gem of the Oregon Coast, Yachats is a lovely coastal city in Lincoln County, Oregon along picturesque forests and mountains of the Coast Range. The name Yachats in Siletz (Chinook Indian language) means “dark water at the foot of the mountain”. The city offers quintessential beach town pleasures like recreational sports, scenic outdoor spots, plenty of relaxation and romantic getaways on the Oregon coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. Being a small population, this resort village is an ideal spot to get away from the pace of busy city life and enjoy oceanic wonders like tidepools, beachcombing, whale watching, hiking and biking trails, the prominent spots being Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Thor’s Well. The small city area also has a lineup of art galleries and the finest of dining and shopping experiences.
11. Langlois
Langlois is a small city on the Oregon Coast in Curry County, Oregon. Located on Highway 101 between Port Orford and Bandon, Langlois has scenic outdoors and verdant green valleys around Floras Lake, which makes for great adventure activities like windsurfing and kiteboarding. This historic town, established in 1881 and named after the Oregon Pioneer William Langlois, also attracts hikers who want to visit Cape Blanco State Park for a camping tour. Once revered for the popular Cheddar and Roquefort Cheese, Langlois Market offers treats like famous hot dogs and deli sandwiches loved by locals. Other attractions include Langlois Hotel Building, Woodmen Hall, Century Farms, and Boice Cope County Park.
12. Bandon
Another attraction on the Southern Oregon Coast is the city of Bandon. Located at the south opening of the Coquille River, this leisurely Oregon town offers picturesque landscapes and ocean vistas and has a host of outdoor attractions to keep the visitors engaged. Bandon, established in 1873 in Coos County, has Irish roots, being named after George Bennet, who named the town after his Irish hometown. Known to be a spot for some spine-chilling storm-watching, outdoor activities in Bandon include hiking, cycling, fishing, kayaking, camping, and exploring the scenic beaches and absorbing the relaxing coastal vibe at a lighthouse. The city attractions also include some local shopping and catching the colorful cranberry fields just outside town along Highway 101.
13. Springfield
Home of The Simpsons, Springfield is a delightful small town in Lane County, Oregon. At a distance of about 110 miles (177 kilometers) from Portland, it is located in the Southern Willamette Valley and lies on the other side of the Interstate 5 which separates it from Eugene to the west. Local attractions include farmers’ markets beaming with fresh produce and popular eateries. There is a host of outdoor activities for adventure seekers, like hiking up the Cascade Mountains, mountain biking, kayaking, or driving up to the Oregon coast on Highway 126. Another local attraction is the 100-years-old working filbert farm, Dorris Ranch.
14. Tillamook
The city of Tillamook is famous for Three Capes Scenic Loop and vintage Tillamook Cheese Factory. Located at the southeast end of Tillamook Bay, it is the county seat of Tillamook County, Oregon. The beautiful coast offers great scenery and hiking trails with amazing kayaking and fishing spots in the Tillamook and Netarts Bay area. Other outdoor attractions include Haystack Rock and Three Arch Rocks. Food enthusiasts can relish the historic dairy and meat establishments like Tillamook Cheese Factory, Wwerner’s Gourmet, Debbie D’s Sausage Factory, Pacific Oyster, and Blue Heron French Cheese Company.
15. Bend
Bend is the perfect sunny small town with a great geography located on the Deschutes River in Oregon. Surrounded by scenic natural wonders like lush forests, Cascade Mountains, and an extinct volcanoes like Pilot Butte, Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor, there are plenty of hiking trails and climbing routes in and around the national scenic area. The city is also famous for having the highest density of breweries in all of Oregon apart from a thriving café scene. Other city attractions include the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, High Desert Museum, and a bevy of wineries and cideries. The picturesque Deschutes River also attracts water sports enthusiasts with great kayaking, whitewater rafting, and canoeing spots.
16. Sandy
Sandy is a picturesque city located in Clackamas County, Oregon established in 1853. Named after Sandy River, it can be reached from Portland at a driving distance of 28 miles (45 kilometers). Sandy enjoys a beautiful landscape being at the foothills of Cascade Mountain Range with the Mount Hood Scenic Byway close by. The town of Sandy, albeit small, promises beautiful outdoor activities and views in all weathers, and entertainment and city touring with shops, local parks, pubs, old-school cafes, food carts, burger joints and donut shops, and music and food festivals all year round.
17. Newport (from USD 26.0)
The popular city of Newport is home to scenic ocean views, quirky museums, vintage lighthouses, and wholesome urban entertainment and attractions. Located on Oregon’s central coast, Newport boasts of the iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge which with the lighthouse, basalt rock beach, aquarium, and observation areas for nature enthusiasts, provides a world of opportunities to observe local marine life and whale-watching occasionally. Other city attractions include popular restaurants like Mo’s serving the best chowder, some of the best breweries in Oregon which often feature musical and art performances, and a host of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, surfing and trails up in the state parks towards the northeast.
Newport Trolley Tour
Duration: 70 to 90 minutes
18. Eugene (from USD 75.0)
Oregon’s second-largest city, Eugene, also called Emerald City and Track Town, is a fascinating mix of great outdoor scenery and culture located in the south end of the Willamette River. Famous for being the home to educational institutes like the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, and Northwest Christian University, Eugene also has a happening craft breweries scene and is an ideal destination for foodies, cyclists, art lovers, and adventure seekers.
Eugene Brewery Tour
19. Portland (from USD 23.0)
Oregon’s largest city, Portland has many nicknames - Rip City, Bridgetown, Rose City. Sitting pretty under snow-capped Mount Hood, it is surrounded by Willametter and Columbia rivers. Historically a port city, Portland has a famous hipster and electric youthful vibe, evident in its many microbreweries, food trucks, bookshops, cafes, and strip clubs. Local attractions include sprawling Washington Park, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, bridges, bicycle paths, and trails to nearby mountain ranges like Cascade and Tualatin Mountains.
Underground Portland 2-Hour Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hour
20. Jacksonville (from USD 12.0)
Jacksonville located in Jackson County, Oregon, was named after Jackson Creek. A beautiful town rich in history due to the Jacksonville Historic District, which is a designated national historic landmark, Jacksonville has plenty of outdoor attractions like hiking trails to Rogue Valley, Catty Shack Ranch, Jacksonville Zoo and wineries. The city vibe is alive with many food attractions, festivals, live music venues, boutiques, bistros, cafes and pub that line up the famous Main Street. It is located 5 miles from Medford and well connected to all the major cities and attractions in Oregon.
Jacksonville ()
Self-Guided Jacksonville Scavenger Hunt
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
21. Salem
Salem, the capital city of Oregon since 1851, is famous for its ideal location midway between the ocean and Cascade Mountains and south of Portland. This scenic town in the lap of Willamette River Valley has plenty of attractions for tourists - green landscapes studded with cherry trees and flower beds, vineyards, urban gardens, and parks. The city offers a broad spectrum of activities for nature lovers, culture vultures and sports enthusiasts alike. Salem hosts many popular sports tournaments and art fairs and the food-loving tourists and locals love its buzzing restaurants, wineries, and street food hot spots. Other tourist attractions include Willamette Heritage Center, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, and Bush House Museum.
Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
22. Ashland (from USD 15.0)
Ashland in Jackson County, Southern Oregon is the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University. A delightful small town located at the south end of the Rogue Valley, it has events and festivals happening all year round. Blessed with nature’s bounty due to the mountainous location at the foothills of Siskiyou and Cascade ranges, outdoor attractions here include Ashland Creek, Lithia Park, North Mountain Park, and many more small parks, gardens, and streams and related adventure activities. The downtown life offers charming restaurants, historical museums, art galleries, bike trails, and the best of shopping experiences.
Signature Henry Clay Tour
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Escape into nature in Oregon
Craving for some of the stunning landscapes of the American Southwest? Head out to Oregon for a truly unique and offbeat vacation in some of the most pristine spots of America. With so many natural wonders to explore and interesting things to do, you’ll come back with a ton of memories and experiences to cherish!
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3 Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Oregon, USAAnne Marie -
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