Top Places To Visit In Oregon | Complete Guide

Oregon is nature-oriented and insignificantly wild state offering many spectacular vacationist attractions including some diverse landscape encompassing peaks, woodlands, waterways, and fossil-studded desert, which is an impressive destination for nature-loving and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether wandering simultaneously on a rugged beach, hiking up the side of a mountain, you will find a broad range of outdoor activities to enjoy in Oregon wherever your voyages take you. The tenth-largest state in the United States, Oregon epitomizes the charm moreover wildness of America’s Pacific Northwest.

Oregon has a lot of fascinating yet slightly wild attractions to add to your list while heading up to your journey. Read on to know more about this beautiful wild-land and its ever-green attractions.

An Overview of the Best Places to Visit in Oregon

Astoria

Astoria lies just a few miles southwest of the spot where pioneers spent the winter to relish the historic nature of the city.
Attractions in Astoria include the wave-shaped Columbia River Maritime Museum, which features 30,000 artifacts of the Pacific Northwest’s seafaring history.
As the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains has a diversity of cultural and adventurous activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Situated at the Columbia River, the city’s backdrop is the dramatic Astoria-Megler Bridge, the country’s longest continuous truss bridge.
If you are an art lover, you can visit many libraries, galleries, studios and unique shops in the town or listen to a concert in the historic Liberty Theater.
Do not forget to enjoy Astoria’s pleasant waterfront location by paddling or kayaking with the paddle company or by trying your hand at fishing or clam-digging.
You can explore Astoria’s historic working waterfront on the Astoria Trolley, visit the Bumble Bee Cannery Museum and the Maritime Museum also you can take Columbia River Eco Tour.

Portland

Portland is Oregon’s largest city maintaining a connection with Willamette River near the point where it meets the majestic Columbia.
Portland is surrounded by natural beauty, and it’s clear by the absolute number of parks, gardens and green spaces in Portland clearly explains the value the outdoor life.
You are never going to regret a single moment in Portland, where an excellent aggregate of outdoor recreation, historic architecture, museums, galleries, and majestic artifacts are on your way.
If it’s your first visit on the land of portland take a walking tour with guides, which take in everything from historic sites to breweries and coffee roasters.
The land’s magnificent dining, music, and art scenes are worth experiencing and praising through word of mouth. Take a long walk and visits the city’s quirky museums.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the historic Pittock Mansion are must-sees, while families can have hours of fun at the Portland Zoo and the interactive Portland Children’s Museum.
For many visitors, the major attractions always remain Forest Park and the International Rose Garden that make “The City of Roses” one of the best places to visit in Oregon.
The city is majorly known for beautiful gardens do not forget to visit the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, and the Portland Art Museum and Sculpture Garden, or go hiking, biking, or strolling in Washington Park.

Hood River

The spectacular land of Hood River is located on the banks of the Columbia River nearby east of Portland, a delightfully small town that provides a perfect base for traversing the natural wonders of the Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge.
Hood River has a host of other great activities for you. It offers easy access to a wide variety of adventure activities such as hiking, windsurfing, kite-boarding, and river rafting.
Admire the beauty of art and culture as you stroll through the beautifully renovated historic midtown.
Have a look at galleries, or watch a show at the Columbia Center for the Arts. Relax your hunger by taking tours to wineries, breweries, coffee roasters, and farm-to-fork restaurants or drive the scenic
If you are not willing to spend your day with physical activity you can effortlessly hop on the Historic Columbia River Scenic Byway or the Mount Hood Railroad. Cultural attractions, great restaurants and hotels, local shops, live music concerts, and aromatic breweries spots and many more of the reasons to stop in Hood River.
Hood River County Fruit Loop for some fresh farm produce. Hood River is a well-known destination for kite-boarding and windsurfing and is also a great place a full range of outdoor sports, including hiking, camping and biking.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is the most popular natural attraction in Southern Oregon.
The astonishing 600 meters deep Crater Lake that was formed during an eruption of Mount Mazama many centuries ago 7,700 years ago.
90 miles of trails twisting through the national park, the area is a hiker’s heaven.
Carter lake is the most profound lake in the United States, and its tranquil sapphire-blue waters are breathtaking.
The 33 miles long Rim Drive offers less courageous visitors many scenic overlooks. Experiencing the led boat tour of the lake and its central island is a must.
Hiking and cycling are the most popular activities in the park and you can admire the extraordinary lake and the surrounding terrain on foot along the 33-mile Rim Drive, or enjoy over 90 miles of other hiking paths.
Explore the area along several paved paths through trails. You can go on ranger-led boat tours in summer or try your hand at fishing along several streams but remember no private boats are allowed on this pristine body of water. In winter the park offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is one of the most popular of the seaside resorts that stretch along Oregon’s 300 miles long coast endeavoring visitants an amazing stretch of beach to explore, iconic landmarks to uncover, and easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails.
Major attractions include the Cannon Beach History Center, which features an authentic reproduction of a Native American longhouse.
The once-rustic artist community has grown into an upscale resort filled with restaurants, boutique shops and art galleries.
If you looking for art and culture then you should not miss this town as it has been named one of America’s top 100 Best Art Towns.
This majestic place is incorporated with wonderful galleries and studios, fascinating museums such as the Garibaldi Museum of Maritime History and the Lost Art of Nursing Museum as well as the Coaster Theater Playhouse.
Zip-line tour with High Life Adventures, hike within a rain-forest at Ecola State Park, or uncover marvelous aquatic life around Haystack Rock, where you can spot Tufted Puffins in early summer is once in a lifetime experience.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood is a travel destination that attracts visitants all year long. The tallest peak in Oregon, Mount Hood is much more than just a stunning backdrop for the city of Portland just a few miles away.
For experienced mountaineers, climbing to the summit of Mount Hood is another popular activity.
You can take the support of several ranger-led institutional programs and tours, including free netting lessons for young visitors.
The complete park offers outdoor enthusiasts an idyllic destination for a wide variety of activities which include camping, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, and even soaking in the Bagby Hot Springs.
There are several campsites where you can pitch your tent or park your RV to spend a few nights enjoying the peace and harmony with nature.
Mount Hood packed slopes during the winter offers Five downhill ski areas and miles of cross-country trails and summer snowfall attracts visitors to Mount Hood for off-season skiing as well.

Salem

The city of Salem is the state capital of Oregon and is filled with spectacular charm.
A vast area of five acres, the Willamette Heritage Center centers on the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill dating to 1895.
Nestled in the soul of the wine-growing Willamette Valley, Salem is encircled by vineyards and filled with historical and cultural attractions for all ages. You can experience historic theaters, friendly carousels, and an Enchanted Forest. Top attractions of Salem also include Riverfront City Park, the State Capitol building, and the Willamette Heritage Center.
Adjacent the large red structure, historic wooden buildings are brought to life by exhibits and interpretive guides, provide a glimpse of the history of life and industrialization in the late 19th century.
A good place to start your visit is at the gracious Oregon State Capitol building, before setting off to learn about the early days in Salem at the Deepwood Museum and Gardens, Bush House Museum, and the Oregon State Hospital Museum.
Do not forget The Gilbert House Children’s Museum and the Enchanted Forest Theme Park worth spending time for all ages. You will definitely enjoy visiting some wineries and the farmers’ market.
Outdoor enthusiasts can go hiking, biking, boating, and fishing in the Willamette Mission State Park rather entertain yourself over a thrilling hot air balloon ride.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an electromagnet for outdoor adventure seekers and nature lovers with a fascinating and assorted landscape.
There are several museums spotted around the land and you can even couple glorious displays with great beer on a Gorge Beer Trail.
You can spend a few nights enjoying the magnetic open sky in one of three campsites, take a scenic drive through the extensive area, go on day hikes, or choose longer backpacking escapades along some of the dozens of scenic trails that offer wildlife observing en route.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic is majorly known for adventurous activities and water sports including biking, fishing, boating, swimming, tubing and windsurfing and there are several accessible areas for those with mobility restrictions.

Medford

Medford Oregon is a wonderful hub located in the middle of orchards, wineries, creameries, and breweries, making you crave for an absurd hungry getaway.
energize yourself in Bear Creek Park or hike the Natural Bridge Loop or Upper and Lower Table Rock. You can experience swimming and boating on Diamond Lake and Applegate Lake or even choose white water rafting or floating on the Rogue River. Have a family at Time Children’s Museum and Railroad Park.
Take wine tasting tours with several companies or get self-drive information from the Medford Visitors Center.

Conclusion

Oregon is a natural beauty and equally known for its urban charms with an international reputation for drawing tourists with an offbeat and welcoming culture. You can find range from rose gardens to art museums and enormous libraries. Further south, other cities and fun places to visit include the thriving university town of Eugene, the coastal city of Newport, the state capital of Salem, Ashland, Beaverton, The City of The Dalles, Langlois, Albany, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve and many more. It is a wild and adventurous region and majorly popular in youth. You can have fun and thrill at the same time.

If you are planning your trip to this scenic state and wants to list the top attractions and add them into your must-see bucket list then this is the article you are looking for. Comment below and let us know your favorite adventure sport and when are you planning your places to visit in Oregon?

Top Places To Visit In Oregon | Bucket List 2020