Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
Eastern Oregon
From the tiny town of Plush, Hart Mountain Rd crosses the Warner Lakes Basin, climbs into the spectacular, near-vertical Hart Mountain fault block (peak…
Must-see attractions in Oregon
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Bend
About 13 miles south of Bend is this impressive area, a relatively recent volcanic region resulting from 400,000 years of volcanic activity. Newberry…
Strawberry Mountain Wilderness
Northeastern Oregon
Named for the wild strawberries that thrive on its mountain slopes, the Strawberry Range is covered with ponderosa and lodgepole pines growing on glacier…
International Rose Test Garden
West Hills
These gardens practically gave Portland its 'Rose City' nickname. They sprawl across 4.5 acres of manicured lawns, fountains and flowerbeds, and on a…
West Hills
This beautiful zoo features a primate reserve, a 'penguinarium' and a large African animals area, among many other impressive exhibits and a train that…
West Hills
Twelve miles of trails wind through this 189-acre ridge-top garden above the city zoo. It's home to over 6000 native and exotic plants and trees…
Central Oregon & the Oregon Cascades
From the lava fields of 5325ft McKenzie Pass, you'll find stunning views of the Cascade Range and one of the youngest and largest lava flows in…
Southern Oregon Coast
Four miles north of Brookings, US 101 winds over 11 miles of headlands through Boardman State Park, which contains some of Oregon's most beautiful…
Wallowa Mountains
High above Snake River, the Hat Point fire lookout tower (elevation 6982ft) offers great views. On each side of the canyon, mountains soar toward 10,000ft…
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
The state's first capitol building burned down in 1855, and a domed classic Roman edifice was built to replace it. Unfortunately, that building also…
Eastern Oregon
Built in the 1880s to help train draft animals, this historic round barn is worth a look – it's exactly what it says it is, a big round barn – but the…
Columbia River Gorge
This dam was one of the largest New Deal projects of the Depression era. Completed in 1937, it was the first major dam on the Columbia River. Dam…
Columbia Hills Historical State Park
Columbia River Gorge
Some of the most famous remaining pictographs (painted figures) along the Columbia River are at this Washington state park, site of a Native American…
Portland
This controversial 15-story building (1982) was designed by Michael Graves and catapulted the postmodern architect to celebrity status. But the blocky,…
Wallowa Mountains
Just west of Hells Canyon, the Imnaha River digs a parallel canyon that offers pastoral scenery in addition to astounding cliff faces.
Southern Oregon
About 6 miles north of Medford on the Rogue River, this state park is popular for swimming and picnicking. About a mile beyond is Table Rocks, impressive…
Eugene
A hike up wooded Skinner Butte, directly north of downtown, provides a good orientation and a little exercise. Eugene Skinner established the city's first…
Southern Oregon Coast
Nine miles north of Port Orford, this rugged promontory is the second-most-westerly point of the continental US and host to a fine state park with hiking…
Northeastern Oregon
The oldest, most remote fossil beds are in magnificent palisade formations at the base of the John Day River's canyon. There are three, quarter- to half…
Washed Ashore Gallery & Workshop
Southern Oregon Coast
This tiny but cool gallery features gigantic sculptures made from trash washed up from the sea. Walk through a life-sized whale skeleton made from plastic…
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
This interesting 5-acre complex houses grassy gardens, two gift shops, a clutch of pioneer buildings and two museums. The Mission Mill Museum, Jason Lee…
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
A state heritage area and popular family destination, Champoeg is 25 miles southwest of Portland. There are 615 acres of old-growth woodland, grassy…
Portland
Along the tree-shaded South Park Blocks sits the state's primary history museum, which in 2019 unveiled a permanent 7000-sq-ft interactive exhibit that…
Deschutes River State Recreation Area
Columbia River Gorge
The Deschutes River, Oregon's second largest, cuts through central Oregon and meets the Columbia at this fine state park, 15 miles east of The Dalles…
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
Just south of the capitol, Willamette University was the first university in the western USA and is well respected for its liberal-arts undergraduate…
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
A mile east of McMinnville, this museum showcases Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, the world's largest wood-framed airplane. In 1947, with Hughes at the wheel…
Central Oregon & the Oregon Cascades
Immediately on the eastern slope of Willamette Pass is gorgeous Odell Lake, resting in a steep glacial basin. Hiking trails lead into relatively…
Northern Oregon Coast
Ten miles west of Astoria, this park holds the historic military installation that once guarded the mouth of the Columbia River. Near the Military Museum…
West Hills
This grand and beautiful 1914 mansion was built by pioneer-entrepreneur Henry Pittock, who revitalized the Oregonian newspaper; his wife, Georgiana, also…
Columbia River Gorge
Not one for small gestures, businessman Sam Hill built a full-scale replica of Salisbury Plain's Stonehenge on the cliffs above the Columbia River…
The Willamette Valley & Wine Country
Open to everyone, the Mt Angel Abbey is a delightful Benedictine monastery on grassy grounds set atop a hill that overlooks town. There's a modernist…
Portland
The South Park Blocks, a 12-block-long greenway that runs through much of downtown, are a fine, leafy refuge from downtown's bustle. They host a farmers…
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Northern Oregon Coast
Astoria's seafaring heritage is well interpreted at this wave-shaped museum. It's hard to miss the retired Coast Guard boat, frozen mid-rescue, through a…
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Southern Oregon Coast
Charleston sits at the mouth of South Slough, a tidal river basin that turns into a vast, muddy estuary full of wildlife. Four miles south of Charleston…
Eastern Oregon
Depending on your perspective, this museum is either a testament to the indomitable human spirit or a heartbreaking cascade of people's inhumanity. A…
Columbia River Gorge
On top of Rowena Crest are spectacular views and vast meadows now preserved as a wildflower sanctuary. Governor Tom McCall Reserve, on Rowena Plateau, is…
Southern Oregon Coast
Three miles southwest of town on Cape Arago Hwy, this state park is nestled in a small, protected bay that once served as a safe harbor for fishing boats,…
History Museum of Hood River County
Columbia River Gorge
This worthwhile museum depicts the history of Hood River County and the mid-Columbia River region, with displays on Native American artifacts and quirky…
Columbia River Gorge
This museum was once part of an 1856 fort and is Oregon's oldest history museum. It's a fascinating place full of historical items; highlights include an…
Southern Oregon Coast
Six miles south of Port Orford, mountains edge down to the ocean, and the heavily wooded Humbug Mountain rises 1750ft from the surf. When European…
