There is a reason that creative types, outdoor adventurers and foodies all flock to Oregon. Come to relax in laid-back cities with artistic atmospheres or travel here, instead, for a dramatic Pacific coastline. Whatever your reason for a trip to Oregon, you will find it a welcoming and thrilling place.
American Indian nations such as the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla lived in Oregon for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Learn about their cultures in the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute or the Museum at Warm Springs. Visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Flagstaff Hill to hear about the pioneers who arrived in the state at the end of the Oregon Trail in the 1830s.
Soak up the atmosphere in the fashionable city of Portland. Head here for artisan coffee roasters, micro-brewed beer and mouthwatering street food. Stroll around the city’s numerous green spaces, such as Washington Park and the Japanese Garden or encounter modernist masterpieces in the Center for Contemporary Art and Culture.
Portland isn’t Oregon’s only destination for an exciting city break. Mingle with academics in the university town of Eugene, where you can visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Bend offers the High Desert Museum and the fascinating natural attraction of lava tubes.
Put on a sturdy pair of boots and head into the mountains to hunt for waterfalls and lakes. Crater Lake National Park is an extinct volcano with a bright blue lake that becomes a popular swimming destination in summer. Roam through Willamette National Forest to find dramatic cascades or drive to the Painted Hills for hikes in a multicolored landscape.
Trek along the Oregon Coast Trail for unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean. Destinations such as Newport and Cannon Beach are particularly picturesque.
Board a flight from destinations around the U.S. to land in Portland International Airport. Oregon’s cities can be visited in every season of the year, while the mountains offer skiing in winter and hiking in summer.