Oregon, with its acres of green forests, miles of quiet coastline and multiple snowy mountain tops remains one of the last great places to explore in the United States. Oregon travel can include a host of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and so much more. Oregon vacations, however, are not simply limited to active pursuits. The city of Portland is one of the hippest towns on the west coast and features a multitude of great cultural and urban Oregon attractions.

Aquarium Panorama

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Oregon travel along the coast is one of the things that set Oregon tourism apart from travel in other parts of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon coast vacations are peppered with slow strolls along beaches with the backdrop of an often grey sky. This tends to make the tide pools, kite flying and other lazy Oregon coast vacation activities seem that much livelier. The Oregon Aquarium in Newport, Oregon, is considered to be the best of its kind, and Oregon travel along the coast is heightened in the seaside town of Newport.

Just a few hours inland from the coast is another of Oregon's great attractions; the city of Portland. Oregon tourism to Portland can be a treat. The Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry are all found right within the city. A number of great restaurants featuring local cuisine and some of the west coast's best chefs are also located in Portland. The famous Portland Rose Test Garden is of course also found in the city and remains one the best known Oregon attractions.

Oregon Map

Ski trips are yet another way to enjoy Oregon vacations. Both Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor provide long winter sport seasons. Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, with its unique construction and intricate design is an ideal place to warm up between runs. Mt. Bachelor has gained a reputation over the years as being one of the northwest's most difficult mountains, and as such many local and Olympic athletes spend their own Oregon vacations honing their skills on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor.

Oregon tourism to some of the lesser known areas of the state can also be quite fun. The Willamette Valley is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best regions for wine on the west coast, and travelers can combine their Oregon coast vacation with a trip inland to enjoy wine tasting at the many wineries in the valley. Crater Lake National Park is another attraction that, although off the beaten track, is well worth the journey. The southern Oregon town of Ashland hosts its annual Shakespeare Festival, the largest Shakespeare Festival in the world, each year to the welcome of crowds of theater goers. Unique towns like Bend and Eugene have their own festivals and attractions each year, and Oregon vacations continue to be a delightful way to spend a weekend or an entire week.