The state of 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.
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.
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.
