Something For Everyone in Oregon
No matter whether you are young or old, or traveling with family or alone, Oregon offers an incredible range of activities and attractions. From natural wonders to historical villages to theme parks and zoos, there is something for everyone.
Young visitors would enjoy a trip to the Enchanted Forest, where they can crawl through Alice’s rabbit hole to look for Wonderland, ride the current down the Big Timber Log Ride, and delve into the wonderful world of make believe on Storybook Lane. Another great kid’s attraction is the AC Gilbert Discovery Village. This children’s museum is full of hands-on exhibits that not only teach them about the world around them, but are a ton of fun.
Animal lovers get an incredible chance to get up close and personal with sea lions at Sea Lion Caves in Florence. Newport is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which features 500 species of marine life in its exhibits. The 200 foot long undersea tunnel offers a truly unique opportunity to view the natural underwater habitats of many sea creatures native to America.
If you enjoy fishing, there are many coastline towns that offer fishing trips. The Garibaldi Museum holds a fascinating collection of maritime history and models of classic ships. The towns along the coast are filled with boutiques and charming historical buildings.
Aviation fans are in for a treat in Oregon, where several museums focus on flight. Try stopping in at the Evergreen Aviation Museum and see the Spruce Goose in person, or drop in to the Oregon Air Space Museum to view several WWI and WWII planes. The Tillamook Air Museum and The Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukee are some other aviatory destinations worth visiting.
Should you prefer to take in the countryside, there are dozens of Historical and Scenic Routes throughout Oregon. By traveling these you can delve deep into mountain passes, wander through old growth forests, and even traipse across the parched badlands. With many fascinating places along each route to visit, you can easily spend days on the road without fear of boredom.
For history buffs and Native American aficionados Oregon offers a range of historical sites and tribal museums for your enjoyment. Try stopping in at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario, or the Wallowa Country Museum for their annual Chief Joseph Days in July. In Pendleton you will find the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation where you can see 10,000 years from the point of view of Walla Walla, Cayuse and Umatilla Indians. On the fourth weekend in August you can discover a real Native American Pow Wow celebrating the anniversary of Restoration of the Klamath Tribes.
Of course, there is nothing quite as intriguing as visiting a real ghost town. Oregon is home of 18 official ghost towns, many of which make excellent destinations for a ghostly drive. Some are deserted as a result of the gold rush, where thousands raced to get rich only to desert the newly founded towns once the supply became scarce. Other towns failed as it became harder to support the population on the land, or as the railways lured transport from its usual routes shutting down entire transportation industries. Sumpter is an excellent example of a mining town that has been revived into a fantastic tourist attraction.
Oregon is also home to a wide range of vineyards and wineries. Visitors can plan a vacation around a wine tour of Oregon’s various wine countries, sampling excellent vintages and enjoying the glorious panorama of nature.
No matter what you are interested in, Oregon has plenty to offer for any visitor. Research which attractions interest you most, and plan your trip around them. If you can’t get to them all, you can always come again and see the rest!
