About the Author

Jen Anderson

Jen Anderson is a longtime journalist and travel writer/editor who is now Travel Oregon’s Content & Community Manager, helping to align content for visitors via social media, print and web. She’s called Oregon home for 25 years and loves finding the latest places to eat, drink and play around the state with her husband and two boys. Brewpubs, beaches and bike trails top the list.

5 Things You May Not Know about Wildhorse Resort & Casino

September 7, 2021
Wildhorse Resort & Casino is the only resort of its kind in Eastern Oregon, emerging unexpectedly among miles of rolling wheat fields. With numerous amenities, the resort is an easy three-hour drive east of Portland with scenic views of the Columbia River along Interstate 84. Owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the resort sits on tribal land where the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people have existed for thousands of years. More
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Eastern Oregon , Pendleton , Favorite Trips , Casinos , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Dining on the North Umpqua River

August 3, 2021
When diners sit down to a meal at the Steamboat Inn in Southern Oregon, they’re already in a state of heightened bliss. Steps from the sparkling turquoise North Umpqua River, red umbrellas and wildflowers offer pops of color on the outdoor patio of this historic lodge, built in the 1950s. For decades it’s been a go-to haven for fly-fishers, hikers, cyclists and others looking for adventure surrounded by pristine beauty. More
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Southern Oregon , Steamboat , Culinary Experiences , Eat & Drink ,

Top Chef’s Sara Hauman Dishes on Her Love of Oregon

Sara Hauman has lived in Oregon for just three years, but she’s an Oregonian at heart. The dog-loving, tattoo-sleeved, award-winning chef is also a bona fide celebrity-chef ambassador for the state, as season 18 of Top Chef (filmed in Oregon in 2020 and aired on Bravo earlier in 2021) put her on the national map. More
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Culinary Experiences , Eat & Drink ,

6 Hidden Treasures in Jacksonville

Between its gold-rush history and its picturesque beauty, Jacksonville — set in the lush Rogue Valley, about three hours from Eugene and Bend — is as slow-paced or fast-paced as you’d like it to be. The historic town is world-famous for its lively music, arts, wine and culinary scene, but you can also sit back and take a seat while riding an old-fashioned trolley or horse-drawn wagon through town. There are so many ways to experience Jacksonville with your crew — whether it’s a girls’... More
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Southern Oregon , Jacksonville , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Do Good While You Have Fun Outside in Oregon

July 21, 2021
Often our biggest sense of well-being comes from doing good for others. That’s especially easy to do in Oregon, where you can translate your passion for the forest, the rivers, the shoreline or the mountains into an hour, an afternoon or a weekend of giving back to your public lands. In fact, there’s a buzzword for it — “regenerative travel” — which simply means leaving a place better than you found it while you’re off adventuring. No matter your favorite way to enjoy the outdoors,... More
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Sustainable Travel , Trip Ideas ,

How to Book Your Permit to Visit Multnomah Falls

July 12, 2021
With more than 2 million visitors each year, Multnomah Falls Recreation Area is one of Oregon’s top visitor attractions and one of the most-visited natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. The 611-foot double cascade (Oregon's tallest waterfall) is spectacular year-round, but if you want to visit by car between late May and early September you'll need to book an advance timed-entry permit.  The system, now in its third year, is designed to reduce the crowding in the parking lot and the backlogged traffic on the... More
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Columbia River Gorge , Troutdale , Waterfalls , Destinations ,

Top Trail-Running Spots in Oregon

Tired of traversing the same trails in the same parks and neighborhoods? It might just be time to expand your horizons to any of Oregon’s incredible running trails, where you can run to your heart’s content on dirt, gravel or pavement and soak up some of the state’s most gorgeous landscapes. Here’s a roundup of top running spots in Oregon, recommended by local running-shop experts.  More
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Running , Outdoor Recreation , Trails ,

Shop, Dine and Play Near the Willamette River

June 22, 2021
What’s a walk in the park, a picnic on the grass or an outdoor patio to sip wine without a river to gaze at? How about a soothing river paddle, just minutes from the city? There’s a scientific reason why water is so calming — a source of creativity and inspiration and relaxation. You don’t even have to leave the city to access the river in four vibrant urban communities that are part of the region known as Mt. Hood Territory. In fact, when you’re... More
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Portland Region , Lake Oswego , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Ultimate Oregon Swimming Pool Guide

June 15, 2021
Sure, you can paddle on a river, swim in a lake or hike to a waterfall to cool off in the summertime. But if you’d just like to splash around without breaking a sweat, sometimes the easiest (and dreamiest) option is a lazy day by the pool — waterslides and cannonballs optional. Oregon is home to dozens of fresh-air, outdoor pools that are open seasonally at hotels and motels across the state. More
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Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Top Bites for Takeout and a Picnic in Oregon

June 5, 2021
Find fresh, soulful and deeply satisfying options for perfect picnic fare all across Oregon. More
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Restaurants , Eat & Drink ,