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.

Eastern Oregon for Bird Lovers

December 22, 2016
The last time you were at a natural area, you may have taken the binoculars out and been lucky enough to spot an egret, raptor or bald eagle. At its simplest form, that’s what birding is: spotting them and identifying them. At its most extreme, birding verges on obsession. It’s an exercise in patience and… More
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Eastern Oregon , Burns , Birding , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Coffee Lover’s Guide to Oregon

December 6, 2016
Coffee isn’t just a beverage in Oregon. It’s a culture. That much is clear by the more than 200 specialty coffee shops and micro-roasters throughout the state, including 80 roasters in Portland alone. Great coffee shops are nothing new, but what has sprung up in the past two decades or so is what’s known as the third wave. More
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Portland Region , Portland , Coffee & Tea , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Sweet Spots for Sledding and Tubing

November 21, 2016
In Oregon, sledding and tubing are guaranteed ways to have a blast in the snow. More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Bend , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Sporting Events , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Relax at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon

November 10, 2016
Escape to the hot springs of southeastern Oregon for a rejuvenating soak among natural marvels. More
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Eastern Oregon , Burns , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Bike The Dalles

November 3, 2016
If you think experiencing the sun-drenched hills and winding roads of the Columbia River Gorge by car is epic, it’s even more spectacular on two wheels. In fact, it’s now easier than ever to explore the glorious landscape of the Gorge and Historic Columbia River Highway by bicycle thanks to an updated bike map featuring… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , The Dalles , Bicycling , Trip Ideas ,

Glamping in Central Oregon

October 18, 2016
Even when it's damp outside, we still want to get out there — to the forests and trails, the water’s edge, the mountains that are full of nature in all her glory. Camping is often the easiest way to immerse yourself in the elements. If only you could bring along your own comfy bed and a bit more luxury — like actual walls, heat, electricity and other conveniences. More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Camping , Trip Ideas ,

What’s All the Buzz About Oregon Truffles?

October 11, 2016
There’s just something about truffles — the earthy fungi, not the chocolate — that is all at once irresistible, seductive and perfectly paired with everything. The Oregon Truffle Festival is a time to celebrate the quintessential Oregon ingredient. More
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Willamette Valley , Newberg , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Pasture and Pinot at Timberline Lodge

October 4, 2016
Chef Jason Stoller Smith cooks a mean steak. His secret? He doesn’t do anything fancy. “It’s simple salt and pepper on the grill and charred,” says Smith, who oversees the seven restaurants at Timberline Lodge, the iconic visitor lodge perched 6,000 feet atop the slope of Mt. Hood. “After eating the first bite, there’s a… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Government Camp , Culinary Events , Culinary Experiences , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Oregon’s Haunted Spots

September 28, 2016
Meet the Oregon sites with bone-chilling histories that may keep you up at night. More
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Oregon Coast , Troutdale , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Lighthouses , Trip Ideas ,

Family-Friendly Fall Retreats in Ashland

September 27, 2016
This pretty city in Southern Oregon offers a lot of easy ways for families to experience the best of fall. More
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Southern Oregon , Ashland , Farm & Ranch Stays , Museums , Theater & Performing Art , Farms & Ranches , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Attractions ,