First of all, congratulations! When I opened this email, I got goosebumps and butterflies and my heart started racing and I immediately had a million ideas in my mind of where you should go. But first. I’m going to give you my top 5 favorite places in each of those three locations. And then I’m…
Hi! You’re in for a treat. Central Oregon in September is so beautiful. I have several recommendations for you. Don’t miss the High Desert Museum, which presents natural and cultural history and also has live animals on site. For hiking, try Smith Rock State Park, the Deschutes River Trail, or the Cascade Lakes region. Tumalo…
There are many great attractions and scenic areas between Newport and Astoria. My must stops for any trip in the immediate Newport area would include the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and the historic bayfront. If you have at least a couple hours to devote, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is also a must. As you…
4-5 days in Oregon might not be enough for your mountain-seeking soul, but we’ll work with what we’ve got. From Portland, your options are endless. If you just want to see a mountain, you can hike up to Pittock Mansion through Forest Park and you’ll be able to see Mt. St. Helens, the tip of…
You can definitely photograph dozens of Oregon’s covered bridges in a three-day journey. How many you can hit just depends on how much driving you want to do and how early you want to get up and get started! Assuming you start on the north end of the Willamette Valley and head south, I suggest…
Is is sunny or rainy on the Oregon Coast in September? Yes! In case my sense of humor does not translate, you should be prepared for rain just about any time you visit the Oregon Coast, though September often offers some of the most dependably sunny weather of the year. September’s high temperatures average in…
I love kayaking — and it’s a great vacation idea! Here are a few spots in that area you might try: Fern Ridge Reservoir is a really big lake just a few miles west of Eugene with nice park areas on the shore and plenty of room for kayaking. Willamette River is not a lake, but the Willamette…
Newport has many great attractions that you might not want to miss. The historic bay front is uniquely interesting, a mix of tourist attractions and working waterfront. The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is on my top 10 list of places not to miss. It’s got a beautiful lighthouse, great views, bird watching, seal watching and…
Berry picking is one of my favorite things to do in the summer! Greens Bridge Garden in Jefferson, a little south of Salem, is one of our family’s favorite U-pick farms. They have a really large variety of fruits and berries to pick, and they have a nice little farmstand store as well. In addition…
Oregon is a great place for teenagers (and you!) You definitely won’t need camping stuff, but if you could pack a pair of sturdy shoes to hike in, you might be happy you did! There are plenty of hikes in the area that are just under an hour drive to get to. And there are…
The Newport area is great for kids. In addition to Ripley’s, there is also Undersea Gardens and Wax Works wax museum on the historic bayfront and the fabulous Oregon Coast Aquarium on the north side of the bay. The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a great place for all ages. It’s a good place…
Dundee and McMinnville are beautiful areas! Most of the countryside directly surrounding Dundee and McMinnville is covered in vineyards, and some vineyards actually have hiking or walking trails. Here are a few to check out: Sokol Blosser, just outside Dundee: they have a guided vineyard hike you can sign up for. Winter’s Hill Vineyard, Dundee…
There really isn’t a bad place to camp in the Mt. Hood National Forest. For starters, you should bookmark this complete list of campgrounds in the Mt. Hood National Forest. If you don’t like crowds, the Lost Creek Campground off Lolo Pass Road would be a good option for you. It’s near many hiking trails, such as the ever…
I actually grew up in South Dakota so I definitely want you to have an amazing time. And I am absolutely sure you will! Highway 101 down the Coast is an amazing drive. I’d highly, highly recommend this over taking I-5 South. There are tide pools, the Goonies House, crabbing, local surf spots, delicious seafood…
You’ll be in Southern Oregon during one of our prettiest months! Without knowing what type of activities you enjoy, or who will be in your party, I’d recommend a combination of art, dining and outdoor pursuits in the area. A good home base is Ashland, where you can take in a Shakespearean play with the…
If enter Oregon at Brookings, you may want to make Harris Beach State Park your first stop, especially if you are there during low tide. Harris Beach is one of Oregon’s seven Marine Gardens that are protected intertidal areas. There are also interesting rock formations and this is a good marine life and bird-watching area. In…
Fun question! There are a few places in the Willamette Valley that are known as being great for rockhounding. The areas surrounding the South Santiam River, the Calapooia River, and Quartzville creek (all of these are about an hour southeast of Salem) are popular with rockhounders and folks who pan for gold as well. Also, check…
Ten days is the perfect amount of time to have the greatest vacation, ever. If you’re starting in Portland, I’d recommend taking a day to check out the city. It sounds like you and I like all of the same things, so I’m going to give you a hot and fast list of what I…
Glad you’re making the trip up! Crater Lake is absolutely worth the visit in the off-season. Some winters, it’s still covered in snow in March and April, but this year, it’s very manageable. The closest true town to Crater Lake is Prospect, Oregon, which has lodging options. We love the Prospect Historic Hotel for an…
That’s a tough one. There are a wide variety of kayaking opportunities along Oregon’s 363-mile coastline and the “best” would really be determined by your skill level and the type of paddling experience you are after. There are scenic bays, rivers and estuaries, especially in Tillamook County; there are large lakes, notably in the Florence…
