ATTRACTIONS

The Coast   Portland   Mt. Hood & the Columbia River Gorge   Willamette Valley   Southern Oregon   Central Oregon   Eastern Oregon   National Parks

The Coast

Yaquina Lights - A piece of Oregon history sits atop a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River. It is the Historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, built in 1871 and decommissioned in 1874. It was officially restored as a privately maintained aid to navigation on December 7, 1996. It is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport.

Connie Hansen Garden - The Connie Hansen Garden thrives today both horticulturally and as a non-profit entity. Thousands of individuals, families and groups pass through the Garden each year to enjoy the beauty of the plants, the tranquility, and to take classes to learn more about gardening and the joy that can be acquired from this activity.

Tradewinds Charters - For over 60 years Tradewinds Charters, in Depoe Bay, has been providing the very best in ocean sportfishing and whale watching trips. Award winning 12 vessel fleet.

Newport Performing Arts Center - After years of fund raising events and tax bonds, the citizens of Newport saw their efforts pay off with the 1988 opening of the multi-million dollar Newport Performing Arts Center (NPAC). The 23,000-square-foot facility is set on a 4.5 acres. The theatre hosts a variety of shows and performances, from hit movies, to grand piano recitals.

Wildlife Safari - Wildlife Safari features exotic animals which roam freely over 600 acres of grasslands and wooded areas, much as they would in their native habitat, while you the visitor are on safari in your own car. See animals from Africa, Asia, and South America as well as many native to North America.

Oregon Coast Aquarium - Immerse yourself in the Passages of the Deep exhibit and walk beneath the waves through a 200-foot clear underwater tunnel that snakes through three ocean habitats. Encounter sharks, rays and thousands of other fish swimming around you while you solve 'The Great White Mystery: What Happened to Surfer Bob?' Outdoors, rugged cliffs, caves and pools showcase fish and invertebrates of Oregon's coast.

Oregon Coast History Center - The Oregon Coast History Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Central Oregon Coast.

Sea Lion Caves - Sea Lion Cave is the largest sea cave in the world. Formation of the cavern began about 25 million years ago. It now soars to the height of a 12- story building and stretches the length of a football field.  Visitors can see live sea lions in their natural habitat, a variety of birds, whales and other wildlife.  

Tillamook County Creamery Association - If you like cheese, then a visit to the home of Tillamook Cheese is a must. Watch the cheesemakers and packagers at work and enjoy the rich, delicious Tillamook goodies available at the ice cream dipping counters, fudge counter, cafe and the sampling counter.

Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) - The Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) is a research and teaching facility located in Newport, Oregon. HMSC plays an integral role in programs of marine and estuarine research and instruction, as a laboratory facility serving resident scientists, as a base for far-ranging oceanographic studies, and as a classroom for students.

Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boats - This is the original Rogue River Jet Boat trip and the first Jet Boat Tour in America. It has been under family management since 1958. They have been under family management since 1958. Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boats operate a Nature Based Rogue River Adventure trip that is perfectly suited for all ages, kids to grandparents.

Mariner's Square - See Ripley's Believe it Or Not, Wax Works, and the Undersea Gardens, all in on stop!

Newport Visual Arts Center - The Newport Visual Arts Center, located at the historic Nye Beach Turnaround, is a facility built by the City of Newport as a public art exhibition space and for art education programs.

Portland  

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry - Enjoy an OMNIMAX Theater, the Murdock Planetarium, view amazing astronomy and laser light shows, and board inside the U.S. Navy's last non-nuclear submarine, the U.S.S. Blueback (SS 581).

Oregon Zoo - The Oregon Zoo has 1,029 animals representing 200 species, nine major exhibits, an elephant museum, an art and photo gallery and a zoo railway.

CM2-Children's Museum 2nd Generation - Discover this new center for arts and creativity, designed for kids from babies to 13 years old. Filled with hands-on exhibits, you can make a splash in Water Works; experiment with how you look in Mirror, Mirror; create your own fairytales in Once Upon a Time; do dental work on a giant alligator, and discover what's new in the drop-in art studios. 

Oaks Park - In Oaks Park theme park, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of fun. Picnics, skating and rides are all part of that fun. There are thrill rides, intermediate rides, and kid's rides.

World Forestry Center - The World Forestry Center presents exhibits on forests of the world, petrified wood, old-growth forests, tropical rainforests; and offers art exhibits and nature walks.

Portland Parks & Recreation - Portland Parks & Recreation offers 100 park and recreation buildings, 12 swimming pools, 180 park grounds, 100 play structures, 200 ball fields, five public gardens, 7700 acres of forests and more.

Portland Rose Gardens - Portland is home to three public rose gardens. Offering a spectacular view of the 'City of Roses,' the 4.5-acre International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is one of the largest and oldest rose test gardens in the country. The Peninsula Park Rose Garden is a formal sunken garden featuring masses of fragrant blooms.

Japanese Garden - Tucked above the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, the Japanese Garden has been proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan. Five traditional garden styles, an authentic tea house and a pavilion combine to recapture the mood of ancient Japan.

North Clackamas Aquatic Park - From water slides to lap swimming, North Clackamas Aquatic Park has it all. Located in a park-like setting with all the amenities, this weather-friendly indoor facility is the place to be throughout the year. Enjoy all the swimming you can imagine, including lessons, aquatic exercise and recreational swimming.

Willamette Jetboat Excursions - Willamette Jetboat Excursions offers two hour tours. See giant cargo and military ships, elegant riverfront homes, the majestic Willamette Falls, as well as bald eagles and osprey.

Portland Center for the Performing Arts - Located in Portland’s downtown Cultural District, this beautiful complex includes Brunish Hall, a multi-purpose performance space; Keller Auditorium, home to Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre and Portland’s Broadway Theatre series.`

Oregon Symphony - Rated a 'first-class ensemble' by The Los Angeles Daily News, the Oregon Symphony would truly be a special activity for the whole family. Visit and be inspired.

Mt. Hood & the Columbia River Gorge

Lakewood Center for the Arts - Lakewood Center for the Arts is a non-profit community cultural center housing three theatres, one art gallery, music studios, dance and exercise company, arts pre-school, resident artists and more.

Bomber Exhibition Center - A step back in time. View the completed nose section of the 'Lacy Lady', WWII uniforms, historical information all with a patriot appeal.

Willamette Valley

Marion County Historical Society Museum - The Marion County Historical Society's museum features a variety of exhibits about life in Marion County, Oregon. These displays include Kalapuya Indian daily life, boarding houses, 19th century healthcare, the typewriter and the changes it brought to the workplace, former president Herbert Hoover, and other topics.

Willamette Queen Sternwheeler - Step back in time and enjoy the unchanged natural beauty of the Willamette River aboard an authentic Sternwheeler.

Thrill-Ville U.S.A. - Thrill-Ville offers fun rides the whole family can enjoy. Besides visitors' choice of thrilling or tame rides, the park offers waterslides, picnics, and even group rates.

Oregon Whitewater Adventures - Whitewater rafting paddle trips through magnificent wilderness areas on Oregon's premier rivers. Specializing in high quality guided paddle raft trips, with family trips to Class IV rapids. Half and full-day trips run daily on the McKenzie River.

Elsinore Theatre - The Historic Elsinore Theatre, a leading performing arts facility, is now owned and operated by Salem Theatre Auditorium Group Enterprises (STAGE, Inc.). STAGE continues to bring world-class performers to the Willamette Valley.

Lane ESD Planetarium - Lane ESD Planetarium is the second largest in the Pacific Northwest. It offers year-round educational /entertainment programming, including seasonal planets, constellations; images from the Hubble Space Telescope and laser shows.  2300 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene.  (541) 461-8227.

Sandland Adventures - Featuring 4-5 passenger dune buggy tours and giant 26-39 passenger buggies for group tours. ATV rentals and a fun-center offering bumper boats, go-karts, 18-hole miniature golf, gift shop and more.

Cascades Raptor Center - Nature center and wildlife hospital for birds of prey.  Visitors can see 40 permanent resident birds of 24 different native Oregon species including 10 species of owls.

Southern Oregon  

Lost Creek Lake - Enjoy the beauty and many recreational pleasures available on and around scenic Lost Creek Lake. At Lost Creek, there's something for everyone. Boating, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, and kayaking are all very popular at Lost Creek Lake, as are biking and hiking.

Spirit of the Rogue Nature Center - The Center's mission is to provide an educational experience in a natural river environment that inspires exploration, understanding and support of the environmental, scenic, cultural and recreational resources of a vital river and its habitat. Our goal is to provide an interaction with the environment that is interesting, interactive and has a memorable message of stewardship.

Southern Oregon Nature Excursions - Southern Oregon Nature Excursions offers guided scenic driving excursions and hiking trips to some of the most spectacular sites in southern Oregon and northern California. Offered are all-day, half-day and overnight trips to destinations such as Crater Lake, the Redwoods, Klamath birding, the Rogue Valley, the Cascades, Mt. Shasta, Umpqua waterfalls, the Oregon Coast, Oregon Caves, and more.

Umpqua Valley Arts Association - The Umpqua Valley Arts Association is a not-for-profit organization with over a decade of service to the community. It is dedicated to art education, art appreciation, service to artists and art organizations, and the promotion of the arts throughout Douglas County.

Friends of the Museum - Travel with the Friends of the Museum and journey through history as you gently (yet occasionally experience some whitewater) float down the vast and beautiful Umpqua River Basin. Educational and experiential trips have been designed for all ages and physical conditions.

Oregon Vortex House of Mystery - Oregon Vortex is an authentic scientific and educational site of visual and perceptual phenomena that occurs naturally and can be captured on film. The area was known to the Native Americans as the 'Forbidden Ground.'

Central Oregon  

Sun Mountain Fun Center - Sun Mountain Fun Center offers a variety of interactive and fun activities to be enjoyed by youth of all ages. The center offers bowling, billiards, redemption arcade, mini-golf, go karts, sand volleyball, horseshoes and more.

Inclimb - As the most diverse rock climbing service in the state of Oregon, INCLIMB offers over 8000sqft of indoor climbing for all ability levels.  Inclimb also offers guided hiking and rock climbing trips to Smith Rock and rent portable climbing walls for local and regional events.  The facility is open seven days a week.

Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory - The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is a private, not-for-profit scientific and educational organization in Sunriver, Oregon. Services include interpretive exhibits, large scale public observatory, educational programs, botanical garden, and a nature trail.

Eastern Oregon  

Wallowa County Museum - The purpose of the museum is to preserve, protect and present Wallowa County History, both Indian and settlers; and to aid students, historians, and families in research.

Four Rivers Cultural Center - This Cultural Center is named after four different waterways that represent the many different cultures that have made this region so diverse.

Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon - Be a kid again in the Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon, where visitors can enjoy hands-on fun in the Music Room, the Bubble Table, All-aboard train, the Shop 'n Kart Grocery Store, and much more!

Pendleton Underground Tours - Join a lively underground tour of the the town of Pendleton's entertaining and colorful history through tunnels where Chinese laborers lived and businesses thrived! The past becomes real when visitors get to see Hop Sing's Chinese laundry, a 1920s Prohibition card room, and more.

Eastern Oregon Museum - Like Grandma's attic, the museum contains an outstanding collection of household, farming, mining, and pioneer artifacts. The Museum contains over 10,000 nostalgic artifacts.  610 Third Street, Haines.

National Parks

Crater Lake National Park - Crater Lake is widely known for its intense blue color and spectacular views. During summer, visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours on the lake surface, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, camp at Mazama Village, or hike some of the park's various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Diverse interpretive programs enhance visitors' knowledge and appreciation of this national park, 90% of which is managed as wilderness. The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year. Although park facilities mostly close for this snowy season, visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes.

Fort Clatsop National Memorial - This site celebrates the 1805-06 winter encampment of the 33-member Lewis and Clark Expedition. A 1955 community-built replica of the explorers' 50'x50' Fort Clatsop is the focus of this 125-acre park. The fort, historic canoe landing, and spring are nestled in the coastal forests and wetlands of the Coast Range as it merges with the Columbia River Estuary. The Salt Works unit commemorates the expedition's salt-making activities. Salt obtained from seawater was essential to the explorers' winter at Fort Clatsop and their journey back to the United States in 1806.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument -  Within the heavily eroded volcanic deposits of the scenic John Day River basin is a well-preserved fossil record of plants and animals. This remarkably complete record, spanning more than 40 of the 65 million years of the Cenozoic Era (the "Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants") is world-renown. Authorized October 26, 1974, and established in 1975, this 14,000 acre park is divided into three widely separated units; the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit, and Clarno Unit. 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail - This site celebrates the heroic expedition of the Corps of Discovery, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark. Thirty three people traveled with them into unknown territory, starting near what is now known as Wood River, Illinois in 1804, reaching the Pacific Ocean in 1805 and returning in 1806.

Oregon National Historic Trail - As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Beginning in 1841 and continuing for more than 20 years, an estimated 300,000 emigrants followed this route from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon on a trip that took five months to complete.  The 2,170 mile long trail passes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon.

Oregon Caves National Monument - Oregon Caves National Monument is small in size, 480 acres, but rich in diversity. Above ground, the monument encompasses a remnant old-growth coniferous forest. It harbors a fantastic array of plants, and a Douglas-fir tree with the widest known girth in Oregon. Three hiking trails access this forest. Below ground is an active marble cave created by natural forces over hundreds of thousands of years in one of the world's most diverse geologic realms.

This week's Oregon article

The Oregon Tale: Traveling the State
by: Jennifer Marie Jordan

Oregon is a place that isn’t known for vacations: it’s not a large tourist attraction or an ideal spring break destination. It, quite simply, isn’t famous. Because of this, it’s one of the most modest of regions. If someone were to ask Oregon if it was a nice state, in its own humble manner it would probably answer, "Well, I’m definitely top 50."

Despite not being known as a hot spot, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Not only does it possess the naturalness of the Northwest - the land is paved with a tapestry of greens and browns - but it also maintains a sense of freshness, as if God is endlessly spraying it with Febreze. A place that quite simply has it all, Oregon is filled with mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, plains, and even an ocean.

There are few places in Oregon where you won’t find beauty with the exception of the far eastern plains (Oregonians naturally refer to this area as "Idaho"). The state itself is filled with limitless majesty and endless things to do. The following is a list that will merely get you started.

The Enchanted Forest - Just outside of Salem, the Enchanted Forest is one of the most unique amusement parks of all time. In an era where parks are trying to obtain the highest roller coaster or the fastest ride, The Enchanted Forest has stayed true to its roots.

Located in an actual forest, this amusement park is perhaps one of the only ones around that is geared toward younger children: teenagers need not apply. It contains rides and attractions based on fantasy and storybook characters. Among some of the themes featured are Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, Humpty Dumpty, the Old Lady who Lived in the Shoe, and Hansel and Gretel. For kids who are a little older, there are also bobsled rides, a haunted house, bumper cars, and water rides.

The Oregon Coast – The Oregon coast isn’t a place where you will find a slug of college party kids or girls aspiring to go wild; instead, this coast isn’t your typical coast. In lieu of beach volleyball and bikinis, this coast has bonfires and clam chowder. The waters are often cold, too cold for swimming on most occasions, and people are just as likely to wear a winter coat as they are a tank top.

Because it is free of the typical coastal behavior, this coast evokes a sense of calmness and sereneness that other beaches can not possess. Going here for twenty minutes makes you feel as if your troubles could drift away, possibly carried off by a hungry seagull who mistook your worries for a piece of bread.

Oregon’s coast stretches for almost 400 miles, from Astoria (oh yes people, home of the Goonies) to Brookings. This vastness provides people with several things to do. From looking at lighthouses to shopping in boutiques, from whale watching to deep sea fishing, the Oregon coast is perfect for those with eclectic tastes. People may find enjoyment taking a scenic drive or staying at a beachfront hotel. Others may find certain attractions - such as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Sea Lion Caves in Florence - more appealing. No matter what you find to do, you’ll find that the Oregon Coast is a sure, or shore, bet.

Mt. Hood - Mt. Hood might not be the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, but you probably won’t mind. Home to four ski areas - including the only ski area in North America that is open year round - Mt. Hood is filled with volcanic slopes, valleys, and rivers. Perhaps the furthest thing from skiing, fruit growing is also something this region is famous for. From grapes to apples, from blueberries to pears and apricots, the only thing you can’t grow here is bored.

After a day on the slopes or a day of harvest, many travelers find their experience continues at the Columbia River Gorge, right nearby. This is arguably one of the most magnificent places in the nation: it’s as if verses of America the Beautiful were written with this gorge in mind. Containing Multnomah Falls, one of the 77 waterfalls in the area, visitors here can‘t help but ask, "Niagara who?" Six hundred and twenty feet high, there are only three other waterfalls in the country that are higher.

The Willamette Valley - For people who like wine, otherwise known as people who are breathing, the Willamette Valley is a great place to visit. Located roughly 100 miles south of Portland, this valley is filled with rolling green hills, country lanes, and covered bridges. It reminds people of a simpler time of life, when neighbors said hello, people helped each other, and farmers' markets existed instead of Wal-Mart’s.

Three quarters of Oregon’s wine comes from the Willamette Valley: this is a valley known not only for some of the best Oregonian wine, but some of the best wine everywhere. Over 200 wineries are located here, waiting to offer the thirsty traveler a little taste of Oregon in the form of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.

The Shakespeare Festival - Where art thou Good Theater? Tis in Oregon. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, located in Southern Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit theaters in the country. Tony Award-winning, this festival operates on an eight and a half month basis, producing eleven shows at a time in three theaters. Annually, this theater is home to over 780 performances and 360,000 patrons. For those who like literature, there is no better place to see Shakespeare’s words come to life.

Oregon is one of the best places to go for a laidback, unique vacation. It offers people a chance to experience a variety of things in an eclectic environment. Simply put, it is an Oregon trail of fun.