Incredible Places to Visit in Oregon

We’re quite outspoken about our affection for the Beaver State (yep, that’s Oregon’s official moniker!). Oregon’s natural features are immensely diversified, spanning lush rainforest, beaches, desert, innumerable waterfalls, sand dunes, and of course, lots and lots of mountains.

That’s only the beginning, though – there are also wonderful vineyards and wineries, terrific food and beer scenes, every sort of festival and event conceivable throughout the year, and loads of small-town charm.

Whether you’re visiting a specific region or road-tripping around Oregon, there’s stunning wildlife, lovely coastal villages, and superb local craft beer around every turn. But there’s only so much time you can spend exploring (unfortunately!), so we’ve picked down the most excellent sites to see in Oregon.

1. Bend

As some of you may know, we’ve truly come to adore this city, even dubbing it our new home! We may be a touch prejudiced, but we’d bet you that after visiting, you’ll fall for it too!

With a busy downtown, excellent brewing culture, beautiful boutiques, and terrific restaurants, Bend demands at least a weekend visit. However, beyond that, the city is also home to one of Oregon’s premier natural places, Smith Rock State Park, offering just about every outdoor activity conceivable!

Things To Do In Bend

• Take a hike. With spectacular natural features and an easy commute in every direction, Bend is a top spot to lace up your boots and hit the trails. Some of our favorite hikes in Bend are Broken Top, Green Lakes, and Tumalo Mountain paths. For the ultimate mountaineering challenge, conquer the South Sister Summit (no gear necessary).

• Sample the great beer scene. Bend punches much above its weight for a medium-sized city with numerous famous brewers. Stop by Crux for wonderful brews and a laid-back ambiance, 10Barrel for amazing pizza and a huge beer variety, and The Ale Apothecary for creative wild ales aged in oak barrels.

• Enjoy the Deschutes River. Stroll the various walking pathways, try your luck fishing, or in the summer, float or tube down the river starting at the appropriately-named Riverbend Park.

• Hit the slopes. One of the key reasons that Bend is one of the top locations to visit in Oregon is that it provides four-season outdoor sports. When winter rolls in, the state’s main ski resort, Mt.Bachelor, is just 30 minutes away. If you’re not much of a skier, you may alternatively snowshoe to a mountain cabin or do cross-country skiing.

Where To Stay In Bend

• McMenamins Old St. Francis School: a fascinating restored Catholic school with an excellent soaking pool, movie theater, restaurant, and bar. We love this hotel so much we put it as one of our top things to do in Bend!

• Tethrow Hotel: A wonderfully magnificent accommodation situated outside of Bend, enveloped in nature and just a quick 15-minute journey to town.

• bed & Brew Historic Lucas House: Book a bed in this active hostel for inexpensive accommodation with a convenient central location.

2. Portland

Fun-loving Portland marches to the beat of its own drum in just about every metric. This eccentric city is full of character and home to a never-ending assortment of new eateries, parks, exciting events, and attractions.

For a complete list, check out our guide for things to do in Portland, which we update weekly (and it keeps getting longer!).

You’ll undoubtedly travel through Portland no matter which attractions are on your list of places to visit in Oregon, but you should absolutely hang around. Whether eating delicacies from around the world, finding breweries, or visiting varied neighborhoods, Portland offers some of the finest of metropolitan Oregon.

Things To Do In Portland

• Rent a bicycle to get a true sense for Portland’s soul! A very bike-friendly city, there are lots of gorgeous paths to explore, from calm riverfront pathways to bike lanes through lively districts.

• Wander around quaint areas including Mississippi, Richmond, Hawthorne, Alberta, and Downtown, each with their own individual characteristics.

• A journey to Portland isn’t complete without a stop at Powell’s City of Books, the biggest independent bookstore in the world!

• Go on a cuisine tour. We’ve found this to be one of the most approachable ways to get into Portland’s diverse (and excellent!) culinary scene. There are so many to select from, but each allows you taste numerous delectable snacks and beverages from local companies.

• Get yourself a cup of Joe. Portland boasts one of the greatest coffee scenes in the U.S. Some establishments worth dropping into are Never Coffee, Heart Coffee Roasters, and Proud Mary Cafe.

• Grab a pint in one of America’s top beer cities. Our personal favorite collection is at Ecliptic, but we also adore Lucky Labrador and Stormbreaker. With thus many alternatives, try out as many as you can to discover one that meets your taste (hard work, we know!).

Where To Stay In Portland

• Pink House off Mississippi Ave: A unique small house in our favorite Portland neighborhood

• LoLo Pass: Budget-friendly guesthouse and art gallery with community energy

• The Inn at Northrup Station: Colorful mid-range hotel excellent for couples

3. Hood River

Hood River’s picture-perfect position close to the Columbia River Gorge and on Mt. Hood’s doorstep makes it one of the top locations to visit in Oregon. Synonymous with wines, outdoor activities, and kite- and windsurfing, Hood River has plenty to do for everyone, from adrenaline addicts to vino-loving visitors.

While it’s a widely-known wine destination, Hood River also features dozens of good breweries, cafés, and restaurants. Plus, there’s amazing hiking routes nearby, including multiple waterfall treks!

Things To Do In Hood River

• Take part in (or just watch!) Hood River’s legendary extreme sports. Windsurfing and kitesurfing aren’t exactly beginner-friendly hobbies, so unless you’re skilled, it needs some significant preparation. Then again, everyone starts somewhere, right?! There are numerous schools and instructors in town to introduce the adrenaline-fueled sport, but there’s also no shame in picnicking on the coast and watching others soar through the air.

• Explore the Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile beautiful trip through lovely local farms, wineries, cideries, fruit markets, and orchards. We recommend seeing as many as possible, but not all are open year-round, so consult the official website to arrange your self-guided trip.

• Like many other sites to visit in Oregon, we encourage hitting the trails. Hood River is excellently positioned to explore several wonderful hiking routes, notably in the Gorge and Mt. Hood regions. Some of our favorite routes close by are the Trillium Lake Trail near Mt. Hood and Dog Mountain, which even has a FREE shuttle that goes from town to the trailhead in the summer.

• Do some wine sampling. Post up at one of Hood River’s famed vineyards for a peaceful day of indulgence as you sip Pinot Noir and take in the vistas of Mount Hood rising in the background.

• Take enjoy magnificent views of Mt. Hood at Panorama Point. Just 10 minutes from downtown, this breathtaking viewpoint highlights the mountain nicely, with fruit orchards in the foreground (if you schedule your visit just so in the spring, the trees will be exploding with bright blooms!). On your route, get a few of beers from neighboring pFriem Family Brewers to compliment the spectacular scenery.

Where To Stay In Hood River

• Inn at the Gorge: Adorable 6-room B&B with nice facilities and a wonderful outside terrace with a hot tub.

• Klickitat Treehouse: Dreamy, unusual treehouse with loads of contemporary conveniences and 18-foot floor-to-ceiling windows viewing Mt. Adams.

• Gorge Nest: Cozy, centrally situated guest room with a private entrance and thoughtful additions including snacks and a coffee bar.

Read Also: Six Amazing Things To Do In El Salvador

4. Sisters

Named for the three nearby 10,000+ ft peaks towering immediately to the west, Sisters offers a wonderful small-town ambiance with an Old West flair and a ton of outdoor sports. It’s relatively little; it only takes 15 minutes to walk across Sisters’ main strip, but there are numerous beautiful stores, cafés, and eateries to keep you occupied.

Things To Do In Sisters

• Wander the charming and tacky (in a good way!) Western-themed downtown, stopping at Sisters Bakery for a treat and Sisters Coffee Company for a caffeine pick-me-up.

• Venture to Skylight Cave, just outside city boundaries. Although it may appear like any other cave at first, three beams of light break the darkness from the roof on bright mornings, producing distinct natural skylights that are highly picturesque! If this sounds exciting, check out our guide to exploring Skylight Cave, an easy-to-miss sight.

• Hike to the peak of Black Butte. This easy climb to an abandoned fire lookout serves up a great payoff with 360-degree views of surrounding volcanoes and the Cascade Range.

• Go for date night at the Sisters Movie House. Set in an ancient converted barn, this old-fashioned cinema emanates timeless appeal.

Where To Stay In Sisters

• FivePine Lodge: Upscale timber chalets with individual waterfall soaking pools in the center of the forest, yet short minutes from town.

• Pursuit of Happiness: Three-bedroom cottage with a spacious deck, loft, and complimentary bicycles in downtown Sisters.

• Creekside Getaway: Affordable private room with parking included and a very nice host!