Oregon isn’t a place you see as much as you do. You can sight-see our beautiful coast, volcanic mountains, crystal-clear lakes and deserts that stretch as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for world-class pinots, some of the best food and craft beer in the country, epic cycling, kayaking, windsurfing or just about anything else-ing, look no further.
Food & Drink
Oregon’s culinary scene is one of the most exciting and vibrant in the nation. And it’s all about raw materials. Thanks to a myriad of landscapes, Oregon produces a huge variety of high-quality wild and cultivated foods, from pears to salmon to mushrooms to berries, in addition to locally raised beef and abundant seafood. Chefs, both professional and amateur, also gravitate to the burgeoning farmers markets statewide to harvest their own freshly picked ingredients. Maybe it’s Oregon’s pioneer roots, but in this can-do culture it’s understood good food requires effort – and it’s worth it.
In four short decades, Oregon’s modern wine industry has gone from fledgling to world-renowned. The number of wineries (more than 400) has increased dramatically in the years since a few determined wine pioneers migrated here in the 1960s. Award-winning Pinot Noirs have put Oregon on the map with an approachable, down-to-earth winemaking community inviting you to sample their artisanal wines.
At last count, Oregon was home to an impressive 134 brewing companies, operating 166 facilities. Why Oregon? We have the perfect ingredients – hardy hops and barley – in our own backyard. Add some creative energy, and the result is uniquely flavored suds flowing out of local taps. With a bevy of restaurants serving Oregon beer, and dozens of local brewpubs, it won’t be hard to find your favorite Oregon craft beer.
The Great Outdoors
You can hike anywhere, but in Oregon you can hike everywhere. We have trails through alpine passes, through ancient fossil beds and overlooking the Pacific. We have urban hikes and the Lewis and Clark trail. And with our temperate winters and breezy summers, you can hike nearly everywhere almost anytime.
Whether you’re into road biking, mountain biking or in-town cruising, Oregon has the trails and bike paths to suit your cycling. Oregon is the only state with designated Scenic Bikeways, chosen for plenty of room to ride plus epic views — and we have nine of them! We also have world-class mountain bike trails winding through deep forests and along wild rivers.
With more than 200 public courses — designed by the likes of Cupp, Palmer and McLay Kidd — it’s no wonder Oregon ranks so high for golf fans. Picking your tee time is the easy part. Choosing among our many great courses is the real challenge.
If golfing, cycling, and hiking aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite for adventure, not to worry — there’s more. There’s climbing Smith Rock, windsurfing the Gorge, angling the Deschutes and rafting the rapids of Hells Canyon. There’s year-round skiing and snowboarding, and surfing along 363 miles of coastline.
Oregon Highlights
Where locals go to relax
During spring and summer growing seasons, farmers’ markets appear in the Willamette Valley’s historic towns, and roadside stands dot the country lanes. Nestled among its rolling hills are over 200 wineries, and the temperate climate makes it a favourite for hikers and cyclists.
You might be surprised by…
Imagine a school where you can have beer in the classroom and falling asleep is okay—even encouraged! That is exactly the atmosphere you’ll find at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, a shuttered elementary school that's been converted into an inn/brewpub/film theatre, all while retaining its school character.
Must-see museum
Among the 200-plus historic aircraft, spacecraft and exhibits on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville are the world’s largest wooden flying boat, the ‘Spruce Goose’; the SR-71 ‘Blackbird’; the Titan II SLV Missile; and the P-38 ‘Lightning’.
Your child will always remember…
Have you already tried snowboarding? Well, how about sandboarding? At the sand dunes near Florence, you can rent boards and get all the advice you need.
Classic road trip
The near-363 miles of Pacific coastline ranges from rugged cliffs to evergreen forests to Sahara-like dunes and boundless sandy beaches. From Astoria in the north to Brookings in the southern tip, follow the shoreline past a smorgasbord of unique attractions, including scores of quaint towns.
Favourite souvenirs
- A great book from Powell’s Books in Portland
- A handmade glass float on the Oregon coast (if you can find one)
- A bottle of Pinot Noir from one of the state’s 400 wineries
- A hand-tooled saddle from Hamley’s & Company in Pendleton
- Fresh pears from Harry & David in Medford.
Don’t overlook this…
The spirit of the West is alive and well in Eastern Oregon, where snow-capped peaks look down on rolling hills, deserts and wild rivers. It’s a land of breathtaking beauty, including the magical Painted Hills near John Day, the colossal Steens Mountains and the jaw-dropping Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America.
Best bargains
Oregon has no sales tax!
Made in our state
- Artisanal cheese from Tillamook Cheese Factory (Tillamook), Rogue Creamery (Central Point) and Tumalo Farms (Bend)
- Blankets, shirts and more from Pendleton Woolen Mills (Pendleton)
- Carved wooden objects from House of Myrtlewood (Coos Bay).
For your first visit…
An effervescent arts community, dozens of parks, a lively downtown complete with an open air plaza that serves as the community’s living room, and a world-class public transportation system are just few of the reasons why Portland is one of the country’s most desirable cities to live in. And within a few minutes’ drive of downtown are Pinot-producing wineries, kayak-friendly waterways and the foothills of Mount Hood.
Trip Ideas in Oregon
