Oregon

From vibrant cities like Portland and Bend, to pristine nature both inland and along the cliff-studded Oregon Coast, this Pacific Northwest state is a wonderful destination for travelers looking for art, culture, food, outdoors adventures, or some combination.

A photo of a beautiful waterfall in Oregon surrounded by evergreens and orange-leafed trees in the fall.

Make beautiful places—like Bend—a part of your trip to Oregon.

Photo by Aleksander Todorovic/Shutterstock

Overview

When’s the best time to go to Oregon?

Many will say that Oregon is best visited in the summer, when the state sees less rain, long days, and warm temperatures. Although more rainy, spring and fall bring their own kind of charm, and winter is the ideal time of year for enjoying Oregon’s ski and snowboarding slopes.

Can’t miss things to do in Oregon

Oregon has a wide variety of activities for travelers. Some highlights of travel in the state include:

  • Exploring the artistic and culinary scenes in the quirky, creative city of Portland.
  • Wine tasting in Willamette Valley.
  • Sipping your way through Oregon’s acclaimed craft beer scene.
  • Road tripping along the Oregon coast.
  • Hiking the iconic Multnomah Falls and going for a scenic drive along the Colombia River.
  • Mountain biking, hiking, or skiing on Mount Hood.
  • Visiting Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States.
  • Getting outdoors, any time of the year, in nature-loving Bend.
  • Attending the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Practical Information

No matter what time of year it is, bring a great rain jacket. In summer months, prepare for heat and in winter, snow. Fall and spring weather are all over the map, so wear your layers for a comfortable stay.

Read Before You Go
Hotels
Not into camping? These hotels near national parks offer upscale luxury and comfort in remote, scenic locations.
These Airbnbs run the gamut, from cottages ready for nature lovers to sleek condos overlooking the ocean.
We’re living in the golden age of hotels that have craft cocktails, Instagram-ready design, and in-room turntables. These properties, ranging from West Texan motels to loft-like boutiques in the middle of city noise, are our absolute favorites of the breed.
Read one writer’s account of staying at this beautiful vineyard hotel in the Pacific Northwest.
Resources to help plan your trip
Portland has long been one of America’s culinary “it” cities and that won’t change anytime soon. The city’s cooks do so many things so very well: from doughnuts to dishes that focus on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. Eat around the world without leaving the city limits with visits to the legendary food cart scene as well as top spots like Ava Gene’s, Kachka, and Hat Yai (their Thai fried chicken will make you want to move to Portland). Pull up to one of these restaurant tables and you’ll find yourself challenged and delighted and definitely eager for more.
For three nights only, locals near the Bend, Oregon, store can nab a ’90s-themed slumber party for just $4.
Readers are escaping into fiction during the coronavirus pandemic.
With a new luxury hotel, a promising restaurant scene, and loads of outdoor adventure, this jewel of the high desert makes for the ideal escape from the City of Roses.
Wine lovers, rejoice: the French-style bar à vins, beloved especially in Paris as a casual, personality-driven neighborhood haunt for regular wine drinking, is staking a claim in the United States.
Surf’s up: These laid-back beaches and friendly breaks are ideal for beginner surfers looking to learn the basics.
The region has come a long way in its relatively short half-century of winemaking pursuits.
A hike to one of these remote places will change the way you experience the meal at the end.
For discerning travelers, the question is always where to go next. We’ve searched the world for the best itineraries that offer unparalleled access in places both close to home or farther afield.
Consider this your worldwide summer cocktail guide.
At the Suttle Lodge, you’ll eat well, sleep deeply—and relax completely.
Food is about relationships for chef Chris Himmel—and his restaurants serve some of the best flavors in the business because of it.
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