1.) Yaquina Head<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2021\/06\/23\/11-best-places-in-oregon-to-visit\/\")
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Situated just north of Newport, Yaquina Head is an incredible coastal area to explore if you\u2019re fancying a little trip away from the city itself. Honestly, the coastline all around Yaquina Head Lighthouse (from the 1800s) is just beautiful and an incredible place to go for a ramble on the trails that cross the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although a relatively small area (in comparison to some of the other parks in Oregon), Yaquina Head really is a stunner to visit. This is especially true in the late afternoon when you can partner a ramble with a great sunset view, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Be sure to follow the Lighthouse Trail or head up to Salal Hill for some totally beautiful scenery. Just be sure to take some water with you and some sunblock in the summer months. Even on a cloudy day, that wind can fool you into getting sunburned!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, for a quieter (and totally tranquil) sunset spot, head further north up the coast to Moolack Beach. The views across the ocean are just so stunning!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best hiking trails in Oregon<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Right at the southern limits of Siuslaw National Forest, the Oregon Dunes is one of the best places in Oregon to explore on a trip. shaped over thousands of years, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the largest expanses sand dunes in the whole world!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best of all, the sandbanks and hills are as silky and powdery as you can imagine. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the wider area, especially with all the spots to see and do. After arriving, head on one of the quad\/ATV tours that\u2019ll take you right within the dunes themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That being said, if you fancy something a little calmer, pack your hiking boots and head to some of the trails that stretch for miles.<\/p>\n
One thing to note\u2026 although never totally rammed with people, if you want a much quieter experience it\u2019s best to arrive early in the morning. Yes, it can be chillier but you\u2019ll have a lot fewer people around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the west coast USA to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Eugene<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around a 100-minute drive from Portland, Eugene is one of the best places in Oregon to visit if you\u2019re fancying a little city break. The thing I love most about Eugene is that it\u2019s big enough to get a great west coast city experience but small enough to get around easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to explore the incredible Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Yes, it might be an intimate museum but one that certainly packs a punch! Afterwards, head over to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, which is totally epic and perfect to visit if you\u2019re fancying an indoor activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, for some great views across Eugene, head over to Skinner Butte Park. There are some lovely (and pretty easy) trails to follow and is perfect for a morning jaunt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s a park you\u2019re after, visit Hendricks Park. This is the oldest park in all of Eugene and one spot that\u2019s totally beautiful on a sunny day. Make sure to visit the native plant gardens and follow the trails through the forest routes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Getting hungry? Grab a table over at Fisherman\u2019s Market. Their seafood pies and crab legs are so delicious!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Fun cities in the USA to visit<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n4.) Ecola State Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Probably one of the most famous coastal areas in Oregon, Ecola State Park is a totally beautiful spot to visit. It\u2019s a totally pristine area to visit and includes so many spots to see and things to do whilst road tripping along the coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, you can\u2019t miss a visit to the coastal bays at Bird Point and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse Viewpoint that are just nearby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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For a gorgeous hike, pop along the Indian Beach Trail or stop off at Crescent Beach that\u2019s totally blissful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Finally, don\u2019t forget to see the iconic Haystack Rock just off Canon Beach. It\u2019s totally easy to find and well worth a gander after wandering the town itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and for a perfect brew, head into Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters. Their coffee blends are so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5.)\u00a0Silver Falls State Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Being one of the biggest parks in the state, Silver Falls State Park is totally beautiful and one of the best places in Oregon to explore for a big slice of the wild! Around a 40-minute drive from Salem, it\u2019s totally easy to visit for a day trip or a longer getaway into the great outdoors.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve arrived, head straight over to explore some of the park\u2019s iconic falls that are dotted all over the area. There are a heap of to see, especially South Falls and North Falls that totally gorgeous! If you want to spot more, follow the Trail of Ten Falls that\u2019s just over 7-miles in length. It\u2019s a relatively easy trail (for experienced hikers) and well worth the ramble to explore more of the state park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Though, just like other iconic spots in Oregon, it can get busy. This means you should arrive nice and early if you want to avoid the crowds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best National Parks in the USA to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n6.) Mount Bachelor<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around two hours from Eugene, Mount Bachelor is one of Oregon\u2019s best skiing areas that\u2019s well worth it for some time gliding down the slopes. It\u2019s a totally beautiful area and one of the best places in Oregon for a range of runs to suit the whole family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, Mount Bachelor doesn\u2019t have the largest \u2018resort\u2019 feel but that\u2019s all part of its charm in my opinion. Most people tend to lodge up in Bend (about 30-minutes away) and it\u2019s totally worth booking a few nights in the city if you\u2019re planning a longer ski trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
7.) Hood River<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
At the banks of the Columbia River, Hood River is one city in Oregon that\u2019s easy to visit as you travel along the Washington and Oregon border.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whilst here, be sure to take a ride on the historic Mount Hood Railroad. It\u2019s totally kitsch and well worth the experience whilst staying in Hood River.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re blessed with some gorgeous sunny weather, head over to The Hook and rent a kayak from Hood River SUP and Kayak. It\u2019s a great way to explore some of the wider waterways and well worth it on a calm afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and for some of the best sweet treats, head into Mike\u2019s Ice Cream for their delicious homemade cones. We love them!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, don\u2019t forget to explore the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor that\u2019s on your route from Portland. It\u2019s a totally gorgeous area across the river itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
8.) Portland<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Speaking of Portland, it\u2019s one of Oregon\u2019s best places that you really can\u2019t miss when visiting the state. Now, we\u2019d recommend spending at least a few days in the city as there\u2019s a fair bit to see and experience once you\u2019re here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After arriving, be sure to explore the totally iconic Japanese Garden that\u2019s picture-perfect. You can easily whisk away a good few hours here and it\u2019s totally blissful. Afterwards, head on over to the Portland Art Museum that\u2019s been around since the 1800s. Inside, you\u2019ll find a heap of Native American art alongside contemporary art that you can easily spend a whole day seeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If historic homes are more your style, pop inside Pittock Mansion. This Renaissance-style house has been in Portland for over 100 years! Nowadays, you can take a gander inside and tour the beautiful grounds that are gorgeous. Also, nearby, you\u2019ll find a heap of paths and routes that make for a gorgeous stroll through the park.<\/p>\n
For a tasty treat, book a table at Le Pigeon. Focusing on French-fusion dishes, it has heaps of character and a seasonal menu that\u2019s totally yummy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, if you\u2019re visiting on the weekend, head over to explore the Portland Saturday Market. It\u2019s one of the largest in the country for arts and crafts. The market attracts hundreds of small businesses and thousands of visitors from the wider northwest. You won\u2019t want to miss it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
9.)\u00a0Crater Lake National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Located in the cascade mountains is the Crater Lake National Park, one of the best places in Oregon for views! Well, in my opinion at least!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Technically more of a caldera than a crater, it\u2019s a vast area that\u2019s incredible to follow via the Scenic Byway (in the summer only).<\/p>\n
After arriving in the national park, be sure to see the views from the Watchman Observation Station. It\u2019s totally beautiful and easily one of the best views in the whole park. Yes, there might be a little ramble to get to the views but it\u2019s all worth it.<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget to see the iconic Devils Backbone, Merriam Point and spot Wizard Island from the crater edge itself. We love it!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the west coast USA to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n10.)\u00a0Smith Rock State Park\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around a 40-minute drive from Bend, Smith Rock State Park encompasses an out-of-this-world landscape that really shows off the natural diversity of Oregon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once you get here and check-in at the Visitor Centre, be sure to follow the River or Canyon Trail that takes in the best spots in the park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019re fancying a bit more of a challenge, head on the Misery Ridge Trail that cuts between the Crooked River.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, you can easily book a hot air balloon ride whilst in the area \u2013 it\u2019s totally magical but you must be prepared for cancellations in case of dodgy weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11.) Multnomah Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Another spot perched between Portland and Hood River, Multnomah Falls is one of the best places in Oregon to visit on a wider road trip on the northern fringes of the state. Honestly, it\u2019s a stop you have to make on the Columbia River Gorge and an iconic spot you can\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can easily whisk away a few hours hiking the trails here. Plus, you get rewarded with some totally beautiful views.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One thing to note is that the parking lot can fill up fast (especially on the weekend). If you want to secure a space, arrive early and avoid weekends when it can fill up fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the west coast USA to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n12 Best Places To See Around The West Coast, USA<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n