Oregon is home to a variety of spectacular natural attractions that lure Oregonians and travelers into an outdoor playground for world-class fly-fishing, unforgettable hikes, cultural festivals and fun activities. Visit the Metropolitan Portland region for arts, culture and museums, or travel to one of the state’s six geographic areas that include Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon. Located along the stunning Pacific Coast of the United States, this picturesque state has more than 360 miles of coast, which include rocky cliffs, windswept forests and grand sand dunes. Oregon is also home to rugged volcanoes, marvelous caves and hundreds of lakes and rivers.
Portland is Oregon’s largest city and the state’s entertainment capital. Visitors in Portland can uncover pieces of Oregon’s history and the discovery of America at the Lewis and Clark Museum, the Portland Art Museum and the interpretive center that marks the end of the Oregon Trail. Portland is also home to the acclaimed Oregon Symphony, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, the University of Oregon Ducks and several minor-league baseball teams. The microbrewery city of Portland isn’t the only tourist-friendly city in Oregon. More than two dozen seaside towns line the Oregon coast. The coastal drive down Highway 101 is a popular trip that engages Oregonians and visitors year after year. Smaller cities, such as Ashland, Oregon, host big events like the Tony-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a mouth-watering Chocolate Festival that celebrates the art of the chocolatier.
Southern Oregon is home to a variety of attractions, including the 1,000-foot-deep Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the country, and the Oregon Caves National Monument, which features spectacular marble caves carved through erosion. Known as the Marble Halls of Oregon, this landmark within the Siskiyou Mountains is one of the few places in the world with marble caves. With its mild weather, Southern Oregon is a popular year-round destination for golf, mountain biking, hiking and outdoor activities. Skiers, snowboarders and winter-sport fanatics can indulge their hobby in Central Oregon at one of four prominent ski areas on Mount Hood. Due to the striking natural beauty of this region, it’s no surprise that Mount Hood is one of the country’s most-photographed landmarks.
In addition to Oregon’s many fantastic natural areas, the state has more than 300 days of sunshine every year, which makes it one of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors. Oregon’s ancient volcanoes, including the Cascade Mountains, provide beautiful views and essential minerals that make Oregon an agricultural Mecca. With its perfect climate and mineral-rich soils, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is becoming one of the nation’s top wine-producing regions. Today, more than 200 wineries grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling grapes in the Willamette Valley. Attend wine tasting events, enjoy a luxurious wine tour or travel to local vineyards independently, and discover everything Oregon’s Wine Country has to offer.
