Discover Oregon Things to do
Oregon known as one of the country’s greenest states for its endless expanses of vibrant green land. In the central valleys, the rolling hills, jagged hilltops, or along the rocky coastline. Oregon is famous for its scenic beauty in its rural areas. Endless entertainment options in its big cities.
Popular tourist attractions are also some of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Like Crater Lake National Park and the Columbia River Gorge. In the city of Portland, museums, parks, and gardens top the list of must-see attractions.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area spans the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington. Creates stunning vistas, rugged rock-strewn hiking trails, and scenic waterfalls. The tallest waterfall in the state, Multnomah Falls, is perhaps the most iconic display of gravity in the Columbia River Gorge.
Visitors to the gorge can drive along the Columbia River Highway. Including the scenic bypass which winds along the bottom of the gorge for close-up views of the popular waterfalls and hiking trails.
Crater Lake National Park
This sapphire blue lake is the deepest lake in the United States at Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake was formed when Mount Mazama erupted more than 7,000 years ago. Forming a deep blue lake and one of the state’s most dramatic landscapes.
Crater Lake National Park is home to some stunning trails like Watchman Peak give great views of the caldera. More moderate options stem from Rim Village via paved sidewalks. Tourist to the lake can drive the rim of the caldera to view the lake, picnic, hike, or enjoy a boat tour out to Wizard Island in the center of the lake.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, called OMSI is a science and technology museum that is one of Portland’s most popular attractions. Find hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits, labs where you can do real science, playgrounds dedicated to the littlest scientists, halls for families to problem solve together.
Enhance your visit with specialty shows and tours. Submarine Tours get a sneak peek into the life on a real submarine. See the universe like never before in the Pacific Northwest’s premier planetarium. The museum’s temporary exhibits explore cutting-edge science and technologies.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a located in Newport, on the beautiful Oregon Coast. The Aquarium is a living classroom for all ages. As one of Oregon’s top tourist attractions. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S.
Providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. Explore the open sea walk through aquarium. Different animal encounters are behind the scenes, jelly touch, octopus encounter and dive the aquarium. The price of these encounters does not include admission to the Aquarium.
Washington Park Oregon
Above the city of Portland is this expansive urban forested area which is home to many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Washington Park offers a full day’s worth of entertainment for visitors of all types. This 410-acre park is home to the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Garden, and the Portland Japanese Garden.
Washington Park has over 15 miles of trails, some of which are part of the 40-Mile Loop connecting with Pittock Mansion, Forest Park to the north, and Council Crest to the south. With its various attractions, it is a place for all to enjoy nature, smell the roses and have fun.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument known for its preserved layers of fossilized plants and animals. Colorful rock formations at John Day Fossil Beds preserve a world class record of changing climate, and past ecosystems that span over 40 million years. Exhibits and a working lab at the Thomas Condon Visitor Center.
Scenic drives and hikes at all three units, allow visitors to explore the prehistoric past of Oregon and see science in action. To learn about and view the fossils visitors can take part in ranger led programs and walking tours. The entire area is popular for hiking and the beautiful painted hills.
Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is a traditional Japanese garden occupying 12 acres. Located within Washington Park in Portland, Oregon. Overlooking the city provides an urban oasis for locals and travelers alike. The Garden is composed of eight unique garden spaces.
From the lush greens in the Strolling Pond Garden to the empty space (or ma) of the Sand and Stone Garden. Each style demonstrates unique aspects of Japanese garden history and design. The Umami Café provides a place for you to relax and refresh while at the Garden. Here, you will experience the pairing of world-class Japanese tea.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is a zoo in Portland Oregon. Located on 64 forested acres just minutes from Portland city center. The zoo is arranged in five areas that range across different continents and ecosystems: Great Northwest, Elephant Lands, Africa, Primate Forest and Discovery Zone.
Within each zone you’ll find animals and habitats such as Africa Savanna or Polar Passage that recreate the habitats of specific animals. Spend a day in one area or circle the planet on your visit to the Oregon Zoo. Within each zone you’ll find animals and exhibits such as Africa Savanna or Elephant Lands. They recreate the habitats of specific animals representing 165 species.
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum features indoor and outdoor exhibits. Related to aviation and space flight history. Space Museum displays artifacts from several space missions as well as replicas. Discover more than 150 aircraft, spacecraft, and exhibits that tell the story of flight and space exploration with unique historic artifacts.
Including the Hughes Flying Boat Spruce Goose, six times larger than any aircraft of its time, the Spruce Goose, also known as the Hughes Flying Boat, is made entirely of wood and flew just one time. SR-71 Blackbird, and the Titan II Space Launch Vehicle.
Ecola State Park
Wrapping around Tillamook Head, between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches along 9 miles of coastline and offers outstanding sightseeing and recreation opportunities. Sightseeing opportunities begin the moment you enter the park. The entrance road flows through a lush Sitka spruce forest, opening up to a bluff offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Trails offer cliffside viewpoints of secluded coves, forested points and even a abandoned lighthouse. The park’s network of trails includes an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail, and a 2 1/2-mile historical interpretive route called the Clatsop Loop Trail.
Things to Do in Oregon
Although Oregon might have a reputation for being one of the wettest places in the country. It’s this unusual rainfall that makes this rainy state beautifully green.
On a visit to Oregon, pack your parka, and plan for plenty of time to explore the great outdoors. Visit several historical landmarks, and see the sights in the state’s biggest city, Portland.