Portland and beyond: 8 of the best places to visit in Oregon

18.04.2024 - 15:17 / lonelyplanet.com

Although many people think of Oregon as one big forest — or equate the Pacific Northwest with Portland, its unabashedly weirdest and biggest city — this massive state offers so much more.

Whether you’re a fan of outdoor adventure, or more into food and wine, you’ll find plenty to experience in Oregon. Here's our guide to the best places to go and why you should spend your time there.

Best place for foodies

Portland is most people’s introduction to Oregon, and as the largest (and quirkiest) city in the state, it’s got plenty to see and do. It’s where you’ll find the state’s best museums and public parks, and the celebrated Powell’s City of Books is located right in the heart of the city. Portland is also a nationally recognized culinary hub, and plenty of people travel to the City of Roses with one activity in mind: eating. While it is known for its street food scene, with hundreds of food carts all around town, Portland also has a swankier side, with high-end restaurants such as the James Beard Award-winning Haitian spot kann drawing in visitors from across the USA and beyond.

Insider tip: If you’re planning a food trip to Portland, be aware that many local restaurants are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Best place for scenic drives

Another one of Oregon’s particularly gorgeous areas, the Oregon Coast is not your average beach destination. Throw out all notions of long days lounging on hot sands and instead embrace the opportunity to enjoy nearly 400 miles of public-access coastline fringed with massive cliffs topped with windswept conifers and huge expanses of sand virtually devoid of loungers and tawdry beach cafes. Nature and scenery are the big draws here, with numerous natural areas and state parks – including the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Humbug Mountain State Park – enticing hikers and campers.

Planning tip: While you can theoretically drive the Oregon Coast in a day, it’s wise to give yourself a bit more time to explore. This is a region that merits slow drives and lots of extra time to pull over and take in the scenery.

Ready to plan your trip to Oregon? Here are the best things to do while you're there

Best place for hikers

While it would be unfair to say that one part of Oregon is the most scenic, the Columbia River Gorge is definitely up there. Straddling both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River (which forms a partial border between the two states), the Gorge as it’s affectionately shortened to, is a fantastic place for day hikes, and most trailheads are within a 30- to 45-minute drive from downtown Portland. Even if you aren’t feeling like exerting much energy, it’s worth visiting to check out Multnomah Falls (the highest waterfall in the state) or to take in the