Raw. Weird. Wonderful. These are just a few of the terms you’d use to describe the rugged terrain and lifestyle of a state still in the process of defining itself.

Its mountain peaks, towering forests, coastal scenery, thundering waterfalls, high desert spaces and rivers invite you to slow down, explore and find solace in the beauty on your Oregon trip in the Pacific Northwest.

Plan for a good amount of time as there are so many cool things to do in Oregon. It is full of adventure, beauty and plenty of good breweries! But if you’re not sure where to stop on your Oregon road trip, then read on to find out.

Here are the Oregon Road Trip Adventures we recommend (and the Oregon Coast is included this in our best road trips in the USA list and top scenic drives in the USA.

Why Take an Oregon Road Trip?

It’s wild and free and an Oregon road trip allows you to show up as you are. When you visit Oregon, anything is accepted and welcome.

This is a state that at times reminded me of Australia with its coastal beauty and its raw, unfiltered, laid back lifestyle.

At other times it reminded me of North Carolina with its mountains, rivers and pine tree forests and craft brews. Two places I love to call my home.

I spent the entire time of our road trip in Oregon longing to return to both of them. Thankfully, Oregon helped to satisfy that craving a little.

It’s also the best way to see nature spots, since you don’t have to rush off to catch a bus, you can stay as long as you like and never have to worry.

It’s perfect for anxious travelers who like to have everything planned to the letter, as with a road trip in Oregon, you can plan for last minute, make changes to your Oregon itinerary, or just start driving and see where you end up!

How to Plan Your Oregon Road Trip

The first thing you will need for your Oregon road trip is a vehicle (of course). If you don’t have your own, you can find the best deals using RentalCars.com, which compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.

As well as renting your car, you’re going to need accommodation. You can find all types of accommodation for all budgets, on Booking.com.

We find that Booking.com have the widest range of properties. You get free cancellation on most rooms, the best price guarantee, and they have verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property!

If you want to step your road trip up a notch, you can rent an RV and camp. RVShare is a great platform for finding RVs and motorhomes for rent.

Road Trip Stops: Things to Do in Oregon

You may be wondering about what to do in Oregon. Below are the best stops for Oregon adventures to add into your Oregon road trip itinerary.

1. Jet Boating on the Rogue River, Gold Beach

One of the best adventures on your Oregon coast road trip is to spend a day jet boating on the wild and scenic Rogue River on the South Oregon Coast.

The girls will never forget this adventure squealing and waving their hands in the air with their friends as we bounced over rapids and did some fast 360 degree turns.

The scenery is rugged and spectacular and it’s highly possible you’ll see lots of wildlife along the way.

Commentary along the six hour tour is informative and entertaining.

There are long (104 miles) and short (80 miles) tours. I recommend the 104-mile Wilderness Whitewater tour with Jerry’s Rogue Jets so you can experience the thrill of the rapids which is mostly featured on the longer tour.

It travels into the ‘Wild’ section, an area only accessible by jet boating, rafting and hiking trail.

You will stop along the way for lunch and a brew if you feel up to it. OR, you can take your own picnic lunch like we did. The picnic spots above the river are serene.

2. Multnomah Falls Loop Hike, Columbia River Gorge

Multnomah Falls is a must see in Oregon. It’s the most well-known of all the waterfalls in Oregon.

This 611 ft. tall cascading waterfall is only 30 minutes from Portland and is the tallest waterfall in Oregon.

As it’s one of the most popular Oregon tourist attractions, you probably want to include it on your Oregon road trip.

The surrounding Columbia River Gorge is stunning (and full of waterfalls) so makes it an easy decision.

Skip just joining the masses from the Benson Bridge, the observation point offering a perfect view of the first and second drop of the waterfall – instead take on the 5 mile loop walk to the waterfall.

Not only will you experience the power of this gigantic waterfall from top, middle and bottom, but you’ll also pass by five other waterfalls along the way, as well as countless cascades.

It’s an adventurous and fun way to spend a few hours.

Take your time, you’ll have a few waterfalls along the way that will help you catch your breath:

• Wahkeena Falls
• Fairy Falls
• Wiesandanger Falls
• Ecola Falls

Lemmons Lookout is a must for stunning views out over the gorge. I also enjoyed walking through the blackened forest, the remnants of the 2017 fire this region is still recovering from.

Our tip is to start at the Wahkeena Trailhead, a short walk east of Multnomah Falls.

On the way back down you’ll eventually hit the top of Multnomah Falls and have views of it on the many switchbacks leading back down.

You’ll be happy you’re going down as you pass by all the panting people walking up.

The kids will find this hike a challenge, but keep them going with promises of a delicious soft serve ice cream at the end. It’s the Multnomah way.

The Wahkeena Falls – Multnomah 5 mile walk takes us past five waterfalls including the infamous Multnomah Falls.

Moving onto Hood River we spend a day exploring the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail which takes us to berry picking, wineries with stunning views of Mt Hood and Mt Adams, Cideries and Lavender Farms.

3. Tubing the Deschutes River, Bend

Tubing on the Deschutes River in Bend was one of the Oregon attractions we were looking most forward to.

And then we had a freak cold spell and jumped in the tube with the water temps at a chilly 57 degrees and the outside temps barely nudging 70.

But we were determined not to miss out on one of the top things to do in Oregon!

Don’t let the cold stop you as we had a blast regardless. You got used to the cold pretty quick and the experience was relaxing and scenic.

What made the tubing in Bend a standout were the rapids at the Whitewater Park.

This is where the river splits into three separate channels for all skill levels. Tubers will want to go down the Passageway Channel which is a more mellow series of rapids.

As you come down the rapids you can easily get stuck in them as it hits the water underneath on the next level. You may have to wait for another tube to bump you out of it if you can’t get yourself out.

Or, you could be just like me and flip out!

It was refreshing fun and I recommend going down them a couple of times as the kids did.

You’ll definitely want to stay awhile and watch the surfers ride the waves in the whitewater channel next to the tubing one. It created distinct man-made waves you can surf or kayak through.

You can tube the river all the way into Drake Park in downtown, but we cut it short at the rapids because of the weather.

Video Bend Oregon

4. Misery Ridge Trail, Smith Rock State Park

Our good friends Mike and Ann from Honeytrek recommended the Misery Ridge Trail in Smith Rock State Park as one of their favorite places in Oregon.

Considering their suggestion to do the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyon together in Utah (the kids favorite hike ever) we knew it was a good idea to listen to them.

They were not wrong!

Misery Ridge Trail is spectacular and definitely in my top 5 hikes in the United States.

It was everything I love about a hike: heart pumping, a little challenging with periods of rest, diversity of landscape that just had your jaw dropping, and incredible views!

Smith Rock State Park is about 30 minutes north of Bend and is one trip you don’t want to miss on your Oregon road trip.

The Misery Ridge trail is a 5.5 mile loop trail that begins with a steep climb up to the summit at 3,300 ft. There are switchbacks to make it easier, but it will be quite the exertion.

Take it slow and pause to catch your breath and admire the beautiful views. It will be over in about 20 minutes and from then on the rest of the hike is easy.

You’ll walk along the ridge for awhile before coming back down and completing the walk along the river bank. The views and scenery are just spectacular.

Leave time to stop for awhile at Monkey Face, the huge free-standing pillar and one of the park’s icons. This is one of the most famous rock climbing walls in the country.

You can watch climbers climb up to the monkey’s mouth.

The view from here was one of the most beautiful I have seen in the country. Be sure to spend time soaking it up.

The towering rock spires of Smith Rock State Park have been drawing rock climbers from around the world since the 80’s. You’ll see plenty of them, from the advanced Monkey Face scalers to beginners on the easy rock face walls as you walk back around the river.

5. Quad Biking the Oregon Sand Dunes, Florence

What family wouldn’t love a thrilling ATV adventure?

Well, hit the sand dunes in Florence and you’ll find miles of undulating dunes waiting for you to zip up and down – take your pick: your own quad bike, or a two or four person side by side.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area area is a merging of forest, ocean, Siuslaw River, and desert that stretches south about 40 miles from Florence to Coos Bay on the Oregon South Coast.

The undulating dunes will stretch for miles and you could easily get lost amongst the drifts and drop offs. Be sure to be careful when you approach or you may get airborne!!

Kalyra and Craig did the individual quad bikes and Savannah and I did the ATV side by side from Torex ATV Rentals. 

We were concerned about Savannah going on her own and not being able to manage the brake. A few weeks before we were bike riding in San Francisco and she had a hand brake for the first time and struggled with it.

As our other friends had quad bikes, Knox (7 years) gave Savannah a little turn on the flats and she handled it really well. So she definitely could have done the quad bike.

This was a wild fun Oregon adventure zipping up and down the dunes. The kids had a blast and is a must on your Oregon Coast road trip.

Florence Quad Biking Video:

6. Crater Lake National Park

We hesitated in taking the day trip from our camping spot in Umpqua National Forest to drive the hour to Crater Lake National Park. Would it really be worth it for just half a day?

Yes. Yes. and more yes!

Crater Lake was worth it even though half of it was closed due to snow still covering the road. In fact, someone was skiing down the steep mountain when we arrived!

It meant we could not complete the full 33 mile loop road, nor do the Cleetwood Cove hike down to the lake (and take a refreshing dip), nor take a ferry ride out to Wizard Island, but that was okay.

We could still marvel at the dramatic volcanic scenery from various viewpoints and be stunned at the deep blue water with shades of turquoise color.

If you want more amazement, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on earth, its purity created by rain and snow filling in the caldera formed during a violent eruption 7,700 years ago.

July or August is the best time to visit Crater Lake when most things will be reopened.

I highly recommend staying a bit longer if you can to do some of the activities mentioned above.

Crater Lake National Park is one of the most beautiful places to see in Oregon and will amaze you.

Crater Lake Video

7. Goonies Trail, Astoria and Cannon Beach

Talk about Oregon coast attractions. It’s the home of the ultimate adventures – The Goonies.

Goonies lovers, you cannot visit Oregon without experiencing some of that Goonies magic on your Oregon coast drive. And if you are not a Goonies lover, what is wrong with you?

Go and watch that movie right now for the passion and big innocent dreaming that comes with youth.

I’ll never forget the moment when we came upon the Goonies vista – you know the one with the rocks jutting out of the rolling surf.

I flashed back to my childhood seeing that in the movie, and one day hoping that I could live a life that had such adventure, connection, and serve a greater purpose.

And here I was, doing just that in front in the Goonies world. Be a dreamer!

You’ll find this world at Astoria and Cannon Beach which is on the northern Oregon coast where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.

Cannon Beach is one of the best places on Oregon Coast. It’s a charming seaside town with small boutique shops and breweries to explore.

And the Goonies magic comes with Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach.

The more dramatic Goonies viewpoint overlooking those sea stack rocks can be found at Ecola Point. A good adventure is to walk from there down to the quiet and stunning sandy beach, Crescent Beach and then onto Cannon Beach.

Astoria then is the town of Goondocks, where the family lived. It is very much like that sleepy fishing village.

You can no longer get close to the Goonies house but you can see it from a few blocks back perched up on the hill.

The Astoria Brewing Company has some cool Goonies merchandise in their special Goonies store.

Astoria and Cannon Beach video

8. Koosah & Sahalie Falls Hike, McKenzie River

A short, one way green forested trail meanders beside the pristine turquoise waters of the Mackenzie River taking you to two waterfalls: Koosah and Sahalie Falls.

The waterfall trail hike was my favorite of things to do in Mackenzie River area. Actually, it was possibly one of my favorite things to do in Oregon.

Sahalie Falls is a mass of foaming white water plunging 100 feet (30 m) over a natural lava dam and Koosah Falls drops approximately 70 feet (21 m) into a deep pool.

You will find more parking at Koosah so we began our hike from there.

You can either hike directly by following the river, or there is a larger 3 mile loop walk going through the forest that takes in the two waterfalls.

We didn’t do this one, but I think the direct path along the river would be far prettier. The loop walk does not go beside the river, and that was the real highlight for me.

Don’t miss the McKenzie River Valley for stunning waterfalls, lakes, and hiking!

McKenzie River Video:

9. Lava River Cave, Bend

This was one of the most unexpected and fun Oregon adventures we had.

I didn’t know much about Bend except for the river tubing and breweries. When we arrived we discovered a really cool volcanic landscape and history to explore at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument largest volcano in the Cascade Range.

The Lava River Cave was formed 80,000 years ago with the Newbury Volcano’s eruptions and offers a mile-long lava tube .

It’s Oregon’s longest lava tube. The walk was a fun and unique self-guided hike on uneven ground in the dark.

Be prepared for slippery surfaces and 150 stairs. I nearly fell over loads of times as I had a very dim flashlight. The kids had a blast running ahead in the dark, and trying to spook each other by jumping out.

It’s 42°F degrees year round in here so be sure to wear warm clothes and sturdy closed in shoes. The tube narrows and shortens in some sections so watch your heard.

Don’t forget your bright flashlight. Or you can hire them there.

10. Drive the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail, Columbia River Gorge

Looking for places to go in Oregon to over-indulge?

Be prepared to sample delicious goods straight from the source including fruit, beer, wine and cider – all with the spectacular backdrop of snow capped Mt Hood and Mt Adams.

Both mountains face off from each other, you’ll get to see at least one of them no matter the direction you drive, and sometimes you’ll find a spot where you can look front and back to see both.

The Hood River Fruit Loop trail is a stunning 35-mile self-guided road trip through the fertile Hood River Valley.

There are nearly 30 small, family owned  farms, orchards, cideries and wineries you can stop at along the way.

Many of the orchards offer u-pick opportunities including apples, pears. cherries, peaches, and berries.

Some of our favorite spots on the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail:

• Draper Girls Country Cider Company
• Montavon Berries
• Grateful Vineyards
• Stave and Stone Winery
• The Old Trunk

Columbia River Gorge Video

11. Tide Pooling near Yachats

I’d never really understood tide pooling until I was peering at rock walls covered with gooey globs of bright greens, purples and orange tessellated between bright orange starfish.

What is this world I have just discovered? Turns out tide pools are one of the top Oregon coast attractions and I wanted to play there all day.

I guess the local tide pools at my Australian home didn’t know how to do it properly as I had no idea this was what you could find.

The kids had a blast discovering this underwater world that throughout the day is mostly covered by 3 feet or more of ocean water.

There was all manner of weird and wobbly-shaped creatures of various sizes and vibrant colors.

There are tons of tide pools in that 180-mile stretch of the Oregon coast road trip from Florence up to Astoria that you can find and explore.

Time your visit 1-2 hours before low tide so you have plenty of time to see the wonders.

We visited the tide pools near Thor’s Well just outside the small town of of Yachats. There is a 20 mile stretch of rocky basalt ledges near Yachats that brings abundant tide pools to explore.

12. Bike Ride to Benham Falls, Bend

This bike ride to Benham Falls was one of my favorite things to do in Bend and on our Oregon road trip.

The 5.5 miles (one way) bike path winds through pretty forest to the Deschutes River at the Benham Falls Trailhead.

We knew were were going to be in for a bit of a challenging ride back when the trail began going slightly downhill and pretty much stayed that way for the entire length of the ride. Oops.

Savannah nailed it and she had no gears and was on a small kids bike. I don’t know how she could peddle up those hills singing and chatting away to me.

Once you get to the Benham Falls Trailhead the path follows the river and is beautiful.

Benham Falls is not a plummeting waterfall but rather a series of cascading rapids with forest on either side.

It’s a beautiful sight and well worth the bike ride. You can also drive down to the falls if you don’t want to bike it.

13. Experience Oregon’s Brewery and Cidery Trail

Loosen your belts. We can’t talk about Oregon destinations and not mention breweries. It’s one of the best states in the country to sample local craft beer and cider.

It’s a bit like Ireland, except it’s a brewery on every corner rather than a pub.

There are over 250 craft breweries in Oregon, many of them operating in a sustainable way and keeping up the state’s reputation for being one of the greenest states in the country.

Don’t drink beer?

Unfortunately, neither do I thanks to a gluten intolerance.

Not to fear, Oregon has plenty of cider options for you and a couple of gluten free beers can be found here and there.

I was overly impressed with the cider world in Oregon. Usually my choices are limited and not-appreciated. And now I have left I am quite sad to be left drinking mostly just chardonnay due to pretty awful cider choices.

I felt like I had a different cider and flavor in Oregon to enjoy every day. From rhubarb, to marionberry, loganberry to cucumber and gin, this place offers innovative ciders.

You will also find innovative brew flavors using local ingredients.

Many of the regions and towns will have brewery trails, helping you to win prizes by collecting as many local brew stickers as you can.

I told you to loosen those belts!

• The Bend Ale Trail includes 23 high-desert breweries
• North Coast Craft Beer Trail includes 12 breweries between Astoria and Pacific City.
• Mt Hood Territory Tap Trail takes in 16 ciderie’s and beer crafter’s.

Wine lovers will also enjoy Willamette Valley. We didn’t get to experience much here. Just a couple of nights in Harvest Hosts. I’d like to return and do some more wine tasting.

Some of our favorite breweries:

• Yachats Brewing – best all round brewery for beers, cider, cozy raw atmosphere, and farm to table food.
• Thunder Island Brewing – the strange Rhubarb cider for the win here. Trivia night was also fun. You’re right on the picturesque Columbia River.
• Crux Fermentation Project – huge outside beer garden and family friendly
• Avid Cider – loved their Dragonfruit Cider
• Portland Cider Company – a wide range of ciders to try. Don’t look past the cherry one!
• Bend Brewing Company – you can’t beat this location on the river
• Draper Girls Cider – do not miss the peach cider, perfect for a hot summers afternoon. Took home a growler!

14. Tillamook Creamery

The Tillamook Creamery is a cheese factory in Tillamook where you can see behind the scenes of cheese making, including the dairy farm where the cows are kept.

You can watch the cheese being made and of course try their tasty products. Make sure to try some ice cream! This is the freshest place to try it. You can even watch the ice cream being made with their Ice Cream Experience.

Tillamook is also the starting point of the Three Capes Scenic loop on the Northern Oregon coast. It goes south towards Pacific City, and passes three capes; Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. The drive is only 50 miles, but it packs a lot in!

15. Fort Stevens State Park

For Stevens is a huge 3,763-acre park known for its wild beaches, hiking and biking trails, and historic fortress. The park is so big, you simply need to make it a stop to enjoy for a day or at least half a day.

The park is most famous for the rusty steel shipwreck, which ran ashore in 1906.

The park has such a varied landscape, from dunes, to lakes, to forest and stunning beaches. It’s definitely worth making a stop here on your Oregon vacation.

Make sure to hike the Cathedral Tree Trail and see the Astoria Column.

16. Newport

Newport is basically the halfway point of a Oregon coast road trip. It’s where you’ll find the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

This part of Oregon is thriving with local marine life, and is a great place to try some seafood.

You should also make sure to visit Yaquina Bay State Park, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Rocky Creek View Point.

17. Brookings

Brookings is probably your first or last stop, depending on the order in which you travel on your road trip. It lies close to the California border on the Southern Oregon coast. It’s known for its scenic landscapes and music festivals.

It’s also a lot warmer in temperature than in other parts of Oregon. This is due to the airflow that parallels off the river basin. Some even refer to this as the “Brookings Effect.”

Along the coast, you’ll pass by incredible sea stack rock formations. The most famous of which are the Natural Bridges, which are located just a short hike from the road.

Another stop worth adding to your Oregon coast road trip is Secret Beach, which only appears during low tide. You’ll find the trailhead just north of Miller Creek on Highway 101.

If you’re looking for a stop on your road trip where you feel like you’re in a more tropical, Californian environment, then don’t rush past Brookings.

18. Willamette National Forest

The Willamette National Forest is a gorgeous region in central Oregon that has 380,000 acres of wilderness and includes seven mountain peaks of the Cascade Range. Some notable peaks are Mount Jefferson and the Calapooya Ridge.

The landscape is beautiful, with hiking trails, waterfalls, and rivers, the most famous is the Willamette River, which is where the park gets its name.

It is said to be home to some endangered species such as the northern spotted owl.

If you plan to visit the forest, we recommend staying in Eugene, which is a city with a lot to see and do.

19. Mount Hood National Forest

Mount Hood is a potentially active volcano in Oregon that is best known for its ski slopes and alpine winter sports. It’s the largest ski resort in Oregon and has 85 slopes that are suitable for all levels of skier.

Another attraction near Mount Hood is The Timberline Lodge. It’s famous for being the setting for the Stephen King movie remake of The Shining, though in the book the hotel was set in Colorado.

Though famous for the horror movie, it has been operating as a hotel for 80 years and is still family-run.

20. Ashland

Another popular stop on an Oregon road trip is Ashland in the southern region of Oregon. It’s an alpine town and has excellent ski facilities in the winter.

In the summer, these slopes turn into adrenaline-fueled mountain biking trails.

This stunning, and green city is surrounded by natural beauty. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails, especially in North Mountain Park which has a nature center and themed gardens. Lithia Park is also a stunning green space in the city worth visiting.

It’s also known to host the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. If you’re looking for a sleepy small town to relax in, Ashland is a great option.

Scenic Viewpoints on an Oregon Coast Road Trip

Of course, you’ll take plenty of stops along the way while road-tripping Oregon, but if you want to stop off for some views along the coastline, here are some places we recommend you take a break to admire the stunning vistas.

• Depoe Bay
• Ecola State Park (a great place for sunset)
• Indian Beach
• Heceta Head Lighthouse
• Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
• Three Cape lookout (part of the Three Capes Scenic Route)
• Cape Meares Lighthouse
• Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (Where you’ll find Thor’s Well)
• Shore Acres State Park
• Beverley Beach State park (for whale watching!)
• Sea Lion Caves (the best place to see sea lions)
• Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor

Before You Go

This is just a sampling of the incredible adventures waiting for you on your Oregon road trip. We were disappointed we did not get to explore more of the hot springs in Eastern Oregon and, especially, the Painted Hills

We hope you can also experience some of the best places to visit on the Oregon coast!

But before you go, make sure to check out our free PDF of our Oregon Bucketlist. This resource has tons of information to help you plan your trip to Oregon.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Not having travel insurance on any trip is not worth the risk. Anything can, will, and sometimes goes wrong.

What happens if:

• You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly
• You get sick or injured on your trip
• There is a natural disaster
• You lose important documents

Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, and other related losses incurred while traveling.

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When you visit Portland Oregon in the pacific northwest, don’t come looking for endless mundane tourist attractions and flashing neon lights. You’ll find much more than that!

The best things to do in Portland Oregon (with kids or without kids) mostly involves strolling the quirky Portland neighborhoods to see what you discover. You’ll find fascinating museums, parks, and fantastic places to eat in Portland.

From some of the country’s best coffee and food, to vintage and boutique stores, graffiti laden walls, and tree covered streets, you’re sure to find an area that suits your vibe.

Oh, and did I mention the craft beer and cider scene?

Even though it will be a bit of neighborhood strolling in your Portland itinerary, there are still plenty of fun and unique things to do in Portland Oregon.

Our kids enjoyed visiting Portland as part of our Oregon road trip, especially after several weeks without any city experiences. We were happy to leave the RV in Colombia River Gorge to spend four days in Portland Oregon.

We’re not big museum people – only if it’s unique and significant to the area, OR, if we feel it’s a good learning opportunity for our homeschool kids.

We travel in a way that is exciting for kids AND parents, just like on our trip to Seattle. 

I was a little dismayed when researching things to do in Portland with kids before our trip and only finding playgrounds, gardens, and museums. Well, this is going to be a boring city!

Seriously, have you ever seen an excited parent at a playground? I mean we don’t deprive our kids of them, but still let’s make it fun for everyone.

So count this as your non-boring guide to traveling to Portland with kids. Because do you know what is Portland known for? a vibrant arts scene, quirky and odd vibe, and miles of outstanding nature. All things kids AND parents love!

So whether your visiting with kids or adults, this list of the top things to do in Portland is for you.

1. Visit the Saturday Market (go local)

The first attraction in Portland you must make sure you visit is the Saturday market.

If you’re looking for local arts and crafts, music, and food and craft beers, the Portland Saturday Market is the place to go.

It’s quite large, in fact it’s nationally recognized as the biggest open-air arts and crafts market in the U.S.

It stretches over several blocks and its location in the Tom McCall Waterfront Park on the Willamette River is pretty stunning and convenient. It easily lends itself to other activities like walking or biking.

So why not make a day of it?

You could spend hours of fun exploring all the food carts and boutique craft stalls. It’s a great place to pick up handmade arts, crafts, and local produce from the Pacific Northwest to take back home.

The Saturday Market is held every weekend from March to Christmas Eve and is one of the popular things to do in downtown Portland.

• Hours: 10am – 5pm every Saturday
• Address: 2 SW Naito Parkway Portland, Oregon 97204

2. Walk or Bike along the Willamette River

Portland is a bikeable and walkable city and one of the most popular local Portland activities is to cycle or walk around the miles of trails.

You’ll find plenty of trails throughout the city. For a nice safe one, especially if visiting Portland with kids, is a bike or stroll along the Willamette River.

To get there from downtown, simply cross the Willamette River via the bike-friendly Hawthorne Bridge and follow a 3-mile (4.8 km) path between OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and the Sellwood Bridge.

There is a longer 30-mile route for the hardcore cyclists, which passes by Lake Oswego and several breweries.

There are also 30-miles of bikeable paths in Forest Park. Plenty of hiking trails too!

3. Explore Powell’s City of Books

You have found yourself at the largest used and new book store in the WORLD, which has turned into one of the top Portland attractions.

Book nerds rejoice here.

Powell’s City of Books is one of the iconic places to go in Portland and takes up an entire city block and has approximately one million books!

I can guarantee you’ll get lost and be hunting down a customer service rep to help you figure out how it works! The shelves mix up the old and the new so it can be a little challenging to figure out which is which.

I’m pretty sure whatever your reading interest is you’ll find it in this Portland institution. Bibliophiles will love the Rare Book Room.

I am not good at shopping when I have so many choices so the girls selected a few new books and we hightailed it out of there. It’s definitely one of the unique and cool things to do in Portland so be sure to visit.

There are even free 45-min public tours of the bookstore every Sunday. First come, first served.

• Hours: 10.00am – 9.00pm
• Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

4. Visit the Pittock Mansion

Although it’s recommended as one of the top Portland Oregon attractions, and we’re not big museum people, I wasn’t confident we’d like this.

But we discovered that the Pittock Mansion is definitely worth visiting.

The views alone make it one of the top attractions in Portland. We didn’t go inside the mansion itself, instead enjoying the beautiful gardens and learning more about the family and the home from the interpretative panels.

We learned that Henry Pittock was an outdoor adventurist, investor, and successful newspaper publisher. He built the French Renaissance inspired house on the hill for his family and moved into it in 1914.

It stayed in the family until 1958 when it sat empty for 4 years and became derelict until the citizens of Portland came together to save it form the hands of developers.

In 1965, Pittock Mansion opened as a historic house museum.

Pittock Mansion sits 1,000 ft. in the West Hills. The panoramic views of the city, the Willamette River, and the distant Cascade Mountains were outstanding!

On a clear day, you can see Mount Hood, Mount St Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Jefferson.

Exploring the surrounding grounds of the mansion is one of the top free things to do in Portland, and the land beyond has been kept wild, offering great opportunities for hiking.

The woods behind Pittock Mansion are part of the Forest Park and you can hike the popular Wildwood Trail through here.

So yeah, put Pittock Mansion on your Portland itinerary for sure!

• Hours: 10.00am – 4.00pm (12.00pm – 4.00pm on Tuesdays)
• Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210

5. Eat Donuts and Hunt for the City’s Best Ones!

The question “who makes the best donuts in Portland” is enough to start a war amongst Portlanders. It’s best that you taste test for yourself.

You have probably heard about (or even tasted) the incredibly wild and unique Voodoo Doughnuts. Well, they originated in Portland after noticing the city had ZERO donut shops.

Now there as ubiquitous as Starbucks (which, thankfully you won’t find a lot of in Portland).

The three main donut shops people rave about are:

• Voodoo Doughnut
• Blue Star Donuts
• Pips Original Donuts & Chai

Eating ALL the donuts and finding your favorite is one of the best things to do in Portland Oregon for kids and us big kids!

Though our girls couldn’t go past the extreme flavors of Voodoo.

I appreciated the elegant fine dining style of Blue Star, and Craig went for the traditional style of Pips – it is hard to beat the smell of a hot cinnamon donut!

Whatever your favorite becomes, this is a must do activity in Portland!

6. Explore the Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a 30-acre park located alongside the Willamette River in downtown Portland.

It has some nice views of Portland’s skyline and is host to many Portland events due to its location. So keep an eye on what events are on when you visit Portland.

This is one of the places to visit in Portland for afternoon strolls, picnics, and to cool off in the Salmon Street Springs fountain.

At the northern end of the park is the Pine Street Market food hall.

• Hours: 24 hours
• Address: 98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

7. Try Portland’s Craft Beers on a Brewery Tour

It’s Portland Oregon. It stands for breweries almost on every street corner.

Even better, most of the breweries and cideries are family-friendly with food, games, and outside areas!

• Hopworks Urban Brewery
• McMenamins Kennedy School
• Deschutes Brewing
• Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom
• Ground Breaker Brewing (GF brewery)
• Zoiglhaus Brewing Company

8. Explore Portland’s Best Neighborhoods

As mentioned, Portland is a neighborhood city.

Take your time exploring each one, sampling the food, browsing the stores, and enjoying the atmosphere. I can guarantee almost all will be filled with tree lined streets and you’ll love the lack of development and high rises.

And of course, roaming the Portland neighborhoods is one of the best free things to do in Portland! Well, until you start buying and tasting local things.

We spent so much time exploring the neighborhoods of Portland that we didn’t even visit the heart of downtown Portland!

Here are a few of our favorite neighborhoods in Portland:

Mississippi Ave.

Located between North Fremont Street and North Mason Street, Mississippi Avenue was probably my favorite neighborhood in Portland.

It almost had a southern charm to it with its turn-of-the-century wood homes and porches. The local stores and restaurants were quirky!

Mississippi Ave, Portland is meant to be one of the most recent revitalizations over the past few years that took it from hell to hipster heaven.

You’ll find local fusion cuisine, cocktails and whisky bars, and breweries.

Places to check out include:

• The Rebuilding Center – is a used building material store that takes up an entire block. It’s a recycling company that sells at discount bits and pieces from old houses and commercial buildings. you’ll find sinks, toilets, old signs and furnishings. It’s one of the cool things to see in Portland.
• The Light Bulb Lady – do not miss this 16-year-old store dedicated to the adoration of the light bulb. I wasn’t too sure this would be an exciting peruse, but I was pretty taken in by the wide variety of lightbulbs in all colors, shapes and sizes. I never knew they could be so cool actually. I hope “The Light Bulb Lady”, owner Kay Newell is there to greet you and hand over one of her hand-drawn funny light bulb cartoons.
• Psychic – while we did not get to visit Psychic, I fell in love with the vision and outside vibe. Kelly gives it a double thumbs up. It’s a neighborhood haunt in an old Victorian house serving Indian-inspired fare with drinks to match. Yep, you’ll stare up at that one on its small hill and say, Portland is pretty cool. Weird but cool.

SE Division St.

I feel like the buildings here grew out of the trees and gardens that surround them. It’s a mix of old and new buildings all hosting (again Portland style) independently owned retail and restaurants.

The Division St District is pretty long, so it may need a little longer. Although we only did one section of it and parked our car centrally.

In this area, you’ve got wine bars, breweries, eateries and of course, more shops to peruse.

In SE Division St, don’t miss:

• Pok Pok – for Chiang Mai street food (see more below)
• Blue Star Donuts – multiple destinations in the city. The elegant choice for donuts.
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream – multiple locations in the city, but this was the one we ate at. It’s a local institution spreading throughout the West Coast of Oregon.
• Bollywood Theater – is another Portland restaurant I wish we ate at. It’s meant to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Portland. I was drawn in by the colorful umbrellas out the front. You may be by the Bollywood movies they play on the wall.
• The Little Beast Brewery – again something to come back to Portland for. We missed this one but were drawn in by the little yellow cottage sitting under a gigantic shady oak tree. Its elevated beer garden is primed for people-watching and tranquility. They serve food and craft wood-aged and blended beer naturally with diverse cultures, including Saccharomyces, Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and wild flora.
• Clinton St Theater – has been playing the Rocky Horror Picture Show for decades.

SE Hawthorne St.

E Hawthorne is located in SE Portland, south of Belmont Street and north of Division Street.

It’s the grungy side of Portland, doing its best to maintain the weirdness of the city. With its funky shops and vintage stores, it’s probably a distant relative to Haight St, one of our favorite places to visit in San Francisco.

This area felt a little more cluttered to me with storefronts and restaurants stuck close together and spilling out onto the sidewalk.

Things to check out:

• Vintage thrift stores – there are loads here so if that is your thang you will love it here. Browse away.
• McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub – will satisfy moviegoers and pint swillers.
• Portland Cider House – if you love cider (like me) be sure to stop in here. You’ve never seen so many ciders of varying flavors. Grab yourself a flight, or save yourself the pain of not liking one of your flight choices, and go for a full pint of what you know you’ll love. For me, that was cherry cider paired with a fun game of UNO with the girls.

NE Alberta St.

Another Portland neighborhood that was once riddled with crime, Alberta St in North East Portland is where you’ll find a fashion and artsy vibe.

Murals adorn the walls, and galleries line the street featuring local and global artists.

Fashionistas will want to do their boutique shopping here and foodies can head straight to the street’s flavorful and eclectic independently owned restaurants – bohos will have their vegan tastes covered here.

Things to do on Alberta St, Portland:

• Proud Mary Cafe – an Aussie-owned cafe that serves delicious food, communal ambiance and the best coffee in Portland. Vegemite toast for the brave ones.
• Back to Eden Bakery – is 100% Gluten free and 100% vegan. Woop Woop. The root vegetable hash is a MUST!
• Barista – another good spot for coffee.
• There are a few murals waiting for your perfect gram pose. Don’t forget your accessories.
• We didn’t get to Tin Shed Garden Cafe, but I loved the look of it and it was always busy when we drove by. Meant to be best for breakfast or brunch.
• Fuel Cafe – the place for organic coffee and vegan-friendly food.
• Pine State Biscuits – always had a line out the street for warm, melt-in-the-mouth biscuits with all sorts of fillings.
• Waffle Window – meant to be just as delicious when it comes to breakfast. Works of art that belong in nearby galleries

NW 23rd Ave – Nob Hill

Why are trendy, slightly upper class places in cities called Nob Hill?

Reciprocal question.

This neighborhood on the edge of Forest Park and Washington Park has art galleries, plentiful shopping on walkable streets, and many restaurants. Perfect.

Hit the trails and browse the century-old Victorian and Craftsman-style storefronts housing unique boutiques after it.

It’s probably Portland’s most well known street and although you’ll find some of the bigger chains, you’ll still find many local retailers here.

There will be plenty of places to enjoy a quiet drink over the summation of a great day. Grab some food while you’re there.

While pretentious for Portland, I found this flashy district mixed with a slightly hipster, bohemian pinch of spice, but less touristy than the popular Alberta Arts District. It was quite a likable place.

Just next to it is Slabtown, an industrial and residential area that offers a few cool bars, breweries and shopping options.

Don’t miss:

• PrAna – My go to place for travel, yoga, and outdoor clothes. actually any kind of clothes. Their stores are few and far between so stock up here.
• New Renaissance – Three Victorian homes join here to create what is said to be the largest metaphysical bookstore in the country. Something about Portland and books. I loved browsing the store, not just for books, but crystals, herbs, jewelry, and yoga mats. All with a touch of mysticism. You’ll be happy to know you’re supporting a 28-year-old local business here.
• Lela’s Vietnamese Kitchen – for a steaming, bowl of delicious (and comforting) Pho.

9. Wander Around Washington Park

Portland is well known for its green urban landscapes, and there is no better place to get your fill of that then at Washington Park.

Washington Park is the heart of the city and is filled with gardens, forests, and museums.

It’s where you’ll find the International Rose Test Garden, Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, The Japanese Garden, as well as some memorials, and the Hoyt Arboretum.

And of course the Children’s playground. Yes, we did give our girls a little play on the way to the rose garden!

There are plenty of small hiking trails in Washington Park if you want to stretch your legs and walk off all that food.

• Hours: 5.00am -10.00pm
• Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

10. Smell the Roses at the International Rose Test Garden

Alongside the weird label attached to Portland is the nickname of the City of Roses. This name becomes more clear when you visit the International Rose Test Garden.

The Rose Garden has over 7,000 rose plants of about 550 varieties. They bloom typically from late May though to September.

I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the International Rose Test Garden, so I was surprised by the awe I felt visiting.

It is the oldest continuously public rose test garden in the US. What does that mean?

Well during World War I a rose test garden was established to preserve the species of European roses that may be destroyed and so the garden was born.

Today the garden is mainly used to test new varieties that will be made commercially available to the public.

You’ll find rows of roses in various colors and sizes all emitting a divine fragrance. Don’t miss the Gold Medal Garden, you will find some of the prettiest roses you’ve ever seen. So pretty they have all won Gold Medal Awards!

The Portland Rose Garden is one of the impressive free things to do in Portland and also has great views of downtown and Mt Hood.

• Hours: 5.00am – 10.00pm (10.00am -10.00pm on Wednesdays)
• Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

11. Enjoy the Quietness of Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Looking for local and non touristy things to do in Portland?

Here is a rose garden that is equally as beautiful, albeit smaller, and almost free of people, so head to the Peninsula Park Rose Garden.

Our friend Kelly from Damesly Tours who lives in Portland took us here after a yummy breakfast together at the Proud Mary Cafe in nearby NE Alberta st.

The Peninsula Park garden dates back to 1913 and features more than 9,000 rose plants.

Stroll around and literally smell the roses. There is a beautiful fountain in the middle of the garden too.

This is also one of the fun places to visit in Portland with kids as there is a nice playground here.

See, I told you we do incorporate them. This time we weren’t bored as we had Kelly to chat to make it fun for everyone.

• Hours: 5.00am – 12.00am
• Address: 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217

12. Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People

Tilikum Crossing is the largest car-free bridge in the United States!

It’s a popular place for cyclists and pedestrians to cross but also carries the Portland Streetcar, the MAZ Orange Line and TriMet buses.

This is a handy way to get from one side of the city to the other over the river and simply for those wanting to stretch their legs, and enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful views of the Portland skyline.

Combine this with your walk/bike along the Willamette River and a visit to OMSI Museum which is right next to the bridge.

• Hours: 24 hours
• Address: Tilikum Crossing, Portland, OR 97201

13. Learn About Science at the OMSI Museum

We decided to put the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on our Portland itinerary because we had free entry.

The OMSI has 5 halls of 200 interactive exhibits and activities for all ages making it one of the top things to do in Portland Oregon with kids.

There are a lot of upsells with theater shows, submarine tours, and the Planetarium.

The USS Blueback submarine is one of the biggest draws to the museum since it’s the most modern American submarine on display in the U.S. It served for 30 years and was featured in the movie, The Hunt for Red October.

We decided to just do the basic section of the museum which the kids really enjoyed. We actually didn’t get to do too much beyond the first Innovation Station area. They were completely absorbed by the many challenging designs and puzzles that were out to solve.

They especially loved the earthquake simulator and trying to balance a lever with numbered weights, simulating a balanced equation.

There was loads of other learning happening in this room so I was happy for the girls to experiment.

The section I found most riveting was the Life Lab upstairs in the Natural Science Hall. There was a gigantic timeline display of babies in utero. They had life-size replicas of how the baby looked from conception to birth.

It was fascinating to follow the growth. I’ve never seen such a powerful display before.

There is also a planetarium, exquisite creatures, and cinema showings of science documentaries.

This is one of the most popular kid’s museums in Portland Oregon so be ready for lots of movement and noise.

• Hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm (Closed Mondays)
• Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

14. Pioneer Courthouse Square

The Pioneer Courthouse Square, otherwise known as Portland’s living room, is a public square in downtown Portland. It’s a huge space of 40,000-square-foot and connects some of the busiest streets in the city.

People flock here from all over to sit on the steps and chat with friends. It’s most famous for its brickwork though, which have each been inscribed with the names of people who made donations for its construction.

The square often has events throughout the year, so it’s worth swinging by to see what’s happening.

• Hours: 8.30am – 5.00pm (Closed Saturday and Sunday)
• Address: 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 9720

15. Ride the Portland Aerial Tram

The Portland Arial Tram is a cable car that takes you from the city’s South Waterfront district up to the Oregon Health & Science University campus on Marquam Hill. I mean, that’s one way to commute to your college lectures!

It opened in 2006 and is one of two

It is one of only two commuter aerial tramways in the U.S. (the other being the Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York City).

The ride only lasts for three minutes, but it offers excellent views of the city and is a great way to get up the hill without tiring out your legs!

• Hours: 5.30am – 9.30pm
• Address: 3303 S Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239

16. Visit the Smallest Park in the world, Mills End Park

The Mills End Park is a tiny urban park, which you would miss if you weren’t; looking for it! In fact, there is some debate as to whether it’s even a park as it consists of one tree.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, it’s considered the world’s smallest park. If you happen to be crossing the median strip next to Tom McCall Waterfront Park look out for the small 2ft circle.

It won’t take you long to see, but it’s worth making a stop for a photo.

• Hours: 5.00am – 12.00am
• Address: 56 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204

17. Marvel at Native American Art at the Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum in Portland is one of the oldest art museums on the West Coast. It’s also one of the biggest, with a permanent collection of 42,000 pieces of art.

While we’re not big on museums and galleries, this museum is a little different as it has an exhibit on Native American art which is pretty cool to see!

There are some other exhibits for modern and contemporary art, as well as specifically Northwest American art and exhibitions of Asian art. If you don’t want to pay for entrance, the public outdoor sculpture garden is worth checking out.

• Hours: 10.00am – 5.00pm (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
• Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

18. Visit Willamette Valley Wineries

If you’re looking for day trips to take outside of Portland, then the Willamette Valley is a good choice. The region has over 700 wineries, so it would be rude not to stop by for a taste!

In fact, it is recognized as one of the top producers of Pinot noir grapes.

If you’re traveling with kids and don’t think they’ll appreciate mom and dad getting sloshed, then you might enjoy some of the valleys hiking trails instead.

The region is full of outstanding nature spots, including the Silver Falls State Park. You can hike through forests and pass waterfalls, and then visit a winery on the way home.

Video: Things to do in Portland with Kids

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Tips From Our Community

Whenever we visit a place, we always ask our communities on Facebook and Insatgram for their suggestions on things to do.

And we love to chat with the locals as well. Here is what they suggested for things to do in Portland Oregon:

• Mt Tabor is a fun short hike and you get a great view of the whole city. We did try to do this one, but there was no street parking nearby.
• Definitely check out Kennedy School. It used to be an elementary school but now it has a bunch of bars in the building with school theme. This is part of the McMenamins’ chain, which you’ll get to know in Oregon. They take old historic buildings and turn them into unique and quirky brewpubs, theater pubs, live music and hotels. You can see the one we saw in Bend here.
• Forest Park, which sprawls all through the northwestern part of the city, is the largest park in city limits in the US.
• The Shanghai Tunnels hide a seedy Portland Past. Join an underground walking tour of them here.
• Willamette Jet Boats are another of the fun things to do in Portland with kids.
• Macleay Park has some fun trails, too. All within the city.
• Cultured Caveman is delicious if you like paleo.
• Townshend’s Tea has the best kombucha on tap!
• A Portland must see is the famous Portland Oregon neon sign at night. (You can see it at 70 NW Couch Street (White Stag Building) White Stag sign, also called Portland Oregon sign). Put this on your list of things to do in Portland at night.
• Pips & Bounce is a ping pong bar (not that kind!)
• Portland Children’s Museum is fun for the younger kids

How To Get Around Portland

Portland OR has a good public transport system with light-rail, streetcar and buses to help with your Portland sightseeing. They are all operated by TriMet.

You can buy tickets and day passes on the bus (exact change needed) or at vending machines at the stops. A day pass cost $5 adults, $3.30 (ages 7-17). You can also buy 7 day passes for $26 for adults, $8 (ages 7-17).

You wouldn’t need to rent a car to get around Portland, but if you’re planning an Oregon road trip or want to see attractions outside the city center, then it will certainly be needed.

If you have your own car, be warned, parking can sometimes be difficult (although we always found one) and the streets are very narrow in the neighborhoods.

It was quite the challenge with our huge Ford F250 truck!

Things to Do Near Portland

If you’re planning to visit other places in Oregon, then you should add on these day trips, which are only a short drive away:

• Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls
• Mt Hood and Hood River
• Willamette Valley Wine Country!
• Cannon Beach and Astoria

Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon

Hotels in Portland

If you want a more traditional hotel stay in Portland, here are a few options:

• The Benson Hotel – A downtown Portland landmark since 1913, the Benson Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Ace Hotel – A stylish business-class boutique hotel that features vintage furniture, original art, and eco-friendly elements.
• Kimpton Riverplace Hotel – One of our favorite hotel brands, this pet-friendly hotel on downtown Portland’s waterfront, offers in-room spa services, a 24-hour fitness center, and marina-view condos for extended stays.
• The Heathman Hotel – is home to the acclaimed Headwaters restaurant and features a unique library of over 3,000 volumes signed by their authors (including Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners).

Unique Portland Accommodation

Portland likes to keep it weird. Here are some of those Portland-style accommodations:

• McMenamins Kennedy School – stay in a historic elementary school. The hotel has a quirky restaurant and a bar onsite, as well as a heated saltwater soaking pool and movie theatre.
• Crystal Hotel – each guestroom is inspired by a song or performance from the past 100 years at the nearby Crystal Ballroom.
• White Eagle Saloon – One of the most haunted places in Portland it’s steeped in stories of spirits, Shanghai tunnels, and rockin’ concerts.
• Traveler’s House – boutique hostel lodging in a renovated house featuring private and dorm-style rooms with shared facilities.

FAQs About Things to Do in Portland

Here’s what people usually ask us about what to do in Portland.

More USA Cities

Need more inspiration for a wider USA trip? Here are some other USA guides that might inspire you.

• 33 best things to do in Seattle with kids and adult’s
• 28 fun things to do in San Francisco
• 20 things to do in Los Angeles with kids
• 16 awesome things to do in San Diego with kids
• 3 day itinerary for New York City 
• 15 awesome things to do in Nashville with kids

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Spanning 363 miles, Highway 101 is an All-American Road that winds down the entire Oregon coast from Astoria on the Columbia River to the California border.

The entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway is included in our best USA road trip posts as it’s something worth savoring and lingering along on a multi-day trip.

It’s a choose your own adventure kind of experience across a dramatic rocky coastline of sea stacks and fierce cliffs, evergreen forests, seaside dunes, marine ecosystems, and small coastal towns.

In this post we’ll share our Oregon Coast road trip highlights from our approx 2 week RV trip of the region.

Exploring The Oregon Coastline

There are three unique regions on the Oregon Coast:

• The North Coast from Astoria to Lincoln City. This is where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, and you’ll find elective communities and recognizable coastlines.
• The Central Coast from Lincoln City to Florence. The heart of the Oregon Coast with roads that hug the ocean, coastal towns, and lighthouses.
• The South Coast from Florence to Brookings-Harbor. The place for off-the-beaten path adventures through stunning sand dunes, secluded beaches, and coastal forests

Click this link to access a live version of the Google Map image above. You can copy it and then add your own Oregon Coast itinerary additions! (If you found that helpful, we’d love for you to share this post).

Important things to know about Exploring the Oregon Coast

This is not the typical USA beach summer experience you’ve dreamed of (visit Southern California, North Carolina, or Florida instead!). This USA road trip is about stunning views, on-land adventures, small towns, seafood, and farm to table experience.

The weather can change drastically so be prepared. Mostly, it will be on the cool side. I think I wore a T-Shirt for a couple of hours the entire time road tripping the Oregon Coast. The wind can pick up and be uncomfortable on the beach.

The ocean is dangerous to swim in – for almost all Oregon Coast beaches. We’ve included a couple below that people swim in. Always check with the locals and ensure you pay attention to the warning signs.

The Oregon Coast is wild and rugged. They have what is known as “sneaker waves,” which are unpredictable massive waves that rush suddenly ashore and washing away anything in sight.

One look at the driftwood scattered all over the beaches will tell you the wild strength of the ocean here.   

Plus, the water is too cold for my Aussie blood. It’s too cold for me in San Diego, let alone all the way up here!

Hike The Oregon Coast Trail

Hard core adventurers may wish to switch the four wheels for two legs. The Oregon Coast Trail will take you on every bend of the 363-mile coastline. Lace up and get ready to meander through forest lined paths, across sandy beaches and majestic headlands, and through 28 coastal towns.

Most of the route is on the beach, although some segments wind through state parks or public lands. Send us your pics and stories!

Let’s take an Oregon Coast Road Trip

If you’re flying in to do this road trip, you’d be traveling in the North – South direction from Astoria, as it’s relatively close to Portland (1 hr. 45 mins)

• Check car rentals here
• Check RV rentals through RVShare here

I’m going to start from the California border to Astoria near the Washington State Border as that’s the direction we traveled in!

Best Scenic Sections of the Highway 101, Oregon

The Oregon Pacific Coast Highway is on our best USA scenic road trips list for a reason. You’ll find picture postcard views of colossal rocks jutting out of the Pacific ocean from nearly anywhere on the drive. But there are a few sections that receive more wows and camera clicks than others.

The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge protects these iconic Oregon rocks. The refuge includes includes 1,853 rocks, reefs and islands and two headland areas and spans 320 miles of the Oregon coast. 

In the South, the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is known to be one of the most beautiful sections with dramatic cliffs, impressive sea stacks.

We also loved the section from Gold Beach to Humbug State Park and the section from the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse through Cape Perpetua to Thor’s Well for its jagged coastline, sea stacks, forest drops off into the ocean and tide pooling opportunities (see below).

Brookings – Harbor

If I had of known the Oregon communities of Brookings and Harbor straddling the Chetco River were significantly warmer than other Oregon Coast towns, I would have planned to make it a road trip stop and explore.

I’ve only learned that now researching why Oregon’s Banana Belt is a worthy stop for your Oregon coast trip. The northernmost Redwood groves are here, as are some city and state parks persevering the coastal landscape and wildlife. Think gray whales, tufted puffins and azaleas and rhododendrons.

It’s located on the Wild Rivers Coast, just over the border from California and is a great base for recreation on the Chetco, Rogue, Elks and Sixes Rivers.

We did however make a quick lunch stop on our way through here from the California redwoods region. Don’t miss Chetco Brewing Company for food tuck lunch and a delicious home brew.

Places to consider:

• Harris Beach State Park is perfect for sandy beaches and tide pooling. Just off the coast here is Bird Island, the largest off the Oregon coast. Also called Goat Island, it’s a National Wildlife Sanctuary and breeding site for such rare birds as the tufted puffin. 
• Whaleshead Beach is where you’ll find one of Oregon Coasts most well known views: A sea stack resembling the head of a whale that sprouts when a wave crashes into it.
• East, drink and shop at the Brookings-Harbor waterfront marina. You can watch fisherman unload their load for the day including shrimp, Dungeness crab and tuna.

A short drive to the north of Brookings while traveling on Highway 101 brings you to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile stretch of one spectacular view after the other with plenty of beaches and hiking trails to enjoy.  

The Arch Rock Picnic Area is a must-stop with a short walk leading to several great views.

Jet Boating on the Rogue River, Gold Beach

One of the best adventures on your Oregon coast road trip is to spend a day jet boating on the nationally designated Wild and Scenic River – the Rogue River on the South Oregon Coast.

The girls will never forget this adventure squealing and waving their hands in the air with their friends as we bounced over rapids and did some fast 360 degree turns. It made our top adventures in the USA with kids post!

The scenery is rugged and spectacular and it’s highly possible you’ll see lots of wildlife along the way.

Bears are commonly spotted and the odd mountain lion. We didn’t get lucky with those animals, but we saw plenty of deer and birds.

Commentary along the six-hour tour is informative and entertaining.

There are long (104 miles) and short (80 miles) tours. I recommend the 104-mile Wilderness Whitewater tour with Jerry’s Rogue Jets so you can experience the thrill of the rapids which is mostly featured on the longer tour.

It travels into the ‘Wild’ section, an area only accessible by jet boating, rafting, and hiking.

You will stop along the way for lunch and a brew if you feel up to it. OR you can take your own picnic lunch like we did paired with serene river views.

Humbug Mountain State Park

The Oregon Coast Trail passes through the stunning Humbug Mountain State Park located where the mountains reach the sea.

Good news: Humbug has some of the warmest weather on the Oregon coast since the surrounding mountains offer protection from cool ocean breezes. (yes T-shirts worn here!!)

We camped here for a few nights at a pretty campsite surrounded by forested hills at the bottom of Humbug Mountain. A short trail from the campground leads under Highway 101 to a wild sandy beach beside the Brush Creek estuary.

One thing we did not get to do, which I regret is the 5.5-mile hike to the 1,765-foot summit of Humbug Mountain through old-growth cedar groves. It’s one of the tallest mountains in Oregon to ride directly from the ocean. and offers south-facing ocean views.

Humbug Mountain State Park is only about 30 minutes from Golds Beach and 6 miles south of Port Orford.

Cape Blanco State Park and Lighthouse

Lighthouse lovers will want to stop at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, the oldest and highest operational lighthouses in Oregon. It’s situated in Cape Blanco State Park, which is the second most-westerly point in continental USA.

More than eight miles of hiking trails lead to the beach, viewpoints of ocean vistas, fishing spots along the Sixes River, and the lighthouse.

Beware of the wind. It can sometimes blow up to 100mph on this promontory.

Beach Loop Drive, Bandon

Just outside of the town of Bandon is the easy 5 mile beach loop drive offering access to several beaches and beautiful views of rocky spires and offshore rock formations, many with names. We did it driving up from Humbug in the South.

At the southern end is Bandon State Scenic Area is another and larger state park that is less-often visited and offers great views and beach solitude. Devils Kitchen, has a short trail down to the beach and nice views of the sea stacks offshore and to the north.

Moving up the coast, you’ll then arrive to the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint with a well-kept trail to the beach. The interpretive signs will teach you about the Face Rock American Indian legend.

See if you can pick out the near-perfect side profile of the legend’s princess, gazing skyward towards the moon on the face on the rock from the cliff overlooking the ocean.

Further north on the western edge of Bandon, will be the 19-acre Coquille Point protected by the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge protecting. The headland provides a buffer zone between mainland development and the many islands just offshore.

This is where you want to watch seabirds and harbor seals and have great views of Elephant Rick and North Coquille Point. A paved trail winds over the headland and features interpretive panels that share stories about the area’s wildlife. A stairway leads you down to Bandon Beach.

Bandon

The Cranberry Capital of Oregon is the small, artistic community of Bandon.

The 10 square blocks of Bandon’s Old Town’s 10 is fun to explore with its art galleries, shops, restaurants and Coquille River boardwalk. Don’t miss Henry the Fish created from debris washed upon the shore. It’s art to save the sea by WashedAshore.org.

• Grab your cranberry sweets, chocolates, and gifts at Cranberry Sweets In (plenty of samples too!) The spicy chocolate is sensational.
• Pop into the bright blue Tony’s Crab Shack on the Bandon Boardwalk for award-winning fish tacos, fresh seafood, and a bowl of clam chowder.
• Cheese and dairy lovers will not want to miss Face Rock Creamery, an Award-Winning cheddar creamery in Bandon. You can watch them making cheese and they sell other local products like wines and jams. This is also where you’ll find a GENEROUS scoop of cheap, delicious ice cream!

Video: Things to do in Bandon & Jet Boating

Quad Biking the Oregon Sand Dunes, Florence

Rev your engines folks, you just entered an adventurous playground.

Stretching for 50 miles between Florence and Coos Bay are the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area  which form the largest expanse of coastal dunes in the USA.

There’s no better way to enjoy it than on the back of an ATV zipping up and over the undulating dunes that merge with the forest and ocean.

Take your pick: your own quad bike, or a two- or four-person side by side. Kalyra and Craig did the individual quad bikes and Savannah and I did the ATV side by side from Torex ATV Rentals. 

We were concerned about Savannah (7) going on her own and not being able to manage the brakes, but she had a turn on a friend’s quad bike and did really well.

This was a wild fun Oregon adventure, and the kids had a blast. It’s a must on your Oregon Coast Road trip.

There are hiking trails, boating, and swimming areas are also around the Oregon Dunes area. While we did not swim, the girls had a fun time surfing the sand dunes.

Tide Pooling on the Oregon Coast

Another fun thing to do with kids on the Oregon Coast is tide pooling.

I’d never really understood tide pooling until I was peering at rock walls covered with gooey globs of bright greens, purples and orange tessellated between bright orange starfish.

What is this world I have just discovered? Turns out tide pools are one of the top Oregon coast attractions.

The kids had a blast discovering this underwater world that throughout the day is mostly covered by 3 feet or more of ocean water.

There was all manner of weird and wobbly shaped creatures of various sizes and vibrant colors.

There are tons of tide pools in that 180-mile stretch of the Oregon coast road trip from Florence up to Astoria that you can find and explore.

Time your visit 1-2 hours before low tide so you have plenty of time to see the wonders.

We visited the tide pools near Thor’s Well just outside the small town of Yachats. There is a 20 mile stretch of rocky basalt ledges near Yachats that brings abundant tide pools to explore. And the tidepools at Indian Beach, Ecola State Park were also great.

Find more places for tide pooling on your Oregon coast road trip here.

Yachats

Yachats sits at the base of the Oregon Coast Range, sitting between the lush temperate rainforest and pounding Pacific Ocean.

This small Oregon coastal town has an artistic welcoming atmosphere with art galleries, gift shops, cafes and restaurants.

This “Gem of the Oregon Coast” is less about sandy beaches and more about the rugged black basalt creating many top natural attractions and activities. (see next couple of points)

Yachats Brewing + Farmstore is a must not miss pacific northwest coast attraction. It was one of our favorite breweries on our USA road trip for its quality and innovative farm-to-table food, craft beers and cute small-town coastal ambiance.

It’s typical Oregon – raw, rugged, and full of stories to tell.

Be sure to grab a scoop for the kids from crowd-favorite, Toppers Ice Cream.

Thors Well & the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area 

The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is a large forested headland on the central Oregon Coast.

It’s the highest point on the Oregon Coast and is known for its interesting rock formations, secluded beaches, dramatic viewpoints, tide pooling opportunities, and some of the best hiking on the Oregon Coast.

Plan to visit the Heceta Head Lighthouse. A short walk will take you to the lighthouse and beautiful scenery. The Sea Lion Caves is America’s largest sea cave and a shelter for wild sea lions.

It’s where you’ll find the popular Spouting Horn, Devils Churn, Cooks Chasm and Thors Well.

Thors Well is one of the most popular attractions on the Oregon coast. It’s an old collapsed sea cave sprays water as the waves crash in and out, spurting out water and swallowing it back. It’s meant to be a spectacular sight. Be careful when viewing and getting close as it can be dangerous.

The best time to visit Thors Well is high tide. We missed it’s dramatic performance as we were timing our visit to this region for low tide so we could enjoy the tide pooling, which is phenomenal in this area.

Walk up to the Visitor Center for great views overlooking the beaches.

Hike the Hobbit Trail

An easy hike in the Cape Perpetua Area, especially if you have kids, is the half mile Hobbit trail down to Hobbit Beach. Located just at an easily missed pull-out just north of the Heceta Head State Park (north of the Heceta Lighthouse),

This is a magical hike taking you deep within a luscious coastal forest along a mossy and enchanting trail. It has earned its name for the little tunnels created by an thick bushes, which is perfect for hobbits, trolls and kids to tip toe through.

It all leads to a hidden beach at the foot of coastal cliffs.

You may wish to walk 2 miles to Heceta Lighthouse from this trail after. Watch for the sign guiding you.

Yachats is a favorite small Oregon coastal town for many. It’s an ideal base to explore the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.

Video: Things to do in Florence & Yachats

Three Capes Scenic Drive

Something for us to return to the Oregon Coast to do is the Three Canoes Scenic Drive showcasing the best of the Tillamook Coast.

This 40-mile winding scenic drive halfway between Cannon Beach and Newport takes to to the headlands of Cape Mears, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda.

Expect panoramic vistas from sheer cliff tops, short hiking trails, wide sandy beaches, sand dunes, beach driving and whale watching.

Don’t miss:

• The Cape Meares iconic lighthouse and giant Octopus Tree, a Sitka spruce with a tentacle vibe!
• Waterfall hikes, expansive views, and spouting whales from Cape Lookout.
• The Sandstone headland of Cape Kiwanda has one of the best views of the the powerful ocean from the top of the towering dune.
• Pelican Brewery and Taproom in Pacific City is the only beachfront brewpub in the Northwest!
• Pacific City beach is also a favorite for surfers and anglers
• Oceanside is built upon a steep hillside that overlooks the beachfront and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is visible just offshore.
• At the northern end of the Oceanside beach is a tunnel providing access to Tunnel Beach at low tide. Keep walking north and you’ll find secret coves and secluded beaches. Watch the tides!

The Goonies Trail

You cannot visit the Oregon Coast without experiencing some of that Goonies magic – 80s kids get my excitement. If you don’t, go and watch that movie right now for the passion and big innocent dreaming that comes with youth.

I’ll never forget the moment when we came upon the Goonies vista – you know the one with the rocks jutting out of the rolling surf.

I flashed back to my childhood seeing that in the movie, and one day hoping that I could live a life that had such adventure, connection, and serve a greater purpose.

And here I was, doing just that in front in the Goonies world. Be a dreamer!

We watched the movie with the kids before exploring this region so they could feel it to. The Goonie World can be experienced between Astoria and Cannon beach on Oregon’s northern coast.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is one of the best places on Oregon Coast and one of Oregon’s most popular beachside resorts.  

You’ll find upscale boutiques, art galleries, cafes, breweries, and restaurants lining the pretty flower filled streets. While we enjoyed a couple of brewery stops, I much preferred the stunning scenery just north of Cannon Beach, and was not a raving fan of the beach here.

Haystack Rock, which rises about 300 feet out of the water, is just off the beach and and is one of the most iconic Oregon coast landmarks. It’s a Goonie sight!

• For coffee try Insomnia Coffee and Sleepy Monk
• Pelican Brewing is a top spot for brews and lunch
• Public Coast Brewing has a cool outdoor space with cornhole and Adirondack chairs. The food from the restaurant uses seasonal fresh ingredients, from local farms and ranches within 400 miles, including their own Public Coast Farm. 

This area also has the exceedingly popular North Coast Craft Beer Trail includes 12 breweries between Astoria and Pacific City.

Ecola State Park

The Ecola State Park just north of Cannon Beach was my favorite area of the entire Oregon Coast. It’s 9 miles of coastline that offers many scenic and hiking opportunities and activities like picnicking, tidepooling, and surfing.

Trails include an 8 mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail and part of the Clatsop Loop Trail and the trail over Tillamook Head follow in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery. 

The more dramatic Goonies viewpoint overlooking those sea stack rocks can be found at Ecola Point. It’s my go to view to describe the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast.

Indian Beach

My second favorite beach of the Oregon Coast was Indian Beach just north of Ecola Point. This secluded sandy beach popular with surfers reminded me of Australia.

We did some great tidepooling here and I loved the cool castle looking lighthouse situated on the edge of a tiny island offshore.

Hike from Ecola to Crescent Beach

One of my favorite things to do on the Oregon Coast was to hike from Ecola Point to Cannon Beach. It passes through a beautiful lush forest to what is now my favorite beach in Oregon: Crescent Beach

It was calm, secluded, and quiet. I don’t think we saw another person. The kids had a blast playing games together on the wide stretch of sand while we lazed around in the sun and watched.

It was one of those rare Oregon coast days where the sun was shining, and I had my legs and arms bare soaking up its warmth.

It’s 1.25 miles from Ecola Point to Crescent Beach and then another 1.8 miles to Canon Beach.

Seaside

We stayed in Seaside for a few days and didn’t do too much in this small Oregon coastal town. It’s a popular Oregon vacation spot with shops, restaurants, miles of sandy beach and a grand oceanfront promenade to stroll.

It’s a good base to explore the Astoria and Cannon Beach area if you are camping with an RV. We stayed at The Seaside RV Resort between Cannon Beach and Astoria. They also have cabin rentals.

The beach here was wild and windy so we didn’t stay on there for long, although it’s popular for beach bonfires of an evening to watch the sunset. And it’s one of the few beaches in Oregon you can drive your car down on.

We enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner at Yellow Curry Cozy Thai one evening in the town.

Astoria

Astoria is a sleepy fishing village on the mouth of the Columbia River. It was the first US settlement west of the Mississippi and the place where Lewis and Clark ended the America’s greatest overland expedition.

Astoria is also the town of Goon Docks, where the kids lived. You can see various scenes from the movie here including Mikey’s House and Data’s next door. You can no longer get close to the Goonies house, but you can see it from a few blocks back perched up on the hill.

There is a 6.5 mile (one way) river walk going through town. We did a small section through downtown past Pier 12, which is where you’ll find a row of breweries and restaurants. (there are 12 breweries in this small Oregon town).

The Astoria Brewing Company has riverside views and cool merchandise in their special Goonies’ store. Pull up an Adirondack chair on the pier of the Bouy Beer Company and watch the river life go by with a cold brew.

Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River. The Fort operated from the Civil War to World War II. 

Fort Stevens is now 4,300-acre park with opportunities for freshwater lake swimming, beach swimming, hikes and outdoor activities. . It also has one of Americas largest largest public campgrounds.

This is actually one of the few places on the Oregon Coast that is good for swimming.

Most popular is the Wreck of Peter Iredale, a four-masted steel barque sailing vessel that ran ashore October 25, 1906, on the Oregon coast enroute to the Columbia River. Kids will love playing within its rusted skeleton frame and photographers will love capturing its ghostly beauty.

Fort Clatsop, Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Fort Clatsop was the winter encampment in this woodsy inlet on the Lewis and Clark River for the Corps of Discovery from December 1805 to March 1806.

The visitor center includes a replica of Fort Clatsop, an interpretive center offering an exhibit hall, bookstore, and two films. You’ll laso find ranger-led programs, and costumed rangers in the fort and trails.

Fort Clatsop is the most popular site, but Lewis and Clark National Historical Park has several different site locations in this Columbia River region of Oregon and Washington State, including Cape Disappointment State Park where the Corps hiked overland to take their first view of the Pacific Ocean. We camped here after our Oregon road trip and the sunset views were far from disappointing.

Video: Things to do in Cannon Beach and Astoria

Plan Your Oregon Road Trip

This is just a sampling of the incredible adventures waiting for you on your Oregon trip. We were disappointed we did not get to explore more of the hot springs in Eastern Oregon and, especially, the Painted Hills

We hope you can also experience some of these best places to visit on the Oregon coast.

Stay tuned as we share more of our travel tips adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

You can click here to grab a free printable PDF of our Oregon Bucket List.

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We were debating whether to go to Crater Lake as parts of this Oregon national park were still closed due to snow. (We visited in June!) We’re so glad we went – it’s spectacular and a worthy stop on your Oregon Road Trip.

Crater Lake National Park

Nestled in the remote mountains, this sapphire jewel of Oregon is a geological wonder

The 1,943 feet deep Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and the second deepest in North America. (The second deepest is Lake Tahoe, which you can see more of here.)

Nearly 8,000 years ago, Mount Mazama blew the lid of its mountain. Rock and lava collapsed into the mountain’s crater, creating a massive caldera in replacement of what was a 12,000 ft. peak

Over time the caldera filled with rain and snow to create the spectacular Crater Lake, which is Oregon’s only national park and surprisingly a USA national park you may have not heard of.

Something that surprises me given so much natural beauty we discovered in this Pacific Northwest state.

Why is Crater Lake so blue?

Crater Lake presents a blue you thought was only photo-shopped by photographers around the world showcasing it. It reminded me of when I first arrived at West Australian beaches and my first words were, “OH it really is that color blue. It hasn’t been photoshopped.”

Crater Lake holds a no filters needed persona.

The reason it is so blue is because of its purity. Water molecules, just plain water with no sediments, algae, pesticides or pollution, will absorb all the colors of the spectrum except the blues. There are 4.6 trillion gallons of relatively pure water in Crater Lake, which is why you get this sapphire blue.

Crater Lake is open year-round

Surprisingly the park is open year round, however only the south entrance is plowed during this time.

When we visited (mid June), over half the lake was still closed due to snow which reached fire higher than the beast – our gigantic Ford 250. Crater Lake receives 44 feet of snow annually.

Someone was still skiing down the steep mountain slopes on our visit to Crater Lake, in the middle of summer, which was awesome to see.

Crater Lake Rim Drive

The 33 mile Rim drive offers beautiful viewpoints and interpretative signs along the way. Even though Crater Lake is small enough to take in its entirety at every viewpoint, each viewpoint offers a different perspective just as beautiful as the other.

My favorite was standing behind Wizard Island and experiencing the different color blues form turquoise to aqua and deep blew.

This is one of those vistas that will stay with me forever.

We could only do a small section of the drive from the north entrance to the south as the east rim was closed still because of snow. Many of the hiking trails were also still closed.

Our trip was very minimal, but still worth doing, especially considering it was only an hour from our campsite in the Umpqua National Forest.

If you don’t want to do the drive, there is a Crater Lake Trolley tour you can take.

Crater Lake Lodge

Crater lake Lodge was built in 1915 and is perched 1,000 feet above the lake’s surface. It offers beautiful views of the lake, especially if you can grab a swinging chair on the porch.

We ate at the lodge here, although I personally found it overpriced and underwhelming. My recommendation is that you take a picnic lunch and find a spot anywhere on the rim.

Boat Tour to Wizard Island

Wizard Island is a 763-foot cinder cone rising from the within the caldera, created after the volcano collapsed.

During the summer, Wizard Island boat tours combine a tour of the lake’s perimeter with three hours to spend on the island – plenty of time to hike to the summit and take in the panoramic view, fish, swim, and explore this unique part of Crater Lake National Park.

It’s on our list to do when we return to Crater Lake in the summer when more things are opened.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

We were hoping to do the Cleetwood Cove hike down to shores of Crater Lake, but it was closed. Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake.

Cleetwood Cove Trail is a steep and strenuous hike, so make sure you have adequate fitness and strength to handle it, remembering the hard slog comes last.

In 1.1 miles the trail drops 700 feet in elevation through a series of long switchbacks. The trail surface is crushed pumice, which is loose and slippery under foot and the trail is only partially shaded. Walking up the trail is comparable to climbing 65 flights of stairs.

Swimming, wading and fishing are permitted in the lake. It was high on my bucket list to swim in Crater Lake, no matter how cold. Oh, well, next time.

Crater Lake National Park Video

Car and RV Rental

You will need a vehicle to explore this region. You could do a road trip loop.

Rentalscar.com is who we trust to find the best car rental deals. Find availability in Eugene or Portland.

RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. They can accommodate any kind of outdoor adventure for your Pacific Northwest road trip.

Whether a weekend camping trip or longer tour of multiple states, they have a range of rentals from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes.

See availability here.

Places to Stay near Crater Lake

If you are not camping, you may like:

• The Crater Lake Resort just two miles from Crater Lake. See availability and reviews here.

Other Great Oregon Travel Tips

Leave a comment: Have you visited Crater Lake before? What are some of your best tips? What questions do you have?

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We drove past the lake and deep into the forest, down a narrow dirt road that kept getting narrower and narrower. Our instincts told us we were in the wrong place, confirmed by our friend’s “Oh shoot you’ve gone too far message.”

Oh shoot alright, there was no space for turning around. It was either a very long and slow one mile reverse back out, or find some way to turn around.

We found a semi-wider space and had no other option but to reverse her into the forest in a 25 point turn to get back out, ripping out part of our 37 ft. travel trailer siding on the way out!!

Hey, as long as it’s a story to tell in the end its okay.

You can see it in this video.

The Umpqua National Forest is located on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains in southwest Oregon. It’s just over an hour east of Eugene, nearly three hours south east of Portland, and under two hours south west of Bend.

The 66 mile Umpqua River Scenic Byway cuts through it, following the Umpqua River and the beautiful forest of the Coast Range. 

This corridor has seventeen waterfalls you can explore on short hikes, some sections of the river can even be enjoyed on an adventurous whitewater rafting trip.

We had come here just for a few days on our way to Bend to enjoy some hot springs, waterfalls and a day trip to nearby Crater Lake National Park.

Umpqua National Forest

The word Umpqua loosely translates to either “Thundering waters” or “across the waters,” but another translation for this surviving word of the Umpqua language is “satisfied” referring to a full stomach.

This beautifully diverse, region of Oregon was created thousands of years ago by powerful, geologic activity.

You’ll find tumbling waterfalls, lush forest vegetation, rushing rapids and alpine lakes. This is the place to come for outdoor adventure and natural respite.

Most activities are found off Route 138 in the Umpqua National Forest.

There are plenty of campsites and boondocking places. Check Campendium for tips. I can’t remember how to get to ours but I know we were on a small lake and you could get slight views of Twin Lakes down in the valley.

Waterfall chasers will love knowing there are many waterfalls to discover in this region, many on short accessible trails AND you may even get the waterfall all to yourself. We did on a couple of the waterfall trails. I wish we stayed longer to explore more.

Watson Falls Trail

I really enjoyed this easy one mile hike to the viewing area of the 293 foot Watson Falls. It is the third tallest waterfall in the state and thunders over a craggy cliffside surrounded by a lush forest of Douglas-firs and moss covered boulders at its base.

The path is has a steep incline in one section but is very manageable. It can get slippery in the area that catches its spray.

Toketee Falls Trail

Toketee Falls had a lush, tropical beauty that reminded me of Hawaii. It’s one of the best waterfalls I saw in Oregon (including Multnomah Falls.

It’s an easy 0.6 mile trail to the lookout point to see this two-tiered waterfall thundering into the pools below. The upper falls descent drops 40 feet, and the lower falls plunges 80 feet over a sheer wall of basalt. 

The trail passes through an old-growth stand of Douglas-fir, Western red cedar, big leaf maple, and Pacific yew. he North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River is visible at several points, cascading through a narrow rock gorge.  

People were climbing down to the pools below, but a sign clearly says to Stay on the path. Remember to respect signage and take care of our forests. The viewpoint is a perfectly wondrous place to see the falls and capture a photo.

Toketee Falls were featured in our Best Waterfalls in the US list.

Umpqua Natural Hot Springs

So this was a beautiful series of terraced geothermal hot springs in the Umpqua National Forest. You reach them on hte short, steepUmpqua Hot Springs Trail trail (very doable. Someone was carrying a bike up there when we were coming down.) It can be slippery so be careful.

Water seeps through an active fault, resulting in temperatures of 100 to 115 degrees. From the tub, there is a view of Surprise Falls across the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River.

I was up and down about my feelings for this hot spring. If we came when it was quieter I think I would have fallen in love as the scenery is just spectacular.

But it was very busy so our best hot spring option was on the bottom layer which was verging on what I’d call cool. Paired with a cold day, it wasn’t ideal.

The springs at the top of the terrace were the hot ones and were much bigger.

Oregon is a very raw and unfiltered state, so families be warned, many people will be nude at these hot springs.

I don’t have a problem with this at all. Savannah thought it was hilarious and Kalyra was put off and begged me not to strip off. No chance honey!

Most people were very modest and decent about it.

The only off-putting thing was that as soon as we arrived to the hot springs, our very first image as a little jarring. A man standing only knee deep in the water fully nude on display and sweet talking the girl next to him. Most other people at the springs were body immersed.

Definitely not a prude here, but it was a ust a jarring first image I can’t erase!! You need a little warming up to it, right?

Maybe sneak slowly up to scout it out first.

Worth a visit though and go early for a better chance at serenity to yourself!!

Car and RV Rental

You will need a vehicle to explore this region. You could do a road trip loop

Rentalscar.com is who we trust to find the best car rental deals. Find availability in Eugene or Portland.

RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. They can accommodate any kind of outdoor adventure for your Pacific Northwest road trip.

Whether a weekend camping trip or longer tour of multiple states, they have a range of rentals from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes.

See availability here.

Other Great Oregon Travel Tips

Columbia River Gorge is known to possibly have the largest concentration of high waterfalls in North America.

The Gorge is a river canyon 85 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep. Carved by volcanic eruptions and Ice Age floods over millions of years, the Gorge is the only sea level route through the Cascade Mountains.

The Columbia River stretches for more than 80 miles in Oregon. It winds westward through the Cascade range into the Pacific Ocean just west of Astoria.

It forms the border between Oregon and Washington.

On the southern side of the river you’ll find scores of waterfalls, eleven over 100 feet high tumbling down the side of the gorge.

The land bordering the river is protected as the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and one of the best road trips in the Pacific Northwest and a top USA scenic drive.

Lace up your boots hikers, this area is also well known for its trails.

One of the most famous hiking trails in the USA goes through here, The Pacific Crest Trail, or the PCT as those who have gotten to know it affectionately call it.

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls and Hikes

Never have I seen so many waterfalls in one place as Columbia River Gorge. Well maybe, Yosemite National Park in May!

Thousands of years of geologic events have made the Oregon side of the Columbia the perfect home for waterfalls.

Although Multnomah Falls is probably the best of the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, and a highlight of your visit to this region, there are so many more Oregon waterfalls for you to see.

And you can see them either by way of a hiking trail or a scenic drive.

Due to its location just 30 minutes east of Portland, it’s a popular place to visit and easy to incorporate into your Oregon road trip. 

Be sure to check the forest service for current closures for all hikes and waterfalls in this area.

Many of the waterfalls and Columbia river gorge hikes were closed during our visit due to a fire that raged through the Columbia river gorge national scenic area in 2017.

Multnomah Falls Trail

At 620 ft. high, Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s top tourist attraction.

It’s the second tallest year-round waterfall in the USA, and the most-visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest!

When you see it you’ll understand. The two-drop waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and cascades down the basalt cliff face into pools.

Legend from the local native Multnomah tribe says the waterfall formed after a young woman jumped over the cliff and sacrificed herself to the Great Spirit to save the Multnomah village from a plague.

After her death, water began to flow from above the cliff, thus creating the waterfalls.

Her bravery created something so beautiful.

Multnomah Falls is fed by rainfall but also by snowmelt and underground springs from Larch Mountain (The Larch Mountain trail also begins at the lodge).

It runs year round, but spring and winter is when you’ll see the highest volume of water.

Multnomah Falls Oregon is one popular spot and if you go early or on weekdays you may escape the crowds. 

You can hike to Benson bridge – or to the top of the falls.

The Benson Bridge makes for stunning photos as it spans across the middle of the water as it cascades down from one level to another.

If you want to capture the Upper and Lower Falls and the Benson Bridge, you’ll have to find the right angle from down the bottom near the lodge.

To be honest, I did not find the top of the Multnomah Falls to be overly exciting. You couldn’t really see the water thundering over the top, only its initial roll over the lip.

The views were okay but the crowds were too much!

The Multnomah Falls hike up to the top involves 17 switchbacks and is pretty strenuous if you are not used to hiking. There are several viewpoints to stop at along the way.

If short on time and unfit I’d possibly stop at Benson Bridge.

Multnomah Falls was featured in our Best Waterfalls in the US list.

Multnomah Falls Hike – Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail

We decided to take in more than just the main waterfall attraction by doing the 5 mile Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail.

This trail takes in 5 other Columbia River Gorge waterfalls and plenty of smaller cascades as the Multnomah and Wahkeena Creek makes their way down the canyons.

The waterfall loop walk will help you escape the crowds, appreciate the towering evergreens, get spectacular views, and see several more waterfalls, including the popular Fairy Falls and Wahkeena Falls.

I especially loved walking through the forest at the top that is still recovering from the fire.

The blackened trunks of the trees stood out in contrast with the green shrub, wildflowers and river views.

It was lovely to finish this waterfall loop trail with Multnomah Falls at the end and take those steep switchbacks down.

I felt we could appreciate the views of the waterfall better as we weren’t concentrating on breathing and getting up the hill!

This 5 mile loop hike was much harder than any of us anticipated.

It was a pretty steep climb for half of the hike with plenty of switchbacks. It was a humid day so we were all sweating and in need of several breaks.

I was super super impressed with the kids who kept up a fast pace.

They all enjoyed their ice cream at the end of it – a well deserved reward. You can pick yours up from the Multnomah Falls Lodge – it seems to be the thing to do in this top Oregon attraction.

I enjoyed a cider back at our campground. I was completely wiped out after that hike but so glad we did it. It was a highlight of our time in the Columbia River Gorge Oregon.

It was only back at camp that we learned the Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail was a 1,600 ft elevation gain! No wonder we were wiped out.

There are various side trails you can take off the Multnomah Wahkeena loop trail.

If we weren’t with the kids, we may have considered checking out some of the views:

• Vista Point Trail
• Wahkeena Springs
• Devils’ Rest Trail

Here are the other waterfalls on the trail:

Wahkeena Falls

The misty Wahkeena Falls is a good stopping-for-your-breath point after your first steep climb up on the Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop trail.

It can also be visited on a short walk up a paved trail from a small parking lot if you did not want to do the entire trail.

A refreshing spray may be welcome here.

Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls cascades 20 feet down the side of Wahkeena Canyon upstream from Wahkeena Falls.

It’s right on the edge of the trail and a favorite of those doing this Columbia River Gorge waterfall hike.

The verdant mossy rocks and ferns surrounding it make this a very pretty waterfall.

Ecola Falls

Ecola Falls is a solid 55-foot fall that drops off a lip just off the side of the trail.

It’s probably best you don’t try to scramble down the steep canyon walls to get to the base of the waterfall. Some hikers have died trying.

This waterfall is quite hidden from the trail and was once called Hidden Falls for this reason.

Your view will be mostly from the top looking down over the lip.

Wiesandanger Falls

Located just downstream from the mighty Ecola Falls, Wiesendanger Falls is a much more accessible and equally beautiful waterfall.

You can scramble to the bottom of this one.

Don’t miss Lemmon’s Viewpoint

Not too far after Wahkeena Falls, there is a short side trail to Lemmon’s viewpoint, which is offers an outstanding view of Columbia Gorge.

I think the view here is more expansive and better (with way fewer people) then at the top of Multnomah waterfall.

• Check out our hiking gear list here.
• 16 Easy Tips For Hiking with Kids (so you can enjoy it)

The Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Drive

Dubbed as “King of the Roads” this 75 mile highway is the oldest scenic byway in the USA.

You can drive a segment (about 20 miles) of the original Historic Columbia River Highway (US HWY 30) when touring the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge.

Other parts are open only to hikers and bikers. Some parts are overlapped by the I-84.

There is a section between Corbett and Dodson which will take you to seven of the Columbia Gorge waterfalls (including Multnomah and Wahkeena), as well as scenic viewpoints.

The byway is a windy shaded, ferny oasis, with a series of waterfalls tumbling down from the gorge rim to the roadside.

Sadly, we ran out of time to do the complete waterfall way loop drive.

That hike wiped us out, but proved to be good training for some much longer and harder hikes in Washington and Montana.

The other waterfalls on the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway in this section are:

• Lower and Upper Latourell Falls: (2.4 miles round trip) Latourell Falls cascades 224 feet and can be accessed easily from a short trail that leads to a viewpoint, as well as slightly longer treks to the base and top of the waterfall.
• Bridal Veil Falls (1.4 miles round trip) a beautiful waterfall that drops 118 feet in two tiers. Only a short 1/3 mile walk to the falls.
• Horsetail Falls: Named for its horsetail shape, this 176 ft. waterfall plunges into a pool right beside the Columbia River Scenic Highway; 1/2 mile hike will take you to the Upper Horsetail Falls.
• Shepperd’s Dell: is a two-tiered fall that cascades through a narrow canyon; the upper falls is about 40 feet and the lower falls plunge down an additional 50 feet. Most noted for its stone, arched bridge. Short walk to the viewpoint of the upper and lower falls and historic bridge.
• Oneonta Falls and Gorge: 1.2 mile round trip hike that involves scrambling over logs and walking through water. It’s a trek for the adventurous but is said to be the hidden gem of the waterfall Way.

Vista House at Crown Point

Hard to believe we did not make it here, even after so many people in our community recommended it.

I tell ya, that waterfall hike we did knocked it out of us and we figured we got a pretty good view of the Columbia River from there.

The Vista House at Crown Point is known to be one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Columbia River Highway. So don’t you miss it!

It was the first destination built (1918) along the new road and Vista House displays information about the highway construction.

The Gorge views are from the rotunda atop Crown Point, 1 mile/1.6 kilometres past the first scenic overlook.

Women’s Forum Overlook is another viewpoint along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Bridge of the Gods

This 1,868 ft. bridge rises 135 feet above the Columbia River and is an icon of this region.

You can walk (or drive) across it and cross over into Washington. The Bridge of the Gods was the closest river crossing, approximately ten miles east of the waterfall area on I-84.

About 1,000 years ago a giant landslide from the north of the Columbia River blocked the gorge and stopped the river’s flow.

Water eroded the dam and created a natural stone bridge that fell and created the cascade rapids.

Native American legend says that Manito, the Great Spirit, built a stone bridge for the People that had trouble crossing the river.

Fearing it would wash away, The People appealed to the Great Spirit to protect the bridge and they gave it a new name “The Bridge of the Gods,” which is why the modern structure has that name today.

For ‘Wild’ lovers, this is the point where Cheryl Strayed ended her 1,100 mile hike on the Pacific Coast Trail. (it’s a great book, if you haven’t read it. Get it here.)

The Bridge of the Gods is the only bridge crossing the Columbia River between Portland and Mt Hood.

Cascade Locks

Cascade Locks was a vital stopping point on the Oregon Trail, for passage of the treacherous Cascades.

The Lewis & Clark expedition passed through April 13th 1806.

The city took its name from a set of locks built to improve navigation past the Cascades Rapids of the Columbia River.

It’s now offers another vital stopping point for another iconic passage: The 2,555 mile Pacific Crest Trail. Cascade Locks is the only incorporated city situated on the PCT.

It’s also the PCT’s lowest elevation point as it drops into the Columbia River Gorge and crosses the Bridge of the Gods.

Cascade Locks is where we stayed during our visit to the Columbia River National Scenic Area and we loved its tranquil vibe and stunning scenery.

It’s only a small town, but offers local food and beverages and is a great base or stopping point for your waterfall explorations.

You can take a tour on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, paddle boat that hosts daily and nightly cruises through this dramatic stretch of the Gorge, where the river cuts through the Cascade Range.

Thunder Island

Thunder Island is a small island carved out of the mainland in 1890 to build the Cascade Locks and canal which provided a safe passage around the rapids for ships traveling the Columbia River.

This was right on the doorstep of our RV park so I loved to walk over here for beautiful views of the mountain peaks across the river, forested Gorge cliffs, and the Bridge of the Gods.

Interpretive information boards tell of the geology of the Gorge and history of the locks.

It’s a good spot for short strolls, picnics, watching sailing regattas, and weddings.

Thunder Island Brewery

A 5 minute walk from our RV campsite was the awesome Thunder Island Brewery.

Whether you are staying at Cascade Locks or not, I  highly recommend you add this to your Columbia River Gorge experience.

You’ll find delicious food, awesome local craft beer and cider (try the rhubarb cider!) and beautiful views of the river.

They even had trivia night when we visited which was fun to play with our friends.

Recommended Cascade Locks Hike: Dry Creek Falls

A local recommended Dry Creek Falls as one of her favorite Columbia River Gorge hikes.

It’s a 4.4 mile return hike from the Bridge of the Gods trailhead through vine maple and scattered fir to dense strands of old-growth.

Dry Creek Falls plunges 74 feet over a basalt wall in a secluded amphitheater. It’s a popular destination for those interested in a short, woodsy hike with plenty of Gorge ambience.

It’s one for us to do next time!

Hood River Territory

Hood River is the place where outdoor adventures, water lovers, and foodies come to play.

A natural wind tunnel has been created here which attracts windsurfers and kiteboarders from around the country.

We didn’t get time to explore much of Hood River town, but I loved the look of it.

It’s an eclectic mix of cafes, distilleries, breweries and independent gift shops.

That’s one thing I love so much about Oregon – it’s filled with so many independent local businesses. No chains around!

We grabbed a delicious hemp latte from Ground Espresso Bar & Cafe before setting off on the renowned Hood River County Fruit Loop Trail.

Hood River Fruit Loop Trail

The Hood River Fruit Loop trail is a stunning 35-mile self-guided road trip through the fertile Hood River Valley.

There are nearly 30 small, family owned  farms, orchards, cideries and wineries you can stop at along the way.

Many of the orchards offer u-pick opportunities including apples, pears. cherries, peaches, and berries.

You can pick up a Hood River Fruit Loop Guide and collect a stamp from each place you visit. If you get 14 stamps you get a free bag!

It was on this trail that we got to experience the grandeur of Mt Hood (11,245 ft.), one of the three dormant volcanoes in this region.

On its opposite side was one of the other volcanoes, Mt Adams (12,276) located across the river in Washington. Mt St Helens (8,358 ft.) is the other volcano.

Don’t ask the locals what mountain Mt Adams is. We were told it was Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens, and MT Hood before we got to the Adams Truth!

We recommend the following stops on the Hood River Fruit Loop Trail

Apple Valley Country Store & Bakery

For a huckleberry or marionberry shake. Fresh fruit pies and pastries are also sold here as well as small-batch jams and hand crafts.

The Old Trunk

This place is so cool. It’s a vintage store with berry picking out the back on the small family vine.

We picked delicious raspberries, blue berries, and my now favorite, marionberries. We learned a marionberry is a type of blackberry grown in Marion County, Oregon.

The picking here was so cheap. They also have an artisanal Soda Fountain that serves sodas made from house made syrups. It as a fun store to browse.

Montavon’s Berries

Oh my god! The cherries here were sensational.

Red and dark cherries straight from the tree were absolutely the best I’ve ever had. There were hundreds of trees with gorgeous views of Mt Hood and Mt Adam.

It only cost us $5 for a huge bag of cherries.

Grateful Vineyard

I loved the views and the chardonnay from the only new Grateful Vineyard.

The pizza and salad here was really good too so we recommend it as a lunch spot. It was difficult to leave the chairs soaking up the sun and the view.

Draper Girls Country Cider Company

This was a fun stop for kids and adults.

The kids loved swinging on the garden swing and feeding the goats.

We loved sitting in the pretty garden enjoying a peach cider. That was my favorite of the ciders we tasted. I even took home a growler of it as it’s the perfect summer drink.

Fruit used for the ciders is sourced from their forty acre farm and has no nasties. They also have a country farm and u-pick orchards.

Stave and Stone Winery

Oh my the views from this winery were exquisite.

There is a large covered patio and grassy terraced lawn to sit with games for the kids. Although a large sign does say free range children not welcome.

Hood River Lavender Farm

It says it closes at 5pm but the lavender picking actually closes at 4pm. We missed it as we were going by the closing times listed for it so didn’t get to pick any beautiful smelling lavender.

It was pretty with views of both mountains in the background.

Other places we wanted to visit on the Fruit Loop Trail but couldn’t get to were:

• The Gorge White House Fruit Stand & Winery
• Fox-Tail Cider and Distillery – we missed this but our friends said it was awesome with loads of ciders to try. She bought me back a pineapple cider which was delicious.

Video: Multnomah Falls and Hood River Fruit Loop Trail

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Columbia River Gorge Map of Attractions

The map below features the things to do in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon we have mentioned in this post, including driving and hiking directions.

Click the top left icon to toggle between layers!

Where to Stay at Columbia River Gorge

• Columbia River Gorge Hotel & Spa: Located in Hood River among seven lush acres of garden. This is your luxury choice.
• Cascade Ave Classic: Rental home with garden and patio. Sleeps 8.
• Westcliff Lodge: “A great find 5 minutes from center of Hood River/ Excellent Value for money” Guest review.
• Airbnb: See availability for places to rent in the Cascades Lock region
• We camped at the Cascades Lock Marine Park. It was a nice location right on the river and near Bridge of the Gods. It’s a small campground and books out far in advance.

Car & RV Rental

• If you don’t have your own car, check here for rental car options from Portland
• You may wish to rent your own RV, campervan or motorhome.  Check out RV share.

Tours of the Columbia River Gorge

No car of your own? No problem.

Thanks to its close proximity to Portland, there are several tours that explore the Columbia River Gorge region.

• Columbia Gorge Wine and Waterfalls Day tour
• Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge half day tour
• Mt Hood and Columbia River Gorge Day tour

Other Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest

• 18 Cool Things To Do In Portland Oregon
• Cool Kids Guide of Things to Do in Seattle
• 12 Coolest Things To Do in North Cascades National Park
• 20 Don’t Miss Things to do in Bend Oregon
• 20 Amazing Things to Do In Idaho For First Time Visitors!
• 16 Incredible Things to Do in Olympic National Park
• A Day Trip to Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Exploring the waterfalls in Umpqua National Park
• Don’t miss the stunning McKenzie River Valley

Any more tips on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area? Favorite hikes, waterfalls and viewpoints?

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There was availability in the Paradise Campground, on the McKenzie River Trail, which we found on a random Google search.

It was all that was available in the region, otherwise we may not have gone at all.

The McKenzie River is a 90-mile tributary of the Willamette River in western Oregon in the United States.

It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Eugene and flows westward into the southernmost end of the Willamette Valley.

McKenzie River ended up being one of my favorite places in Oregon, and down below are the must-do waterfalls, lakes, hiking trails, and scenic drives, and where to stay

The McKenzie River Valley is a year-round recreation destination, and a centerpiece for many is the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail.

The trail is 26 miles long and follows the river’s path for most of that length.

It is a very popular mountain biking and hiking trail. Mountain bikers will be pleased to know it’s one of the most famous mountain bike trails in the country and the first 10 or so miles are a “black-diamond” technical trail.

Sadly, we only stayed in this small Pacific Northwest region for 3 nights as we did not have internet connection here.

We weren’t prepared for that and all desperately needed to get online to do some work. The joys of a digital nomad lifestyle.

But, you could easily spend three days in McKenzie River or longer if you just want to relax.

There are two major scenic highways in this area that showcases Oregon’s wildly diverse landscapes: Fir and cedar forests, mossy-green river valleys, snowy glaciated peaks and stark black lava fields.

It’s stunning river and timeless pristine forest makes for the perfect Oregon getaways from Eugene or Bend.

Bend is just under 2 hours to the northeast, and 40 minutes to the southeast is Eugene. And it’s only 2 1/4 hours to Portland.

Here are a few things we discovered during our three days exploring the McKenzie River Trail in Oregon.

Drive the Scenic McKenzie River Highway (OR-126)

The OR-126 is where you follow the journey of the Upper McKenzie river as it tumbles over waterfalls and lava flows and flairs it’s shimmering hues of bright blue through the bright green of the forest lining the road.

The Fall colors here are meant to be spectacular.

The McKenzie River Scenic Byway (126) winding its way through the Oregon Cascade Range will mesmerize you.

There are several stops along the journey and we recommend at least half a day to experience them.

These are the unmissable highlights of the McKenzie River Highway.

Hike the Mystical Blue Pool Trail

Ugh, I so wanted to dive into the Blue Pool. I’m not sure how you can safely do that, but I have heard people do.

The Blue Pool’s real name is Tamolitch, which means “tub” or “bucket” in Chinook.

This enchanting pool was formed several thousand years ago, as a result of lava erupting from nearby Belknap Crater – adding a pause in the McKenzie River’s journey.

Blue Pool is where the river reappears from a 3-mile underground detour through a lava tube.

It’s iridescent blue waters speak of refreshingly chilled summer days. The Tamolitch Falls tumble a short distance into the pool before waters keep running down as the Mackenzie River.

The 4 mile return trail feels like you’re wandering through the home of pixies. Its a forest filled with alder trees, lichens and moss, downed discolored trees to climb on and creeks to cross over and many trail bridges.

You can continue hiking to the Carmen Reservoir from here or all the way to Sahalie and Koosah Falls.

I highly recommend you get to the trailhead before 10 am. We had the trail almost to ourselves and the gorgeous views of the blue lagoon were only ours to soak up.

The minute we turned to start the trail back, the crowds came filtering up the trail.

The available parking was all taken by the time we got into our car. The line stretching far back to the highway and adding probably another mile onto your walk in.

Apparently, during the summer peak season it is this way every day until late afternoon when the crowds return to their campfires and ice cold Oregon beer.

Directions:

• From McKenzie Bridge, take Highway 126 east 13 miles to Trail Bridge Reservoir.
• Turn left (west) on Forest Road 732, crossing the McKenzie River.
• Go straight at the junction, northeast up Forest Road 655 to McKenzie River Trailhead – Tamolitch (Blue Pool).

Kayak on Clear Lake, Oregon

Fancy seeing a forest preserved underneath the depths of a crystal clear blue lake?

We paddled our rowboat with great difficulty to see it, and didn’t really succeed in the attempt.

I think we saw a few trees and decided that was good enough before the kids overtook the oar and began to row the boat in the other direction.

It was too much of a struggle to turn back so we instead appreciated the beautiful views of the lake and the forest surrounding it.

Fed by numerous springs, Clear Lake is the headwaters of the McKenzie River and was formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the stream 3,000 years ago. 

This damming of the stream caused water to rise over its banks and cover the forest.

You will not see anyone swimming in Clear Lake, Oregon!

The water is so cold, 37 degrees year round, that the bacteria could not survive in the temperatures to break down the dead trees so they have been preserved as they were when they drowned.

It’s a spectacular lake and when the sun is shining, it’s the perfect place for a picnic, a rowboat, a kayak or stand up paddle board.

You can paddle right up to the volcanic rock frozen in time bordering the lake.

I’d ditch the rowboat for a kayak or SUP board as it was too cumbersome and awkward. Be sure you are not going to fall of your SUP as you’ll be in for quite the shock!

If you’re up for it, there is a 5 mile Clear Lake loop trail.

The Clear Lake Resort is situated here where you can hire the boats and kayaks etc. They also sell food.

Visit Sahalie and Koosah Falls on the Waterfall Hike

The waterfall trail hike is one of the best things to do in McKenzie River Oregon, and my favorite thing to do. Actually, it was one of my favorite things to do in Oregon.

The beauty of this hike alongside the pristine blue river was incredible.

It’s a short 0.5 mile one way trail that meanders beside the river through a green forest and between two waterfalls: Koosah and Sahalie Falls.

You will find more parking at Koosah so we began our hike from there.

You can either hike directly by following the river, or there is a larger 3 mile loop walk going through the forest that takes in the two waterfalls.

We didn’t do this one, but I think the direct path along the river would be far prettier.

The loop walk does not go beside the river, and that was the real highlight for me.

Non-walkers can also see these two waterfalls from the parking lot.

Sahalie Falls was featured in our Best Waterfalls in the US list.

Scenic Drive OR-242: McKenzie Highway

The Scenic 126 McKenzie River Byway turns east onto OR-242 just after the McKenzie Bridge and continues to the town of Sisters.

The wild and scenic McKenzie Highway follows the path of an 1860’s wagon train route winds up through the Willamette National Forest (which is meant to be beautiful in the Fall) until it reaches the open expanses of the ancient lava flow and spectacular 360 degree views of  nine of the Cascade Mountains peaks at McKenzie Pass.

From there, the McKenzie Highway continues down through thick lodgepole pine forests, to Sisters.

There are several stops you can make along this road. Here are the two that we made.

Hike the Proxy Falls Loop (Upper and Lower)

Nine miles along the Scenic Drive 242 is the pullover for Proxy Falls, one of the most photographed falls in Central Oregon.

Proxy Falls was definitely the kids’ favorite waterfall along the McKenzie River. (There are loads of waterfalls in Oregon by the way. See more outstanding adventures not to miss on your Oregon road trip).

This one way 1.3 mile loop, located in the Three Sisters Wilderness, travels through open lava fields and dense forest, offering views of two different waterfall: Upper and Lower Proxy Falls.

The first part of the walk is through the unique and beautiful black lava fields before moving into a forested area.

Lower Proxy Falls is the first waterfall you’ll come to and is the most stunning and fun for the kids.

You may think you’re at the end when the trees open up to give you a view of the waterfall cascading down the mountain.

However, you can scramble down to the bottom of the waterfall close to it and feel its spray.

Look up and appreciate its dazzling beauty as it plunges 225 ft. from above you. And jump on the massive log bridge for a spectacular family photo of the falls behind you.

There are plenty of moss covered logs for the kids to walk over and jump over creeks. Be careful it is slippery here.

It’s a different world down here with a feel more of a rainforest. It’s tranquil, lush and beautiful. Be sure to stay awhile and soak it up.

Continue back up to the trail and turn right. A few hundred yards away will be the Upper Proxy Falls.

While not as dazzling as the lower, and you can’t get close to it, it’s worth stopping and appreciating its unique beauty.

Climb over the roots and small hill opposite the falls for the best view of it. Instead of feeding a stream, the water pooled at the foot of the falls seems to disappear, but it’s actually sinking through the porous lava into the ground.

The Proxy Falls trail is meant to be beautiful in the Fall with the vibrant colors against the black lava rocks.

Get Panoramic Views at Dee Wright Observatory

At 5,235 feet of elevation, the Dee Wright Observatory is at the summit of the McKenzie Pass.

The observatory is an open shelter built by the surrounding lava stones.

It’s a very cool structure and super fun place for the kids to reenact Rapunzel’s climb down from the tower and escape from her wicked mother.

This is the place for panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain Ranges.

You’ll be amazed at how many peaks you can see from here on a clear day even as far as Mount Hood in the north near the Washington border along the Columbia River Gorge.

Other peaks easily seen include Mt, Jefferson, Cache Mountain, Dugout Butte, Black Butte, Bluegrass Butte, Black Crater, North Sister, Middle Sister, Little Brother (and ridge west), Condon Butte, Scott Mountain, South Belknap Cone, Belknap Crater, Little Belknap, and Mt. Washington.

Not sure which peak is which?

Not to worry, the observatory was built to help you here. There are viewing windows inside the structure that are cut to specifically highlight the neighboring mountains.

These “lava tube” viewing holes allow visitors to easily identify the different Cascade peaks that one can view in the area.

I thought this was one of the coolest things I’d seen and I loved moving from one window to the other discovering what the peak was in the distance.

There is also a 36 inch diameter, bronze azimuth-like “peak finder” on the roof of observatory’s roof to help you locate the peaks and surrounding geological features.

We ran out of time, but I recommend taking the half-mile long Lava River Interpretive Trail that begins at the observatory through lava beds.

You’ll get the same views as at the observatory, and the trail also offers open beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape.

But interpretive signs will give you geologic information describing the numerous lava formations along the trail.

Worth learning about one of the latest and most remarkable examples of volcanic activity in North America, this area was created as a result of eruptions from Belknap Crater about 2,000 years ago.

It’s interesting to learn about it.

Enjoy Local Music and Food at McKenzie Bridge General Store

After you have finished exploring the McKenzie River Trail you can relax with local organic food, local craft beer and Willamette Valley wine AND live music at the popular McKenzie General Store.

They also have events like visiting guest speakers and movie nights.

There is a back patio dining area with twinkling lights, a fire pit and picnic tables making it a lovely riverside gathering spot along the McKenzie River.

Foodies will love to know that the McKenzie General Store is featured on the South Willamette Valley Food Trail.

The trail is a self-guided journey through Oregon’s agricultural heartland, which features farm-to-table restaurants, world-class wines and unique on-farm experiences.

The General Store is most noted for its NW Salmon Tacos, made from fresh-caught, wild salmon and their locally sourced Lookout Pulled Pork Sandwich, featuring a house-made marionberry and bourbon BBQ sauce.

We were disappointed that the sound was not very good on the night we visited, and due to where we were sitting we could not hear the singer very well.

It would have been very memorable otherwise as the setting was so homegrown and picturesque and the food good.

The McKenzie Bridge General Store is also the place to pick up your supplies for your days adventures.

The have a variety of general grocery items, with a focus on natural, local organic products.

Map of Mckenzie River, Oregon

Where to Stay at McKenzie River, Oregon

Paradise Campground

They were not wrong in how they named it Paradise Campsite.

It’s tucked within a lush, old-growth forest of Douglas fir and western red cedar, with ferns covering the ground and moss draping the trees.

It has a sub-tropical vibe along the banks of the McKenzie River. I wish we could have stayed here longer, it was so tranquil and peaceful.

Our sites were large with ample space for sitting in the forest and for the kids to play among the trees and the vines. They even created a little world of swinging hammocks they hung out in.

Be sure to book in advance, especially if you want a river site.

The river runs too fast for safe swimming, but kayakers and rafters will love it. It’s $24 a night. See more here.

Belknap Hot Springs Lodge and Gardens

The Belknap Hot Springs Resort’s claim to fame are its hot springs, which is free for guests to use.

Belknap is an old school lodge nestled in the most spectacular scenery and hiking country on the McKenzie River.

It offers lodge rooms, cabins and RV camping.

Belknap has two mineral hot spring pools and many acres of gardens including the extravagant Secret Garden and is open all year.

Belknap Hot Springs have been open to the public since the 1870s.

You can pay a day use fee to enjoy the hot springs (lower pool only) if you don’t stay here – $8 an hour, or $15 for a day.

They were quite busy when we went and the pool was quite small and looked just like a concrete pool so we decided to save our money.

Guests have access to the upper hot spring pool which we did not get a chance to see.

Access to the hot springs as a guest may be a great reason to choose Belknap Hot Springs Resort for your McKenzie River accommodation.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

Eagle Rock Lodge

Offering views of the river, Eagle Rock Lodge is located in Vida, Oregon on 5 acres of garden, forest, and riverside property.

Guests can enjoy having bonfires along the river bank at the property.

Recent guests said they loved complimentary wine, stunning location and excellent breakfast.

Read reviews and book your stay here.

Car Rental for McKenzie River, Oregon

As with most places in Oregon, the McKenzie River area is best explored via car.

Check car rental prices and availability for Eugene departures

RV and Campervan Rental

When you book your RV rental online through the secure RVshare payment system, it’s backed by a $10,000 peace of mind guarantee.

Every rental booked online through RVshare comes with 24-hour travel concierge and roadside assistance!

Check RV rentals for Oregon here.

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All of the Portland neighborhoods have several restaurants you can indulge in, no matter your cuisine or style.

What I loved is that the majority of places to eat in Portland are independently owned and use fresh, healthy, sustainable, ethically and locally sourced producers.

Portland’s green-friendly city has the largest number of vegetarian and vegan options for diners in the country, and almost 80% of the Portland restaurants are local.

I love Portland Oregon for this reason the most!

It’s just the Portland way. It now ranks in my top 5 best foodie places in the USA.  The others being: New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Jackson MS. Share what yours are in the comments!

And it’s not just a place adults love eating, but kids also.

They will love the endless ice cream opportunities on hand, AND, they’ll have to compete in the great “who’s got the best donuts in Portland” debate?

Arm them with knowledge parents.

So let’s start there.

Who has the Best Donuts in Portland?

What foods is Portland known for?

Well, you are likely to start a war amongst Portlanders when you ask the best place to eat donuts in Portland.

Blue Star lovers verse Voodoo doughnuts. Then Pipis donuts will stake a claim for best traditional miniature donuts.

Come back to this post after you visit Portland and share with us which donuts in Portland you thought were best?

In fact, why not share a photo on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram?

Blue Star Donuts

Most noted for its Blueberry Bourbon Basil Donut and its refreshing balance of flavors, Blue Star Donuts is a worthy rival of Voodoo.

Blue Star seems to have more stores scattered around the city. In fact, truth be told, we had Voodoo in Eugene, not Portland, and I don’t recall seeing many stores there. But Blue Star – they’re everywhere!

You can even grab a coffee to go with their donuts, which are made from scratch with buttery brioche bread, fresh fruits, herbs and spices, even liqueurs.

Ingredients are locally sourced to bring those true Portland flavors and stories to their donuts like Cointreau Crème Brule, Orange Olive Oil, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.

If I could, I’d be all over the passion fruit cake donut, noted as being sunshine captured in a donut!

I liked Blue Star for their innovative and refined donut flavors and style.

Voodoo was too over the top flamboyant for my style. I can’t really tell you based on taste though as I’m gluten free. If only one of these Donut Queens would give me gluten free donuts!

See more flavors at Blue Star here

Pips Original Doughnuts and Chai

Pips Original Doughnuts are definitely for those who want to steer away from the masses and embrace that hipster Portland vibe.

Pips donuts are more your traditional style donuts but with a smaller twist.

The mission behind these bite sized doughnuts was to bring back the traditional mom and pop donut shop. Yep. Be ready to embrace the sweet smell of friendly cinnamon in this Portland donut shop.

What’s extra unique about this store is they have handcrafted chai teas made from raw spices to pair with your donuts.

It turns an experience of “how quickly can we shove this donut delicacy down”, to time to savor the flavor. You can even get a flight of chai.

Doughnut flavors at Pips change seasonally so check the board menu for daily deliverings, like apricot habanera in the summer and Mable-candied bacon when the temps drop.

Our girls went for simply Nutella and cinnamon-sugar which they both loved.

Look out for their mobile van when you visit Portland. Their one store is located on NE Fremont St.

Voodoo Doughnuts

I’m guessing that you have heard of Voodoo Doughnuts. This is the most legendary donuts of all in the USA.

Voodoo Doughnuts are famous for their unique flavors and sizes. Think gigantic.

They’re topped with things like fruit loops and Oreo chunks, and bacon maple bars. Fillings include raspberry and peaches.

See more doughnut flavors here.

Portlander founders, Kenneth Pogson and Tres Shannon started their quest for doughnut domination in 2003 after noticing that Portland didn’t have one doughnut shop.

So they started a revolution of classically unconventional doughnuts that has indeed dominated the doughnut headlines (and many stores) across the country!

Our kids can’t resist a Dirt doughnut – vanilla frosting topped with Oreos.

Their verdict was that Voodoo Doughnuts were their favorite for size and originality.

More Flavorful Places to Eat in Portland

Devour Innovative Ice Cream at Salt & Straw

Once you’re done with donuts, head to this Portland ice cream institution, Salt & Straw for truly unique flavors.

Think Honey lavender, arbequina olive oil, and strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper. I couldn’t resist a coava coffee with freckled woodblock chocolate.

I’m sure the girls went standard with a mint choc chip and chocolate gooey brownie. Even the standard goes way beyond a standard at Salt & Straw.

When a new batch of unique concoctions are made, the lines get even longer (like their Thanksgiving spiced goat cheese and pumpkin pie).

They have several places in Portland and even beyond in other West Coast states.

Eat at the Food Truck Pods (a Portland thing)

The Portland food truck pods are one of the cool things to do in Portland, AND, one of the most popular places to eat in Portland!

CNN even declared Portland Oregon as the world’s best street food. I’m guessing due to variety of cuisines and flavors it could hold this title. But street food better than Thailand? That’s a big call!

I’m not too sure. But we were so busy eating in so many amazing restaurants that we only visited one Food Cart Pod called Bites on Belmont.

Instead of roaming around the city streets, these food trucks gather together in a particular area or pod. Take your pick of the food you want to eat and sit down at the picnic tables to enjoy.

Here are a few locations of the more well-known food cart pods:

• Third Avenue
• Portland Statue University
• Portland Mercado for Latin American flavors
• Cartlandia in Southeast Portland also has a full service bar and outdoor beer garden
• Rose City Food Park has live music
• The Bite on Belmont (delicious and very authentic Thai curries can be found here. Huge servings too.)

Go Aussie Style at Proud Mary Cafe (our top pick)

We found ourselves at Proud Mary Cafe in Northeast Portland during our five days in Portland several times waving our proud Aussie spirit.

I was happy to see this popular Portland café full of patrons excitedly chatting over smashed avocado toast topped with sprouted almonds, a salad of shaved green tomato, kelp sea salt, and dried tomato flakes.

It definitely had a sunny and friendly Australian ambiance (and styled beautifully for your Instagram snaps, both in décor and food presentation).

The passion to dish up quality and bring people together is evident through excellent customer service, communal tables, and food you can’t help but talk about like sticky fried eggplant and a potato hash dish toped with anchovy cream!

Our girls were delighted to have vegemite on toast, especially our fussy Savannah. She could have eaten here all day long. But you may get really small servings of the vegemite on the side.

Ask for more!

They are happy to give more but they found most Americans order it and then only have a smidgen of it, never finishing it or using the small amount up – for an Australian overseas, there is nothing worse than wasting vegemite!

I think we ate here twice and had several coffee stops, because flat whites. No one makes coffee like Australia makes coffee. Even you Portland!

Proud Mary came from Melbourne, so drop the mike.

Coffee aficionados will be happy to know you can taste flights of coffees, some so rare they aren’t available anywhere else in the USA. Upping your cuppa game. I swear people were at the bar getting drunk on coffee.

Aussies can also get their meat pie fix here – Kalyra’s first order! And I’m not sure why we didn’t order, as we had every intention to, but you’ll also find a pavlova!

I cannot walk out the door without telling you to just order the “caulitown,” a delicious dish of warm spiced cauliflower, dahl puree, pickled onions, tahini, toasted sesame and cilantro.

Thanks for contributing to the weight Proud Mary. I don’t regret it one bit.

Vegan AND Gluten Free at Back to Eden Bakery

Looking for the best vegan restaurants in Portland?

Oh my god.

Vegan and gluten free lovers rejoice. Finally a place that combines the two in 100% fashion. And menus are also labelled with dishes that are soy free. Back to Eden alright!

The Root Vegetable Hash – give me the recipe NOW.

They also have gluten free beers and ciders so this would have to be one of the best restaurants in Portland for the health concsious.

But this Portland café may be a little tricky with kids. Then again it may just be our fussy Savannah. As they do have toast and jam, smoothies and grilled vegan cheese.

Return to Hanoi at Grandma Lela’s Vietnamese Kitchen

Lela’s offers a Vietnamese comfort cuisine to match that of the traditional Portland house on 23rd Ave.

Choose a porch rocking chair, a table in a quaint dining room or a picnic table out front. OR, like us, you could pick up some take out to enjoy from the comfort of your Airbnb.

The Vietnamese vegan pho was just what you’d expect to taste on the streets of Hanoi. We had it twice! Lela’s has loads of gluten free options too!

Make your own Pancakes at Slappy Cakes

We first experienced Slappy Cakes in Singapore so were surprised when we saw it and had it recommended to us by many people as a good place for breakfast in Portland.

I wasn’t overly keen since we were looking for Portland restaurants to eat deliciously local food, so a chain was not on my list of places to eat in Portland.

But, we know our kids enjoy sitting at the table cooking up their own pancake creations so we took them for a Portland treat they’ll remember.

Psst. I ducked over to the Food Truck Pod across the road after to get my lunch!

Enjoy mouth-watering Pine State Biscuits

Having gluten free requirements, we never actually went to Pine State Biscuits. But, due to the long snaking lines we continually saw outside, we thought it best we mention it.

It is super popular with the locals and came highly recommended by our communities on Facebook and Instagram.

Biscuits fillings include fried chicken and fried green tomato, house smoked brisket and tofu bacon with shitake mushroom. Mouth watering.

Side Note:

Pine State Biscuits was founded by three friends from North Carolina who moved to Portland but craved the down­ home­ cooking they knew from childhood – three Southern boys who were simply homesick for biscuits!

And get this – the most delicious gluten free biscuits we have had can be found at Honest Biscuits in Pikes Place Market, Seattle, also created by a North Carolininian from Raleigh!

Totally unrelated I know but my mouth is watering for them as I type this.

Thai Street Food at Pok Pok

Looking for the best Thai restaurants in Portland?

The smells coming out of this place were enough to put on half a pound and take me back to our time in Chiang Mai. I could stand there all day and take in the aromas of Thai street food.

Pok Pok is another place high on our list of places to eat in Portland that we didn’t get to. Surprising, because Thai food is our favorite.

But this is one of the most popular places to eat in Portland Oregon (reservations recommended), and we had lots of restaurants to choose from!

Pok Pok will transport you the streets of Chiang Mai, a northern mountain cuisine quite different to the rest of Thailand flavors, although you will find more traditional dishes like Papaya salad, and curries, but all with a northern twist.

Betel leaf wraps are a famous northern Thai dish you don’t want to miss.

Video: Things to do in Portland with Kids

Check out our Portland with kids video playlist. Subscribe to our Youtube channel, so you don’t miss our latest travel adventures. Loads more to come.

Brewery Hopping in Portland

The good news is that some of the best breweries in Portland (in fact a lot of Oregon) are family-friendly.

If you like beer you’ll want to visit Oregon. And Portland will feel like the center of the Universe to you.

Another name for Portland, aside from the City of Roses and Keeping Portland Weird, is Beervana!

Apparently it is home to more breweries than anywhere on earth – more than 75 breweries and counting. That is quite the accolade.

All I can say is get amongst it. When in Portland, drink beer. Or cider. And time it for happy hour. For the non-beer lovers you’ll find loads of cider options at the breweries and stand alone cideries.

And breweries are one of the most casual and fun places to eat in Portland with kids – yay!

I made the decision to have a break from drinking in Portland for some strange reason! I had one or two though and we still visited as Craig was sampling. We would have visited more cideries otherwise.

Check the event calendar as its possible there is a beer event on when you visit Portland.

Deschutes Brewery

One of the most legendary breweries to come out of, not just Portland, but Oregon, is Deschutes Brewery.

Founded in 1988 in Bend, Oregon, they opened a brewpub in the Pearl District in 2008 hoping to bring a taste of Central Oregon to Portland.

The brew pub’s 20+ taps feature Deschutes mainstays plus a selection of seasonal and experimental beers developed and brewed on-site.

There are a few smaller tables that wrap around the building. Worth grabbing one on a warm summer’s day if you can.

They create dishes from scratch with the best possible local ingredients. Their smoked chicken wings with roasted jalapeno sauce were spicy and delicious.

Base Camp Brewery

As the name suggests, Base Camp speaks a language of adventure and a passion for the outdoors.

They brew lagers, experimental styles with an emphasis on innovation and creativity. The have a large indoor taproom, but in keeping with their mission, we think its best that you sit by the fires outside.

Food trucks visit to serve you up some tasty dishes to eat around the campfire. Of course you may want to pair that with their famous S’mores Stout that comes with a toasted marshmallow right on the chalice.

Breakside Brewery

For a state that has around 300 breweries, earning Oregon’s Brewery of the Year is no easy feat. Breakside Brewery achieved that in 2017.

They have gained a reputation for imaginative, experimental and flavorful beers like the Duck Duck Drunk, a chocolate porter beer infused with 100 pounds of locally raised Muscovy duck. Quack.

Breakside Brewery has three locations throughout the Portland area, each with their own distinctive flair.

The location in Slabtown District in Northwestern Portland (just off NW 23rd Ave) has been rated as one of the best Portland breweries.

It was probably my favorite of the breweries in Portland we visited for its outside beer garden and modern, light and airy décor and giant mural on the side wall.

They have a full-service restaurant with two levels and a wide selection (16 taps) of Breakside craft beers making it one of the cool places to eat in Portland in Slabtown.

Portland Cider House

Taking the backgrounds of married owners, English Lynda and Oregonian, Jeff, the Portland Cider Company aims to marry English cider with innovative Northwest micro-brewing culture.

Thank goodness they improved on the English cider!

Not usually one f my favorites, but I did enjoy my cherry cider from the Portland Cider House on Hawthorne St. With 30 ciders on tap, it’s one of largest cider houses in Oregon and one of the most diverse collections of ciders in North America.

It’s a comfortable place to sit and relax for awhile and you’ll find a bunch of games here to help you while away the hours. We had fun dirking a cherry cider while playing UNO with the girls.

Ground Breaker Brewing & Gastropub (GF)

Looking for gluten free beer, AND, the one of the best gluten free restaurants in Portland?

This place is a Groundbreaker alright!

It’s rare to even find a gluten free beer in a brewery, let alone an entire brewery dedicated to the dietary restriction!

While Oregon has endless great unique cider for the gluten free people, sometimes you just want something a bit hoppier.

This is the place for you. They replace the grains with Willamette Valley chestnuts hand roasted on site to create IPA’s and experimental ales with ingredients like coffee or squash.

There are a couple of picnic tables outside, which is perfect on a warm evening.

The Ground Breaker Gastropub sells gluten free food as well as a kid menu. You’ll find the PB&J turned into an HB&J. HB for hazelnut butter. A Much Better Alternative.

My BBQ Chicken noodle soup was light and tasty.

Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB)

Did someone say organic beer? Chain up the bike I’m coming in!

Portland’s first eco-brewpub offers organic beers in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Hopworks was founded in 2007 by Christian Ettinger who started brewing in his parent’s kitchen during his first summer break in college.

HUB focuses on sustainable and environmentally conscious practices and a bicycle theme is embraced at all locations.

We visited the Hopworks Urban Brewery BikeBar in North Williams ST. All energy in the building is generated via sustainable practices making it a net zero building!!

You can contribute to that by pedal powering the bikes out the front,15 minutes gets you a $1 off your beer!

There is a bike bar (no kids allowed) which has bike frames hanging from the ceiling and a bottle wall. There is a restaurant with a play area for the kids and an outdoor back patio (another of the best places to eat in Portland with kids).

I think My Rocket burger was one of the best I’ve ever eaten. Arugula pesto aioli, sautéed onions, local mushrooms, roasted garlic, Swiss cheese, fresh arugula, lemon vinaigrette, chopped hazelnuts, and feta.

That’s a big call because on our USA road trip, we ate plenty of burgers. Forget the beer, chain up your bike for the burgers!

HUB, became the first Certified B Corporation brewery in the PNW in 2015 and is one of the best Portland breweries and a must for your things to do in Portland list – especially with kids!

Wayfinder Brewing

Located in a century-old brick warehouse, Wayfinder is considered to have the best outdoor space of all of Portland breweries.

Compared to the ones we visited, I’d have to agree, It’s a unique outlook with a variety of wooden seating, a central firepit and a few trees.

It’s won quite a few awards for a new brewery, including one of the 15 best new brewers in the world!

Craig was pretty excited by his Doomtown IPA and wished that we stayed longer so he could sample more

We stopped for a quick drink, but their food getting dished up on the tables around us looked pretty good!

Craft brew lovers can join a brewery tour of Portland. Consider the following:

Where to Find Great Coffee in Portland

You have to find something to balance all that beer drinking with.

You’ve got all the donuts to give you the sweet balance, time to bring in the bitter. Oh, but I think you may also do that with beer.

Hey! I think chasing the balance in life is a futile exercise so seek out that coffee and drink up.

Yes. Portland is also known as having one of the best coffee cultures in the county. It fiercely battles against Seattle for the accolades.

My personal experience leans towards Seattle. Sorry Portland, I still think you are a fierce competition. Either way, the Pacific Northwest has you covered!

We didn’t sample anywhere near the amount of coffee we wanted to in Portland. You can only drink so much coffee over five days.

Barista

With multiple locations around the city, you are sure to find a good cup of Joe.

We visited the Alberta St location, and after ordering our drinks at the gorgeous walnut bar, made our way to sit out in the warmth of summer.

Barista presents a rustic hipster vibe.

They were one of the first Portland coffee shops to seek out and showcase “guest” roasters, even small obscure ones, both locally and from other cities.

They also serve a select few drafts to go with your coffee. Of course. It’s Portland.

Never Coffee

The cheery colored décor of Never Coffee is enough reason to visit.

You’ll find aqua floor tiles, colorful bags of coffee, and bright splashes of colors and patterns on their wall mural. Such a refreshing change for a café. It instantly elevates your mood for the day, and gets those chakras humming.

Check out their creative latte offerings, like the Holy Grail (stop looking you found it: ginger, turmeric, orange blossom) and the Oregon (of course you’ll find hops).

They have a store café downtown and in Belmont (which is where we visited).

Proud Mary Café

Of course, we visited Proud Mary Café a few times to get our Australian flat white fix, AND, becasue it’s one of the best places to eat in Portland Oregon on NE Alberta st.

You’ll definitely find a line and some of the most delicious gluten free cakes to pair your coffee with. I was in heaven!

Owner, Nolan Hirte, perfected the art of excellent coffee in Melbourne Australia which has one of the best coffee scenes in the world. You know we raved about Proud Mary above. #nuffsaid

Ovation coffee

We found this lovely Portland coffee shop in the Pearl District on our last day. It’s Moroccan in flavor so vastly different to most coffee shops in Portland.

Ovation offer innovative handcrafted espresso, spiced Moroccan coffee, and Moroccan mint tea.

It was the first time I have ever had a Moroccan Late: which is Moroccan spices infused in espresso, steamed milk, a splash of honey sprinkles on top.

I felt my soul talking to me through this drink.

For more Portland coffee shops check out Eater.

Places to Stay In Portland

Airbnb in Portland

Yes. The best things to do in Portland is local style. So get yourself an Airbnb apartment to dive even deeper into how the locals do it.

We rented a lovely Airbnb apartment in Laurelhurst and only a short drive to anywhere. We loved the tree lined streets and historic buildings.

Our host Lisa was sweet and friendly and full of great local Portland tips for us.

• Check out this charming house in Laurelhurst here (great for families or business travelers)
• You can see other Airbnb options for Portland here.

Hotels in Portland

If you want a more traditional stay in Portland, here are a few Portland hotels that get rave reviews:

• The Benson Hotel – A downtown Portland landmark since 1913, the Benson Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Ace Hotel – A stylish business-class boutique hotel that features vintage furniture, original art and eco-friendly elements.
• Kimpton Riverplace Hotel – One of our favorite hotel brands, this pet friendly hotel on downtown Portland’s waterfront, offers in-room spa services, a 24-hour fitness center and marina-view condos for extended stays.
• The Heathman Hotel – is home to the acclaimed Headwaters restaurant and features a unique library of over 3,000 volumes signed by their authors (including Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners).

See more Portland Accommodation to suit your style and budget here.

Unique Portland Accommodation

Portland likes to keep it weird. Here are some of those Portland style accommodations:

• McMenamins Kennedy School
• Crystal Hotel – each guestroom is inspired by a song or performance from the past 100 years at the nearby Crystal Ballroom.
• White Eagle Saloon – One of the most haunted places in Portland it’s steeped in stories of spirits, Shanghai tunnels and rockin’ concerts.
• Traveler’s House – boutique hostel lodging in a renovated house featuring private and dorm-style rooms with shared facilities

Plan Your Oregon Road Trip with our Bucket List

More Things to Do in Oregon

• Cool things to do in Portland (the non-boring guide)
• 20 Don’t Miss Things to do in Bend Oregon (Beer is included)
• 13 Adventures on Your Oregon Road Trip Not To Miss!

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Can you recommed any Portland Oregon restaurants? Leave your suggestion in the comments!

We spent 5 days exploring Bend during our Oregon road trip, and here is what we believe are the best things to do in Bend Oregon including tubing, hiking, drinking beer (or cider) plus advice on where to stay.

Bend, Oregon was a place I had heard about for its hot summers, epic outdoor adventures, serene river tubing and blossoming craft beer scene.

What we discovered during our 5 day visit was all of this, plus an interesting volcanic environment, a spectacular High Desert state park, delicious food, thriving music scene, fantastic local craft beers and ciders, and a hipster downtown feel.

The vibe in Bend reminded me of the relaxed life and happy feeling of Raleigh, NC and Burleigh Heads in Australia. The two places I most enjoy living in the world.

There’s a reason why Bend, Oregon is growing in popularity for those seeking outdoor fun all year round and those who are migrating there for a better pace of life. Put this place on your Pacific Northwest road trip.

When you visit Bend, you will be entertained with its surrounding peaks, most notable Mt Bachelor. They were still snow capped when we visited and unfortunately, we arrived right when the weather dipped into cold for the week.

I want to return in August when the weather is full-fledged summer hot and the music festivals and concerts are in abundance.

I was bummed that Xavier Rudd and John Butler Trio, two of my favorite Aussie artists played in August and we missed them!

Where is Bend Oregon?

Bend is in Central Oregon, tucked between snow-covered peaks of the Cascade mountain range and the high desert plateau.

Once a sleepy lumber town, it has now become the playground of the west and an international mecca for those who to love outdoor adventure.

Bend is one of the few USA towns with a dormant volcano on its city limits.

It’s three hours from Portland and Eugene, and two hours from Crater Lake National Park near the Umpqua National Forest.

Let’s look at some of the cool things to do in Bend, Oregon.

Tubing on the Deschutes River

At the top of my list of fun things to do in Bend Oregon with kids was to go tubing on the Deschutes River.

If you’re done after an hour float, which we were thanks to the cooler temperatures and 57F water temps, Whitewater Park is a great place to disembark.

If you want to keep going you can float for another hour up to Drake Park in the downtown area.

Whitewater Park however is not to be missed either way. This is where the river splits into three separate channels, providing a ride for all skill levels.

Tubers will want to go down the Passageway Channel which is a more mellow series of rapids. It’s a fun ride and there are chances you will flip as I did on the very last rapid.

As you come down the rapids, you can easily get stuck in them as it hits the water underneath on the next level. You may have to wait for another tube to bump you out of it if you can’t get yourself out.

Or, you could be just like me and flip out!

I actually found it quite refreshing and didn’t care when I slipped and went under again trying to walk out of the rapidly moving river.

With plenty of time up your sleeve why not go through the rapids again and again.

You’ll definitely want to stay awhile and watch the surfers ride the waves in the whitewater channel next to the tubing one. It created distinct man-made waves you can surf or kayak through.

Misery Ridge Trail, Smith Rock State Park

Visiting this state park is one of the best things to do near Bend, Oregon.

Majestic rock spires, the result of hardened ash, lava and debris rise above the winding Crooked River in the high desert.

Smith Rock Tuff is the largest of the rocks in the caldera.

There are 12 official hiking trails at Smith Rock State Park, but none are as well known or all encompassing like the 5.5 mile Misery Ridge Loop Trail.

Don’t let the name deceive you. Despite a very steep 1,000 ft climb for the first mile over a series of switchbacks there was nothing miserable about this walk.

Even the switchbacks had us feeling good with the rushing endorphins and spectacular views of the towering basalt cliffs.

Smith Rock State Park is about 30 minutes north of Bend and is a renowned destination globally for world class rock climbing!

We saw many scaling the cliff faces from beginners at the much shorter and easier rock faces, to the huge Monkey Face column standing on its own and waiting for its conquers to enjoy the view from the tip of its head.

I admired the view for behind it. With the meandering river and lush green valley below it was one of the prettiest views I’ve seen in America.

When hiking Misery Ridge Trail, I recommend starting with the steep climb up to the top of Smith Rock. It’s far better to do the hard stuff first, especially with kids.

The rest of the walk then seems like a breeze and you’ll have less trauma trying to get them and you up the mountain after already walking 3 miles.

Our kids handled the climb really well and we made a great pace up to the top.

The path starts by going down into the canyon via the Chute trail. You then cross the river and head straight up into the switchbacks.

Pause when you can to catch your breath and admire the views. It reminded me so much of Zion National Park and Capitol Reef National Park’s in Utah.

It was Smith Rock State Park that helped me to see Bend was a high desert. I could not get that classification from being down in the town.

Stop at the summit for snacks, selfies, views and a little tree climbing for the kids.

You’ll then walk around the ridge line on a straight easy path to views on the other side and where you’ll see the rock climbers. I enjoyed watching them and spying on the beautiful homes below.

The rest of the walk then is along the riverfront which offers another beautiful perspective of this walk.

Wildflowers and sage bushes lined the trails and small black and white rocks that looked like whales in the distance lined the river.

Things to note about Smith Rock State Park:

• $5 day use fee
• Bikes are permitted on riverside trails
• There is tent camping at the Bivouac area. Walk in only
• Smith Rock is in Terrebonne

TOUR FROM BEND: Smith Rock State Park & Sisters Full-Day Tour

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Newberry National Volcanic Monument is the largest volcano in the Cascade Range.

One of the best things to do in Bend Oregon is learn about Oregon’s fiery past and get up close to the creations that occur from a volcano.

Newberry began erupting 500,000 years ago and had its last eruption 1,300 years ago.

Over that time its massive lava flows produced lava tubes, over 400 cinder cones, and volcanic vents which we now get to explore through activities such as hiking, biking, swimming and boating.

The Newberry National Monument is south of Bend and encompasses 54,822 acres within the Deschutes National Forest.

The Trail of the Molten Land

Lava Butte cinder cone sits above a barren landscape of dark volcanic rock it helped to create thousands of years ago with its eruption.

The Trail of the Molten Land will take you along the fiery path of the lava. Panels along the way will tell you more about the eruption and surrounding land formation.

As you walk on the trail imagine a river of fiery lava filling the valley in front of you as it ran down from the main channel pouring from the butte creating the many unique features of the volcanic landscape!

This 1.1 mile long partial loop is another great activity to do in the Newberry Volcanic Monument, which is part of Deschutes National Forest.

An overlook at trail’s end offers excellent westward views of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains.

Lava River Tube Cave Hike

The Lava River Cave is a mile-long lava tube formed 80,000 years ago with the Newbury Volcano’s eruptions.

It’s Oregon’s longest lava tube. This hike was one of the most fun activities to do in Bend with kids and a unique adventure on uneven ground in the dark.

Be prepared for slippery surfaces and 150 stairs. I nearly fell over loads of times as I had a very dim flashlight. Be sure to take a bright flashlight. You can hire them there or take your own.

The Lava River Cave is a self guided walk. The kids had a blast running ahead in the dark, and trying to spook each other by jumping out.

It’s 42 degrees Fahrenheit year round in here so be sure to wear warm clothes and sturdy closed in shoes. The tube narrows and shortens in some sections so watch your heard. It

Note:

Parking is a challenge here. We had to do 3 laps until one opened up. It seemed to open up after 3pm.

They close the gates at 3:45pm and you’re expected to be out of the cave by 5pm. Alternatively, arrive by 10am.

Bike to Benham Falls

This bike ride to Benham Falls was one of my favorite things to do in Bend.

It was a fun adventure winding through pretty forest to the Deschutes River at the Benham Falls Trailhead.

The Sun-Lava paved road starts at the Lava Lands Visitor Center and is 5.5 miles one way.

We knew were were going to be in for a bit of a challenging ride back when the trail began going slightly downhill and pretty much stayed that way for the entire length of the ride.

The paved road ends at the bridge and turns into a dirt road for the last half mile to the falls. It’s beautiful so keep riding.

Be careful of pedestrians particularly the first part of the trail as it is narrow and rocky and can be busy. It’s not long before it opens up to a wider and graded road.

The trail here follows the river and is beautiful. Park your bike and go on the trail to experience the falls.

Benham Falls is not a plummeting waterfall but rather a series of cascading rapids. The water is gushing here and would be a fun whitewater rafting adventure, although I am not sure they do this!

With old growth ponderosa pines lining the waterfall, it’s’ a beautiful sight and well worth the bike ride. You can also drive down to the falls if you don’t want to bike it.

8 year old Savannah did better than any of us. 5.5 miles is a long way to ride when its mostly uphill and you’re on a small kids bike with no gears.

I was impressed she could sing and chat to me the entire way and I had to put her on pause a couple of times so I could focus on breathing and making it to the top of the incline.

More things to do in Newberry National Volcanic Monument

We did not get time to do these activities. They are on my list of things to do in Bend when we return.

Lava Butte

We arrived too late at the visitor center to catch the shuttle up to Lava Butte. It’s the only way you can get up to the rim of this cinder cone.

Lava Butte is one of Newberry’s many cinder cones and it erupted 7,000 years ago. It rises 500 feet above its 9 square mile lava flow.

You can still enjoy views of it while walking through its lave flow on the Molten Lands trail.

Big Obsidian Flow Trail

I wanted to do this trail but it was a 40 minute drive and we ran out of time.

The Big Obsidian Flow trail is near Paulina and East Lake, so I recommend taking at least half a day to explore this area while you there.

Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest of the Newberry Volcano’s lava flow. It’s a mile loop walk. You’ll be surrounded by black volcanic glass and have views of the surrounding peaks.

Do not take any of the obsidian rock home with you but definitely delight in it on your walk.

CONSIDER: Half-Day Volcano Tour

Paulina Falls

A twin waterfall that plummets 80 ft. down over the lowers portion of the Newberry Caldera. It’s an easy 2 mile forested trail to views from below and a short hike to the upper viewing area.

Paulina Peak

This is a challenging 2 mile hike with a 1,400 ft elevation gain. But beautiful views of the Newberry Caldera await from the top!

Explore Downtown Bend

There are plenty of things to do in Downtown Bend, a historical area with award winning restaurants, micro brews, unique shops, hotels, art galleries and theaters.

It is located on the Deschutes River, a hive of activity for the locals. Drakes Park is the community gathering spot with hosts plenty of free events in Bend during the summer months.

Set along the Deschutes River, the 13-acre park provides a half-mile stretch of public river access. The river here widens, creating a placid stretch of water named Mirror Pond.

From July – August, Drake Park has live music on Thursdays, the farmers market on Wednesdays, and an artisan market is on Saturdays.

Another of the popular Bend Oregon events is the First Friday art walk each month with art, music and wine.

Drink Beer (or cider)

Known for it’s breweries, Bend is said to be the microbrew capital of the West.

Avid beer drinkers will love the legendary Bend Ale Trail – 16 breweries are on the trail – and ticking off some, if not all of the breweries is one of the top things to do in Bend Oregon.

You can pick up a map at any of the breweries and have it stamped with each be you try. If you get 10 stamps the visitor center has a prize for you.

If you get all 16 stamps expect a bigger prize!

Here were a few of our favorite Bend breweries.

Crux Fermentation Project

Crux has the reputation for having some of the best craft brews in town.

There is a large selection to choose from and I was over the moon with my Crux Cider. It was so light in flavor with a strong orange taste.

Be careful though, you could easily mistake it for orange juice and gulp it down way to quickly!

I loved the design of this brewery and the large grassy area is perfect for kids. Our tribe had a ball wrestling and playing tag on the grass while we sat at the table in the sun enjoying adult conversation.

Food trucks line the perimeter but they also have a restaurant menu that serves delicious pizza.

Bend Brewing Company

Bend Brewing is the second oldest brewery in Bend and has a fantastic beer garden on the Deschutes River in downtown Bend.

There is space for the kids to run and play corn hole, making it a great family friendly brewery in Bend. They sometimes have live music out here.

The food is good (don’t pass up the sriracha seasoned cauliflower) and you can sit down inside or order from the food truck, which has more of the snack food on the outside.

There is also a small outside bar, but you’ll find more on tap inside.

Happy Hour: Mon- Fri 4-6pm

Avid Cider

Avid Cider is a brand we came to love and enjoy in many destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It was great to first meet it at its beginnings in Bend.

Previously known as Atlas Cider, its ciders are made from regional and local ingredients and include seasonal beers like dragon fruit, which is what I like the most.

You can get a sampler that features their ciders for $12. It seemed like a lot of cider and a great way to sample whats of offer.

Immersion Brewery

Next door to Avid Cider is Immersion Brewery with outside seating to match. Their made from scratch kitchen offers a variety of healthy and local choices that showcase the Central Oregon lifestyle.

Pair your pub house nachos with a mango passion fruit sour, and you’ll be immersed in some of that Bend, Oregon goodness. Even better if you time with their live music!

Happy Hours happen Tues-Thurs 3-6pm.

Sunriver Brewery Company

If you can time it right, sitting on the deck at Sunriver Pub on a warm afternoon enjoying a sweet cider after a hike is the ultimate.

This brewery is located in the popular resort village of Sunriver.

It’s one of the popular things to do around Sunriver for its burgers and award winning craft beer.

The Vicious Mosquito IPA is the most stinking beer on the menu! So they say. This is one you don’t want to pack the repellant for.

McMenamins Old St Francis Pub and Brewery

We came one evening to watch the Beatles cover band. We thought it was going to be in the beer garden but it was in a small room that was packed.

So we didn’t stay, but I loved the look of McMenamins Old St. Francis School. It’s very Irish in style and flavor but also very quirky with loads to explore and look at.

The (adult) girls stopped into the pub section for a cider sampling. They have plenty of beers to choose from.

In 2004, it was transformed from a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse to a hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery, a movie theater, private meeting/event space, live music bookings, and an incredible old Roman-style soaking pool.

You can pay $5 for a soak or its free if you are staying there.

The lodgings are known for their secret mysterious doorways leading to surprises. Stay here and see for yourself!

CONSIDER: Half-Day Brews & Views Canoe Tour on the Cascade Lakes

Goody’s Ice Cream

After an epic hike or bike ride, be sure to stop in at Goody’s Chocolate & Ice Cream in Sunriver Village for a local ice cream treat.

They have locations in downtown Bend, the Eastside, or in Sunriver. The old-fashioned soda fountain offers ice cream sundaes, root beer floats, hand-dipped chocolates and ice creams of many flavors.

Other Places to Visit in Bend

The longer I stayed in Bend the more I realized there was to do. Here are few other Bend Oregon activities you may want to add to your list.

Tumalo Falls

One of the popular Bend Oregon attractions is Tumalo Falls, a 89 ft. waterfall is right near the parking lot. You can hike five minutes to the top of the waterfall for a different perspective or hike upstream along Tumalo Creek.

There are other trails to smaller waterfalls as well.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Todd Lake has a scenic 1.25 mile loop walk around its perimeter. Devils Lake has a stunning mile return hike around a sparkling, spring fed pool of green water.

The Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway will give you vistas of the mountains toward Cultus Lake where you can rent a cone or jet skis.

COOL TOUR: Half-Day Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour

Mt Bachelor

We did not get a chance to go up to Mt Bachelor but it came highly recommended.

In the summer, it offers thrill-seeking mountain biking trails, hiking trails and relaxing scenic chairlift rides overlooking the beautiful Cascades.

In the winter, it becomes the sixth largest ski resort in the USA and one of the top things to do in Bend Oregon in winter.

Our friends took the gondola up in the evening to Pine Marten Lodge for a special gourmet dining experience showcasing the local flavors of Central Oregon.

Match a beautiful meal with the sun dipping behind the Cascade Range.

It sounded amazing and their photos were spectacular. This experience is only available in the summer.

Put Mt Bachelor on the list of things to do in Bend Oregon summer and on your list for snowboarding and skiing in the winter.

Pilot Butte State Park

On the Pilot Butte Trail you can hike all the way to the top of a 500 foot cinder cone on a mile long paved road or the mile and a half dirt road.

It offers you 360 degree views of the Cascade Mountains to the west and the expansive high desert to the east.

Old Mill District

We passed by here leisurely on our tube and noted it as a place to come back to.

But with so many other things to do in Bend, we didn’t make it back. The Old Mill District has hip eateries, boutiques and big name brands.

The open aired Les Schwab Amphitheater is here and can accommodate up to 8,000 patrons for regular concerts and events. Visitors to Bend will want to keep an eye on the summer concert schedule!

Deschutes River Trail

Looking for free things to do in Bend Oregon?

You can hike or bike any section of this riverside trail that runs alongside the Deschutes River.

Trails range from easy to more challenging. The pathways that wind through downtown and the Old Mill District are perfect for lazy bike rides, especially with kids.

High Desert Museum

When there are so many adventures the outdoors and I’m short on time, I am not going to spend my time in a museum!

The High Desert Museum is rated as the best attraction in Bend by TripAdvisor so you may want to consider visiting.

Here you can have interactive experiences with animals, living history characters from the Old West, and explore high desert culture, arts and history through daily programs.

Indoor and outdoor habitats are home to an amazing array of animals, including otters, foxes, porcupines and a special Birds of Prey Center. 

DAY TOUR TO CRATER LAKE: If you don’t have a car, you can join a day tour to Crater Lake, just two hours from Bend. It is a sight worth seeing. Click here

Video: Bend Oregon

Places to Stay in Bend Oregon

Hotels in Bend

From s’mores by the fire under a starry sky, to luxury spa resorts’ and standard hotel lodgings, there is accommodation in Bend to suit your style and budget.

We are affiliate partners with Booking.com and like using them because you can book a variety of Bend accommodation types on the one website – hotels, apartments, and hostels, even holiday homes – and their website is easy to use!

The best thing about booking Bend hotels via Booking.com is the free cancellation on most rooms and a best-price guarantee.

You can book knowing you are getting a low rate, and have the freedom to cancel if your plans change.

We also enjoy reading verified reviews from guests who stayed at the properties. Booking.com is our go-to hotel booking site.

Popular hotels in Bend:

Below are three hotels to consider based on a location score of 8+ and star ratings of 3, 4, and 5 stars.

3 Stars – Signature Bend Hotel

The Signature Bend Hotel offers free hot breakfast, big rooms and a lovely pool. A nice comfortable place to stay, with good service.

Easy to find off the highway, very convenient to downtown, and a grocery store within walking distance. Mt. Bachelor Ski resort is 15 minutes’ drive.

4 Stars – Oxford Hotel

Boutique eco-friendly Oxford Hotel has an optional location is optimal in downtown Bend.

Good atmosphere with great service. They are a pet-friendly hotel and offer a customized pet-package that comes with premium Ruffwear goods to welcome those traveling with furry companions. So cool!!

River’s Edge Golf Course is 1 miles away from this hotel. The popular Deschutes Brewery is less than 0.6 miles away.

5 Stars – Pronghorn Resort

The Pronghorn Resort is located on Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and if you are a golfer, you will absolutely love this place. A restaurant, tennis court, spa and wellness center, kid’s club, and free bicycles are also available.

Beautiful property and like an oasis in the middle of nothing. Gas fireplaces and outdoor fire pits in the winter are popular.

See all Hotels in Bend on offer here.

Plan Your Oregon Road Trip with our Bucket List

We have a free printable PDF sharing our Oregon Bucket List.

This is just a sampling of the incredible adventures waiting for you on your Oregon trip. We hope you can also experience some of  these best places to visit on the Oregon coast.

More travel tips & adventures in the Pacific Northwest

• Don’t miss the beautiful Mckenzie River region in Oregon
• Cool things to do in Portland (local vibes ahead)
• 13 Adventures for your Oregon road trip
• 16 ways to explore the diversity of the Olympic National Park, WA
• The Ultimate Guide to Seattle with kids
• 20 Amazing things to do in Idaho
• Pacific Northwest videos

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