Five Amazing Day Trips: Oregon

The Pacific Northwestern state of Oregon offers year-round opportunities to discover endless outdoor recreation along the Pacific Coast, Cascade Mountain Range, and Columbia River Gorge. Take a road trip in any direction to explore wonderful cities and towns, home to highly rated museums and attractions and vibrant neighborhoods with unique shopping, entertainment, and culinary experiences. The 350 miles of picturesque coastline from Astoria to Brookings includes some of Oregon’s best small-town gems as well as major attractions like the Newport Aquarium, Tillamook Creamery, and Sea Lion Caves. Travel to Oregon’s famous Willamette Valley to taste award-winning wine or visit Bend and Eugene to experience two of the best craft brewery scenes in the United States. Continue further south to awe-inspiring natural wonders like Crater Lake National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. There really is something for everyone in Oregon, our day trips start in Portland and highlight amazing destinations across the state.

Here are five great day trips in the Beaver State:

Astoria (Museums & Attractions)

Located 100 northwest of Portland at the mouth of the Columbia River you’ll find Astoria, the first permanent European settlement in Oregon. The coastal town of has no shortage of things to do, from the charming downtown area and historic neighborhoods with Queen Anne-style homes to the must-see Astoria Column. Start this day trip on the waterfront at the highly rated Columbia River Maritime Museum. The museum showcases maritime travel from the era of dugout canoes to the present and is home to the Lightship Columbia. With 40,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, the collection includes over 30,000 objects and 20,000 photographs. Surviving original lightships are rare in the United States, so this is your chance to take a guided tour and see for yourself where the sailors would cook, eat, sleep, and work.

Cannon Beach (Parks & Recreation)

The location of the impressive Haystack Rock, third tallest such intertidal structure in the world, Cannon Beach is one of the most charming seaside towns in the country. The eclectic downtown area is filled with coffee shops, bakeries, boutique stores, and local restaurants, but the main attraction is the natural beauty of the area. Spend the day soaking up the views at Ecola State Park, a nine mile stretch of coastline that runs from Cannon Beach to Seaside. Popular activities while visiting the park are hiking, picnicking, tide pooling, surfing, and wildlife observation. For an unforgettable hiking experience, the park’s network of trails offer cliffside views of the coves below, dense forests, and even an abandoned lighthouse. Another amazing location in the park is secluded Indian Beach, a great place to watch surfers, carefully explore the tide pools, and relax in scenic splendor.

Eugene (Parks & Recreation)

Located along the Willamette River about 100 miles south of Portland, the city of Eugene is nicknamed “TrackTown USA” as well as the “Running Capital of the World.” There are many reasons to visit Eugene from cultural attractions and historic sites to the well-respected craft brewery and foodie scenes. Keeping with the outdoor recreation theme, our day trip recommendation is to explore the miles of well-maintained trails used by everyone from recreational joggers to world-class athletes. A few of the great options are Pre’s Trail, Adidas Oregon Trail, Rexius Trail, and the Willamette River Trail. There’s a perfect trail for everyone, from flat-grade and wood chip surfaces to tree-lined scenic paths that cover 10 miles across beautiful landscapes. A few other must-see destinations in town are the University of Oregon campus and the famous Hayward Field, which is scheduled to host the 2021 Olympic Trials (June 18–27, 2021) and the 2021 World Championships (delayed to July 15–24, 2022).

Government Camp (Museums & Attractions)

A scenic 60-mile drive west of Portland in the shadows of Mount Hood is the first stop on this day trip, the mountain village of Government Camp. Learn about the history and culture of the area at the unique Mount Hood Cultural Center & Museum, with six indoor galleries that highlight collections and artifacts related to the local forest, outdoor recreation and activities, and the history of skiing in the area. Don’t miss the artifacts related to Henry Steiner, who built over 100 rustic cabins between 1925 and 1952 from Government Camp to Sandy, Oregon. Then view the Still Th’Air cabin, an example of the century-old log cabins, considered the oldest in the country still standing. Make sure to inquire about the Mt. Hood Museum’s annual Steiner Cabins Tour, an unforgettable experience that allows visitors to see additional rustic cabins that appear to be straight out of a children’s storybook. Continue your scenic drive in the Mount Hood National Forest to Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark. Check out the famous Blue Ox Bar and consider staying at the lodge on your next trip to the area- it’s one of the most unique lodges in the U.S.

Photo: Goldilock Project

McMinnville (Museums & Attractions)

Located about 40 miles southwest of Portland, McMinnville is well known for award-winning wineries producing some of the best pinot noir wines in the world. We highly recommend visiting a few of the many tasting rooms and hidden gems restaurants in the area; however, this day trip is to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, one of the best museums of its kind in the United States. The centerpiece of the museum is the Hughes H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose,” the famous flying boat prototype that was built entirely of wood. The museum’s collections include over 80 historic aircraft and exhibits, from the WWI through Vietnam era, including the fastest aircraft ever built, the SR-71, and an impressive Titan II SLV booster rocket. There’s a lot to see and do at the museum, check the schedule for guided tour times and you might meet someone that actually flew one of the historic planes.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have travel restrictions and attractions may be temporarily closed or have limited hours. We direct you to their websites for updates and add them to your list for future travels!