The Best Activities to Do in Oregon for Vacation

When you’re thinking of your next vacation destination, you can never go wrong with Oregon. This amazing state is home to many beautiful and unique landscapes across the country. From rugged coastlines to towering mountain peaks, there are so many things to see here.

Better yet, there are so many things to do here! There’s always something for everyone in Oregon, especially adventure seekers. Whether you’re with family, friends, a lover, or going solo, there are hundreds of activities and places to visit that will fulfill your thirst for travel.

However, we know you can’t squeeze everything into one vacation! So, we listed down the best activities to do in Oregon for a vacation to narrow down your options.

The Best Activities to Do in Oregon for Vacation

There’s so much to love about Oregon, whether you’re a mountain junkie, professional skier, beginner angler, or whatnot. All types of travelers will find something fun to do here!

If you’re not sure where to begin, try any of these best activities to do in Oregon for vacation:

Visit the Oregon Coast

Expect about 363 miles of unmatched beauty as you head to Oregon’s coastline. The best part is that many of the beaches are public and free. Oregon has such a diverse coastline that you can’t just choose one place to stay in. 

Here are a few recommendations:

• Astoria is filled with art, history, and craft beverages!
• Seaside Oregon is an extremely popular town, where you can walk down Broadway Street with mom-and-pop shops.
• Newport is one of the most popular areas where you can learn more about marine life and visit the tallest lighthouse in the state.
• Florence is known as the coastline’s playground, where you can explore miles of uncrowded beach land. It’s perfect for ATV or dune buggy riding, among other fun beach activities.

Go Fishing in Newport

While we mentioned visiting Newport for its aquarium and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, did you know that the city is also extremely popular for its fishing opportunities?

That’s why you can find a ton of charters by the coastline, ready to be booked for a full day of fishing! No trip to Oregon is complete without trying your hand at fishing, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler. That’s why it’s worth trying this sport, whether you’re inshore or heading deep into the waters.

Have a Food Trip

This is a must no matter where you go! Every city, state, or country has its different cuisine, and it’s always worth exploring. Oregon is no different, with the state known for its delicious seafood dishes. 

It’s difficult to pinpoint just a few restaurants to visit around the state, but we can try to give a few recommendations of what dishes to try.

Oregon is known for its Dungeness crabs, hazelnuts, Tillamook cheese, and abundance of berries. Make sure you try dishes that feature Dungeness crabs, as well as their many seafood dishes made from the freshest catches. Try heading to Portland City for a food trip, as they were just named the best food city in America!

Take a Lovely Stroll at Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a small coastal city located in Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site. Here, you can find Haystack Rock, one of Oregon’s most photographed landmarks. Interestingly, Haystack Rock was formed 15 million years ago by lava flows, which is why you can find many nature lovers flocking to the area. 

Besides the picturesque view of Haystack Rock, you can also enjoy its colorful tide pools, where you can even walk to the formation to find sea stars and more tide pool creatures.

Go Windsurfing on Hood River

Other than the beaches, you can also have an adventure in Hood River! In fact, this is dubbed as the Windsurfing Capital of the World thanks to the warm westerly winds.

You’ll find kiteboarding and windsurfing enthusiasts heading to Hood River from different parts of the world because of the area’s unique and optimal conditions.

Have a Wine Tasting Trip in Willamette Valley

If you’re a wine lover, it’s time to head to Willamette Valley. Even if you aren’t a fan of booze, the Willamette Valley is a must-visit!

This area has about 700 wineries and is the top grape producer in the USA. It’s even one of the premier Pinot Noir-producing towns worldwide!

If you plan on going wine tasting, head to Brooks Winery, Yamhill Valley Vineyards, or Youngberg Hill. Other than Pinot, you can taste a lot of other wine varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and more.

Again, if you aren’t a wine lover, the Willamette Valley is still worth visiting. You can go hiking and biking, visit art galleries, or even take a hot air balloon adventure!

Hike in the Silver Falls State Park

Oregon isn’t only known for its many fun water activities. There are a ton of land-based adventures you can do, such as hiking. Oregon is home to many trails, famous for waterfall hikes.

One of the best waterfall hikes you can take in the state is the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park. As the name suggests, the trail is famous for its ten picturesque waterfalls, with five of them measuring over 100 feet tall. Don’t miss the South Falls, which is a whopping 177 feet long.

If you want a bit more of a challenge, try the Winter Falls Loop where you’ll pass seven water features, which includes the Double Falls!

Wrapping It Up

With so many things to do and places to see in Oregon, you wouldn’t want to stay here just once. Make sure that you remember all these best activities to do in Oregon for vacation the next time you go here.

If fishing is one of your must-dos in Oregon, make sure you hire a reputable fishing charter to have an even more memorable time. Contact us now to learn more about our services!