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Oregon has stunning scenery and many family-oriented attractions that are free or low-cost. Whether the family wants a safari experience, a tranquil visit to a sanctuary, or a creative activity, there is something for everyone in Oregon.
1. Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is in Washington Park and overlooks the city of Portland. Visitors enjoy this tranquil venue with 12 acres, eight Japanese garden styles, and a Japanese tea house. The Garden is open during the winter from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is a 626-foot waterfall on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge near Troutdale. It’s the fifth-largest waterfall in the United States. Multnomah Falls is a busy attraction during the summer, and parking can be tricky, but thousands of online reviews say it’s worth the effort. Visitors can access Multnomah Falls from Interstate 84 and the historic Columbia River Highway.
3. Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park, near Klamath Falls, is a must-visit if you plan a trip to Oregon. The lake formed from the collapse of the Mount Mazama volcano. Visitors can drive around the lake on the Rim Drive or hike the numerous trails, which include stunning views of a small island, the Phantom Ship, and the Sun Notch.
4. Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books in Portland is the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. It has five levels and millions of books on every subject imaginable. The store also features poetry slams, writing workshops, children’s story hours, game demonstrations, readings, and events with authors and artists.
5. Mill Ends Park
Mill Ends Park in downtown Portland is a small urban park on the waterfront. It’s tiny — only 2 feet across, and has only one tree! According to the Guinness World Records, Mill Ends Park is the world’s smallest park.
6. Stark’s Vacuum Museum
Stark’s Vacuum Museum (also known as Stark’s Vacuum Cleaner Museum) is also in Portland. The museum has over 100 vacuums dating from the late 1800s to the 1960s. The showroom, which underwent a makeover in 2017, now houses “25 of the most iconic and loved vacuums in history.” Admission is free.
7. Portland Farmers Market
The Portland Farmers Market on the campus of Portland State University is open each Saturday, regardless of weather conditions. Surrounded by enormous elm trees, the Saturday market sees upwards of 10,000 visitors during the summer. It has about 100 stalls, and well-behaved pets are welcome.
8. The Witch’s Castle
The Witch’s Castle is a covered stone house on the Lower Macleay Trail, Portland. The house was built in the 1930s as a restroom for hikers on the trail, but after a violent storm in 1962, the structure lost its roof and part of its walls. The house got its name from partying students, and later, ghosthunters said the site was haunted.
9. Spielwerk Toys
Spielwerk Toys in Portland is a toy store with a difference. The toys are responsibly sourced and “100% kid-powered toys. No bells, whistles, gimmicks, waste, or commercial tie-ins.” Many toys are wooden, and the smell of wood strikes visitors as they walk up the steps to the store.
10. Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum is a beautiful 190-acre ridge-top public park two miles west of downtown Portland. It has over 6,000 trees, 170 families, and 2,300 species, of which 67 are rare or endangered. The Arboretum has 12 miles of hiking trails and organizes numerous programs throughout the year.
11. Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach in northwest Oregon has soft sand, breathtaking ocean views, and stunning sunsets. Most notable is the enormous Haystack Rock, frequented seasonally by tufted puffins. In the distance, you can see Tillamook Lighthouse, and visitors can head to the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum. If the weather permits, you can camp on the beach.
12. Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion is a historic house museum in Portland’s West Hills, set in 46 acres of beautiful gardens. The permanent collection includes early 20th-century furnishings and artifacts, including heirlooms donated by Portland families, a Steinway grand piano, Henry Pittocks’ Masonic sword, and a set of Limoges china.
13. Oregon Zoo
Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre site southwest of downtown Portland. It houses many mammals, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and birds, such as American black bears, polar bears, red pandas, river otters, Mexican red-kneed tarantulas, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, goats, and seals. Oregon Zoo opened in 1888 and changed its name twice from Portland Zoo and Washington Zoo.
14. The Grotto — National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
The National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother (The Grotto) in Portland is internationally known for its 62 acres of gardens, which are a tranquil place for quiet reflection and peace. The sanctuary spreads from the top of a 110-foot cliff to the bottom, with beautiful views, over 100 statues, and reflection ponds.
15. Heceta Head Lighthouse
The Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is a state park north of Florence. The 56-foot-high Heceta Head Lighthouse stands on top of Heceta Head, which is 1,000 feet high. Its beacon can be seen 21 miles from land. The park also has a sheltered beach and a scenic but challenging hike along the Oregon Coast Trail. For longer stays, book rooms at Heceta B & B.
16. Wildlife Safari
The Wildlife Safari in Winston is a 600-acre zoo with a 4.5-mile drive-through loop. Here, you can meet elephants, tigers, cheetahs, grizzly bears, and more. For an enhanced, though more expensive, experience, families can book animal feed encounters with a red panda, giraffe, lion, tiger, bear, or alligator. Alternatively, you can encounter a rhinoceros or a big bear and get up close with the cheetahs on a Cheetah Stroll.
17. Studio West Glassblowing Studio and Gallery
Book a group or private class with the Studio West Glassblowing Studio and Gallery in Eugene, Oregon. Learn how to blow glass and take home your newly created ornament, such as a vase, paperweight, or bowl. Classes are suitable for children aged six and upwards. Appointments are required.
14 Coastal Towns That Offer Affordable Retirement and Quality
Retirement is not just about taking a long-deserved break; it’s about embracing a new adventure in life’s next chapter. What better way to start this journey than in a coastal town, where the sea meets the sky in a harmony of tranquil living? This post sails through the 14 most enchanting seaside towns, handpicked for retirees who dream of quality living without breaking the bank. We’ve anchored downtowns that tick all the boxes for an ideal retirement haven – affordability, rich quality of life, top-notch healthcare, and delightful weather. So, let’s dive in and explore these seaside gems where your golden years can truly shine.
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