10 Most Charming Town Squares In Oregon

Oregon's town squares provide full-day experiences. In Hood River, it's tasting rooms, patisseries, and public murals. Astoria adds breweries, film history, and underground tunnel tours near the Columbia River. These ten town squares keep it local. McMinnville fills Third Street with markets and summer events. Jacksonville preserves its Gold Rush-era character. Here, visitors wander into coastal villages, wine-country hubs, or mountain towns surrounded by scenery and filled with things to do.

Hood River

The list begins on the banks of the Columbia River just 60 miles east of Portland. There, in Hood River, is a downtown district that dates back at least a century. Historic buildings line downtown Hood River's streets, where visitors can stop at businesses like The Pines 1852 Tasting Room to sample Columbia Gorge wines.

But if pastries are more your thing, pick up some croissants from Edeske Patisserie to go with your morning coffee. Next, add some culture to your life with the 301 Gallery, downtown Hood River's number one source for the area's art scene. Finally, the Hood River Murals can be spotted on Industrial Way, adding a heavy touch of communal artistry to the town's landscape.

Cannon Beach

Situated on Oregon's Pacific side, Cannon Beach has all the coastal amenities of a seaside town, but head downtown further inland to see how eclectic it really is. There, engage in gluttony to your heart's content via establishments like Tom's Fish and Chips and the Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House, probably the only place where you can buy screws and chicken wings at the same time.

If you've been intrigued by glassblowing, Icefire Glassworks is up your alley, with a hot shop, glass gallery, and occasional live demonstrations or special events, plus plenty of glassworks you can bring back home. And if you'd want the whole skinny on the town's past, take a walk to the Cannon Beach History Center. The center offers admission by donation and exhibits such as historic photos, archival materials, and the namesake cannon that washed ashore near the town's location.

Astoria

Where the mouth of the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean stands Astoria, a literal and metaphorical bridge to neighboring Washington state. Upon entering downtown, one is immediately hit by the breweries and cideries at your disposal, Fort George Brewery being one of the chief among them. Hankering for a bite to eat instead? Silver Salmon Grille has you covered.

Oregon has quite a movie scene with countless productions having been shot throughout the state. The Oregon Film Museum documents all this and more, giving visitors the opportunity to reenact famous scenes from Oregon based pictures or perform as a key crew member. But to truly have a one of a kind experience the Astoria Underground will give you a tour of the underground tunnelways below the town's surface, all the while supplying entertaining information about what makes them so special. Interested in a ticket for yourself and a special someone?

McMinnville

McMinnville, not too far south of Portland, might have the most event-filled downtown on this countdown. Through late May to late October every Thursday afternoon feel free to buy fresh produce and handmade products at the Farmers Market, you could possibly become a regular shopper. Then throughout the summer months grab some food or down a few glasses of wine at MacFresco, a recurring outdoor commercial experience hosted by local businesses.

Each third weekend in June, July and August stores and restaurants (clothing boutiques, coffee shops, art galleries, etc.) move their services onto Third Street for all to appreciate. Plus, themes like Pride on Third, Make Music McMinnville, and Mac Arts Festival always keep things interesting. Speaking of Third Street, during the spooky season stores adorn the street with eerie ornaments and welcome trick or treaters on Halloween, all under the thematic title of Fall Into Historic Downtown for all of October.

Bandon

Closer to California on Oregon's southern coast lie Bandon and her Old Town containing history, dining, art, shopping, culture and outdoor recreation. Let's start with the shopping; at the one of a kind Bandon Card and Gift Shoppe you'll browse through all manner of picture frames, novelty socks, dragon and fairy figurines on top of incense. But there's also more. In terms of feasting the Bandon Bait and Tackle has arguably the best local seafood you can get not only in town but in the entire Pacific Northwest.

Likewise, since Oregon is a coastal state the two are permanently linked. This bond comes through along the Port of Bandon Boardwalk and Webber's Pier, where visitors can look out over the waterfront, see the marina, and find seafood, bait, tackle, fishing charters, and other marine services.

Like the towns above, Bandon isn't without its own quirky art scene. The Washed Ashore Art to Save the Sea highlights aesthetically powerful art exhibits which educate audiences about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways. Enjoy art and make the world a better place at the same time.

Silverton

The first on this list to have an actual town square, Silverton's square is situated right in the middle of town and also holds the Silverton Freedom Memorial Plaza. Serving as a memorial to the town's citizens who made the ultimate sacrifice while in the armed forces, the plaza is ADA accessible and has plentiful seating benches.

Founded in 1854, Silverton has a historic downtown whose architecture reflects the town's development from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century. Incidentally, the area is rich with outdoor murals displaying a wide range of Americana, everything from Norma Jean to a recreation of Norman Rockwell's The Four Freedoms.

Anyone wishing to pick up a souvenir should visit the Oregon Crafters Market in Silverton, a community-minded market with local artists, small businesses, handmade goods, live music, food, and more. Plus, if you're in Silverton during the holidays the Silverton Christmas Market will be set up, selling holiday cheer in the form of artisan vendors, treats and bright lights.

Jacksonville

Also founded in the mid 1800s, Jacksonville wears its history on its sleeve. The downtown still maintains its Gold Rush era ambiance through buildings that have changed little. Today, they house stores like the Jacksonville Company, a fashion boutique for women that combines style and elegance.

However, in order to really sample the town's Victorian days of yesteryear you have to go to Historic Jacksonville, Inc. Through the various activities, tours, and events that the organization puts together you'll discover just how vivacious Jacksonville and Southern Oregon were in those days. But on the second Saturday of each month is when Jacksonville unquestionably comes alive because the Jacksonville Art Rush has come to town. The event allows you to casually stroll through wine rooms, galleries and listen to local musicians as they serenade you.

Joseph

Known as the "Little Switzerland of America," Joseph sits in northeastern Oregon near the Wallowa Mountains and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Due to her rural character, expect a whole lot of attractions associated with slower living. The first is The Sheep Shed, a yarn shop and artisan gallery offering upscale yarns, local art, and one-of-a-kind knitted and handwoven items, art cards, and jewelry by Native American artists.

Following that, become acquainted with the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center to learn about the regional, multicultural logging period prevalent over a century ago. Joseph isn't just green acres; the Joseph Art Walk gives visitors an up-close view of life-size and larger-than-life bronze sculptures made using the lost-wax method.

Yachats

We return to the west coast of Oregon, Yachats to be exact. Though a tiny coastal village, it holds a community with an affluence of activities. Despite being such a small town, the Earthworks Gallery is one of four galleries that make Yachats an artist colony. There, modern paintings, handmade wooden furniture and jewelry promote the best artists of the Pacific Northwest. Moreover, the Wave Gallery is essential for photography enthusiasts or anyone interested in the art form. The Little Log Church Museum, completed in 1930 and later converted into a museum, preserves Yachats history with settler exhibits, a shell collection, and works by local artists, though visitors should check its current opening status before planning a visit.

Newport

We finish with Newport and like some of the other towns on here, it's deeply connected to the vast, wide Pacific. Anchored (no pun intended) by the downtown Bayfront, you'll be sharing space with the resident sea lions who make the docks their playground. But you should probably avoid their ire and stop at the Bayscapes Gallery and Coffeehouse. An idiosyncratic mixture of refreshments and art, you can drink a cold brew and gloss over art and crafts being sold by the area's artisans.

The Roger Yost Gallery is another cultural pleasure with a comprehensive collection of varying artwork from Europe, Vietnam, Argentina and Hollywood. Alternatively, the Bohemian Candle is a perfect source for 100% pure soy wax candles and fragrance oils to add aroma to your home.

The Squares Worth Slowing Down For

These small town squares are only a glimpse of what Oregon has, but they each capture a portion of the state's spirit. Between Hood River's murals, Bandon's salty boardwalks, Joseph's bronze sculptures, and Newport's sea lions, each stop offers a distinct memory. Take your time, linger, and let Oregon's smaller communities do what they do best: Surprise you.