11 Towns Made For A Quiet Getaway In Oregon
These 11 Oregon towns make a strong case for a slower pace of life. Lincoln City sits near the Devils Lake State Recreation Area, good for kayaking and birdwatching. Those who prefer a riverfront pathway will love downtown Astoria. Joseph has a downtown art walk highlighting bronze sculptures around town. Oregon has every kind of quiet getaway you could ask for.
Newport
Two of the coziest areas of Newport are Nye Beach and the Historic Bayfront. There are small shops to wander into in both sections of town. Start by heading across the street to Port Dock One, home to hundreds of wild California sea lions. You can hear them barking as they sunbathe on the docks, and watch them dive through the waves, playing and splashing each other. If you’d rather get lunch or dinner and watch the sea lions from inside, try Clearwater Restaurant. It sits right next to the docks and you’re guaranteed a good view. You can’t go wrong walking into any of the shops or restaurants in this area.
If you’re headed to Nye Beach and looking for a warm meal on a rainy PNW day, check out the Chowder Bowl or Nana’s Irish Pub. Walks near Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, or Yaquina Head Lighthouse, are good options to explore the diversity of the Oregon coast. If you enjoy marine life, don’t miss the tide pools at Cobble Beach, near the marine gardens next to Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
Lincoln City
Lincoln City is best known for its Finders Keepers program, where you search the seven miles of continuous shoreline for hand-blown glass floats. You can spend your days walking the sandy beaches, and if you’re there in June, you can catch the Summer Kite Festival, where they fly massive, intricately designed kites over the shore. A hike called The Knoll offers wide views of the ocean alongside grass-covered seaside cliffs. Sea lions often frequent the area and can be seen from above.
Another stop is Devils Lake State Recreation Area, whether you prefer bird and wildlife watching or fishing and kayaking. The paved boardwalk trail through the wetlands is worth a visit. If you’re looking to unwind, the nearby Spa at Salishan draws strong reviews. The spa is designed to complement the land around it, so you can enjoy the natural setting and treat yourself at the same time.
Depoe Bay
A seaside town known for its Spouting Horn alongside the seawall, Depoe Bay has a natural blowhole and geyser that sprays water twenty to sixty feet in the air. The town is small enough to remain quiet and peaceful, while still hosting good places to stay, eat, and shop. Whale-watching tours leave right from the center of town along the water. You can also get lucky and see whales, dolphins, and sometimes sea otters from the seawall at the waterfront.
For casual eats, HWY 101 Burger Depoe Bay is a quick stop. A fun spot is the Only in Oregon General Store, where you can find a variety of Marionberry jams, syrups, and other local products. If you wanted to, you could spend time in Lincoln City, Newport, and Depoe Bay in the same trip, a chance to explore three small towns at once. All three are laid back enough that it won’t feel like rushing around.
Silverton
Downtown Silverton is a compact historic district that runs alongside Silver Creek. In springtime, this is a good place to visit the sprawling fields of colorful tulips at the nearby Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, where you can even take a hot air balloon ride with views of Mt. Hood in the distance. In the fall, the farm hosts a massive pumpkin festival, and the Bavarian-style village of Mt. Angel celebrates Oktoberfest. Mt. Angel is worth a visit during any season, with its Bavarian-style buildings setting a backdrop for a quiet walk through a small town.
If you’re looking to get into nature, the green flora and fern-covered banks of Silver Falls State Park are a strong stop. Silver Falls is home to ten main waterfalls, with others flowing seasonally, and is accessible to all levels of hikers. From either parking lot, a quick walk gets you to two of the main falls, South Falls and North Falls. With a mile more of walking, you can feel the mist on your face, breathe in the pines, and watch as a waterfall cascades directly in front of you while you walk behind it. Exploring over 100 acres of the Oregon Garden is another way to get out into nature without venturing far out of town. While in Silverton, it’s worth checking out the riverside dining spots along Water Street. Grab a coffee at Silverton Coffee Station and walk through town before sitting along the river’s edge.
Sisters
Sitting below the Three Sisters mountain range is the quiet town of Sisters, Oregon. A small town with an eccentric western flair, Sisters offers a less crowded and often overlooked side of the high desert. It gives you a quieter pace of life with the right amount of amenities. Grab an ice cream at Sno Cap Drive In before you walk around town, popping into the variety of small shops. End your day with dinner on the outdoor patio at The Open Door, or soak up the history of the classic Sisters Saloon.
Whether you’re after the ponderosa pines of the high desert or lush mountains and lakes, head down Highway 20 for endless points of interest like the Mt. Washington Viewpoint or the Three Sisters Viewpoint. If you’re looking to get out of town for the day, you could enjoy a picnic alongside the Crooked River in Smith Rock State Park, where the river runs surrounded by tall cliffs in the high desert. Ending the day there with a leisurely hike at sunset is memorable. If you’d prefer some more peace and quiet, picture yourself reading a book along the lakeshore of Suttle Lake or floating in its cool blue waters.
Hood River
Above the Columbia River and directly next to dozens of attractions in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area sits a peaceful town called Hood River. Although it’s known for kite surfing, it’s also known for a laid-back atmosphere. With panoramic views of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood, you can stroll the downtown streets for hours, popping into local eateries and boutique stores.
Hood River offers a range of experiences, from full spa treatments and comfortable hotels to short hikes and a stay at a cabin in the woods. To get out into nature, you’re close to Wahclella Falls, Multnomah Falls, and many others. To explore by car, the Hood River Fruit Loop is a thirty-five-mile rural drive highlighting local farms, orchards, wineries, and cideries. For an even more relaxing stay, try the immersive spa experience at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa or the Lightwell Hotel and Spa.
Astoria
Astoria is made for the slow traveler looking for a relaxed atmosphere with modern amenities. Historic homes and Victorian architecture line the streets, and the waterfront views carry centuries of history. The town offers expansive views of the Columbia River, and is close enough to the coast that you can walk the beaches in either Oregon or Washington. The Astoria Riverwalk can be done by foot or by trolley for an even slower pace, where you’ll see historic piers, ships, working vessels, and learn about the history of the area. You can watch the ships go by from your room with a waterfront view if you stay at the Cannery Pier Hotel and Spa. Fort Stevens State Park is nearby, where you can view the Shipwreck of Peter Iredale up close and experience the quiet nature of the surrounding marshlands and wetlands.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach has a character all its own, anchored by the 235-foot Haystack Rock and its tide pools full of life at low tide. Seasonally, you can spot tufted puffins in the area, a special sight. You could explore these beaches for days and see something new at every stop. Wide views open up from Ecola State Park, where the green pines meet the white sand and deep blue Pacific Ocean. Hiking trails are plentiful, and you’re sent back in time, wandering the same historic path once walked by Lewis and Clark on their expedition. Walking Cannon Beach’s main strip on North Hemlock Street gives off a seaside artsy aesthetic, with clapboard-style architecture and blooming gardens. The downtown is a joy to walk around, with boutiques, galleries, and plenty of good restaurants.
Joseph
Joseph has been called the Little Switzerland of Oregon, and the Alpine landscape that surrounds this small cozy mountain town offers a real sense of respite. Set at the base of the Wallowa Mountains, right next to Wallowa Lake and roughly an hour from Eagle Cap Wilderness, Joseph is a strong option for travelers who want a small town with plenty of access to nature. The Wallowa Lake Tramway is a good and easy-going option if you want to see open views from height. There is an art walk in downtown Joseph that takes you to different viewing points highlighting bronze sculptures. Along the walk, there is an opportunity to stop at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, another highlight of the town.
Florence
Florence is a coastal town that meets the Siuslaw River. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the most accessible stretches of the Oregon Coast. Pine trees, small ponds, and plant life flourish throughout the park, coexisting with the sand dunes. You can roam freely among the dunes, making your way through wooded paths out to the beach. Just twelve miles north of Florence is the Heceta Head Lighthouse, and a close drive from that is the famous Sea Lion Caves. Florence’s historic Old Town is made for walking. If you’d like to stroll through town and experience some of its unique art, you can follow the Florence Public Art Trail. Grab a physical copy of the map at 290 Highway 101 in Florence at the Chamber of Commerce.
Jacksonville
Originally a gold mining town in the Siskiyou Mountains, the historic town of Jacksonville stands out with its colorful buildings and architecture, set against a backdrop of deep green forests. The streets, usually lined with lights, are a joy to walk through. Known for its museums, like the Cornelius C. Beekman House Museum and the 1863 Beekman Bank Museum, where you’ll learn that more than $40 million in gold was once passed over the counters of this bank. A historic landmark where gold nuggets and gold dust were once physically processed. The history of the town unfolds in front of you as you wander through California Street, the main center for historic taverns, small shops, and good restaurants. Jacksonville is home to numerous hiking and biking trails, as well as the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail, which highlights lavender farms in the Jacksonville area. The McCully House Inn is worth a look for a quiet and unique place to stay.
These 11 towns in Oregon make for a peaceful getaway. Whether you prefer an eatery overlooking the river in Silverton or watching the waves crash on the historic Nye Beach in Newport, there is plenty of variety. With options for getting out into nature, enjoying a relaxing day at a spa or museum, or walking the streets of a small town, one of these laid-back getaways could be waiting for you.
