6 Most Overlooked Oregon Towns For 2025

While there’s no doubt you know at least a little about places like Portland and Crater Lake, chances are you’ve never heard of the Oregon towns of Astoria and Joseph. And what about Bandon or Sisters? Drawing a blank? Well, that’s ok, as soon these and a handful of other overlooked towns in Oregon will be tripping off your tongue. The best of these small communities is as much fun as their larger cousins, but without the crowds. Whether you fancy staying in an authentic fishing village or a high desert outpost that once served the U.S. Cavalry, there’s still plenty of time left to visit one or more of Oregon’s most overlooked towns in 2025.

Astoria

Situated where the Columbia River enters the Pacific Ocean, Astoria is one of Oregon's most historically significant yet often bypassed destinations. Whether you were planning on skipping past it when starting (or ending) an Oregon Coast road trip or simply hadn’t heard of it, the town’s excellent beaches and ocean views are ideal excuses for a weekend getaway. Its well-preserved working waterfront, complete with an active fishing fleet, seafood processing facilities, and original Victorian-era buildings, is also a great reason to stop here.

Highlights of a visit include a reconstruction of Fort Clatsop, the western terminus of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s westward journey. Located near the fort’s original site in Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and built using William Clark's journal sketches, the park also features expedition artifacts and offers ranger-led programs detailing interactions with the Clatsop and Chinook peoples.

Other Astoria sightseeing opportunities include the majestic Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum with its large collection of artifacts documenting Pacific Northwest maritime heritage, including the lightship Columbia and a Coast Guard motor lifeboat.

Jacksonville

Soon after gold was discovered here in 1851, Jacksonville became a melting pot of races, classes, and cultures as ambitious individuals turned up in droves in search of their fortune. So many historically significant buildings remain from this period that the entire downtown district is now considered a National Historic Landmark. Pay a visit to the Jacksonville Historic District and you’ll find over 100 buildings dating from the 1850s through 1880s along California Street and Oregon Street, most housing local businesses like the Bella Union Restaurant & Saloon set in a charming old building from 1873.

The Britt Music & Arts Festival is a great excuse for a summer visit and hosts performances ranging from classical symphonies to indie rock concerts in a natural amphitheater setting. The Beekman House Museum, built in 1873 for a wealthy banker, provides a fascinating glimpse into the town’s early years with its original furnishings (guided tours are available).

Joseph

Don’t let the fact that it’s located in Oregon's far northeastern corner and is one of the state's most geographically remote communities put you off visiting the small mountain town of Joseph. Named after the Nez Perce people’s Chief Joseph, the indigenous name for the area, "Land of Winding Waters," reflects the fact that three waterways - the Wallowa River, Hurricane Creek, and Prairie Creek - thread their way through the landscape. Set against a backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains, “Oregon's Alps,” it’s a scene that’s worth making the effort to see.

Now a hotbed of creativity, Joseph is especially well-known for its bronze casting industry. Valley Bronze on Main Street has been producing major public artworks since 1982, including monuments for the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and offers interesting tours of its foundry. Main Street is also where you can see examples of bronze sculptures displayed in an outdoor gallery, including a seven-foot statue of Chief Joseph. And why not make a weekend of your visit to this often-overlooked town with a stay at The Jennings Hotel, set in a 1910 brick and just steps from the fun of downtown Joseph.

Bandon

Known as the Cranberry Capital of Oregon, Bandon is responsible for a whopping 95 percent of the state’s production of this popular fruit. If you visit in September 2025 you’ll be able to participate in the Bandon Cranberry Festival with its many tributes and events focused on (you guessed it) cranberries. Bandon has also made it on the map for dedicated golfers, with the nearby Bandon Dunes Golf Resort tempting players with five courses designed in Scotland's popular links-style layouts.

Old Town Bandon is a great place for a wander, especially for its proximity to the water. This pedestrian-friendly area is home to boutique shops and galleries like Washed Ashore, a creative endeavor dedicated to transforming beach plastic into fascinating sea creature sculptures. You can also walk along the Port of Bandon Boardwalk to Bandon's beaches as well as the famed Face Rock, a massive monolith 300 yards offshore that’s named after a Coquille Indian legend about a princess turned to stone.

Sisters

Sisters is an ideal spot to visit for a taste of early (and authentic) Oregon. Wooden sidewalks line the street through downtown Sisters past 1880s Old West facades, transforming this former timber and ranching community into a fun getaway destination. It doesn’t hurt that the town is set in the shadow of the Three Sisters peaks, each towering over 10,0000 feet and creating a stunning backdrop. Outdoor types head to the Three Sisters Wilderness Area for its first-rate hiking, while those wanting a gentler way to enjoy this stunning scenery can take the McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway to the Dee Wright Observatory with its stunning views of the surrounding volcanic peaks.

Looking for an authentic down-home American experience? Plan a visit to the popular Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Held each July, well over 1,000 quilts are put on display across downtown Sisters, making a colorful backdrop for memorable photos and experiences. If you’re a craft beer fan, check out Three Creeks Brewing, famous for its award-winning Knotty Blonde Ale and Stonefly Rye. And for accommodations, FivePine Lodge and Spa features rustic cabins and lodge rooms, gas fireplaces, soaking tubs for two, and private patios.

Cannon Beach

Named one of the world's 100 most beautiful places by National Geographic, Cannon Beach has worked hard to maintain its small fishing village charm. It’s also famous for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-tall sea stack that rises dramatically offshore and serves as a national wildlife refuge for species including tufted puffins, along with tidepools containing orange and purple sea stars, green anemones, and hermit crabs. Haystack Rock also serves as the backdrop for the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, held here since 1964.

In-town highlights include the Coaster Theatre Playhouse, set in a converted roller-skating rink and a popular music and cultural venue; and the Cannon Beach Book Company, a go-to destination for book fans. Want to stay the night? Check out the Stephanie Inn with its oceanfront rooms boasting incredible views of Haystack Rock.

The Final Word

As you can see, there’s no denying the fact that Oregon's most overlooked towns offer the kind of authentic experiences you just won’t find in big city destinations. From Joseph's bronze foundries to Jacksonville's Gold Rush architecture, each of these attractive towns has developed distinct identities that reflect not just their surroundings but the characteristics of the people who settled there. So if you’ve not yet finalized the details of your Oregon itinerary, be sure to include at least some of these often overlooked communities in your 2025 travel plans.