7 Most Eccentric Towns in Oregon

Few states can hope to match the sheer scale of natural beauty found in Oregon. Known for its rugged Pacific coastline and acres of wilderness, Oregon is a diverse state waiting, and perhaps expecting, to be explored. Its numerous small towns contain as much cultural heritage and regional history as anywhere in the state, and deserve just as much recognition as the ocean views and vineyards that make Oregon famous. Some towns are charming, some are historic, and some are strange. So enjoy a much-needed coffee break, and read on to learn more about Oregon's seven most eccentric towns.

Ashland

Free-spirited and artsy, Ashland is the town to visit for all creatives (or really anyone who appreciates a modest town with friendly people and gorgeous scenery). Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which has been producing Shakespearean plays in a multitude of venues for almost a hundred years, and the Schneider Museum of Art, which serves an academic and community audience through Southern Oregon University, Ashland has long been the town to visit for all who possess an artistic mindset.

Ashland's most beautiful park is Lithia Park, a sprawling acreage on the edge of town in which visitors can find walking trails, Japanese gardens, ponds, and more: a bucolic snapshot of Oregon's flowering wild.

McMinnville

Quirky at its core, McMinnville is best known for its UFO culture. So enthusiastic about extraterrestrial lifeforms is McMinnville that one can attend the annual UFO Festival: a three-day event, this festival comes with a parade, guest speakers, costumes, arts and crafts, and much more, all inspired by famous local sightings from the 1950s.

For a more down-to-earth experience, A Vineyard Wine Tour is a company offering excellent explorations of the best wineries not just in and around McMinnville, but throughout all of the Willamette Valley. Alchemist's Jam and Bakery, located in town, is a great local shop for handmade artisanal goods like soaps and candles. However, true to their name, jam is their specialty. Visitors can choose from over a dozen options.

Yachats

This little town of under 1,000 people deserves love for its stunning oceanscapes. One in particular, called Devil's Churn, is an inlet at the foot of Cape Perpetua caused solely by the force of crashing waves. Here, tourists can see the power of nature at work in the gouged basalt rock, but the nearby Siuslaw National Forest offers more tranquil nature-based outings, as well.

While there are more state parks and beaches in the region to enjoy, the town itself thrives on its tourism industry. People are encouraged to dine at Ona Restaurant and Lounge, which serves a plethora of local seafood dishes and craft cocktails. Art enthusiasts may delight in Touchstone Gallery, wherein over 120 Oregon artists are represented in an array of jewelry, glasswork, paintings, and sculptures.

Gold Hill

Like Yachats, Gold Hill is quite small and made all the more enduring for that. Originally founded as a gold rush town, it now has several local attractions that make it stand out: the Oregon Vortex is a perfect spot for a family outing. This enchanting destination contains a House of Mystery filled with optical illusions and gravity-defying forces; you may leave with more questions than answers, but you will be more than entertained in the process.

Another must-see destination is Ti'lomikh Falls. Located just outside of town along the Rogue River, these rapids represent inland Oregon at its most pristine. Since there is so much to enjoy in the area, you may want to allocate more than one day to a Gold Hill vacation. As such, Weasku Inn (in Grants Pass) is a destination unto itself: over a hundred years old, this converted lodge offers stunning views and excellent hospitality.

Florence

Florence's uniqueness lies in sandboarding, a sport that substitutes snow for sand. Sand Master Park is the world's first sandboarding location; since its inception, thousands of visitors and locals alike have enjoyed this new sport, and it is still growing in popularity.

But sandboarding is not the only thing that makes Florence different. Here, tourists can visit the Sea Lion Caves, the nation's largest naturally formed sea cave. Each year, hundreds of sea lions use this cave as part of their seasonal migration, so the area is a designated wildlife sanctuary. Those interested in attending may also see birds or whales. You may get wet by the water's edge, but you will leave with lifelong memories.

Lastly, travellers to Florence are encouraged to visit the Heceta Head Lighthouse, a scenic viewpoint just outside of town. There, visitors will find a sheltered beach and a hiking trail, as well as the assistant lightkeeper's house, now converted to a B&B. Book a stay and enjoy ocean views from your bedroom window!

Hood River

Similar to the sportsy feel of Florence's sandboarding, one can find plenty of outdoor activity in Hood River, too. Windsurfing and kiteboarding reign atop the sporting world in this town. In fact, the span of the Columbia River near Hood River is one of the country’s top spots for windsurfing and kiteboarding, earning it the moniker “windsurfing capital of the world.”

Along the Columbia River, tourists can also find several waterfront establishments for romantic dinners or nights out with the family. Riverside is a restaurant true to its name, and you can enjoy their robust menu either indoors or on their expansive patio. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, attendees can enjoy Riverside at any time of day. Simon's Cliff House also offers stunning views of the River; located inside Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa, this restaurant offers a taste (or several) of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy 1920s elegance inside this beautiful building, along with scenery that matches only the hospitality.

Joseph

At just over 1,000 population, Joseph is another small town with big appeal. Made unique by its bronze sculptures, visitors to Joseph will find these artistic animals scattered across town. Created by numerous artists in collaboration with Valley Bronze, a local foundry, Joseph is made all the more interesting by this infusion of metallic wildlife. One can also find Valley Bronze Gallery on Main Street; also associated with the foundry, this gallery offers smaller sculptures and casts for sale, along with paintings and prints.

Like the other towns of Oregon, Joseph is saturated with natural beauty. Visitors may discover the Wallowa Lake State Park, which offers a tramway for panoramic views, or the Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, which is part of the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce Tribe. Hiking trails and mountain views await those who visit.

Explore Oregon Today

There is no shortage of appeal to the forested and oceanic state of Oregon. Tourists might easily find a lifetime of sightseeing in this lush state. The seven eccentric towns on this list, however, come with drawing power of their own. Though certainly different, they each represent the spirit and creativity of small-town Oregon, and offer almost limitless sources of entertainment, hospitality, education, or adventure. Don't wait; travel to the Pacific Coast today.