8 Best Attractions To Visit In Oregon

Oregon is a state full of hidden depths. Sure, we’ve all seen pictures of Crater Lake, heard stories about Portland and its proud legacy of quirkiness - but did you know it’s got some of the weirdest caves around, too? Or that one of the state’s most popular tourist draws is, of all things, a cheese factory? It’s a place that rewards exploration in ways you wouldn’t quite expect. So if you happen to find yourself in the Beaver State, here are eight attractions, some world-famous and some virtually unknown, that you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake needs no introduction. Created by an ancient volcanic eruption, it’s North America’s deepest lake and said by many to be the bluest, too, offering ridiculously photogenic views from any viewpoint you pick. So if you find yourself in south-central Oregon (or you have time to make your way there), Crater Lake National Park is a must-see. Visitors can take short hikes, drive the scenic Rim Road, and get a million and a half photos of the lake from above.

Although you can’t currently swim in the lake because the trail that leads to the waterfront is closed for repairs until 2027, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake from a distance. If there’s an Oregon attraction you’ll want to be able to say you visited, this is it.

Tillamook Creamery

If you’ve ever been in the dairy aisle of an American grocery store, you’re likely familiar with the name Tillamook. It’s a standby for high-quality cheese and ice cream. But did you know it’s actually both based in and named for a city in northern Oregon? True story - and you can visit the factory on-site in Tillamook. Visitors can choose from a variety of tours and interactive experiences, plus general-admission exhibits about dairy farming and cheesemaking and, of course, plenty of dairy products for sale. Not to be missed: the on-site Tillamook Creamery, where the brand’s now-famous ice cream is made and sold fresh. It already has no comparison in the supermarket aisle, so don’t miss your chance to try it fresh.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

If it’s the wild scenery of the rocky Pacific Northwest coast that you’re looking for in your Oregon getaway, this state park is one of the best places to get your fix. It consists of twelve miles of Highway 101 (better known as the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH), every inch of which is replete with scenic beauty — but driving isn’t the only way to enjoy the beautiful sights of the Oregon Coast. Short hikes all along the corridor will lead you to scenic viewpoints you can’t access from your car. Whether you’re driving up the coast on a PCH road trip, meandering through western Oregon, or staying further inland but wanting to see a little bit of the coast, this cliffside stretch of highway is a very worthy diversion for scenery-seekers of all persuasions.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Many of Oregon’s top attractions are, in one form or another, tied to its miles of beautiful coastline. This one is, too, but takes a different tack than your average beach or coastal hiking trail. The Oregon Coast Aquarium takes you beneath the surface of the cold Pacific Northwest sea with exhibits showcasing Oregon-native species, both iconic and lesser-known. Though the aquarium has a local focus in its collection of critters, it’s gained nationwide renown for the quality of its exhibits and focus on wildlife conservation. Families and animal lovers traveling the central or northern stretches of the Oregon Coast will find much to enjoy here - make sure not to miss the shark tunnel.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Don’t let the previous entries on this list fool you: getting out on the water in Oregon doesn’t have to mean a trip to the seaside. This stunning 80-mile canyon enclosing a stretch of the Columbia River in northern Oregon is a popular day trip from Portland for hiking and boat tours with beautiful views of the river and the peaks of the Cascade Ranges in the distance. For the best snapshots, take a river cruise or hike to the wildly-popular Multnomah Falls - of the handful of waterfalls in this area that you can hike to, this one is by far the most beloved.

The Grotto

Portland might be the last place you’d expect to find a Catholic shrine carved into the side of a cliff, but drive a little ways outside of the city and you’ll encounter just that. The Grotto, better-known as the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, is a 62-acre property founded in 1924 by a Catholic priest who had long sought to find the ideal location for a shrine to the Virgin Mary. The Grotto is the place he settled on, where the shrine could be carved out of a cliff in a lush green spot near Portland.

Despite its roots, nowadays it’s largely viewed by Portland locals and visitors as a peaceful place for contemplation and solitude. While it is an active religious site, if that’s not the intended purpose of your visit, The Grotto is a fascinating and beautiful spot with a history worth learning about.

Oregon Caves National Monument

Most people either find caves fascinating or would rather do just about anything than explore one. It’s an understandably polarizing environment: dark and enclosed, a cave is an eerie place by nature. But regardless of your personal feelings about caves, these ones in the mountains of southern Oregon are worth exploring. Carved by acidic water out of marble, the caves at Oregon Caves National Monument are unique in both geology and appearance. Also notable is the historic Oregon Caves Chateau, currently closed for renovations but nevertheless an impressive piece of architecture.

International Rose Test Garden

If your Oregon itinerary centers on Portland, you might be wondering at the lack of urban attractions on this list so far. Don’t worry: there are plenty. And this one is perhaps one of the most unique. If you’ve ever thought about where the endless varieties of roses you can buy at the florist’s shop come from, Portland has your answer: in many cases, it’s the International Rose Test Garden.

Created as a place to create new varieties of roses for commercial sale or for the love of botanical innovation, this delightful, open-to-the-public botanical garden is about as close to cutting-edge as growing roses gets. And even if you have no interest at all in gardening or plants, its aesthetic appeal speaks for itself. Visitors between May and October will be treated to the sight and smell of thousands of unique roses. It’s one place where stopping to smell the roses is the whole point.

Oregon is a relatively large state, so it’s hard to encompass everything it has to offer in only eight attractions. But these eight can’t-miss places are a great sample of the state’s diverse appeals. Whether you’re fond of nature, culture, or food, Oregon is full of things to explore. Already looking up flights to Portland or Eugene? Good. It’s a place worth taking the time to get to know.