Things to do in Oregon

Things to Do in Oregon: Oregon Coast Highlights

1. See Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach

Location / Neighborhood: Cannon Beach, North Oregon Coast. Best For: Families, couples, photographers, wildlife lovers. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free.

Rising 235 feet above the shoreline, Haystack Rock is one of Oregon's most recognizable coastal landmarks. Visit around low tide to explore the surrounding tide pools and look for marine life, while seabirds including tufted puffins nest around the protected Marine Garden during parts of the year. Insider tip: check the tide table before visiting and observe wildlife without climbing on protected rocks or disturbing tide pools.

2. Hike and sightsee in Ecola State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Between Cannon Beach and Seaside. Best For: Families, hikers, couples, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $; state park day-use fee may apply.

Ecola State Park wraps around Tillamook Head and combines Sitka spruce forest, dramatic headlands and sweeping views down the Oregon Coast. Walk shorter viewpoint trails, explore Indian Beach or tackle longer coastal hikes while watching for seabirds and seasonal whale activity. Insider tip: coastal weather can change quickly, so take waterproof layers even when Cannon Beach starts the day sunny.

3. Explore Manzanita and hike Neahkahnie Mountain

Location / Neighborhood: Manzanita and Oswald West State Park. Best For: Couples, hikers, active families, coastal scenery. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free.

The relaxed coastal town of Manzanita sits beneath the forested slopes of Neahkahnie Mountain and alongside miles of sandy beach. Spend the morning browsing local shops and cafés before heading onto the surrounding coastal trails, where elevated viewpoints overlook Manzanita, Nehalem Bay and the Pacific. Insider tip: Neahkahnie trails involve meaningful elevation gain, so families wanting a gentler day can enjoy the beach and highway viewpoints instead.

4. Visit Tillamook Creamery

Location / Neighborhood: Tillamook, North Oregon Coast. Best For: Families, food lovers, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free self-guided experience; food extra.

A visit to Tillamook Creamery adds a distinctly Oregon food stop to a North Coast road trip. The free self-guided experience includes interactive displays and views into the cheesemaking and packaging process, followed by opportunities to sample Tillamook cheese or stop for ice cream and a meal. Insider tip: this works particularly well between Manzanita or Rockaway Beach and destinations farther south, and is a useful option when coastal weather turns wet.

5. Spend the day at Rockaway Beach

Location / Neighborhood: Rockaway Beach, Tillamook Coast. Best For: Families, couples, relaxed beach days. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free; individual activities extra.

Rockaway Beach offers a quieter alternative to some of the North Coast's busiest destinations, with a long sandy shoreline suited to beachcombing, kite flying and relaxed walks beside the Pacific. Visitors can also explore the Cedar Wetlands Nature Preserve or take seasonal rides on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Insider tip: use Rockaway as a base for exploring both Manzanita to the north and Tillamook to the south rather than treating it only as a beach stop.

Things to Do in Oregon: Bend & Central Oregon Highlights

6. Float or paddle the Deschutes River

Location / Neighborhood: Bend and Central Oregon. Best For: Families, couples, groups, watersports. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to $$; equipment and shuttle rentals extra.

The Deschutes River runs through the heart of Bend and is central to summer life in the city. Depending on the section and your experience, you can float in a tube, paddleboard, kayak or join a more adventurous rafting trip. Insider tip: popular floating stretches become busiest on warm summer afternoons, so consider a morning or midweek outing and check where river exits and shuttle services operate before launching.

7. Ski or explore Mt. Bachelor

Location / Neighborhood: Cascade Mountains, near Bend and Sunriver. Best For: Skiers, snowboarders, families, mountain bikers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$$; lift tickets and activities vary.

At more than 9,000 feet, Mt. Bachelor is one of Oregon's premier mountain recreation areas and sits roughly 20 minutes from Bend and Sunriver. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while summer opens the mountain to hiking, biking and scenic lift rides. Insider tip: even non-skiers can experience the mountain during summer by taking a scenic chairlift towards Pine Marten Lodge for elevated Cascade views.

8. Hike or climb at Smith Rock State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Terrebonne, north of Bend. Best For: Hikers, climbers, couples, active families. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $; state park parking fee.

Towering volcanic cliffs rise above the Crooked River at Smith Rock State Park, one of Central Oregon's standout outdoor destinations. Thousands of climbing routes have helped make the park internationally known among rock climbers, but visitors can also choose from scenic hiking and mountain-biking trails. Insider tip: visit on a weekday or arrive early because parking can become difficult at peak times, and carry plenty of water during hot high-desert weather.

9. Explore Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Location / Neighborhood: Between Bend and Sunriver. Best For: Families, hikers, geology lovers, road trips. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $–$$; recreation fees vary.

Oregon's volcanic history becomes impossible to miss at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Explore Lava Butte and surrounding lava fields, then continue towards Newberry Caldera, where Paulina Lake, East Lake, Paulina Falls and an enormous obsidian flow create a remarkably varied landscape. Insider tip: attractions are spread across a large area and some operate seasonally, so choose two or three priorities rather than attempting to cover the entire monument in one short visit.

10. Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Location / Neighborhood: Bend, Mt. Bachelor and Cascade Lakes. Best For: Families, couples, road trips, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free; individual recreation fees may apply.

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway stretches for around 66 miles through some of Central Oregon's most memorable mountain scenery, passing Mt. Bachelor, forests and a succession of alpine lakes. Stop to hike, picnic, kayak or simply take in the Cascade views. Insider tip: the route beyond Mt. Bachelor is seasonal and generally best driven from June through October, so always check road conditions before setting out.

Best Things to Do in Oregon with Kids

11. Visit the High Desert Museum

Location / Neighborhood: South of Bend. Best For: Families, wildlife lovers, rainy or cooler days. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; admission required.

The High Desert Museum combines wildlife, regional history, Indigenous stories and natural-science exhibits across 135 wooded acres near Bend. Families can encounter animals including otters, porcupines and birds of prey while learning how people and wildlife have adapted to Oregon's high-desert environment. Insider tip: allow time for the outdoor exhibits as well as the main museum building, particularly when seasonal wildlife programs are running.

12. Discover marine life at Oregon Coast Aquarium

Location / Neighborhood: Newport, Central Oregon Coast Best For: Families, wildlife lovers, rainy days Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours Cost / Entry: $$; admission required

For a family-friendly stop on a longer Oregon Coast road trip, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport focuses primarily on wildlife and ecosystems native to the Pacific Northwest. Exhibits introduce visitors to seabirds, fish, marine mammals and coastal habitats through interactive displays. Insider tip: Newport sits well south of our northern-coast rental destinations, so include the aquarium as part of a longer Highway 101 sightseeing day rather than a quick outing from Cannon Beach.

Iconic & Unique Things to Do in Oregon

13. See Crater Lake National Park

Location / Neighborhood: Southern Cascades Best For: Families, couples, photographers, hikers Estimated Time Needed: Full day Cost / Entry: $$; National Park entrance fee

Formed inside a volcanic caldera, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of Oregon's defining natural landmarks. When conditions allow, the historic 33-mile Rim Drive provides a succession of spectacular viewpoints around the lake alongside trailheads and picnic areas. Insider tip: snow affects access for much of the year, and major works mean Cleetwood Cove Trail is closed throughout the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, so check current park conditions before making the drive.

14. Chase waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge

Location / Neighborhood: East of Portland Best For: Families, hikers, couples, road trips Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day Cost / Entry: Free to $; parking or access requirements vary

The Columbia River Gorge combines enormous river views with forest trails and waterfalls spilling from basalt cliffs. Follow parts of the Historic Columbia River Highway to see famous cascades including Multnomah Falls, alongside Bridal Veil and Latourell Falls, then continue towards Hood River for food, wineries and watersports. Insider tip: popular trailheads become extremely busy, so travel early and check current parking, access and trail conditions before leaving.

15. See the Painted Hills

Location / Neighborhood: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Eastern Oregon Best For: Road-trippers, photographers, families, geology lovers Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours Cost / Entry: Free

Bands of red, gold, black and yellow earth make the Painted Hills look unlike almost anywhere else in Oregon. The colors shift with moisture and changing light, while short trails and viewpoints make the landscape relatively straightforward to explore. Insider tip: late-afternoon light can intensify the colors, but there is little shade on many trails, so carry water and protect yourself from the summer sun.

Seasonal Events in Oregon

Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest

One of the Oregon Coast's longest-running traditions, the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest brings elaborate sculptures and thousands of spectators to the beach every June. The event runs over a couple of days in June and is followed by related weekend activities. It is particularly convenient for guests staying around Cannon Beach or Arch Cape. Insider tip: the tide eventually reclaims the sculptures, so visit on contest day rather than expecting them to remain on Sunday.

Bend Brews & Beyond

Bend Brews & Beyond celebrates Oregon’s craft drinks scene in Drake Park, bringing together more than 50 breweries and cideries alongside a wide choice of Oregon-made non-alcoholic drinks, food trucks and live entertainment. The festival takes place in May and is a ticketed 21+ event. Insider tip: tickets are limited, so book ahead if this is a priority during your Bend stay, and make use of the event’s bike and river-access options where practical.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Usually held in July, the town of Sisters becomes a huge open-air gallery for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, with quilts displayed across buildings and public spaces. The annual event is internationally recognized and traditionally showcases more than 1,000 pieces from fiber artists. Admission to the main outdoor show is free. Insider tip: Sisters is within easy reach of Bend, making this an excellent cultural addition to a Central Oregon summer stay.

Bend Fall Festival

Held in downtown Bend each October, the Bend Fall Festival celebrates the arrival of fall with live music, arts and crafts, local food and drink, family activities and a large marketplace showcasing Central Oregon businesses and makers. The annual festival runs in October, for fall-time scenery and fun. Insider tip: this is a strong family-friendly event, with interactive art, pumpkin painting and children’s activities alongside the main music and food program.

Bend Summer Festival

Downtown Bend celebrates the warmer season with the annual Bend Summer Festival, combining artists and makers with live music, food, family activities and local businesses. It is an easy addition to a Central Oregon stay because visitors can spend part of the day at the festival before returning to the river or nearby trails.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

The celebrated Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland provides a cultural counterpoint to Oregon's outdoor attractions, with performances running across much of the year. The season usually begins on select dates in March and includes productions ranging from Hamlet and The Comedy of Errors to contemporary theater and musical productions. Ashland is in Southern Oregon, so it works best as part of a longer statewide road trip.

Plan your Oregon Trip

• Oregon vacation rentals
• Large group vacation rentals in Oregon