Top Destinations for a Weekend Getaway in Oregon

Head to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, on Yaquina Bay, and watch local seabirds and other marine life. Head to Nye Beach for great views and surfing, or South Beach State Park for hiking.

This city in western Oregon boasts parks, trails, and restaurants that welcome outdoor enthusiasts and foodies alike. Visit the Osborn Aquatic Center to cool off, or check out Avery Park & Natural Area. Its beautiful garden has more than 250 varieties of roses, and the kids will love the playground.

Travelers love this compact city's many trails, which offer beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains. For cultural and historical exhibits, head to the High Desert Museum. Visit Tumalo State Park for a romantic picnic or family fun day.

Oregon's largest city, Portland promises all sorts of adventures. Watch polar bears, elephants, and other endangered species at the zoo, or go hiking and biking at Forest Park, a 5,000-acre wooded area with numerous trails. It's also ideal for bird watching.

Visiting Seaside promises to be time well spent. Adults and kids alike will love the nearby beach and exploring the rivers and lush forest at Necanicum Estuary Natural History Park.

Learn about different styles of gardening in this 5.5-acre green space, and don't miss the waterfall.

Check out this annual three-day art and music event in July to explore its 960 food and craft booths. You'll have a blast interacting with the locals.

Oregon has various clubs where you can drink, eat, and dance to different music genres. Some favorites include Trail's End Saloon in Oregon City, and Holocene and Helium Comedy Club in Portland.

You'll find some of Oregon's best surfing at Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and Otter Rock. You can also go fishing and swimming at some of the locations.

Check out this restaurant in Bend for a variety of wonderfully prepared dishes such as wild prawns, carpaccio, salads, and soups. Chefs Andres and Ariana Fernandez use local products to make the dishes. Their signature cocktails are perfect after a long day of indoor and outdoor adventure.

Pack books about Oregon to make the most of your weekend getaway. Adam Sawyer's Unique Eats and Eateries of Portland, Oregon is ideal for gastronomes, while Judy Jewell's Coastal Oregon offers adventurists plenty of inspiration.

If you're heading to Crate Lake and Oregon's many other angling destinations, make sure to bring hooks, rods, lines, tackle boxes, and nets.

Travelers will want to bring sunglasses if they're visiting Oregon during summer (late June to late September), especially if you're planning long days outside.

Remember to bring your driver's license on weekend getaways in Oregon. It's a must if you're planning a self-driving vacation!

Make sure to carry the sporting gear you’ll need for the many activities on offer in Oregon. For instance, if you’re heading to Nye Beach in Newport, you may want to bring a surfboard, wetsuit and fins.