10 Prettiest Towns to Visit in Oregon
Most travelers heading to the Pacific Northwest have Oregon as their preferred destination. It is hard not to fall for the state's exquisite natural scenery. From the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood to the Wallowa Mountains and the Pacific coast beaches, the Beaver State boasts some of the most spellbinding natural landscapes in the country. Amidst this grandeur lie also charming small towns worthy of exploration. Places like Silverton, with its picturesque setting along Silver Creek, and Ashland, home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, are delightful examples.
But the state's beauty goes beyond unmatched outdoors, and the following prettiest towns to visit in Oregon prove just that. Wandering streets lined with historic architecture and sampling unique cuisine at local restaurants culminate in a unique cultural immersion, away from the congested cities but surrounded by the state's unparalleled natural beauty.
Cannon Beach
If your idea of an Oregon vacation involves sublime natural scenery and fulfilling outdoor adventures, consider prioritizing this adorable coastal town in your itinerary. Cannon Beach welcomes tourists to experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean along the sandy shores of Indian Beach. The location has the perfect surfing waves, and its secluded setting is perfect for relaxing and soaking up the scenery. Haystack Rock presents one of the most photogenic sites from the Cannon Beach shores. This 235-foot (72 m) tall rock formation is a popular subject for nature photographers in town.
Away from the coastline, Cannon Beach treats vacationers to intimate live performances at the 1920s Coaster Theatre Playhouse. The venue was once a roller rink, but now it exudes warmth with its vintage decor and tranquil vibe. For a more social experience, visitors can shop for artisan foods, fresh produce, seafood, and crafts at the Cannon Beach Farmers’ Market. Along with organic items, the market offers a chance to mingle with townsfolk and get a taste of the culture.
Joseph
Scenic natural beauty meets rich cultural heritage in this quaint community of Wallowa County. Joseph's sublime natural beauty earned it the nickname “Little Switzerland of America.” Wallowa Lake State Park best embodies this description, featuring a tranquil glacial lake against the 8,200-foot (2,500-m) tall backdrop of Mount Howard. This recreational hub provides amenities like hiking trails, a cable car, and campsites for the ultimate outdoor experience.
Like its surroundings, Joseph's cultural landscape is endearing. Several art centers, including the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, allow visitors to interact with the local art community through a fine selection of their works. Hand in hand with the culture, the history is just as captivating and viable at the Wallowa County Museum. Housed inside a 19th-century building, First Bank of Joseph, the museum houses numerous photos and archives documenting local and regional heritage.
Yachats
The Pacific Coast is lined with exquisite destinations waiting to be discovered, and Yachats is right up with the best. This tiny village of about 1,000 wakes up to the picturesque open spaces with striking water and mountain vistas. Thor's Well is a must-visit in Yachats. This bottomless sinkhole seems to drain the Pacific Ocean waters in a continuous cycle, intriguing tourists and locals alike. Further outdoor scenes lie at Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, home to a rocky coastline with a sandy shore and craggy rocks, perfect for stretching the legs.
Back inland, shopping at the Yachats Farmers Market is an excellent way to interact with locals and sample some fresh produce and baked goods. Elsewhere, Earthworks Gallery exhibits an assorted collection of jewelry, sculptures, furniture, and glassworks, offering a glimpse of the best local artistic creations.
Mosier
This secluded community along the Columbia River presents some of the best vistas in the region. With less than 500 people calling Mosier home, vacationers have free reign to explore the vast open spaces and indulge in fun outdoor adventures. One of the best ways to do this is to hike, bike, or drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which provides unprecedented views of the Columbia. Those seeking to spend quality alone time will love the seclusion and serenity of Memaloose State Park, with an opportunity to pitch a tent at the 66-site campground.
More outdoor opportunities await along the Mosier Plateau Trail—a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) out-and-back route with incredible vantage points along the way. After all the fun, unwind with the town’s winery scene, inviting newcomers to sample award-winning craft wines at Idiot's Grace Wines or Garnier Vineyards.
Jacksonville
Explore this beautiful town in Jackson County to discover a rich arts and culture scene and indulge in tasty craft wines while exploring. Steeped in gold-rush heritage, Jacksonville has a charming downtown region with stunning old-world structures. The Jacksonville Inn is an excellent example of red brick construction styles in the town. Artistically inclined tourists might want to stop by the Art Presence Art Center to browse the beautiful works of local artists.
Jacksonville is famous for its wine-tasting opportunities, with numerous vineyards and wineries spread across the town. Daisy Creek Vineyard produces several award-winning wine varieties in a serene setting and is the perfect place to go for tastings. But before indulging in the wine, stop by the Restaurant at Jacksonville Inn to ensure you have a full stomach.
Gold Beach
Located where the Pacific Ocean and the Rogue River interact, this quaint community in Curry County delivers the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation. Gold Beach offers endless outdoor opportunities on land and water, including walking and hiking along the endless shoreline trails of Otter Point State Recreation Site. Additionally, local outfitters like Jerry's Rogue Jets excite first-timers with adrenaline-inducing boast tours on the Rogue River for a unique perspective of the town from the water.
The restaurant scene in Gold Beach is pretty impressive and enables tourists to savor assorted flavors. If you enjoy barbecue, you will love popping into Gold Beach BBQ and savoring its luscious ribs. Afterward, a trip to Arch Rock Brewing Company for a cold bottle of craft beer sounds like the perfect follow-up.
Prospect
Prepare for picturesque hikes, stunning views, and adrenaline-filled adventures in one of the prettiest towns to visit in Oregon. Prospects is a nature lover's ultimate vacation destination, lying along the Rogue River and enveloped by the Siskiyou National Forest. Here, adventurers are flush with choice, with over 1.7 million acres of wilderness home to tall mountains, old-growth forests, and tranquil lakes. One can embark on numerous trails that lead into the heart of the great outdoors, such as the path to Pearsony Falls. This short outback route spans just over 1 mile (1.6 km) and culminates in the fabulous views of the beautiful cascade. The National Creek Falls Trailhead is another relatively manageable pathway to reward hikers with unprecedented vistas.
While discovering the open spaces, remember to pause and take in the scenery when you reach the Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint. Finally, Prospect is less than 30 minutes from Crater Lake National Park, making it the perfect jumping-off base for another natural wonder.
Ashland
Many first-timers in Ashland automatically fall in love with the city, a credit to its immersive arts and culture scene. One of the community's claims to fame is home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This premier performance venue is famous for staging classic Shakespeare plays in its open-air theater, with more indoor theaters showcasing entertaining musicals. The Oregon Cabaret Theatre presents further opportunities for performance art lovers in a retro-styled setting to ensure a complete cultural experience.
Beyond its vibrant arts and culture, Lithia Park perfectly captures Ashland's natural beauty. This colorful oasis spans nearly 100 acres and is riddled with picturesque nature trails through manicured gardens, dense woodlands, lush lawns, and pristine ponds. Before leaving the town, taste the local craft winery scene at Weisinger Family Winery.
Silverton
Sitting 12 miles from the capital, Salem, Silverton is a delightful community with a welcoming atmosphere and quintessential small-town charm. Thanks to Silver Falls State Park, guests have all the reasons to step into the great outdoors. This magical nature space boasts a series of ten gorgeous waterfalls that hikers can explore along an 8.7-mile (14 km) looping trail. Remember to carry your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities. The experience is almost similar to being inside the Oregon Garden, which further impresses with a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building.
When not discovering the beautiful outdoors, you can check out local arts at Lunaria Gallery, which exhibits evocative works of art across diverse media. Or, spare time to pass by the Oregon Crafters Market to shop for cute handcrafts and ample tasty treats while jamming to live music.
Baker City
Baker City is a lovely town along the Historic Oregon Trail with an interesting story to tell. It harbors a pedestrian-friendly historic district where tourists can stroll to discover the town's rich heritage and well-preserved landmarks. The Baker Heritage Museum has a fascinating collection of interactive exhibits chronicling Baker City's captivating past. Meanwhile, the Leo Adler House Museum provides a glimpse of life in town in the 19th century. This pleasant 1889 Italianate mansion has curious artifacts and furnishings depicting upper-middle-class living at the time.
Tourists can dive deeper into state and national history with a tour of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. This open-air museum features a combination of interactive exhibits, dioramas, and informative presentations shedding light on the emigrant experience in the frontier West.
Final Thought
Oregon's scenic landscapes, diverse culture, and true characters come alive in these beautiful locations. Communities like Baker City, with scenic historical walks, and Jacksonville, the site of the state's best-preserved nineteenth-century district, invite extended visits filled with leisurely charm. Prioritizing these hidden gems ensures soaking in Oregon's natural beauty and rich heritage through meaningful cultural exchanges off the congested tourist routes. The prettiest towns to visit in Oregon provide a fresh perspective on what makes this picturesque northwestern state truly special.
