2025's Most Underrated Towns In Oregon
While Oregon’s vibrant cities like Portland, Bend, and Eugene often steal the spotlight, countless lesser-known communities offer equally compelling experiences. From artistic enclaves in the mountains to coastal gems rooted in maritime heritage, these underrated towns are brimming with scenic beauty, creative energy, welcoming locals, and cultural depth. Each town also hosts events that bring their communities to life, offering a perfect excuse to explore beyond the beaten path. Whether you are a curious traveler or a potential future resident, these hidden gems should be on your 2025 travel list.
Sisters
The town of Sisters, nestled at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, blends Wild West charm with a creative spirit. Its downtown, styled like a frontier town from the 1880s, creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and vibrant. Outdoor lovers can explore the nearby Deschutes National Forest, go kayaking on Suttle Lake, or hike the scenic McKenzie Pass. Due to its proximity to the city of Bend, Sisters is often overshadowed, making it a quiet escape with the same mountain charm and far fewer crowds. That said, the town comes alive each June with the Sisters Rodeo, known as “The Biggest Little Show in the World,” featuring traditional rodeo events, parades, and community barbecues.
Newport
Tucked along Oregon’s central coast, Newport offers an authentic coastal experience that blends rugged natural beauty with cultural depth. The town is known for the Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head lighthouses, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and a working waterfront where visitors can watch sea lions bark near fishing boats. While places like Cannon Beach get more attention, Newport’s maritime soul and less crowded beaches make it a hidden gem. One of its major annual events, Newport Loyalty Days in early May, is a patriotic celebration that includes a parade, live entertainment, games, events honoring veterans, and more.
Baker City
Baker City, set far from any major cities in eastern Oregon, is an underrated goldmine of pioneer heritage. Its downtown boasts more than 100 historic buildings, including the elegant Geiser Grand Hotel, a restored 1889 Victorian-era landmark. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, perched on a hill just outside town, immerses visitors in the life of 19th-century settlers. Baker City also serves as a launch point for exploring the Elkhorn Mountains and Anthony Lakes for skiing and hiking. The annual Baker City Motorcycle Rally is a high-energy July event that brings thousands of riders and live music downtown.
McMinnville
McMinnville sits in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country, but many visitors to the area miss out on it in favor of nearby communities like Dundee and Newberg. This is a shame since McMinnville combines small-town charm with big cultural appeal. Its historic Third Street is lined with farm-to-table restaurants, antique stores, and tasting rooms serving some of Oregon’s best Pinot Noir. Aviation enthusiasts can visit the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, home to Howard Hughes’ legendary Spruce Goose. McMinnville also embraces its quirky side—it hosts an annual UFO Festival in honor of a 1950 sighting, with its 25th edition happening in May 2025.
Joseph
Despite its setting against the dramatic backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains, the scenic and artistic retreat of Joseph remains under-visited due to its remote location. Yet Joseph offers a unique experience—bronze sculptures line its main street, and local foundries and galleries attract collectors and artists alike. Wallowa Lake offers boating, paddleboarding, and the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a gondola that takes visitors to the panoramic summit of Mount Howard. The town is named after Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce and hosts the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo, which includes tribal dances, parades, and professional rodeo competitions, in July.
Coos Bay
Coos Bay is the biggest town on Oregon’s southern coast, yet is often bypassed by travelers in favor of more touristy towns like Florence and Bandon. But visitors to Coos Bay are rewarded with a great blend of coastal beauty and rich history. The Coos History Museum provides insight into the region’s Indigenous, logging, and maritime past. Nature lovers can explore Shore Acres State Park, famous for its dramatic cliffs, gardens, and crashing winter waves. Held every July, the Oregon Coast Music Festival brings orchestral and jazz performances to town, making summer an especially enchanting time to visit.
Pendleton
Similar to Baker City, Pendleton loses tourist traffic due to its more isolated location in eastern Oregon, even though both towns are actually easily accessible via Interstate 84. Visitors to this Old West-infused town can tour Pendleton Woolen Mills, known for their iconic blankets, or explore the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, which tells the story of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes. For a taste of Pendleton’s secret history, underground tours reveal the city’s hidden tunnels used during Prohibition. The legendary Pendleton Round-Up briefly transforms the town each September, with Native American powwows, cowboy competitions, and a large community celebration.
Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon,” boasts historic wooden bridges and a vibrant artistic culture yet loses visitors to nearby Eugene. The town’s murals depict scenes from its logging and pioneer past, while the historic downtown has hosted movie productions like Stand By Me and Animal House. Nearby, the Row River Trail stretches 15 miles through scenic countryside and forest. The Bohemia Gold Mining Museum captures the region’s gold rush history, and the local theater company (Cottage Theatre) performs year-round. Visit during July’s Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days, when the town celebrates its mining heritage with parades, performances, and old-time games.
These eight towns embody the soul of Oregon beyond its major cities. They remain underrated due to location, size, or simply being overshadowed by better-known neighbors. Yet that very quality is what makes them special: less crowded, more personal, and brimming with authenticity. With events happening throughout 2025, there has never been a better time to explore the quieter corners of Oregon and discover what makes these small towns unforgettable destinations.
