7 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In Oregon
Oregon is a stunning state, home to a diverse landscape of coastlines, forests, and mountains. The state is most well-known for its natural beauty and vibrant food scene. Every year, tourists flock to Oregon to visit the state's natural wonders, including the Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast. Oregon is also home to unique flavors such as the Marionberries, a unique berry developed in the state. Beyond its majestic mountains, winding trails, and incredible bites, Oregon has an abundance of charming small towns. Each of them is a unique combination of history, art, and natural beauty, making them a great travel destination. Some of these towns have particularly picture-perfect Main Streets. Newport, for example, is a unique small town with bayfront views, including opportunities to spot sea lions. On the other hand, Silverton is renowned for its art scene with several colorful murals on its Main Street. These are only a couple of Oregon's Picture-perfect Main Streets. Here we explore seven towns with Main Streets that will enthrall you to stay longer in the town.
Pendleton
Pendleton is a charming Oregon town with a historic, western downtown. In the historic Old District of Pendleton, visitors can experience this history firsthand by visiting buildings and sites from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some interesting historic sites include the Pendleton Woolen Mills and the Heritage Station Museum. Main Street downtown is particularly unique because of the cowboy and rodeo culture. The Old Wild West comes to life with bronze statues of bucking broncos and rodeo scenes. Many cafes, restaurants, and local shops on Main Street embrace this wild west spirit. Visitors should try Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon for an authentic Western dining experience. The Saloon looks like it is off the pages of a history book from the 1900s. Many events and festivals occur on Pendleton's Main Street throughout the year, including the Fall Festival and Christmas in Pendleton. Pendleton is also well known for the annual Pendleton Round-Up, one of the oldest rodeos in the world.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville's Main Street stands out with its beautiful architecture from the 1850s, during the Gold Rush era. California Street is the main road going through the downtown. Lined with brick buildings from the 19th century, this is one of Oregon's most charming roads to walk down. There is even a self-guided historic walking tour that takes visitors to some of the key historic sites downtown, including the Old City Hall and Gold Rush-era commercial buildings. The Old City Hall is now a museum that showcases the town's history from the Gold Rush era. The Street is also lined with cute antique and boutique shops. Stop into Trolley Stop Antiques for a funky find. Jacksonville has also earned the title of 'Heart of the Southern Oregon Wine Region.' Visiting a vineyard in the area for wine lovers is a must. Head to Schmidt Family Vineyard to enjoy a gorgeous vineyard and try some delicious wine.
Ashland
Ashland is Oregon's cultural hotspot and has a vibrant arts scene. Every year, tourists flock to the town for the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The festival runs annually every fall and features live performances of classic plays. Downtown is a unique mixture of Elizabethan architecture, art galleries, and contemporary buildings. The Street has a variety of attractions, including art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. Art & Soul Ashland is a unique gallery to stop at on the corner of 1st and Main in the historic Elks Building. The gallery showcases a variety of work from sculptors to painters. Ashland is also near the Siskiyou and Cascade Mountain ranges, making it a great town to enjoy the outdoors. Lithia Park is a road down from the main street, stretching over 93 acres. The park offers trails, ponds, and a Japanese garden.
Newport
Newport is a beach town with a beautiful Main Street. The Historic Bayfront District section of Main Street offers a wide variety for visitors to enjoy, including shopping at unique gift shops, dining at fresh seafood restaurants, and enjoying views of sea lions on the docks. A must-see while in Newport for animal lovers is the California Sea Lions. The Sea Lions can be seen barking and clapping, which is best observed from the docks, which are easily accessed from the Bayfront. The restaurants in the Historic Bayfront District are delicious and often feature fresh seafood. A couple of local favorites include Clearwater Restaurant and Local Ocean. Near the Historic Bayfront District, there are many opportunities for exploring the outdoors. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is a great spot to enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy a hike in the area or explore the tide pools.
Baker City
Looking for a cute Main Street to explore near a town full of opportunities for outdoor adventure? Look no further than Baker City. The small town has a pretty Main Street lined with local shops, historic sites, restaurants, and art galleries. Some of the top places to check out include Crossroads, Carnegie Art Center, and the historic Geiser Grand Hotel. History buffs will love strolling through the Baker Historic District, which features over 130 historic properties. Local shops and art galleries host First Friday Art Walk each month—a unique regional event showcasing artwork. Baker City is also near many trails and bike routes, including routes in the Elkhorn Mountain Range. Enjoy a hike along the Oregon Trail or a bike ride along Hells Canyon.
Silverton
Silverton has a downtown that looks like it is off the pages of a storybook with a picture-perfect Main Street. Informally known as "Mural City," there are over 30 murals scattered throughout the downtown. They depict the town's history and are a great spot for a photoshoot. The Silverton Mural Society created the idea for the mural project, and today, they offer tours of the murals. Along Main Street, there are several cute bars and restaurants, including Main St. Bistro and Bar. Several events occur near Silverton's Main Street throughout the year, including the Silverton Poetry Festival, Silverton Strawberry Festival, and First Friday.
Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove is a town that lives up to its name with a fairytale atmosphere. Cottage Grove is a great retirement town with beautiful bike paths, trails, and a historic downtown. Main Street embodies the town's spirit with landmark buildings, local shops, and cute local eateries. Visitors will surely be charmed by the historic buildings and colorful murals while strolling along Main Street. Walking further along Main Street, visitors can cross the Centennial Covered Footbridge. The charming bridge is made from salvaged wood. The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway is just outside the downtown, perfect for exploring the town by bike. Several community events happen on Main Street annually, including a Saturday farmer's market and a monthly arts walk.
The downtown is the heart of any town or city. The Main Streets in the towns mentioned here are all unique in their own way. Cottage Grove offers visitors a historic downtown close to biking and hiking trails. Ashland's downtown is a cultural hotspot with a Main Street full of local shops and galleries. Whether you want to be surrounded by stunning Victorian-era buildings or be close to Oregon's mountains, there is something for everyone on these seven Main Streets. Next time you plan a trip, consider stopping at one of these towns. The picture-perfect main streets will not disappoint.
