These 11 Towns In Oregon Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2024

The state of Oregon, perhaps best known for being home to the city of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Zoo, is also home to almost 250 other distinct towns as well. Each of the 11 towns in the Beaver State that were ranked among US favorites in 2024 offers its own unique vibe compared to the state as a whole. From quaint Hood River, the “Windsurfing Capital of the World,” to picturesque Cannon Beach and its Haystack Rock, a plethora of awesome towns are spread across Oregon, making the ninth largest state in the US a true oasis of natural, historic, and cultural attributes.

Hood River

Located along the Columbia River, the picturesque town of Hood River provides guests with a variety of great amenities, including experiencing floral yet woodsy aromas at Lavender Farms, living vicariously through the windsurfers on the river, and taking the family to the Hood River Waterfront Park to feel that thrill of being so close to the might Columbia. Several awesome cultural festivities are also held in Hood River. The Hood River Valley Harvest Fest honors farmers and growers, and the Hood River Hops Fest celebrates the glory of local breweries. A plethora of natural attributes are also available in and around Hood River, as well. Nearby Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge are home to a variety of natural attractions, including the Horsetail Falls Loop Hike, which features three different waterfalls.

Silverton

Famous for the Oregon Garden, which features 80 plus acres of botanical gardens, including the Rose Garden, which has almost 40 different varieties of roses, the town of Silverton is a natural haven for some stunning attractions. The area around Silverton is a great haven for natural attractions as well, as it is just north of Silver Falls State Park, which is home to more than 20 nature trails, including the Trail of Ten Falls. There are also several cultural attributes around Silverton, including the Canterbury Renaissance Faire, which is known for presenting that Elizabethan method to life, an Oregon Crafters Market, and the Silverton Christmas Market, featuring everything from a million plus lights to an appearance by Santa Claus.

Yachats

The coastal town of Yachats, with about 1,000 residents, is located on the Pacific Ocean and near the Siuslaw National Forest, making it an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Thor’s Well, and Devil’s Churn are all in close proximity to the town of Yachats, providing some great hiking on trails like Captain Cook Trail and the Gwynn Creek Loop. Visitors will also see stunning geological formations at day use spots like the Yachats State Recreation Area. Some other great natural attractions and attributes in and around Yachats include Yachats Ocean Road State National Site, the North Fork Yachats Covered Bridge, Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, and Bazalgette the Whale, the last of which is currently located at Whale Park in Yachats.

Baker City

Found among the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Malheur National Forest, Baker City is home to 10,000 residents, several culturally adept indoor venues, and a variety of excellent outdoor amenities and attributes. From Sumpter Valley Railway to the Leo Adler House Museum to the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, the town of Baker City is alive with history. There is also a vein of community-oriented cultural value that is abundant in Baker City, through annual festivals and venues catering to visitors. The Baker County Fair, the Miners' Jubilee, and Twinkle in Time, three of the events occurring in Baker City, bring in thousands of people each and every year.

Cannon Beach

The town of Cannon Beach, famous for Haystack Rock, a geological formation that rises 235 feet out of the crashing surf, is home to a plethora of other natural attractions as well. Ecola State Park offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, some excellent fishing opportunities, and many great hiking trails, including the difficult Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail and the slightly more moderate Crescent Beach Trail. Hug Point State Park and Oswald West State Park are also in close proximity to Cannon Beach, offering several more trails to check out, as well as a variety of other outdoor activities. Also, in downtown Cannon Beach, visitors can enjoy a play at the Coaster Theater Playhouse or stop by Cannon Beach Farmers Market for some fresh produce.

The Dalles

Along the southern bank of the Columbia River, The Dalles, is a haven for history buffs, including many local museums and discovery centers. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, a particular favorite, features exhibits of the Ice Age, Lewis and Clark, live raptor presentations, and much more. The Fort Dalles Museum Surgeon’s Quarters and Anderson Homestead, located across the street from each other, tell of the Old West and how people like Lewis Anderson, a Swedish immigrant, built the house in 1895 that would become the social center of Pleasant Ridge. Several natural attractions also call The Dalles home, like the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which provides stunning views of the area, and the Lewis & Clark Festival Park.

Ashland

The picturesque town of Ashland, with approximately 21,000 residents, is home to a plethora of cultural attractions, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Oregon Cabaret Theater, and several vineyards and wineries, like Dana Campbell Vineyards, Weisinger Family Winery, and Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. There are also many great natural venues in and around Ashland. Mount Ashland supports a multitude of skiers and snowboarders every winter and just as many hikers in the summer. Lithia Park showcases the tranquil calm of cultured gardens, placid ponds, and stunning woods, and Emigrant Lake provides cozy beaches an RV park that features great scenic views of the lake, tasty picnicking, and a relaxing, quiet sleep each and every night.

Joseph

Home of Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Lake State Park, the Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, and the Wallowa Lake Tramway, the town of Joseph is a haven for natural attractions. Yet this town of just over 1,000 people is home to some of the best festivals and events in Oregon, including the Mountain High Broncs and Bulls rodeo, Chief Joseph Days rodeo, and Oregon’s Alpenfest, which is held every September. Oregon’s Alpenfest showcases Swiss-Bavarian activities, such as cultural music, tasty brats, and cold beer in what is aptly named “Oregon’s Little Switzerland.” Several interesting sites also call the town of Joseph home, including the Valley Bronze Gallery & Foundry and the Wallowology Natural History Discovery Center.

Florence

Another small town with fewer than 10,000 residents, the town of Florence is located along the rugged coast of the Pacific, approximately 60 miles west of the college town of Eugene. It's home to the Heceta Head Lighthouse, the Hobbit Trail, which is a scenic path from Hobbit Beach to the lighthouse, and the Sea Lion Caves, natural habitat of wild sea lions and known best as the largest sea cave in America. There are also historic, cultural attractions in Florence, including the Siuslaw River Bridge, the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, and the Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, off the banks of Woahink Lake and offering some excellent hiking trails, like the Woahink Lakeside Trail.

Astoria

The picturesque town of Astoria, located alongside the estuary connecting the Columbia River with the Pacific Ocean, is a true oasis of history and culture. The Astoria Column, a tribute to the first settlers of northwest America, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, and the Flavel House Museum all bring that touch of heritage to this small town while several festivals add a blend of the modern to the past. The Astoria Art Walk is held in the historic downtown district of Astoria on the second Saturday of every month, and the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, celebrating all things Scandinavian for over 50 years through a variety of awesome vendors displaying crafts, food, and music.

Sisters

Sisters is aptly named, since one can see the three Sisters mountains to the southwest of town; these three volcanic mountain peaks, originally named Faith, Hope, and Charity by early pioneers, are now referred to as North, Middle, and South Sister. The town of Sisters is home to some great natural attractions, such as Sahalie and Koosah falls, Clear Lake, and Three Creek Lake, each awaiting the avid outdoor enthusiast. Meanwhile, the Tam McArthur Rim Trail and the Alder Springs Trail are available to the adventurous hiker. Other great natural attractions in and around Sisters includes the Peterson Ridge Trail, Hoodoo Ski Area, and the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Loop, which is 82 miles in length and provides a vast amount of scenic vistas of the state of Oregon.

Conclusion

The majestic state of Oregon features a lot of ground to cover if one is planning a vacation with family, friends, or even alone. While the 11 towns described in the article above are ranked as favorites among those in the United States, there are so many other great towns scattered across Oregon, awaiting exploration. Get started by visiting one or more — or all! — of those on this list, and then build yourself an itinerary of your favorites that you can return to again and again.