Explore Oregon

A historic brick building in Dayton, Oregon, with large windows and a tree-lined sidewalk, under a clear blue sky.

The Inn at Dayton: Oregon Wine Country Stay

written by Lauren Kramer | photography by The Inn at Dayton It takes a special kind of magic to transform three seriously dilapidated, adjacent buildings from 1911, 1913 and 1913 respectively into a stylish boutique hotel. That was the task architect Paul Falsetto faced as he designed the elegant Inn at Dayton, which opened in June 2025. The project required blending the Bank of Dayton, the Stuckey Building and the Harris Building, and Falsetto seamlessly merged them into a polished, twelve-room inn spread over 20,000 square feet. Guests can choose between upscale legacy rooms or heritage (standard) rooms, but its worth the splurge at this inn. The legacy rooms feature 20-foot ceilings, dual-sided electric fireplaces separating the sleeping quarters from the living rooms, and deca-dently comfortable furniture adorned with soft throws and high thread count linens. Perfect for a romantic retreat or a weekend of wine tasting with friends, the…

Group of performers in period costumes on stage, playing traditional instruments and singing, capturing Oregon's rich cultural heritage and lively musical traditions.

Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland

Spend an evening at Oregon Cabaret Theatre written by Joni Kabana Tucked just a few blocks from the bustle of downtown Ashland, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre glows like a vintage marquee dream. Housed in a beautifully restored 1911 church, the theater blends historic architecture with plush cabaret tables, candlelight and the hum of anticipation that only live performances can create. Unlike traditional theaters, the Cabaret invites audiences to settle in with a meal and a cocktail before the curtain rises. Its dinner theater is elevated with beautifully plated entrées, local wines and artful desserts served just steps from the stage. Performers are close enough to make eye contact, and you can see the flicker of emotion, the quick breath before a high note and the mischievous grin that lands a punchline. While the Oregon Shakespeare Festival often draws global attention, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre has carved out its own devoted…

Colorful hot air balloons floating over a calm Oregon river with lush green trees, reflecting in the water during a clear day.

Oregon Hot Air Balloon Ride Guide

Shift your perspective at sunrise—from a wicker basket thousands of feet above valleys, rivers and volcanic desert written by Cathy Carroll KSSSSH … KSSSSH … Short bursts of blue-orange propane flames shoot into the opening of a hot-air balloon as pilot Kelly Dorius launches her craft at sunrise over Newberg. Nine passengers join her, ready to float 2,000 feet above the Willamette Valley’s verdant landscape. Riding in a wicker basket attached to a balloon—no seat belts, rafts, detachable seat cushions, oxygen masks—had the palms of at least one passenger sweating. Dorius scanned the horizon intently with calm blue eyes, her deerskin-gloved hands working the fuel burners and altitude-regulating pulleys, exuding confidence. The clammy-handed passenger, with a death grip on the basket’s rope handles, let go just as lighter-than-air buoyancy took over. Heated air inside the balloon made it drift above the treetops, and then, silence—no roaring engines, no announcements, no…

Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is wine country. CedarCreek Estate Winery and others specialize in white wines such as pinot gris and sauvignon blanc.

Okanagan Valley Sparkling Wine Guide

Hunt for tart sparkling wines—and tasteful getaways—in Canada’s Okanagan country written by James Sinks More than 160 years ago, the first white settler put down roots in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Fittingly, those roots included wine grapes. Yet the inaugural vineyard, planted by a French Catholic priest, was only for sacramental wine. Blessedly, in the years since, modern-day winemakers set no such limitations. Today, trellises cover more than 10,000 acres of the interior valley, stairstepping up hillsides and helping to lure caravans of vinophiles to sip, savor and recreate in western Canada’s wine capital, sometimes dubbed Napa of the North. In all, 306 wineries are licensed to do business in vast British Columbia, a territory that’s twice as big as California. More than 200 are in the Okanagan Valley, and most along the curling blue ribbon of Okanagan Lake, which stretches north 84 miles starting near the U.S. border in…

Strawberries from Oregon, showcasing vibrant red color and fresh green leaves, highlighting local produce and agricultural richness.

Albany and Linn County Oregon Trip Planner

In the mid-Willamette Valley, uncover messy good times, outdoor adventure and bluesy jams written by James Sinks If some of the best things in life are messy, you’re in extraordinary luck in Linn County. On the first weekend of every June—and still going strong after 130 years—Oregon’s “Strawberry City” hosts the sticky jamboree known as the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. The old-timey event celebrates the arrival of sweet “Hood” varietals in nearby fields, with a royal princess court, carnival, shortcake-eating contest (you’re disqualified if you don’t keep it down) and free shortcake for some 8,000 people. While that’s an impressive volume of deliciousness, it’s a fraction of the legendary 1975 version that weighed almost 3 tons—enough to feed 16,000—easily besting California rival Garden Grove in a “Battle of the Shortcakes.” The Oregon fest is the sort of place where you won’t just be happy about the napkins. It’s a throwback to…

Historic Oregon Lodge with scenic views of forested hills and lush greenery, capturing the natural beauty and outdoor charm of Oregon.

Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge on Oregon’s Rogue River

written by Kerry Newberry Like a scene lifted from the pages of Norman Maclean’s famous novella, a river runs through the remote Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge. Long revered for its worldclass fly-fishing and lush woodlands, the lodge has offered a restorative retreat since opening in 1970. Just 7 miles inland from the coastline, its lyrical name pays tribute to the Tututni—the Indigenous tribe that originally lived on the land, and loosely translates as “people of the place by the water.” Now in a new chapter under fresh ownership, the property has been thoughtfully reimagined without losing its quiet soul. Lodge rooms have been refreshed with earthy textures and understated comforts, while a collection of mirrored cabins—set along the riverbank, creek and wooded edges—bring nature in at every turn. Mornings unfurl with birdsong, the swish of sedge grass and the steady cadence of the river. A handful of modern indulgences add…

Historic Oregon Waterfront Resort with Hot Springs and Scenic Views.

Hot Lake Springs Oregon Retreat Guide

A restorative escape to Hot Lake Springs written by Joni Kabana | photography by Hot Lake Springs Resort On a winding stretch of Highway 203 near La Grande, there’s a place where the earth whispers its secret warmth: Hot Lake Springs Resort (formerly The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs), a historic haven carved from geothermal mineral waters. Pull into the gravel drive as the late-afternoon sun gilds the surrounding bluff, and you’ll feel it first: a hint of sulfur in the air, an ancient promise of rest and renewal. Once a famed early-twentieth-century spa resort known as the “Mayo Clinic of the West,” Hot Lake drew weary travelers and health seekers from around the globe to its bubbling springs and grand brick hotel. Step inside today, and the echoes of that illustrious past are palpable in every beam and brick. Though the lodge has seen fire, abandonment and decades of…

A scenic view of powerful waterfalls in Daredevil Country, Oregon, during sunset, showcasing rugged terrain, cascading water, and dramatic natural beauty.

Twin Falls Idaho Adventure Guide

Southern Idaho’s Twin Falls attracts risk-takers and thrill-seekers written by James Sinks | photography by Visit Idaho Adrenaline comes from two primary places: your adrenal glands and Twin Falls, Idaho. Built at the edge of a 500-foot-deep canyon carved by the Snake River, the community of some 55,000 people is a scenic stepping-off point—and for daredevils, a jumping-off spot—for a plethora of pulse-quickening and sense-satisfying adventures. The most renowned of local risk-takers was legendary stuntman and frequent bonebreaker Evel Knievel, who gained worldwide attention just over a half century ago when he planned to soar across the canyon on a rocket motorcycle. In September 1974, with a rowdy crowd watching and television cameras rolling, the stuntman—wearing his signature white leather jumpsuit—hit the throttle in his steam-powered “X-2 Skycycle” and flew up a ramp. But the attempt fizzled when his parachute prematurely ejected on takeoff. The rocket spun downward into the…

Oregon coast landscape featuring rocky formations, ocean waves, and misty mountains, highlighting natural beauty and outdoor serenity in Oregon.

Cannon Beach Oregon Guide: Haystack Rock, Coastal Trails & a 3-Day Itinerary

Celebrate art, serenity and Oregon’s open coast at timeless Cannon Beach written by James Sinks The USS Shark was in trouble. The year was 1846, and the military schooner was listing near the treacherous Columbia River bar. Desperate to stay afloat, the captain ordered the crew to throw nonessential weight over the side. Among the items chucked overboard: cannons. While the boat ultimately sank, the crew survived. So did the cannons. One of them was later rediscovered near a towering sea stack called Haystack Rock on the north coast. More than a century after the shipwreck, the metal memento became the formal namesake of one of Oregon’s most popular beach destinations, when the artsy hamlet of Cannon Beach incorporated in 1957. An hour west of Portland at the junction of U.S. Highway 101, drivers destined for the nearest Pacific beach face a more-than-directional decision. Want a party? Bumper cars, boisterous…