Travel Notes: North America: Oregon Travel Notes

Also known as the Beaver State, Oregon State University's athletic teams are called the Beavers; after nature's engineer, so unfortuantely overtrapped by early settlers.

The state capital of Oregon is Salem.

Quick Links

Around Oregon, Bend, Columbia River, Eugene, Map of Oregon, Oregon Municipalities, Oregon Outdoors, Oregon Travel Guides, Portland, Rogue River, Salem.

Salem Weather - Oregon Weather.

Map of Oregon - with TravelNotes Hotel Guide

Zoom in on the map to travel around the state and find where to stay.

About Oregon:
Find out more about Oregon before you travel there. Order tourist brochures and look at where you'd like to stay.

Salem

Established by Methodist missionaries who had migrated west over the Oregon Trail in 1840, Salem became the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1851.

Salem offers a wide array of restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, ranging from historic sites and museums to events that appeal to a wide variety of interests - from sports tournaments to Arts Fairs, theatre and music.

City of Salem:
Salem, the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the lush Willamette River valley, 47 miles from Portland.

Salem Historical Quarterly:
Lists information on some twenty local historical sites, all outlined on a map of Salem.

Travel Salem:
Salem offers visitors colourful gardens, unique children’s activities, historical museums, and wineries reminiscent of France.

Accommodation in Salem

Hotels in Salem, Oregon:
Find hotels in Salem, Oregon with special online rates.

Portland

Portland is Oregon's largest city, although the liberal Waterfront Park gives it a feeling of family and freedom.

At the end of Waterfront Park, the Old Town has been renovated to look like new, or rather, like it used to.

Although Portland is the transportation hub of Oregon, nature is always close at hand.

Mount Hood and other snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Range are visible from the city and Columbia Gorge is not far away.

Portland Profile:
Known as the City of Roses for the 500 plus varieties cultivated at the International Rose Test Garden.

Portland Restaurants:
Portland restaurant guide with menus, ratings and reviews.

Travel Portland:
Map out where to go and what to see in Portland.

Accommodation in Portland

Hotels in Portland, Oregon:
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Sort Portland Hotels by: Hotel Price, Hotel Rating, Hotel Name.

Around Oregon

Oregon comes from a native American word or tribe.

States neighbouring Oregon are: Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California.

Oregon State:
From the government office of Oregon state.

Oregon Trail:
Interesting information about the Oregon Trail, with history bits, basic facts, and a printable trail map.

Oregon Zoo:
The Oregon Zoo is only 5 minutes from downtown Portland on Highway 26 West - also called Sunset Highway.

Southern Oregon:
Southern Oregon is home to world-class fishing and rafting rivers, mountains for skiing, biking and hiking, and green valleys that produce award-winning wines. It's also home to North America's deepest lake and Oregon's only National Park, Crater Lake, which graces the back of Oregon's state quarter.

Southern Oregon Wineraies and Vineyards:
Vineyards and wineries in Southern Oregon and Umpqua Valley are fast becoming some of the finest wine producing regions in the country.

Travel Oregon.
Every navigation angle is covered, to stop you from getting lost. A very informative site.

TriMet:
TriMet is the Portland area's public transit system operating more than 100 bus routes and the MAX light rail trains that connect Gresham, Beaverton and Hillsboro with downtown and Portland Airport.

Eugene

Eugene is situated in the picturesque Willamette Valley, in mid-western Oregon, where tall fir trees abound and several mountains are visible from the valley.

Visiting Eugene

From breathtaking scenery to museums and art galleries, Eugene is a unique blend of country and culture. Take in a live performance at a community theatre, catch international stars at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, or step into art galleries displaying the works of local, regional and international artists.

Enjoy an old-fashioned paddlewheel river boat cruise or dinner on a train while watching a comedy show or a murder mystery acted by the train's restaurant employees. Tune into the musicians at a variety of clubs, pubs and restaurants around town or tour the beautiful vineyards and wineries within 30 miles of town.

Camping, hiking, swimming, jogging and biking are popular activities at Eugene's neighborhood parks, and there is even a hot springs for a therapeutic break. Golfers can play almost anywhere near Eugene - from small par 3 courses to PGA level country clubs. Rated one of the top ten cycling cities in the U.S., Eugene has miles of scenic biking, walking and jogging trails. The paths are built along the Willamette River, through parks and gardens, and even next to shopping centers. Nothing matches the world-class track meets at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field, site of several Olympic Trial events.

From snow skiing to deep sea fishing, Eugene offers a myriad of recreational opportunities. Nothing beats white water rafting or kayaking down the magnificent McKenzie River, fly fishing for rainbow trout in one of the many nearby lakes or deep sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean. Drive east for snow skiing and snow boarding at several winter mountain resorts, or explore the ancient ghost towns and abandoned stagecoach stops prevalent in the high desert area of eastern Oregon.

For a day of shopping, browse the local boutiques at our legendary Saturday Market, where farmers and artisans bring their wares to town. Poke your head into a downtown shop or visit our two expansive malls. Kids love the WAVE swimming and-wading pool, romps on the banks of the Willamette River, the Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, and Eugene's multi-terrain skateboard parks.
Sent in by Best Value Inn Eugene.

Visit Lane County:
Lane County is filled with all of Oregon"s wonders. Ski down majestic mountain peaks, hike old-growth forest trails, navigate rushing rivers and kick up some sand along miles of ocean shores. Taste Oregon-grown culinary delights and award-winning wines. Experience world-class arts and culture. Cheer on record-breaking athletes or set off on a course of your own.

Accommodation in Eugene

Hotels in Eugene, Oregon:
Find hotels in Eugene, Oregon with special online rates.

Best Value Inn: Eugene.
1140 West 6th Aveneue. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. View Map. Official Website: Best Value Inn Eugene.	The America's Best Value Inn offers comfortable guestrooms and suites, decorated with stylish d�cor, modern furnishing and an impressive array of extended stay amenities for business trips and vacations. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Stay at the Best Value Inn Eugene Rooms come equipped with king or queen beds, complimentary toiletries, kitchens with microwaves and refrigerators, high-speed internet, cable, telephone with dataports, and ergonomic work desks. Guests can also use the fitness centre, complete with the latest exercise and aerobic equipment.
Hilton Eugene & Conference Center: Eugene.
66 East 6th Avenue. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. View Map. Official Website: Hilton Eugene.	The Hilton Eugene, located in the city's center, features a conference center, indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center and hair salon. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Stay at the Hilton Eugene Standard rooms feature classic American furnishings with touches of pastel to evoke a sense of comfort with uncompromising style. Rich hardwood pieces are complimented with lush carpeting, soft drapery and mini balcony. While in the Hilton Eugene, dine at the Big River Grille; for fresh seafood and Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Valley River Inn: Eugene.
1000 Valley River Way. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. View Map. Official Website: Valley River Inn.	The Valley River Inn, a unique resort-style hotel and conference centre, is located on the banks of the scenic Willamette River and offers 257 spacious guest rooms and 12 suites, with patios or balconies; featuring garden, pool, or river views. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Stay at the Valley River Inn Guests can enjoy a stroll or bicycle ride along 11 miles of paved riverside trails, a workout in the exercise room, a soak in the 24-hour whirlpool (and saunas), or relaxing by the lobby fireplace. The Inn also has a concierge, lounge, award-winning restaurant featuring innovative Pan-Pacific Northwest cuisine with riverfront views, and a riverside deck.

Bend

Located in the centre of Oregon, Bend's neighbours are Mt. Bachelor, the Deschutes River, and the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

High Desert Museum:
Six miles south of Bend, visitors can learn about the Old West and what makes the land of Oregon the way it is.

Accommodation in Bend

Hotels in Bend, Oregon:
Find hotels in Bend, Oregon with special online rates.

Columbia River

The Columbia River is Oregon's principal river and forms most of the northern boundary with Washington.

Columbia River Cruises:
The American West Steamboat Company runs riverboat cruises on authentic paddle-wheelers along the Columbia River, Snake River, and Willamette River.

Columbia River Gorge:
The Columbia River cuts its way through the Cascades.

Rogue River

The Rogue River is located in south-western Oregon and flows 215 miles from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean.

The 84 mile, Congressionally designated 'National Wild and Scenic' portion of the Rogue begins 7 miles west of Grants Pass and ends 11 miles east of Gold Beach.

Accommodation

Galice Resort:
Sitting on the deck above the river watching the wildlife, while sipping a cold drink and eating a great meal after a day of rafting makes this family-owned resort a little special.

Rogue Forest B&B:
The property sits on a steep forested canyon overlooking the Rogue River in Galice, Oregon. The forest of fir, pine, madrone, maple and oak trees closely surrounds the house on all sides and the sound of the river can be heard all around. Get away from the stress and noise of the city and visit the river.

The Riverside Inn:
A full service resort and conference centre, the inn boasts 159 spacious guestrooms, honeymoon and hospitality suites; nearly all of them with private balconies overlooking the Rogue River. The docks directly in front of the resort serve as the launching site for all Hellgate Jetboat Excursions on the Rogue River.

Activities

The Rogue River is a favourite destination in the Northwest for Steelhead and Salmon fishing.

Ferron's Fun Trips:
Rafting the Rogue River is made easy with Ferron's guided tours. If you prefer a hands on white water experience, raft and tahiti rentals are available at reasonable rates.

Rafting The Rogue:
The Rogue is magnificent with lively rapids, deep forests and dramatic canyon views. The sublime beauty of the canyon is unforgettable, almost mystical. Raft the wildest section of the Rogue, floating from near the village of Galice to the take-out near Agness.

Oregon Outdoors

Crater Lake:
Oregon's only National Park, south-east of Eugene, contains the country's deepest lake.

Crater Lake Lodges:
Begin your journey to the Crater Lake National Park by lodging in either the historic Crater Lake Lodge or in one of the peaceful cabins or campgrounds at Mazama Village.

Lane County:
The Convention and Visitors Association provide listings of events, attractions and entertainment in the region. Visit spectacular mountains with raging whitewater tucked into their valleys; dramatic and pristine ocean beaches; and fabulous vineyards nestled among winding country roads.

Oregon Wine Country:
Oregon's wineries are generally small, decentralised and often winemaker-owned. Many of its wine-growing regions lie in valleys between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range of Oregon.

Mount Hood

This extinct volcano in the Cascade Range of northern Oregon, is the state's highest mountain (3,426m), although the highest point in the Cascades itself is Washington's Mount Rainier (4,392m).

Timberline Lodge:
As a recreational centre, Mount Hood attracts skiers and climbers to the area all year round. The Shining was also filmed here.

Oregon Municipalities