Ready for some spring break travel that won’t break the bank with today’s gas prices? Oregon has a little something for everyone!
Cannon Beach: A longtime family favorite, Cannon Beach is just 80 miles from Portland, yet seems like worlds away. Known for the stunning Haystack Rock, there are no shortage of family-friendly activities, including kite flying, hiking (and potentially elk spotting) through Ecola Park, getting your sweet fix at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen and beach strolls. The Surfsand Resort serves as the perfect home base, boasting the Surfsand Kids program, an indoor pool, cabana service on the beach and cookies baked fresh daily.
Central Oregon: Known for some of the finest outdoor adventures with places for paddling, hiking, cycling, golfing and skiing, Central Oregon has something for everyone. Those willing to see all the beauty of central Oregon should visit Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, just outside of Bend. This charming resort is an ideal getaway for folks looking to escape the urban madness and indulge in a few days of Wild West-ing. Sitting atop the stunning Powell Buttes, the resort is rife with opportunities for outdoor activities—hiking, biking, white-water rafting and, of course, horseback riding.
Southern Oregon: Southern Oregon has so much to offer families looking for a great Spring Break destination. A quick, four hour drive from Portland, Ashland is known for its Lithia Park, featuring a 100-acre vista of emerald lawns, a sandy volleyball court, picnic areas and a playground. The best place for families to stay is Ashland Hills Hotel, which has tennis courts, complimentary bike rentals, spa suite, LUNA Cafe and Instagram-worthy mid-century ball chair. Nearby Klamath Falls is the destination for on-the-map attractions and off-the-grid discoveries. Here you’ll enjoy crisp clean air, brilliant blue waters, wide open spaces, breathtaking views, and an abundance of rivers and lakes along with numerous protected wildlife areas, and over 300 days of sunshine annually to take it all in. In addition to hiking, hunting, fishing, the region is also known for adrenaline-pumping adventures such as ziplining, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and caving!
Willamette Valley: The Willamette Valley, a 150-mile stretch from Portland to Eugene, is known for great wine, boasting more than 500 wineries, but beer, glamping and recreation reign supreme here, too. There are thousands of interesting and unforgettable stops on their countless food and ale trails, as well as farm loops. For the kids, be sure to check out Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and next door water park Wings and Waves Waterpark, or Albany’s Historic Carousel and Museum which houses 52 hand-crafted animals, including a seven foot giraffe. Southern Willamette Valley’s Eugene is the heart and home of track and field featuring the new Hayward Hall, which shows why Eugene is called TrackTown USA and how the Nike shoe was invented for the University of Oregon track & field athletes. After a day of exploring, families can rest easy at The Vintages Trailer Resort in one of its 35 beautifully restored vintage trailers. The resort offers guests fire pits, complimentary cruiser bikes, lawn games, as well as artisan s’mores with their Little Campfire Kit.
Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory: Located just 10 minutes outside of downtown Portland, the area is abundant with wine tasting, brewery tours, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing and much, much more… all set with the stunning backdrop of majestic Mt. Hood. Urban kayaking near waterfalls, rural bike rides, and awe-inspiring mountain hikes are just a few examples of the many wondrous things to do in the area. For those with a passion for cycling, Mt. Hood Territory offers numerous trails from family-friendly multimodal pathways, to expert MTB terrain with custom designed tracks at the Timberline Bike Park. You can also carve up the snow and sample the groomed runs and trails at the largest night ski area in the United States, Mt. Hood Skibowl. Or visit the nearby historic Sunshine Mill Winery which is also home to a drive-in movie theater, showing multiple movies a night, projected onto the grain silos.
