2017 is in full swing, and you better start planning some fun trips now before the year passes you by. Here are 9 places you should check out this year that are close to home, but worth the trip. Make plans now and be surprised in a few months when it is time for your overnight or day trip to these fun locations.
- Hood River
Brian Brewer / Flickr Hood River is always a great place to visit. In the winter, it is a jumping off point for all things Mt. Hood, and in the summer, it is a destination for water sports. Coupled with great breweries and restaurants, this close city is everywhere you need to be this year.
- Lincoln City
Jeremy Yoder / Facebook With 7 miles of walkable beach, Lincoln City is a formidable destination for beach lovers. Try your hand at crabbing or clamming, learn to blow glass, or walk on the terrifying hanging bridge for an unforgettable weekend away.
- Jawbone Flats
Ian Sane / Facebook If you want to take a walk in the past, Jawbone Flats is the place to do it. This old mining town is a modern day ghost town, and you can even stay overnight at a rustic cabin from spring to fall at the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.
- Willamette Valley
Sheila Sund / Flickr The Willamette Valley has some world class wineries and plenty of hospitality to make you feel right at home. Whether Carlton, McMinnville, Aurora, or Newberg are on your agenda, you are bound to have a great time in the valley.
- Bagby Hot Springs
jar [o] / Flickr Take the hike out to this hot spring in the woods for a wonderful time with someone special. If you are feeling adventurous, camp in the woods and make a weekend of it.
- Port Orford
Kirt Edblom / Flickr Sleepy fishing villages are hard to come by these days, but out at the coast, Port Orford continues to shine.
- Horsetail Falls
dvdmnk / Flickr If you do nothing else this year, be sure to head east and walk behind a waterfall this year. The Upper Horsetail Falls are just the place to do it, and being so close in the Columbia Gorge makes them all the more accessible.
- Breitenbush Hot Springs
Wonderlane / Facebook If you want to relax in a lovely, quiet place and detach from the stress of everyday life, look no further than Breitenbush Hot Springs. Plan a retreat to this lovely resort and enjoy multiple pools for soaking, vegetarian meals, and even stay at the lodge to extend your relaxation.
- Lost Lake
Peter Roome / Flickr Lost Lake is a gem hiding right on Mt. Hood, and you should definitely make visiting it a priority this year.
Where do you want to visit this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Brian Brewer / Flickr
Hood River is always a great place to visit. In the winter, it is a jumping off point for all things Mt. Hood, and in the summer, it is a destination for water sports. Coupled with great breweries and restaurants, this close city is everywhere you need to be this year.
Jeremy Yoder / Facebook
With 7 miles of walkable beach, Lincoln City is a formidable destination for beach lovers. Try your hand at crabbing or clamming, learn to blow glass, or walk on the terrifying hanging bridge for an unforgettable weekend away.
Ian Sane / Facebook
If you want to take a walk in the past, Jawbone Flats is the place to do it. This old mining town is a modern day ghost town, and you can even stay overnight at a rustic cabin from spring to fall at the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center.
Sheila Sund / Flickr
The Willamette Valley has some world class wineries and plenty of hospitality to make you feel right at home. Whether Carlton, McMinnville, Aurora, or Newberg are on your agenda, you are bound to have a great time in the valley.
jar [o] / Flickr
Take the hike out to this hot spring in the woods for a wonderful time with someone special. If you are feeling adventurous, camp in the woods and make a weekend of it.
Kirt Edblom / Flickr
Sleepy fishing villages are hard to come by these days, but out at the coast, Port Orford continues to shine.
dvdmnk / Flickr
If you do nothing else this year, be sure to head east and walk behind a waterfall this year. The Upper Horsetail Falls are just the place to do it, and being so close in the Columbia Gorge makes them all the more accessible.
Wonderlane / Facebook
If you want to relax in a lovely, quiet place and detach from the stress of everyday life, look no further than Breitenbush Hot Springs. Plan a retreat to this lovely resort and enjoy multiple pools for soaking, vegetarian meals, and even stay at the lodge to extend your relaxation.
Peter Roome / Flickr
Lost Lake is a gem hiding right on Mt. Hood, and you should definitely make visiting it a priority this year.
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