When it comes to Oregon, larger cities like Portland get most of the media’s attention. However, the Beaver State is full of unique towns that are a little more “off the beaten path”, and make for perfect getaway destinations. From charming seaside villages to remote small towns, here are 11 wonderful (and often overlooked) towns in Oregon that are absolutely worth a visit:
- Joseph
flickr/ Sam Beebe This secluded town in Northeastern Oregon is downright breathtaking. Joseph is tucked into the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains and is just a short distance from the amazing Wallowa Lake. The picturesque downtown is full of charming shops and cafes, and the streets are adorned with amazing bronze sculptures.
- Silverton
flickr/ Edmund Garman Despite that fact that many people have never heard of it, the town of Silverton is a gorgeous hidden gem that’s known as the gateway to Silver Falls State Park. It’s also home to the Oregon Garden, an enchanting 80 acre botanical garden, as well as lovely creekside cafes, restaurants, and shops.
- Sisters
flickr/ Jonathan Nestled into the amazing Central Oregon landscape, Sisters is a beautiful town with a population of roughly 2,000. This small town is surrounded by miles and miles of stunning scenery and is full to the brim with Western charm.
- Florence
flickr/ Tjflex2 Florence is a downright enchanting coastal town where you can have all kinds of adventures, from visiting the world’s largest sea cave to shopping at a boardwalk market. This charming oceanfront town is full of incredible restaurants, shops, art galleries, and more.
- Jacksonville
flickr/ JOHN LLOYD Full of amazing buildings from the gold rush era, the entire downtown district of Jacksonville is a certified National Historic Landmark. This fascinating little town is a great place to visit, especailly if you’re a history buff.
- Yachats
flickr/ Al Case This lovely little village on the Oregon Coast is just a small speck on the map, but Yachats is full to the brim with wonderful attractions and amazing scenery.
- Baker City
flickr/ Baker County Tourism Located in Eastern Oregon, Baker City is a gorgeous, old-timey small town with wonderful art walks, festivals, horse-drawn carriages, restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and more.
- Brownsville
flickr/ Jasperdo Located in Linn County, Brownsville is a unique town with a population of less than 2,000. This lovely little town is off the beaten path and is full of gorgeous historic buildings. It also happens to be where the movie ‘Stand By Me’ was filmed.
- Bandon
flickr/ m01229 Bandon (population 3,037) is a stunning small town on the Oregon coast with a beautiful beach, a vibrant downtown, a lighthouse, and more.
- Fossil
flickr/ J. Stephen Conn Nestled into the John Day Basin, Fossil is a teensy tiny town with a population of only 449. Fossil’s charm – paired with its proximity to amazing natural wonders like the Painted Hills – makes it a great place to visit for those who want a true small town experience.
- Astoria
flickr/ David Grant Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, this historic waterfront town is a fabulous place for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can ride a vintage trolley, eat amazing seafood, sip beer on a pier, visit museums, and more in Astoria.
How many of these lovely towns have you visited? Did we leave out your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
flickr/ Sam Beebe
This secluded town in Northeastern Oregon is downright breathtaking. Joseph is tucked into the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains and is just a short distance from the amazing Wallowa Lake. The picturesque downtown is full of charming shops and cafes, and the streets are adorned with amazing bronze sculptures.
flickr/ Edmund Garman
Despite that fact that many people have never heard of it, the town of Silverton is a gorgeous hidden gem that’s known as the gateway to Silver Falls State Park. It’s also home to the Oregon Garden, an enchanting 80 acre botanical garden, as well as lovely creekside cafes, restaurants, and shops.
flickr/ Jonathan
Nestled into the amazing Central Oregon landscape, Sisters is a beautiful town with a population of roughly 2,000. This small town is surrounded by miles and miles of stunning scenery and is full to the brim with Western charm.
flickr/ Tjflex2
Florence is a downright enchanting coastal town where you can have all kinds of adventures, from visiting the world’s largest sea cave to shopping at a boardwalk market. This charming oceanfront town is full of incredible restaurants, shops, art galleries, and more.
flickr/ JOHN LLOYD
Full of amazing buildings from the gold rush era, the entire downtown district of Jacksonville is a certified National Historic Landmark. This fascinating little town is a great place to visit, especailly if you’re a history buff.
flickr/ Al Case
This lovely little village on the Oregon Coast is just a small speck on the map, but Yachats is full to the brim with wonderful attractions and amazing scenery.
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
Located in Eastern Oregon, Baker City is a gorgeous, old-timey small town with wonderful art walks, festivals, horse-drawn carriages, restaurants, shops, historic buildings, and more.
flickr/ Jasperdo
Located in Linn County, Brownsville is a unique town with a population of less than 2,000. This lovely little town is off the beaten path and is full of gorgeous historic buildings. It also happens to be where the movie ‘Stand By Me’ was filmed.
flickr/ m01229
Bandon (population 3,037) is a stunning small town on the Oregon coast with a beautiful beach, a vibrant downtown, a lighthouse, and more.
flickr/ J. Stephen Conn
Nestled into the John Day Basin, Fossil is a teensy tiny town with a population of only 449. Fossil’s charm – paired with its proximity to amazing natural wonders like the Painted Hills – makes it a great place to visit for those who want a true small town experience.
flickr/ David Grant
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, this historic waterfront town is a fabulous place for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can ride a vintage trolley, eat amazing seafood, sip beer on a pier, visit museums, and more in Astoria.
If you’re interested in Oregon’s picturesque small towns, you’ll love our Oregon small town road trip.
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