From charming mountain towns to historic seaside cities, Oregon is full of all kinds of amazing towns that make for incredible getaway destinations. Over the last year, we’ve written about many of Oregon’s most wonderful towns — and the things that make them unique. From Ashland all the way up to Astoria, here’s a list of 12 of Oregon’s most enchanting towns that you’ll want to add to your travel plans for 2017.
If you want to find out more about any of these places, simply click on the town’s name.
- Joseph
flickr/ Sam Beebe Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, the small town of Joseph is an enchanting hidden gem in northeastern Oregon. This artsy town is full of unique businesses, bronze sculptures, and small town charm, and the surrounding landscapes will awe any nature lover.
- Florence
flickr/ Einahpets32 (Stephanie) Florence is a beautiful coastal town located in Lane County. This charming town has great restaurants, a lovely boardwalk, stunning ocean scenery, and more.
- Jacksonville
flickr/ ryan harvey Jacksonville, Oregon is a fantastic little town located in Jackson County. Established as a gold mining town, Jacksonville is packed full of incredible, historic buildings – in fact, the entire downtown district was named a National Historic Landmark. This town is a must-visit for any history buff.
- Astoria
flickr/ bowers8554 Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city. This wonderful town (pop. 9500) is located at the northernmost tip of the Oregon coast, and the phenomenal scenery will blow you away. Fun fact: the house from the film The Goonies is actually right here in Astoria.
- Dundee
flickr/ John Located in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, Dundee is a gorgeous little town surrounded by miles of rolling hills and bucolic vineyards. Full of beautiful bed & breakfasts and award-winning wineries, Dundee is a great place for a relaxing, romantic getaway.
- Hood River
flickr/ Sam Beebe Located in the Columbia River Gorge – just an hour drive from Portland – the beautiful town of Hood River is a fabulous place to visit. Whether you want to chase waterfalls, visit wineries, try windsurfing, ski at Mt Hood, or just relax in a beautiful place (where micro-brewed beer abounds), Hood River is definitely worth a visit.
- Depoe Bay
flickr/ Sheila Sund Depoe Bay is a teensy tiny town on the coast of Lincoln County. Here, you can visit the smallest harbor in the world, do some epic whale watching, and enjoy meals at some of Oregon’s best seafood restaurants.
- Sisters
flickr/ Jonathan Sisters is a gorgeous small town with a population of about 2,000. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, this Deschutes County town will charm you completely.
- Cannon Beach
flickr/ Nicholas D. Home to some of Oregon’s most iconic scenery, Cannon Beach is an enchanting little seaside town in Clatsop County. The beach was even listed as one of “The World’s 100 Most Beautiful Places” in 2013 by National Geographic.
- Ashland
flickr/ Al Case Located in beautiful southern Oregon, Ashland is a fabulous mid-sized city that’s home to gorgeous scenery, the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and plenty of great parks, restaurants, art galleries, and more.
- Shaniko
flickr/ Benjamin Chan Ever wanted to visit a real life ghost town? If so, you’ve got to check out Shaniko. This incredible ghost town has a fascinating history that seems to come to life as you walk down the dusty, quiet streets.
- Newport
flickr/ Linda Tanner This wonderful seaside town is a food lover’s dream come true. Sure, Newport is full of stunning scenery, charming shops and galleries, and fascinating history – but it’s also home to tons of incredible restaurants like Local Ocean, La Maison Cafe, The Chowder Bowl, and Saffron Salmon, among others.
Check out our list of the most unique restaurants in Oregon to add to your 2017 bucket list.
flickr/ Sam Beebe
Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, the small town of Joseph is an enchanting hidden gem in northeastern Oregon. This artsy town is full of unique businesses, bronze sculptures, and small town charm, and the surrounding landscapes will awe any nature lover.
flickr/ Einahpets32 (Stephanie)
Florence is a beautiful coastal town located in Lane County. This charming town has great restaurants, a lovely boardwalk, stunning ocean scenery, and more.
flickr/ ryan harvey
Jacksonville, Oregon is a fantastic little town located in Jackson County. Established as a gold mining town, Jacksonville is packed full of incredible, historic buildings – in fact, the entire downtown district was named a National Historic Landmark. This town is a must-visit for any history buff.
flickr/ bowers8554
Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city. This wonderful town (pop. 9500) is located at the northernmost tip of the Oregon coast, and the phenomenal scenery will blow you away. Fun fact: the house from the film The Goonies is actually right here in Astoria.
flickr/ John
Located in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, Dundee is a gorgeous little town surrounded by miles of rolling hills and bucolic vineyards. Full of beautiful bed & breakfasts and award-winning wineries, Dundee is a great place for a relaxing, romantic getaway.
Located in the Columbia River Gorge – just an hour drive from Portland – the beautiful town of Hood River is a fabulous place to visit. Whether you want to chase waterfalls, visit wineries, try windsurfing, ski at Mt Hood, or just relax in a beautiful place (where micro-brewed beer abounds), Hood River is definitely worth a visit.
flickr/ Sheila Sund
Depoe Bay is a teensy tiny town on the coast of Lincoln County. Here, you can visit the smallest harbor in the world, do some epic whale watching, and enjoy meals at some of Oregon’s best seafood restaurants.
flickr/ Jonathan
Sisters is a gorgeous small town with a population of about 2,000. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, this Deschutes County town will charm you completely.
flickr/ Nicholas D.
Home to some of Oregon’s most iconic scenery, Cannon Beach is an enchanting little seaside town in Clatsop County. The beach was even listed as one of “The World’s 100 Most Beautiful Places” in 2013 by National Geographic.
flickr/ Al Case
Located in beautiful southern Oregon, Ashland is a fabulous mid-sized city that’s home to gorgeous scenery, the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and plenty of great parks, restaurants, art galleries, and more.
flickr/ Benjamin Chan
Ever wanted to visit a real life ghost town? If so, you’ve got to check out Shaniko. This incredible ghost town has a fascinating history that seems to come to life as you walk down the dusty, quiet streets.
flickr/ Linda Tanner
This wonderful seaside town is a food lover’s dream come true. Sure, Newport is full of stunning scenery, charming shops and galleries, and fascinating history – but it’s also home to tons of incredible restaurants like Local Ocean, La Maison Cafe, The Chowder Bowl, and Saffron Salmon, among others.
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