Oregon

Oregon is best known by name in history for the "Oregon Trail" which ended in Oregon and was the trail many took west to settle new land and "strike it rich." Today Oregon has tons of wild land still unclaimed by humans, and lots of room for adventure. With only 3.8 million residents (about 1/6th of those living in the Portland area), Oregon is a fantastic place for wilderness lovers. With tons of state parks, rivers, forests and lakes, there is plenty for the outdoor enthusiast to do. Portland is also a hip and progressive city, with lots of unique experiences and unique residents. BR>
Being on the Pacific coast, Oregon has a very long history of residency. The first humans inhabited the area over 15,000 years ago at sites like Fort Rock Cave and Paisley Caves. In written history mentions of the land go as far back as the 16h century, with Francis Drake sailing along the Pacific coast and stopping for exploration in 1579. Even though the Spanish visited Oregon first out of the European powers, they had no desire to colonize and trade with the Native Americans living there. It wasn't until 1778 that Captain James Cook claimed it for Britain, and even then it was 1859 before it was made the 33rd state.

Oregon today is still a treasure trove of beautiful scenes. From the Cascade Mountains to the dense conifer forests, to the costal cliffs and beaches, to the waterfalls and desert, Oregon is a varied and stunning landscape. There are many destinations in Oregon but Portland is by far the most popular. Portland is a varied community with many progressives, and because of it there is a huge variety of interesting things to do while in Portland. For starters, a leisurely stroll through the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park is a must-do. Beautiful lush foliage with Zen sensibilities, this garden creates a paradise in the middle of the city. Visitors and residents alike love this garden. Another great garden right next to the Japanese Garden is the International Rose Test Garden, but make sure to visit during rose season to experience the full beauty. On clear days, Mt. Hood can be seen from the paths.

For some great cultural experiences, visit Portland Art Museum the oldest art museum in the entire Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1892 the museum now has over 40,000 works of art including modern and contemporary, European, sculpture, American, Asian, and African art as well as photography and prints. The museum is cheap and absolutely worth visiting for any art connoisseur. Art lovers won't want to miss Antoinette Hatfield Hall, a combination spot for three different venues where visitors can see ballet, plays, dances and more. Portland also offers other museums like the Oregon Maritime & Museum, 3D Center of Art and Photography, the Portland Children's Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Craft. There's plenty of culture on a rainy day!

For some real Portland-style fun, visit the Portland farmers markets, known for local produce and food – there's one almost every day of the week so just ask around for the best one near to you. World-Famous Powell's Books also has their gigantic store in Portland, where book lovers of all ages can wander through thousands and thousands of amazing books, used and new. There's also the Bridgeport Village, in the Portland suburbs. It's a European-style marketplace with great shopping. The stores all have their own storefronts, clustered together down a boulevard walk, with lights strung between the buildings. Even if you don't want to shop, this is a great place to visit after hours just for a stroll or a bike ride. Aside from the amazing parks, shopping, and museums there is also the Oregon Zoo with over 1,880 species of animals! The zoo is a full-day activity, and has over 1 million visitors every year. Also family-oriented is Oaks Amusement Park, open since 1905!

Outside of Portland there is plenty of amazing outdoor activities to keep the heart pumping. For rock climbing and camping, visitors can go to Ainsworth State Park. For amazing hikes near Portland, visit Silver Falls Loop to see 10 waterfalls on a 9 mile loop, or Eagle Creek for some stunning greenery and views. Other great hikes can be found at Wahclella Falls, Angel's Rest, and Oneonta Gorge, but with so much wild land, there are plenty more besides.

Nearby to Portland, Salem, Oregon is the capital city and offers more fun and attractions. The Enchanted Forest Theme Park is a family-fun theme park with a western mining town, and lots of rides. There is also Bush's Pasture Park for some great picnicking and Bush House Museum, a historic Victorian home with original furnishings! Also exciting for the kids is A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, with plenty of hands-on exhibits. Named after the inventor of the Erector Set, kids can even play in the largest Erector Set tower in the world!

For some historical sightseeing, visit the Oregon State Capital, a Greek-style building with huge historical murals inside. There are also some historic houses such as the Deepwood Estate and Jason Lee House. Salem also has some great winery tours at Honeywood Winery, Mystic Wines, Strangeland Vineyards, Ankeny Vineyards, and Bethel Heights Vineyards.

If it's state parks and nature you want, a visit to Bend, Oregon won't let you down. Wanderlust Tours has award winning adventures with naturalist guides. Visitors can go canoeing, kayaking, spelunking, see volcanoes, snowshoe, and even do GPS Eco-Challenge tours. No experience, or equipment is necessary! There is also the Newberry National Volcanic Monument where visitors can see amazing volcanic features like lava plains and thundering waterfalls. There is also great skiing for all levels of skiers at Mt. Bachelor Ski Area. Surrounded by numerous state parks, and Deschutes National Park, Bend is an absolute great vacation spot for any outdoor enthusiast!

After some exhausting days in the wild, try golfing at Pronghorn Golf Club or taking a culinary tour of the area with The Well Traveled Fork, where tourists can meet famers and ranchers in the area and children can take culinary classes. The real star in Bend is the nature, though, and most of what you'll find in this area is amazing water sports, hiking, camping, trail blazing, and exploring.

Whether you decide to have a wild Oregon vacation, or a peaceful Zen visit to Portland, Hotels.bz will see you through with a great list of budget hotels and luxury hotels with more in the middle, too!

For the best budget hotels try these gems:

Howard Johson Salem - Starting at $44 a night this Salem hotel is next to Honeywood Winery and Bush's Pasture Park. The inn serves a complimentary breakfast and has free public Wi-Fi.
Westward Ho Motel - Starting at $53 a night this Bend hotel is a fantastic place to just crash at the end of the day. The hotel does have a indoor pool and spa tub, but the real star is that it's right near Pilot Butte State Park.
Cameo Motel - Starting at $65 a night this Portland hotel is close to central Portland. A great, cheap place to stay in Portland.

For mid-range hotels try these great hotels:

Red Lion Hotel - Starting at $87 a night this Salem hotel is located close to the Oregon State Capital. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, and limited room service, as well as an indoor pool and sauna.
Riverhouse Hotel - Starting at $119 a night this amazing Bend hotel is right on a river, with a walk-over bridge, and close to some great state parks. The hotel has 2 restaurants, a poolside bar, and limited room service, and the resort even serves a free breakfast. With 3 spa tubs, an indoor and outdoor pool, a golf course, and more – what else could you ask for for such a great price?
Shilo Inn Hotel - Starting at $107 a night this beautifully quaint hotel has a pond with a gazebo and many rooms have their own deck areas! Located right near all of the great things you want to do in Portland, this hotel has a restaurant, limited room service, a spa tub and a fitness facility!

If you're taking out all the stops, try these amazing luxury hotels with amenities to make you feel on top of the world:

Oxford Hotel Bend - Starting at $189 a night this hotel is right in downtown Bend and close to all of the city happenings. The hotel has a restaurant, a spa tub, sauna and full spa. Beds even have down comforters!
The Nines - Starting at $172 a night this Portland hotel is right near Portland State University. The hotel has a restaurant and coffee shop, a bar, 24-hour room service, a health club and a fitness facility. The Nines has fabulous ratings and is a 5-star property at a GREAT price!
Hotel Lucia - Starting at $199 a night, Portland's Hotel Lucia is next to all of the places you want to visit, and is extremely modern and stylish. The hotel has a restaurant and 24 hour room service. A 4-star property with amazing style!