Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon with beautiful fall colors.
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon with beautiful fall colors.

The Best of Oregon

#55 best destination in the world

Map view

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock - A sunny Spring morning view of famous Haystack Rock reflecting on smooth sandy Cannon Beach. Oregon, USA.
  • Haystack Rock is a prominent sea stack located in Cannon Beach, rising above the shoreline
  • Haystack Rock is an irregular basalt formation that was created approximately 17 million years ago from volcanic activity
  • It is classified as an intrusive rock, meaning it formed from lava that cooled and solidified underground
  • The rock is home to a variety of seabirds and marine life, making it a popular spot for wildlife observation, and during low tide, visitors can explore the tide pools around the base

Thor's Well, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Thor's Well with water cascading into the well on the Oregon coastline.
  • Thor's Well is a natural feature located in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, south of Yachats
  • Thor's Well is an old sea cave that has collapsed, creating a bowl-shaped hole in the rugged basalt shoreline
  • The geological formation acts like a drainage pipe, where ocean water rushes in and out, creating dramatic sprays and waves, especially during high tide

#14 in Most Surreal Attractions in the USA

Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge

Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon with beautiful fall colors.
  • Multnomah Falls is a waterfall located on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge
  • It is renowned for being one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, with a total height of 620 feet (189 meters)
  • The waterfall cascades in two distinct sections, and is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest

Oneonta Gorge, Columbia River Gorge

Oneonta Gorge, river canyon in Columbia Gorge, Oregon
  • Oneonta Gorge is a slot canyon located in the Columbia River Gorge area, renowned for its scenery, featuring lush greenery, lichen-covered rocks, and waterfalls
  • The gorge is accessible via the Oneonta Gorge Trail, which typically involves navigating through a creek bed and may require traversing over log jams

#18 in Most Surreal Attractions in the USA

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge, OR-WA
  • The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, primarily straddling the border between Oregon and Washington, extending approximately 80 miles and reaching depths of up to 4,000 feet
  • The gorge was carved by the Columbia River and shaped by the Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age, creating its dramatic landscape
  • The scenic area is renowned for its breathtaking vistas, lush forests, and numerous waterfalls
  • Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring orchards and vineyards
  • The area is particularly famous for its waterfalls and temperate rainforests, with many accessible from hiking trails

Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park

An aerial view of Rim Drive winding around Crater Lake with surrounding mountain peaks and pine trees. Deep dark blue lake reflections in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA.
  • Rim Drive is a scenic highway located in Crater Lake National Park
  • The drive is a 33-mile (53 km) loop that encircles Crater Lake
  • Rim Drive offers panoramic vistas, showcasing the lake from multiple angles, passing through diverse environments, including forests and meadows

Ecola State Park

View of Haystack Rock from Ecola State Park. Known for some of the best views on the Oregon Coast and Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park is an ideal spot to watch enormous storm waves roll in.
  • Ecola State Park is a scenic state park located approximately 3 miles north of Cannon Beach
  • The park stretches along 9 miles of coastline, and is renowned for its ocean views and hiking trails

Harris Beach State Park

Driftwood on beautiful Harris Beach State Beach on the Pacific Ocean, in Brookings, Curry County, Oregon
  • Harris Beach State Park is a scenic park renowned for its seascapes, sandy beaches, and rocky outcrops
  • The park features rugged coastal bluffs and numerous sea stacks
  • The park is home to Bird Island (also known as Goat Island), which is a National Wildlife Sanctuary and a breeding site for various seabird species

#21 in Best Beaches in the USA

Mount Hood

Mt. Hood rises from surrounding forest in Oregon, not far from Portland. This impressive mountain, part of the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, is a potentially active stratovolcano.
  • Mount Hood is an active stratovolcano located in the Cascade Range of Oregon
  • It is the highest peak in Oregon, standing at about 11,240 feet (3,426 meters)
  • Mount Hood is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, and has a complex geological history shaped by volcanic activity due to the subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate
  • The mountain is a popular destination for outdoor activities year-round, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and climbing, hosting several ski resorts and summer recreation areas

#50 in Best Attractions in the USA

Portland Japanese Garden

Fall and autumn scenes found around the Portland Japanese Garden

Best time to visit: June-Aug

  • The Portland Japanese Garden is a renowned traditional Japanese garden located in Washington Park, Portland
  • Opened in 1963, it is appreciated for its authentic design and tranquility
  • It features eight distinct garden styles, each showcasing different aspects of Japanese landscaping
  • The garden includes a Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, and intimate walkways, contributing to its serene environment
  • The garden offers a retreat from the bustling city of Portland, with views of the surrounding landscape, including nearby Mount Hood

International Rose Test Garden, Portland

The fountain in the International Rose Test Garden located in Portland Oregon.

Best time to visit: June-Aug

  • The International Rose Test Garden is located in Washington Park, Portland
  • Established in 1917, it is recognized as the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States
  • The garden features over 10,000 rose bushes representing more than 650 varieties of roses
  • The primary function of the garden is to serve as a testing ground for new rose varieties, where hybridists from around the world send their rose cultivars to be evaluated in the garden
  • Roses are typically in bloom from late May through October, with the best viewing times from dawn to dusk

Pittock Mansion, Portland

Portland, Oregon, USA - June 28th, 2022: Famous historical landmark, Pittock Mansion building library room interior

Best time to visit: June-Aug

  • Pittock Mansion is a historic house museum located in Portland
  • Built in 1914 in a French Renaissance style, it was originally the private home of Henry and Georgiana Pittock, prominent figures in Portland's history
  • Visitors to Pittock Mansion can explore its restored rooms, gardens, and exhibits that highlight the lives of the Pittocks and the history of Portland

The Grotto, Portland

Portland, Oregon - Sep 24, 2018 : The Grotto, is a Catholic outdoor shrine and sanctuary located in the Madison South district of Portland, Oregon, United States

Best time to visit: June-Aug

  • The Grotto, formally known as the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, is a serene sanctuary located in Northeast Portland
  • Founded in 1924 by Servite Father Ambrose Mayer, it serves as a Catholic outdoor altar and sanctuary, although it welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds
  • The Grotto features landscaped gardens, and various chapels and shrines created to provide a peaceful environment for reflection and introspection

Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland

Bridge over a pond at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon.

Best time to visit: June-Aug

  • Lan Su Chinese Garden, also known as the Garden of Awakening Orchids, is a Ming Dynasty-style garden located in Portland
  • It was built by artisans from Suzhou, China, and is an example of traditional Chinese garden design that harmoniously blends art, architecture, and nature
  • The garden is designed to reflect a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition, featuring intricate pathways, ponds, and a teahouse

Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Park

South Falls as seen from the South Loop Trail, part of the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon.

Walk difficulty: moderate

  • The Trail of Ten Falls is a renowned hiking trail located in Silver Falls State Park, that features ten waterfalls, several of which are over 100 feet tall.
  • Notably, hikers can walk behind four of these waterfalls
  • The trail meanders through lush forests and along the North Fork Silver Creek
  • The hike consists of two main parts: the Canyon Trail and the Rim Trail, which together form a loop

#5 in Best Moderate Hikes in the USA

Crooked River Trail, Smith Rock State Park

The Crooked River snakes through the valley at Smith Rock State Park Oregon

Walk difficulty: easy

  • The Crooked River Trail is a scenic hiking route located in Smith Rock State Park
  • Hikers can enjoy views of the Crooked River and surrounding rock formations, including iconic spires and cliffs

#25 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA