Oregon

Volcanic Giants and High Desert Skies

Crater Lake sits inside the collapsed caldera of a volcano that last erupted thousands of years ago, and its water is so extraordinarily blue that first-time visitors routinely assume the photos have been edited. Beyond the Cascade Range, the high desert opens up into a landscape of juniper plains, painted hills and dark sky reserves so clear that amateur astronomers plan trips around them. Oregon contains multitudes.

Portland: Coffee, Culture and Creative Energy

Portland is one of those cities that rewards the curious. Powell's Books occupies an entire city block and stays open late. The food scene ranges from James Beard nominated restaurants to legendary food cart pods offering Thai, Salvadoran, Ethiopian and Vietnamese food all within twenty steps of each other. The Japanese Garden in Washington Park is considered one of the most authentic outside Japan. And yes, the coffee really is that good.

Outdoor Adventure at Every Turn

The Columbia River Gorge cuts a spectacular path between Oregon and Washington, lining its walls with waterfalls that flow year-round. Mount Hood offers skiing in winter and wildflower meadow hikes in summer, all within an hour of Portland. The Rogue River calls to rafters and fly fishers alike, and the Alvord Desert in the far southeast is so remote and flat that people use it as a landing strip for small planes. Few states pack this much variety into a single border.