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Your guide to the "off beaten path" in Oregon. I live in Portland, Oregon and get lots of visitors every year. While there are tons of things to see and do in Oregon, this is your ultimate guide to some truly unique places that might not be so obvious. I love sharing these places with my visitors and want to share them with you too! Enjoy.
Plane in the Woods
This is located in Hillsboro, Oregon. A man named Bruce Campbell purchased this retired Boeing 727 in 1999 for $100,000 and moved it in the woods to live in. He is part of a group of people around the world known as the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). This plane is equipped with water, electricity, and sewage, a complete working home. If you visit his website and schedule a time, Bruce will even give you a tour of it!
Painted Hills
Considered one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. It's about a 4 hour drive from Portland. It was named after all of the colorful layers of its hills that have formed from various geological eras. The giant red hills really made it feel like you were walking on Mars.
Rowena Crest
It's a viewpoint thats located about an hour and a half drive from Portland. It's a beautiful loop road and its probably one of the most Instagrammed place in Oregon. But I can't help but love this spot! This was taken in the summer. If you go in the fall, the foliage is orange and red tones!
Cape Meares
Located on the coast of Oregon. It is located 10 miles from Tillamook, Oregon. The coolest part about this coastal forest (besides the views, of course), is the Octopus Tree. The tree with 8 trunks is estimated to be 250-300 years old.
"Octopus Tree: The forces that shaped this unique Sitka spruce have been debated for many years. Whether natural events or possibly Native Americans were the cause remains a mystery."
Fairy Falls
This 20ft waterfall is located on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. It's a semi-steep 2 mile hike up to this beauty.
Silver Falls
There are 10 waterfalls on this hike! That's right, 10! So if waterfalls are your thing, this hike is amazing! Don't worry, if you aren't up for a big hike, you can just drive up to most of the waterfalls too! *Also, if you are hiking with a dog, they aren't allowed on all the waterfalls, just a select few.
White River in Mt Hood
This little spot is clutch! It's an epic snow play area a little bit passed Mt. Hood Meadows. You can avoid the crowds from the Mt. Hood ski resort and play with snow here. There's an amazing creek and hills to sled on. There's no admission fee and has a parking lot.
Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake is beautiful in the spring and the winter. When I went, it was winter so the lake was frozen over. To get there, we had to park in the entrance and walk in the snow about 1 mile to the lake. Once we got there, the frozen lake was just amazing!
Witches Castle
It's an easy half mile hike from the Portland Audubon Society. Built in the 1800's, this structure was passed around and abandoned. It was mostly forgotten until the 1980's when some high school kids named it "The Witch's Castle" and made a tradition of partying there on Friday Nights.
Lavender Farm
There are tons of Lavender Farms in the Spring/Summer, just need to look one up! This place was called Norwood Lavender Farm. They are one of my favorite farms to visit, I just love the smell of lavender. You can pick your own lavender and take it home to use! The fields are gorgeous and it's so much fun. Just be careful because there are some bees around!
The Grotto
Located in Portland, it's an outdoor shrine and sanctuary. You can take a nice little hike through the park. During Christmas time, there is a light festival there.
Kennedy School Soaking Pool
This place is part of the McMenamins chains in Portland. This pool is located at Kennedy School. Which is an old school converted into a hotel and bar! You can have a drink in an old classroom, drink in detention, there's even an auditorium that shows movies. If you're a guest of the hotel it's free but if not, you can pay a small fee and go into the heated saltwater soak pool!
Hot Air Balloon Festival
Located in Tigard and it only happens in the Summer! Tons of hot air balloons are launched in the morning and are blown up at night! There's food vendors, some rides, carnival games, and craft vendors.
Smith Rock
Located in Central Oregon. It's high desert and huge cliffs are perfect for rock climbing. Also good for hiking but it will definitely be a work out!
St. John's Bridge
My favorite bridge in Oregon. There are tons of bridges in Portland but this turquoise beauty tops them all! It's a must see! There's also a park you can go check out called Cathedral Park with a nice view under the bridge.
Cannon Beach
This is located on the Oregon coast. It's such a pretty beach! There are also lots of breweries nearby. It can be a bit touristy but it's one of my favorite beaches in Oregon.
Shipwreck of Peter Iredale
Peter Iredale was a steel sailing vessel that ran ashore October 25, 1906, on the Oregon coast en route to the Columbia River. It's since been abandoned and you can still see the wreck on the beach.
Keep Portland Weird
Just wander around Portland. Get lost and find some amazing hidden gems!
Like this rhino mural! It's located here: 1300 SE Morrison St. Portland, Oregon.