To travel to Oregon is to experience harmony with nature.
Its breathtaking scenery stretches from cool coasts in the west to a high-desert climate in the east, with plenty of lush forests and famous waterfall photo-ops in between. And Oregon is a hotspot for food and wine lovers; its fertile soil yields bountiful harvests for farm-to-table fare, as well as fruitful vineyards that produce award-winning wines.
From its most bustling cities to its most remote hiking trails, Oregon’s diverse attractions will please any group seeking great views and great food.
Popular Demand
Portland Japanese Garden
With eight gardens spanning more than 12 acres in the heart of Portland, the Portland Japanese Garden opened to the public in 1967. Its lush greenery, colorful blooms and tranquil water features create a peaceful atmosphere that both honors Japan’s culture and demonstrates harmony between art and nature. Groups can follow winding paths through each garden, visit the galleries to see the latest art installations and stop in to Umami Café, a glass-walled tea house where they can enjoy Japanese tea, miso soup, mochi and honeycomb castella cake. Private tours led by volunteer docents can be arranged for groups of 15 or more.
Cannon Beach
Majestic sunsets, captivating tide pools and iconic scenery await groups on Oregon’s coastline. Its beaches are magical, not for warm weather and a tropical feel but rather for their stunning year-round scenery. Cannon Beach is perhaps its most famous coastal destination. It’s home to Haystack Rock, a massive rock formation rising high above the sand, where visitors can see tufted puffins in the summer and plenty of marine life when the tides recede. Nearby, elk graze in coastal meadows, and in the distance, groups may glimpse migrating whales in winter and spring. The town named for the beach is a renowned arts destination with quaint shops and art galleries.
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley stretches 150 miles north to south in western Oregon. Above all, this region is known for its award-winning wine. With more than 700 wineries in the region, pinot noir is its most famous varietal, but its pinot gris and chardonnay are also well-known. The region’s fertile soil makes it ideal for farming, and farm-to-table fare is abundant. Groups can treat themselves to vineyard tours, wine tastings and group meals at local restaurants before exploring the valley’s numerous parks and scenic areas, including Silver Falls State Park, known for its many picturesque waterfalls and hiking trails.
Up and Coming
Cascada Thermal Springs and Hotel
Located in Portland’s Alberta Arts District, the Cascada Thermal Springs and Hotel is a new addition to the city’s health and wellness offerings. Described as a wellness sanctuary and hotel, the LEED Platinum-certified facility opened in late 2024. One of its most talked-about features is its conservatory, which is kept at 85 degrees year-round and contains a swimming pool and plenty of tropical plants. There’s also an underground sanctuary with thermal pools, a steam room and a sauna, as well as a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center and a café. While guests who stay in the hotel’s 100 rooms get a discount on visits to the sanctuary, anyone is welcome to visit and enjoy the site’s wellness offerings.
Oregon’s AAPI Food and Wine Fest
The third annual Oregon Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Food and Wine Fest is coming to the town of Dayton in the Willamette Valley. The event was created to showcase restaurants and wineries owned by Oregon’s AAPI population, as well as to promote diversity in Oregon’s culinary scene and celebrate innovative flavors and food pairings. It will be held May 17–18 in 2025 at the Stoller Family Estate Vineyard and Winery, a 400-acre vineyard and event venue, and will feature dozens of food and wine vendors.
James Beard Public Market
The effort to install a Pike Place-like market in Portland has been underway for two decades. The effort will pay off this year when the first phase of the James Beard Public Market will open in Pioneer Courthouse Square, a downtown park. The public market will feature over 38,000 square feet of space and 40 businesses, including a butcher, a cheese shop, a fish market and a teaching kitchen. The market will also have a rooftop space. Named for the Portland-native chef James Beard, the market will be a place for groups to enjoy Oregon’s excellent culinary scene and purchase souvenirs.
Overnight Sensations
Brasada Ranch
Outside of Bend, Brasada Ranch is a high-desert ranch offering luxury accommodations and an abundance of amenities for visitors. With views of the Cascade Mountains and pastures of grazing horses, the 1,800-acre ranch offers the opportunity for a peaceful retreat. Its menu focuses on farm-to-table fare, while the activities offered emphasize wellness. The ranch is especially renowned for its horseback riding and its golf course, though it also has pools, a spa and hot tubs. Its accommodations range from standard guest rooms and suites to entire cabins, many of which have fireplaces and hot tubs.
The Vintages Trailer Resort
One of the most distinct trends in lodging is the rise of glamping, which combines all the adventure of being surrounded by nature with the modern conveniences of a hotel. The Vintages Trailer Resort in Dayton, features a collection of 34 upscale Airstream trailers with newly restored interiors featuring warm wood tones and modern decor. Groups can also enjoy the property’s on-site pool, general store and a community firepit to gather around.
Memorable Meals
Humble Spirit
In McMinnville, a town in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country, Humble Spirit is a James Beard Award semifinalist and farm-to-table restaurant with a menu focused on sustainable practices like regenerative farming. The menu is crafted from fresh, in-season and local ingredients, many of which are sourced directly from the restaurant’s associated farm and carefully paired with the region’s wines. From elevated dishes like the squash mezzaluna pasta with sage brown butter to a fresh take on classics like a double cheeseburger, Humble Spirit blends innovative flavors with Oregon’s classic culinary roots.
Kann
James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet’s restaurant Kann has caused quite a stir in Portland’s culinary scene since opening in 2022. A fusion of Haitian cuisine with Pacific Northwest ingredients, the menu features vibrant colors and bold spices, while cocktails and mocktails use Haitian ingredients; perhaps the restaurant’s most unique feature is the live fire cooking, which entails cooking over an open flame. Guests rave about the twice-cooked pork, warm plantain brioche buns, the coffee-rubbed braised short rib and the collard greens. While seating is limited in the restaurant, with advanced notice, a private dining room above the restaurant can accommodate up to 36 guests.
