2008 Woodie Awards
Summer in Oregon: 10 exciting vacation destinations without leaving the state
Molly Hitchen
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With summer only days away, it’s time to start filling up the calendar with all the fun activities Oregon has to offer. But with all the places to visit and events to go to, how can anyone possibly make up their mind?
Below is a compilation of 10 places or events that should not be left off anyone’s summer schedule. They cover many different areas of interest and are located all over Oregon. Some are places that many of us have visited before, but definitely deserve another go-around this summer.
Tillamook Cheese Factory
Over one million people visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory off highway 101 each year to watch how cheese is made and packaged. In addition, visitors can enjoy Tillamook ice cream, browse the gift shop and taste award-winning cheeses. One of the most fun cheeses that the factory offers is called “Squeaky Cheese” which actually squeaks when chewed! Admission is free, so a whole family or a group of friends can enjoy a day of fun without cost.
Oregon Zoo
It just wouldn’t seem like summer without a visit to the Oregon Zoo. With an annual attendance of over a million people, the award-winning zoo cannot be missed.
The Oregon Zoo boasts over 200 different species with 21 endangered species. Recently remodeled, the zoo now features 12 different exhibits from the African Savannah to the Alaskan Tundra.
However, animals are not the only thing the Oregon Zoo offers. The summer concert series features music from jazz to ethnic tunes, and there is also a train that tours the zoo and visits beautiful Washington Park.
Tickets cost $6.50-$8. If that is out of the ideal price range, the Zoo offers two-buck Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. With parking lots and Max service, there is just no good excuse to skip the Oregon Zoo this summer.
Jimmy Mak’s Bar and Grill
Jimmy Mak’s has to be the coolest jazz club that Portland has to offer. It is open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, featuring live jazz bands, such as the Mel Brown Septet, and tasty Greek and Middle Eastern food. The dishes are all under $13 and are more than worth it!
Located in the Pearl District on 10th and Everett, Jimmy Mak’s is a great way to beat the heat or get out of the rain. It is also a great place to take a date or relax with friends and family while listening to up-beat and exciting jazz music. Occasionally, there is a cover charge ranging from $6-$10, and there is a 21-and over policy after 9 p.m.
Pendleton Roundup
Dating back to 1909, the Pendleton Roundup is one of the most exciting rodeos that Oregon has to offer. The Roundup this year runs during September 14-17, and has events in cow roping, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and even wild cow milking, just to name a few. Steer wrestling is the event that usually draws the largest crowd. Each contestant must jump from a horse running up to 30 mph, grab the steer’s horns and lay it to the ground. This event is a true test of timing, leverage, and strength. There are also parades, arts and crafts, a children’s rodeo and a concert featuring Terri Clark and Dierks Bentley.
Because this fun event is located in Eastern Oregon off highway I-84, allow approximately five hours to get there from Monmouth, and bring lots of water because it could be hot!
NW 23rd Avenue
Anyone who has the desire to find great shopping, good food, cool bars and a unique and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere can’t miss out on Portland’s NW 23rd Avenue. This street has Urban Outfitters and other shops like Music Millennium and Moonstruck Chocolate Café, which is hands down one of the best places to get chocolate on the entire planet.
In terms of a good meal, Rose’s Deli and Bakery has some of the best sandwiches and desserts in all of Portland. Other places to try are Papa Haydn, Noah’s New York Bagels and the Nob Hill Bar and Grill which features the Gastronomical Burger.
Some of the bars that are located on NW 23rd that deserve a visit are Typhoon!, McMenamin’s Pub, Blue Moon and Gypsy.
The only downer about this trendy street is the parking. Be ready to devote 15 minutes on average to finding a place to park.
Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a very popular place for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding and camping. Riders of all ages and experience levels will find challenging dunes to ride at Sand Lake. It is open year-round and located off of highway 101 between Tillamook and Pacific City. There are 60 campsites that can be reserved and 41 campsites that are on a first come, first serve basis. The fees for camping and ATV riding range from $5-$16 dollars a day. While there is a place to purchase groceries, there is not a shower facility on-site, so plan accordingly.
Crown Point
One of the most beautiful views in all of Oregon is located high up on the cliffs off highway I-84 on exit 22 near Corbett. This is the place to watch a sunrise, sunset, have a picnic or just admire the glory of the Columbia River Gorge.
Crown Point is also home to the Vista House, which was built in 1916. The Vista House is an octagonal-shaped museum, gift shop and interpretive center that displays geologic and historic areas around the Gorge.
Crown Point is free, aside from the gas money it takes to get there, and it is a great place to explore alone, with friends and family or with that special someone.
Sah-Ha-Lee Golf Course
There is no better time than the summer to enjoy a round of golf. For those who may struggle a little or even a lot with the sport of golf, the Sah-Ha-Lee Golf Course in Clackamas is the place to be. It’s an 18-hole par 3, which means all the big clubs can be left in the bag and it won’t take all day to finish a round. If 18 holes of golf seem like too much, it’s also possible to play the front 9 or the back 9.
Prices range from $13-$15 for a round of golf, and the course also features a driving range, nice pro-shop and great scenery. Plus, the first hole is located about 60 feet above the rest of the course, which is a fun way to tee off.
The Bite of Oregon
The Bite of Oregon, formerly referred to as the Bite of Portland, is an annual festival located at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This year, it runs August 12-14 and is the state’s largest food, beverage and music event. It is considered to be one of the premier festivals the state offers. The fee of the event this year has yet to be determined, but it cost $5 per day donation last year. For food and beverage connoisseurs alike, this festival is one not to be missed.
Lake Billy Chinook/The Cove Palisades State Park
Lake Billy Chinook is a 4,000-acre reservoir with 60 miles of shoreline located in central Oregon. A portion of this lake is located in The Cove Palisades State Park, and it is a place where people of all ages can visit and have a blast.
Lake Billy Chinook and The Cove Palisades State Park offer camping, fishing, boating, water-skiing, hiking, swimming, and biking. Stay for the day or bring a tent, trailer, or rent a houseboat right on the lake. The park has a general store, so it’s easy to replenish supplies and purchase things forgotten at home. Campsite fees range from $17-$21 a night and a six-sleeper houseboat can be rented for a week for approximately $1430 ( which breaks down to about $238 per person.)