When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you’re craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan’s famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity’s charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it’s not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it’s also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you’ve lived in Oregon your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you’ve yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you’ll find your appreciation for Oregon reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Oregon using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.
Whether you’re a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Oregon, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. Newberry National Volcanic Monument
– Rating: 4.7/5 (851 reviews)
– City: Bend Central
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Oregon Shakespeare Festival
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,618 reviews)
– City: Ashland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
– Rating: 4.8/5 (4,634 reviews)
– City: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Washington Park
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,578 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
– Rating: 4.4/5 (1,084 reviews)
– City: Newport
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
– Rating: 4.9/5 (1,197 reviews)
– City: Yachats
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Forest Park
– Rating: 4.7/5 (728 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Heceta Head Lighthouse
– Rating: 4.6/5 (1,285 reviews)
– City: Florence
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Pearl District
– Rating: 4.3/5 (1,140 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,875 reviews)
– City: Newport
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,606 reviews)
– City: McMinnville
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Mount Hood
– Rating: 4.8/5 (660 reviews)
– City: Hood River
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Smith Rock State Park
– Rating: 4.9/5 (1,143 reviews)
– City: Redmond Central
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Oregon Zoo: Together for Wildlife
– Rating: 4.3/5 (2,645 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
– Rating: 4.3/5 (1,678 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. High Desert Museum
– Rating: 4.7/5 (1,998 reviews)
– City: Bend Central
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Columbia River Gorge
– Rating: 4.9/5 (1,236 reviews)
– City: Hood River
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Astoria Column
– Rating: 4.6/5 (2,724 reviews)
– City: Astoria
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Lan Su Chinese Garden
– Rating: 4.6/5 (2,583 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. The Grotto – National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
– Rating: 4.6/5 (1,341 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Pittock Mansion
– Rating: 4.5/5 (2,585 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Ecola State Park
– Rating: 4.8/5 (1,907 reviews)
– City: Cannon Beach
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Silver Falls State Park
– Rating: 4.8/5 (985 reviews)
– City: Drake Crossing
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Oregon Coast Aquarium
– Rating: 4.3/5 (3,148 reviews)
– City: Newport
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Haystack Rock
– Rating: 4.8/5 (3,310 reviews)
– City: Cannon Beach
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Cannon Beach
– Rating: 4.7/5 (2,589 reviews)
– City: Cannon Beach
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. International Rose Test Garden
– Rating: 4.6/5 (5,701 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Crater Lake National Park
– Rating: 4.8/5 (3,200 reviews)
– City: Crater Lake National Park
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Multnomah Falls
– Rating: 4.7/5 (3,524 reviews)
– City: Bridal Veil
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Portland Japanese Garden
– Rating: 4.5/5 (6,376 reviews)
– City: Portland
– Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
Stacker
Stacker is a news organization that produces and distributes data journalism to the world’s news organizations. Founded in 2017, Stacker combines data analysis with rich editorial context, drawing on authoritative sources and subject matter experts to drive storytelling. This article has been republished pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.