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There can be no doubt that Oregon is one of the most beautiful U.S. states. Home to miles of stunning coastline, the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains, serene forests and breath-taking lakes, Oregon is a nature lover’s paradise. Beyond the natural wonders, quirky, cosmopolitan cities rich with history only add to the Pacific Northwest’s allure.

No first time visitor to Oregon should pass on the chance to spend a couple of days in bohemian Portland. Oregon’s largest city is a trendy hipster hub, bursting at the seams with quirky coffee shops, food trucks and craft breweries. By day, the fantastic array of museums will leave you no time to get bored and come nightfall, Portland’s thriving entertainments scene will keep you partying long into the morning.

All that said, there’s a whole other side to Oregon longing to be explored. The best way to get the true flavor of any new place is to leave the big cities and well-trodden tourist trails behind and seek out the spots only the most astute travelers reach. And the way to do that, is to hit the road and head for the best small towns in Oregon.
Bend
Growing up around a ford over the Deschutes River, the first on our list of the best small towns in Oregon was originally called “Farewell Bend”. Now, that’s just what you say when you leave. Before you do that though, head to Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint for one of the best views in Oregon.

Back on solid ground, spend an afternoon strolling through the riverside parks. Pioneer Park, Drake Park and Miller’s Landing Park form an almost continuous green belt along the banks of the Deschutes. THese beautiful spots are what make Bend so serene and, as such, one of the best small towns in Oregon.
Just outside of town, the scenery gets better still. If you’re visiting during the snowy winter months, don’t miss the chance to take a snowmobile tour to the National Volcanic Monument. In summer, head out on an ATV adventure through a landscaped carved out by lava. When evening falls, if you’re still feeling energetic, this moonlight canoe tour is the perfect way to round off your time in Bend.
Best Places to Eat in Bend
One of Bend’s biggest draws is its restaurant scene. From casual waterfront pubs and the chic, upscale new kids on the block to relaxed Mexican tavernas, Bend has it all. Pine Tavern Restaurant has been a Bend institution since 1936. Set on the riverbank overlooking Mirror Pond, if you only have time for one meal in Bend, let this be it.

If you have a little more time in Bend, don’t miss dinner to remember at the town’s newest fine dining spot. 900 Wall may have three quarters of a century less experience than Pine Tavern, but that hasn’t stopped it becoming one of Bend’s favorites. Serving a fusion of Modern American, French and Italian cuisines, it’s not difficult to see why. Wine lovers will rejoice at the 250-strong carte des vins. Many bottles are from Oregon’s most revered vineyards.
Should you fancy straying from American cuisine, Parrilla Grill is a must for Mexican food enthusiasts. They have all the classics plus an impressive vegan menu.

Top Hotels in Bend
To be close to the heart of the action, the beautiful Campfire Hotel is our top pick in Bend. A stones’ throw from the Old Town, this homely spot is perfect no matter the season. In winter, snuggle up with a hot chocolate in their cosy lounge, in summer swap those out for a cocktail by the pool.

For old world charm, McMenamins Old St. Francis won’t disappoint. Slightly eccentric and teeming with character, McMenamins is Bend’s grandest hotel. Expect a baroque inspired indoor pool and a warm, wood-panelled bar to relax after a long day exploring. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, Bunk+Brew Historic Lucas House offer comfortable private rooms with one of the best locations in town.
Cannon Beach
The most accessible spot on the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is an unmissable stop on a tour of the best small towns in Oregon. Just ninety minutes from Portland, it’s ideal for both day trips and extended stays. Another reason this beautiful seaside spot is one of the best small towns in Oregon is that it’s possible to take a full day tour to Cannon Beach from Downtown Portland.

Head straight for the beach to admire Haystack Rock, a 235-feet tall sea stack formed around 16 million years ago. At low tide, you can walk right out to it. Whatever you do, don’t try to climb it. The stack is protected and scaling it is illegal, not to mention dangerous.
On a warm day, the three-mile hike from Cannon Beach to Ecola State Park is the ideal way to pass an afternoon. The scenery is nothing short of breath-taking. When you reach the park, carry on past the viewpoint to Indian Beach, one of the most beautiful and secluded spots on the Oregon coast.

After a hard day’s exploring, unwind at Pelican Brewing’s hip town center brewpub. Born on the Oregon coast, their award winning beer is made from locally sourced ingredients with a portion of the proceeds from every barrel being donated to ocean conservation.
Best Places to Eat in Cannon Beach
When the beach calls, seafood has to be the order of the day. Unsurprisingly, Cannon Beach has fresh seafood aplenty. Beachfront favorite The Wayfarer should be your go to spot here. Decked out in the style of a salmon cannery, they’re open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The highlight, without doubt, is the fresh, local seafood. Dungeness crab, clam chowder, king salmon, tuna mignon and classic beer battered halibut are the highlights. Don’t panic if you’re not a seafood aficionado though, there’s plenty of meat and vegetarian options too.

If you’re craving fish and chips on the go, or a more casual dinner, Tom’s Fish & Chips is the place to go. For a break from seafood, Fultano’s Pizza is a long running family-owned spot for Italian favorites. Aside from mouth-watering freshly baked pizza, they have a great selection of pasta and subs.
Top Hotels in Cannon Beach
There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to finding a place to stay in the second of favourite small towns in Oregon. Better still, unlike many coastal towns, Cannon Beach doesn’t close down through winter.
Our top pick is, unequivocally, Cannon Beach Hotel Collection. A relaxed, unfussy spot right across from the beach, the rooms are comfortable and the service is second to none. If you want to get even closer to the beach, luxurious Surfsand Resort is as close to the ocean as possible without getting your toes wet.

Klamath Falls
Sitting in Oregon’s High Desert, Klamath Falls is one of those places there is never a bad time to visit. The cold, snowy winters are when the scenery is at its best, but the long hot summer afternoons, followed by cool evenings are ideal for exploring the town or hiking around Klamath Lake.
Despite its size, there’s never a shortage of things to do, which makes Klamath Falls one of the best small towns in Oregon. Klamath County Museum on Main Street is open year-round (closed Sundays and Mondays) and tells the story of Klamath Falls from the native Klamath Indians to the city’s founding in 1867 and the present day. Just along the street, Baldwin Hotel Museum occupies the historic Baldwin Hotel, built in 1905, its rooms now full of antiques and historic artefacts. Another great spot for Native American history, the Favell Museum on the banks of the Klamath River is home to over 100,000 artifacts dating back 12,000 years.

Klamath Falls is the best of the best small towns in Oregon for outdoors and nature lovers. Over 50 miles of trails extend beyond the city limits. Head for Upper Klamath Lake or Moore Mountain and, if you’re feeling adventurous, Brown Mountain. You can do all the trails on foot, but renting a mountain bike for the day is an even more exhilerating way to explore.
Best Places to Eat in Klamath Falls
You might expect the best small towns in Oregon to be all about classic American fayre, but Klamath Falls blows that hypothesis out the water. Italian and Mexican are the order of the day on the Oregon-California border.
Relaxed Gino’s Cafe and Sports Bar is perfect for a warming dinner after a day exploring nature’s finest. Their homemade pasta never disappoints and, whatever you do, don’t pass on the garlic bread. For Mexican classics, Girasol Family Mexican Restaurant is our favourite spot. Their seafood is the star of the show; camarones (shrimp) are served every way imaginable.

Top Hotels in Klamath Falls
As the southernmost in our rundown of the best small towns in Oregon, Klamath Falls is a popular stopping off point for travelers road tripping along the West Coast. When it comes to accommodation, this means Klamath Falls has no shortage of great value places to stay.
The ultimate bargain is Maverick Motel. With all the character of a classic American motel, but with added mod-cons and bright, airy rooms, every stay here is a comfortable one. If a full service hotel is more your thing, look no further than the Cerulean Hotel. Right in the center of town, all the top restaurants and museums are within walking distance. Better still, some rooms come with a view of Lake Ewauna.

Salem
Oregon’s sleepy state capital is very much one of the best small towns in Oregon. There’s no big city feel here. In fact, so small is Salem, most visitors to the Beaver State drive straight past it on the highway between Portland and Eugene.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art, right next to the State Capitol is Salem’s top museum. It’s home to a massive collection of classical and modern pieces, the majority the work of North-western artists. Another unmissable stop is the Willamette Heritage Center. Serving as Salem’s history museum, the center tells the story of the native Kalapuya people as well as the capital’s more recent successes through the wool trade and waterpower.

Just outside the center at Salem Airport, you’ll find another piece of U.S. history. The B-17 Alliance is a group of volunteer aviation enthusiasts who have taken on the mammoth task of rebuilding a World War Two B17 Flying Fortress. They hope to have her airworthy by 2035, but in the meantime you can visit the hangar and enjoy a guided tour on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
When it’s time to unwind, head back downtown to Riverside Park. Running along the banks of the Willamette River, this is one of the most tranquil spots in any of the best small towns in Oregon.

Best Places to Eat in Salem
For a small town, Salem truly excels itself on its restaurant offering. If you only get the chance to try one, make it Rudy’s Steakhouse. This refined, upscale spot serves the finest steak for miles around. Choose from nine different cuts and, if you’re feeling peckish, make it surf and turf with a delicious Maine lobster tail. For those who aren’t a fan of steak, there’s endless seafood, vegan and vegetarian offerings.

For something a little more relaxed, Noble Wave is the place to go for Southern soul food. The highlight is their Louisiana gumbo, cooked in traditional Cajun style with chicken and andouille sausage. If you need a break from American cuisine, check out homely Thai Orchid. Their fragrant curries and Pad Thai will transport your tastebuds to the streets of Bangkok.
Top Hotels in Salem
Administratively, Salem is the most important on our list of the best small towns in Oregon. Surprisingly, there is a fairly limited choice when it comes to hotels, but what Salem lacks in variety, it makes up for in quality.

Fresh and modern Holman Riverfront Park Hotel is our favorite pick. The most centrally located hotel in Salem, scenic Riverfront Park is just out the back door. Another great spot and a long-time Salem institution, The Grand Hotel comes with a luxurious spa, rich décor and complimentary breakfast.
Tillamook
If you’ve ever wondered where Tillamook cheese comes from, the answer is from one of the best small towns in Oregon. Surrounded by lush farmland given over to the cattle who produce the milk for the famous Tillamook cheddar, this is a place of pilgrimage for cheese lovers.

Tillamook Creamery Association’s factory, around a mile north of the town center, draws over a million visitors per year. Open daily all year round, it’s well worth a visit to learn more about dairy farming and cheesemaking. In addition to cheese, Tillamook also produce milk, yoghurt and ice cream.
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is the place to go to learn about local history. It’s home to over 50,000 artefacts from the town and surrounding area. Just outside of town, Tillamok Air Museum is a must for aviation enthusiasts, whilst Latimer Quilt & Textile Center is the ultimate destination for wool aficionados.

For some truly spectacular scenery, head out of town to Cape Meares. Sitting astride Tillamook Bay, this is the place to enjoy the Oregon coast’s most dramatic scenery. Take a hike beyond the State Scenic Viewpoint to reach Cape Meares Lighthouse which served weary sailors for three-quarters of a century.
Best Places to Eat in Tillamook
As we’ve established, Tillamook is all about the cheese. Get your fix at Mike’s Mac & Sanny Shack and eat it on the banks of Hoquarton Slough. The steak mac & cheese is our top pick, but their grilled cheese and Brie & 4 Berry sandwich are close runners up. The Creamery Association also have an on-site restaurant serving up cheesy favourites and Tillamook ice cream.
For a break from Tillamook’s Tillamook, Dutch Mill Cafe is the place to go for a classic diner experience. The top spot in town for breakfast, their burgers and shakes won’t leave you hungry. If you’re looking for a more formal dinner, Werner Beef & Brew is the place for you. Their burgers, sandwiches and tacos are divine, but it’s the steak and seafood which will leave you begging for more.

Top Hotels in Tillamook
Our top choice, Ashley Inn, sits just outside the town center on the banks of the Wilson River. The rooms, whilst not the newest, are spacious and comfortable and the indoor pool and cosy lounge are perfect for unwinding. If a central location is important to you, Western Royal Inn will be your number one pick in Tillamook.

For those who have brought or rented a car, it’s well worth considering making the short journey to Oceanside for the night. Perched on the Pacific shore, Oceanside Ocean Front Cabins are truly special. Perfect for a romantic getaway or special occasion (visiting the best small towns in Oregon counts as one of them), the views are sensational.
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