oregon Archives - Unique America

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10 Unique Towns In Oregon That Most People Have Never Heard Of

By uniqueamerica on March 24, 2017 Oregon

Everyone always imagines Portland when they think of Oregon but it’s the smaller towns that really make up the heart of this Pacific Northwest state. The quiet seaside villages, cozy mountain towns and charming communities of Willamette Valley all have a lot to offer as well but somehow they just don’t get as much recognition. These are just ten of our many unique small towns that are vastly underrated. 1. McMinnville If you’re going to visit anywhere in Oregon’s beautiful wine country, McMinnville should be it. Their historic downtown is charming to wander, with streets lined by maple trees, farm-to-table…

Photo by Flickr/Kirt Edblom

Take This Scenic Side Trip Off The Oregon Coast Highway

By uniqueamerica on March 20, 2017 Oregon

Even if you’ve driven it before, the Oregon Coast Highway will surprise you time and time again with its natural beauty. The route passes by several parks where you can go hiking and camping, sandy beaches where you can stroll by the ocean and through charming small towns where there’s plenty to see and do. But on the central coast, between Depoe Bay and Otter Rock, there’s a short and sweet side trip you take just off the highway known as Otter Crest Loop for even more amazing views. The 4.2-mile detour first branches off Highway 101 south of Depoe…

Photo by Pete Lamotte on Flickr

This 12-Mile Stretch Of The Oregon Coast Has The Most Amazing Views

By uniqueamerica on March 15, 2017 Oregon

The entire Oregon coast is beautiful, but there’s something especially dreamy about the southern end – where the landscape becomes more rugged with steep cliffs, sea stacks, and forested headlands. A perfect example of this is Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. This linear park stretches for twelve miles near Brookings, in-between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, with several places to pull-off and walk down to get breathtaking views. Along the road, several lookouts are marked by signs and have pull-off areas where you can park for free and walk down. Some of the key spots include Arch Rock (near…

Photo by Flickr/LDELD

7 Hidden Gems Near Bend That You Didn’t Know Existed

By uniqueamerica on March 10, 2017 Oregon

Portland may get all of the fame in Oregon but Bend has a lot to offer too. For one it’s in a remote location by the Deschutes National Forest and foothills of the Cascades, with opportunities to head outdoors every season. And then there’s all of the local restaurants. Bend has a thriving food, beer and wine scene with cafes, breweries and mom & pop establishments around every corner. These are just seven of the lesser-known spots that are worth checking out next time you’re in the area. 1. Tumalo Falls Tumalo Falls isn’t as famous as Multnomah but it…

Photo by Kirt Edblom on Flickr

This Stone Observatory in Oregon Will Give You Amazing Views of the Cascades

By uniqueamerica on March 6, 2017 Oregon

Oregonians have always loved finding ways to take in the surrounding mountain views. Like Dee Wright Observatory for example. This old stone lookout was built during the Great Depression over 80 years ago and still impresses visitors today with its up-close views of Cascade peaks like Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson, and The Sisters (and their Little Brother). The mountain observatory is located along McKenzie Highway (Route 242) at 5,187 feet in elevation. There’s a small parking area just across from the observatory where you can pull off to stop. Here is a map of the observatory. It was built by…

Photo by Youtube/lisaartista8

You’ll Be Blown Away By The 10 Largest Waterfalls In Oregon

By uniqueamerica on March 2, 2017 Oregon

The waterfalls in Oregon aren’t only breathtaking but some are larger-than-life. We have falls that drop hundreds of feet in multiple tiers, with a misty beauty that can only truly be appreciated in person. Just looking up at them from only 5 or 6 feet tall is an incredible reminder of how small we really are. But the Pacific Northwest has falls around pretty much every corner. Which ones drop higher than the rest? Check them out below. 10. South Falls Total height: 177 feet Location: Silver Falls State Park Not only can you enjoy misty views of South Silver…

Photo by Dan McCullough on Flickr

The 111-Year-Old Shipwreck You Can Still See On Oregon’s Coast

By uniqueamerica on February 24, 2017 Oregon

October 25th, 1906 had a dark, cold and windy night. Sailing vessel Peter Iredale was Portland-bound, traveling from Salina Cruz, Mexico to pick up a cargo of wheat for the UK. The voyage had kicked off September 26, and despite passing through heavy fog along the way, reached the mouth of the Columbia River about a month later. But on the night/early morning of October 25, around 3am, Captain H. Lawrence reported seeing the Tillamook Lighthouse ahead. The crew members tried to alter their course and steer the ship away from the shore, but strong winds coming from the west…

Photo by Ian/Wikipedia

The Creepy Story Behind This Haunted Hot Springs Hotel In Oregon

By uniqueamerica on February 21, 2017 Oregon

A lot of people drive by Hot Lake Springs all the time and don’t know about its long and supposedly haunted past. The property sits just off Highway 203 near La Grande, and despite a fire, changing ownership several times, abandonment for over 10 years and vandalism, the resort has since been restored and is now open to the public again. Native American tribes used the hot springs here for years, but it wasn’t officially established as a luxury resort until the 1860s. The retreat gained popularity fast and became a hot spot for families and travelers on the Oregon…

Photo by Flickr/Eli Duke

Cape Meares: A Must-See On The Oregon Coast

By uniqueamerica on February 17, 2017 Oregon

Just north of Cape Kiwanda is another hidden gem of the Oregon coast – Cape Meares. The two scenic areas are part of the Three Capes Scenic Route, a 40-mile drive that also leads to Cape Lookout. At Cape Meares you’ll not only get breathtaking views of the coast but you can see Oregon’s shortest lighthouse and the one-of-a-kind Octopus Tree. Cape Meares lies just off Highway 101, about ten miles west of Tillamook. The park is set on a forested headland over 200 feet above the ocean with a scenic viewpoint, historic lighthouse – which dates back to 1889…

Photo by Pawel Grudysz/Flickr

The Wild Sea Lion Caves You Need To Experience On The Oregon Coast

By uniqueamerica on February 13, 2017 Oregon

Watching sea lions in their natural environment on the Oregon coast is just magical. You don’t only get to see them swimming in the ocean current and resting on top of rocks, but also watch as they interact with each other. About 11 miles north of Florence off Highway 101, the Sea Lion Caves are renowned as the largest sea caves in the country. It’s a decent walk about 37 steps down from the parking area to an elevator that will descend you into the caves. Once inside you can also take 63 steps in the cave to reach a…

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