Oregon travelers choose from 57 Best Western hotels.

Crater Lake National Park

Make plans for a visit to southern Oregon this spring and summer. Cities like Ashland, Klamath Falls, and Medford straddle the border between Oregon and California. There’s much to see and do in southern Oregon – get out and explore. Ashland is set at the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountain Range, and is just minutes from Emigrant Lake County Recreation Area. Lakeview is another of the scenic and charming southern Oregon cities. Be sure to tour the Schminck Memorial Museum, or take advantage of the wonderful spring weather with a hike around Fremont National Forest.

Head into Brookings, “where the flowers meet the sea.” A pleasant southern Oregon city, Brookings is home to Harris Beach State Park, and many guests of the Best Western Brookings hotel enjoy cruising along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Perfect for the traveler cruising the coast, Brookings is a great stop on your way into Florence, or Eugene.

Are you visiting Brookings and looking for spot to play 18 holes? Check out Salmon Run Golf Course.

Klamath Falls, east of Ashland, is known as “Oregon’s city of sunshine.” Spring and summer are great times to get out and have an adventure – check out the OC&E Woods Line State Trail, or spend the afternoon fishing on Upper Klamath Lake. Don’t miss out on the Favell Museum of Western Art and Artifacts for a look at local history and lore. On June 22-24, check out the 7th Annual Klamath Kinetic Challenge, where contestants young and old race custom made bicycles and scooters.

To celebrate the Fourth of July, visitors in Klamath Falls head to the Klamath Falls Yacht Club Firecracker Regatta, beginning on July 1.

East of Klamath Falls is Lakeview, the “tallest town in Oregon.” Spring and summer in Lakeview yield excellent sight-seeing conditions, and prove to be the premier visiting months. Be sure to visit the Lake County Museum, or sneak in 18 holes at Lakeridge Golf Course.

For a unique experience, check out Lakeview in June when the city hosts the USA 2012 National Rat Race Paragliding Competition. Often, Lakeview visitors enjoy visiting the Old Perpetual Geyser.

Any visit to southern Oregon requires a trip into Medford. A charming city, Medford is just north of Ashland along I-5. Home to RoxyAnn Winery, and the Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area, Medford is an eclectic city yielding interesting sights and sounds, while maintaining a rich landscape for travelers who seek the charm of small town southern Oregon.

Oregon State University - Corvallis

Looking for a road trip this spring? Oregon’s Interstate 5 Corridor is your answer. Whether by car or motorcycle, travelers or this scenic stretch of road will pass through stunning state parks and unforgettable Oregon cities. Sneak in some outdoor adventure in the Valley of the Rogue State Park near Grants Pass in southern Oregon, or head north for the many attractions of Portland in the northern part of the Beaver State. Check out the spring exhibits of the Portland Art Museum, explore the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, or enjoy the fresh air with a stroll through the Eugene Saturday Market – all happening this spring along the I-5 Corridor.

Set in southern Oregon, Roseburg travelers may visit the many area wineries, explore the outdoor recreation of the Umpqua Valley, or entertainment the kids with museums, zoos, and shopping. This spring, take the little ones to the Douglas County Museum of Cultural and Natural History – open daily starting in April. With children 17 and under free, the museum is a fun and inexpensive way to discover the rich history of the Roseburg area. Check out the exhibit “Wine: A 10,000 Year History” or satisfy your natural history side with a look at the “Land of the Umpquas” display.

North of Roseburg is Eugene – yet another Oregon pit stop perfect for outdoor fun and the arts. Take a morning to explore the Oregon Air And Space Museum just northwest of town in the Mahion Sweet Field, or see what kind of outdoor adventure you can get yourself into this spring. Head to Alton Baker Park for an inner-city hike down Pre's Trail along the Willamette River, or get more advanced with a trek up Mount Pisgah or the Waterfalls Loop Trail at Sahalie Falls.

Keep traveling up the I-5 Corridor this spring until you hit Salem – home to the Oregon State Capitol. As the weather warms, explore the Silver Falls State Park, the largest state park in Oregon, and indulge in some stunning hikes along the park’s many waterfalls. Get those hiking boots ready for the Trail of Ten Falls – passing a total of 10 waterfalls in beautiful outdoor Oregon.

Reward your spring journey up the I-5 Corridor with a vist to Portland – Oregon’s largest city and cultural hub for travelers from around the globe. Spend a day in rainboots as you stroll through the Hawthorne District, or pick up some new reading material at the famed Powell's City of Books. This spring, check out the 2012 exhibits of the Portland Art Museum, including the Manuel Izquierdo Paperworks collection until early March, and the Robert Hanson display till late April.

Find your favorite spot this spring – whether it be a museum, hiking trail, or outdoor market – and enjoy your time on Oregon’s open road.

St. Johns Bridge
Portland, Oregon

The Portland metro area is a diverse and expansive region in Oregon. Home to sports, universities, art and culture, and plenty of local festivals, the Portland area is a popular destination for spring and summer travelers. Cities like Salem, McMinnville, and Sandy are all short drives away from downtown Portland, and each offer a variety of things to do. McMinnville is home to Wings and Waves Water Park, a great choice for a balmy summer day. Sandy boasts the Wasson Brothers Winery, and Forrest Grove is home to Henry Hagg Lake – a sterling spot for summer fishing.

This spring and summer, when you’re traveling into and around Portland, don’t miss out on many of the wonderful sights and attractions the Rose City has to offer. Start with a visit to the Portland Art Museum. On display through May 27, 2012, the Portland Art Museum features the work of John Frame, in his collection titled Three Fragments of a Lost Tale. While touring the Portland Art Museum, be sure to check out the work of Mark Rothko – a collection of 45 paintings on display for the first time at the PAM, since it was originally displayed in 1933. The PAM is closed on Mondays, and admission for those 17 and under is always free.

Portland is a diverse city – it’s not just art museums. Head to Powell’s City of Books, a major tourist attraction – 68,000 sq. ft. of books in what is, almost quite literally, a small city. Whether you’re after that new release from your favorite author, or just stopping in to take a look at over 1 million new and used books – there’s always time for Powell’s. After a visit to Powell’s City of Books, head over to Portland’s Hawthorne District and enjoy a fine beverage at the Bagdad Theater & Pub – head in on May 4, for the 7th Annual Big Lebowski Event, where you’ll be entertained with a screening of the popular film and live performance by The Troublemakers.

Many Portland visitors enjoy a trip to Erv Lind Stadium, home to the Portland State University Vikings softball team. Check out a game as the PSU Vikings wind down their season against the Weber State Wildcats on April 29, live at Erv Lind Stadium.

South of Portland is Salem, the state capital. Affectionately known as the Cherry City, spring and summer are excellent travel seasons for visits to Silver Falls State Park. Many guests do enjoy a visit to the Oregon State Capitol – tour on your own, or call ahead and schedule a tour guide who’ll show you around the building, including the exhibit Art of the Time; Art of the People.

Spend an afternoon tasting and learning about local wines at the Bethel Heights Vineyard, a short drive away from downtown Salem. Join winemaker Ben Casteel, as he uncorks local favorites like the ’08 Pinot Noir Southeast Block, or the ’08 Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve.

Summer travelers are sure to check out the 15th Annual World Beat Festival, scheduled for June 30 – July 1 at Riverfront Park. Later in July, head to Bush’s Pasture Park for the annual Salem Art Fair and Festival, set for July 20-22.

Oregon Coast

There’s no better spring or summer getaway than Oregon's Coast. This picturesque strip of the northwest is home to cozy seaside towns – one of which actually named Seaside – plus unforgettable state parks and beaches. Explore western Oregon with a scenic motorcycle ride along the coast, or catch some whale watching at Harris Beach State Park near Brookings. Check out the historic Seaside Aquarium in, you guessed it, Seaside, and don’t forget great farmers markets, food and folks in coastal Oregon towns like Lincoln City, Florence, and Bandon. Plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation, family picnics, and nature photography await, so pack up and make your way to the Oregon coast this spring or summer.

The cozy town of Seaside – set in northwestern Oregon just south of Astoria – is a historic coastal city with plenty to do in spring and summer. Check out the Seaside Art Walk on the first Saturday of the month, or visit the Seaside Aquarium – open daily for your chance to feed the seals or pick up a starfish from the Touch Tank. Established in 1937, the Seaside Aquarium is the perfect day activity for those traveling with children, or an ideal date for a romantic getaway – as it's a short, coastal walk from the Best Western hotel in Seaside.

Lincoln City – found south of Seaside past the Tillamook State Forest along the Oregon Coast Highway – is a small, but fun city incorporating Devil’s Lake. For some inner-city activity, head to the Lincoln City Cultural Center in the historic DeLake School building – a two-minute walk from a Best Western hotel in Lincoln City. The Lincoln City Cultural Center offers spring events like magic camps and workshops, monthly dance nights, and the show “It’s No Illusion: Lincoln City is Magic at Spring Break”, in late March. View local art in the PJ Chessman and the Artist's White Room – showcasing exhibitions like “Art Bras (Hats and Shoes, Too)” throughout May – or take some Lincoln City artwork home with you from the LCCC Gift Shop.

Further south along the Oregon Coast Highway – also known as the US-101 – you’ll find the city of Florence within the Siuslaw National Forest. For a little outdoor action, head to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, or take the short drive the Grand Marshal Sea Lion Caves – a must-see for those traveling with kids.

For a local festivity, head into Florence from May 18th through the 20th for the 2012 Rhododendron Festival – the 2012 theme being Nothing Short of Wild to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Seal Lion Caves. Commemorating its 105th anniversary, the Rhododendron Festival features everything from car shows and arts and craft fairs, to parades, carnivals and, of course, flower shows. See who’s crowned Queen Rhododendra, let the kids loose in the parade, and enjoy the rest of your time on the Oregon coast.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Spring and summer in eastern Oregon has arrived. Travel to eastern Oregon during the spring and summer for scenic views of the Wallowa National Forest, and entertaining sights in cities like Hines, and Ontario. Enterprise, a fine city just over an hour east of La Grande, is home to the Wallowa Lake Highway Forest State Scenic Corridor. La Grande, another of the charming eastern Oregon cities, is home to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area and Nature Trail – lace up your hiking boots and take full advantage of the fine spring and summer weather with a hike.

Set along the Umatilla River in eastern Oregon is Pendleton. Home to the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, and only half an hour from Hermiston, Pendleton features the charm and small town feel that many eastern Oregon travelers covet. Spring and summer in Pendleton opens up the kind of fun nature lovers seek – head into the Umatilla National Forest for a scenic hike. Other Pendleton visitors prefer the calmness of a stroll around the Pendleton River Parkway.

Be sure to explore the Intro to Solar Workshops Spring Into Summer Show, at the Pendleton Convention Center on April 9.

Baker City, set neatly between Pendleton and Ontario, is home to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. A friendly and charming place to visit, guests of the Best Western Baker City hotel head to the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. When visiting Baker City in the spring, don’t miss out on the Friends of the Dredge Annual Community Potluck, scheduled for April 14 at the Sumpter School House. Explore local Baker City history at the Baker Heritage Museum.

The southern most of the eastern Oregon region cities is Hines, set just minutes north of Malheur Lake. Spring and summertime in Hines yield excellent opportunities for outdoor exploration. Be sure to check out the Peloncillo Mountain Wilderness. Other guests of the Best Western Hines hotel prefer the Diamond Craters Recreation Management Area for hikes, picnics, and bird watching. Make the most of your spring or summertime visit to Hines and play a round of 18 at the Valley Golf Club, just off Highway 20.

Head into John Day and check out the John Day Fossil National Monument, or spend an afternoon exploring the Kam Wah Chung Company Museum. Try your hand at fishing the John Day River, or make the scenic trip east into Ontario.

Once in Ontario, plan for an afternoon at the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum, named after the Malheru, Snake, Payette, and Owyhee rivers.

Mt. Bachelor

The great outdoors await you this spring in the Oregon Cascades. The stunning Cascade Range of the northwest plows through the center of Oregon, creating parts of the Mount Hood National Forest, the Three Sisters Wilderness and the Deschutes National Forest. The Oregon Cascades also surround adventurous cities like Bend, Klamath Falls and Sisters – all home to incredible outdoor opportunities to complete your spring trip to the Beaver State. Explore central Oregon with an unforgettable motorcycle journey, or get the family together for a road trip to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. No matter what you plan, you’ll enjoy your spring in the mountains.

Set in southern Oregon, Klamath Falls is a charming town known as Oregon's City of Sunshine. What better way to enjoy that sunshine than a few days at Upper Klamath Lake? As spring sets into southern Oregon, travelers may visit Upper Klamath Lake – the state’s largest freshwater body of water at eight miles wide and 20 miles long. Enjoy bird watching, canoeing and kayaking in Upper Klamath Lake, or break out the rod and reel for some rainbow trout fishing in these beautiful Cascade waters.

Just three hours north of Klamath Falls – cutting through the Deschutes National Forest – we’ll find Bend, central Oregon’s largest city. Get in a little history on the area at the Des Chutes Historical Museum, or set out and make your own history at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At the monument, get the best view of the Oregon Cascades at the top of Paulina Peak once the park opens for the 2012 spring schedule the first weekend of May. Enjoy trout fishing in the area’s many lakes, trek down some hiking trails, or better yet – come May 26th – explore the famed Lava River Cave by lantern.

Just northwest of Bend, the city of Sisters is a staple of the Oregon Cascades, as it is named after the nearby Three Sisters peaks. During your visit to the Sisters District within the Deschutes National Forest, try mountain hiking, horseback riding, and nature photography in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Check out mountain biking paths like the Peterson Ridge Trail, or discover Oregon’s beautiful night sky at the Dee Wright Observatory.

North of Sisters and Bend in the Mount Hood National Forest, the city of Government Camp is another adventurous stopping point this spring in the Oregon Cascades. Just an hour’s drive southeast of Portland, Government Camp has all the outdoor splendor of the Oregon forestland with the convenience of a neighboring metropolitan city. Catch some last minute winter action at the Timberline Lodge and Summit Ski Area, or take a spring drive down the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. Get to know Government Camp a little better with a visit to the Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum, and enjoy the rest of your spring in the Oregon Cascades.

Multnomah Falls

The Columbia River Gorge area of northern Oregon is a spectacular setting for spring and summer travels. Cities like Cascade Locks, Hood River and Troutdale line the Columbia River, which separates Oregon from Washington. Hood River, home to the Pleasant Valley Winery is a great place to visit this spring – just an hour east of Portland. Beer aficionados never a miss a chance to visit the Full Sail Brewery in Hood River – make plans for the Full Sail April Brewmaster Dinner, at the Full Sail Tasting Room & Pub, April 14.

Cascade Locks is a pleasant city. Set in between Troutdale and Hood River, Cascade Locks is home to the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, and is conveniently situated just along the Columbia River. While in Cascade Locks, be sure to cruise along the Bridge of the Gods. Opened in 1926, the Bridge of the Gods crosses the Columbia River, and in spring yields excellent views and the Columbia River Gorge area. Both fun and educational, be sure to explore the Sturgeon Viewing Pond and Interpretive Center – free and open every day that isn’t a holiday.

Make the scenic and swift drive from Cascade Locks into Troutdale. Home to Multnomah Falls, Troutdale is a friendly city, with diverse attractions. Spring and early summer in Troutdale prove to be a brilliant time to visit – don’t miss out on a trip to The Rail Depot Museum. An exploration of the Rail Depot Museum yields access to the Union Pacific Railroad caboose. Enjoy the warmth of summer with a hike around Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area.

June 24-26, be sure to keep an eye open for the Sternwheeler Days Festival, held at Chinook Landing Marine Park, just minutes from downtown Troutdale. Take full advantage of all the fun at Sternwheeler Days – enjoy the arts & crafts, take a ride on an actual sternwheeler, and for mom and dad, visit the beer garden.

Affectionately known as the “windsurfing capital of the world,” Hood River is a charming and pleasant city, north of the city of Government Camp. Many guests of the Best Western Hood River hotel enjoy a visit to the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. Spring and summer prove to be a glorious time for a visit, as Mt. Hood blossoms during spring, and yields tremendous hiking, and scenic views during the summer. Lace up those walking shoes and head out for the Downtown Historic Walking Tour on May 19, which begins at the Hood River Library.