St. Johns Bridge
Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon's largest city, is enjoying the traditional warm dry summer weather, ideal conditions for it's famous roses. Portland is home to the annual Rose Festival with the popular Grand Floral Parade. Portland, set beautifully near where the Columbia and Willamette rivers converge, is filled with coffee houses, brewhouses and micro-distilleries. Visitors can enjoy Portland via the light rail system and on foot with plenty of places to relax and take a break. A well known Northwestern city, Portland is one of the “greenest” cities in the US. The city is also know for its counter-culture movements and is a haven for young individualists.

The Portland Farmers Market is a must do for summer visitors to the city. Six markets are held on different days in various locations throughout Portland. The most well-known is the Saturday market held at Portland State University. New markets in 2010 will be Mondays at Pioneer Courthouse Square and an additional Thursday market on NW 23rd Street. The Wednesday market at Shemanski Park caters to downtown Portland, the Buckman market in Southeast Portland is on Thursdays and Sundays the King Market serves the North and Northeast of the city. The Markets run through the end of September.

The 23rd Annual Waterfront Blues Festival is held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park July 2nd through the 5th. The 2010 Festival is a fantastic way to celebrated the 4th of July with a fireworks spectacular over the Willamette River topping off the July 4th performances. Headliners include Taj Mahal, Booker T, and several zydeco groups. Just a few of the top names that are scheduled. Music fan will not want to miss this Blues Festival, it is one of the biggest in the country.

The Best Western Inn at the Meadows located off I-5 and the Best Western Pony Soldier Inn - Airport just off I-205 are convenient for travelers to the Waterfront Blues Festival and downtown Portland. Both are within walking distance of light-rail service, so you can park the car and enjoy the city and events on foot.

The Portland area offers great summer options for exercise enthusiasts. The 15th Anniversary Providence Bridge Pedal takes place August 8th. The Willamette River bridges are shut down to cars and open to bicycles on routes from 3 to 36 miles. Walkers are also welcome on a 6 mile walk beginning and ending in downtown Portland.

The Portland Triathlon, sponsored by the Freshwater Trust, is August 22nd. Geared for athletes of all abilities, events include Olympic and sprint distance triathlons plus 5k and 1K runs. This is Portland's only triathlon. The Hood to Coast Relay passes through Portland on leg 12 of the course. The Portland to Coast Walk and the Portland to Coast High School Challenge are sister events of the HTC relay and are held the same weekend.

The Best Western University Inn & Suites in Forest Grove is just west of Portland and convenient to downtown, area wineries and the coast. The Best Western Northwind Inn & Suites is about 20 minutes from downtown on the road to the coast. A convenient location and with jetted tubs and suites available, this hotel makes a great place to relax after a big race.

Mt. Bachelor

The Oregon Cascades, anchored in the North by Mt Hood and to the south Crater Lake, encompasses seven different national forests. Millions visit the Cascade Range each year to enjoy the excitement of the Columbia River Gorge, winter sports on Mt Bachelor, or an beautiful summer hike. With iconic Mount Hood  through Mount Jefferson to the South, this region is one of Oregon's most popular recreational areas. Ideal sporting wind conditions are created by the walls of the Columbia River Gorge. The ideal winds draw wind surfers and sailors to experience the spectacular waters and setting.

Mt Bachelor Ski and Summer Resort, just outside Bend, will be going strong with boarding and skiing through mid-May. The 2010 Pole Pedal and Paddle event will close the season. This fun event takes participants from Mt Bachelor to Bend racing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, bicycling, running and canoe or kayak. For individuals or teams, it is also entertaining to watch. Everyone is treated to the festival afterward featuring music, food and sponsor booths. Kick-start summer with this Bend tradition.

Bend celebrates summer in July at the Bend Summer Festival. This summer tradition features a wide array of events including performing arts, jazz, blues, rock and world music. Activities include dance and special kid's venues. The festival showcases the best local and regional artists and performers as well as food from local restaurants. A great summer event planned for all ages. Best Western Inn and Suites of Bend is conveniently located for summer travelers, and with affordable rates, Best Western is a smart choice.

La Pine, south of Bend turns 100 years old in 2010. The La Pine Frontier Days will celebrate July 2nd through 4th. The La Pine community comes together to put on Frontier Days and welcomes all visitors. This is a complete slice of Americana from the Frontier Days Queen, dutch oven cook-off, lawnmower race, to the pinewood derby. La Pine does it all. Kids and young adults participate in the youth fair, talent show, carnival and games. Everyone enjoys pit BBQ, baked goods and the parade. The enjoyable Best Western Newberry Station is centrally located, and there is no need to leave the pet at home, the Hotel is pet friendly.

Summer is not complete without the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo. Five days of fun, food and entertainment. You may have watched dancing with the stars all winter, now it's time to watch the cowboys dance with the steers! July 28th through August 1st, the performers include Neal McCoy, Styx and Weird Al Yankovic.

The fairgrounds are located in Redmond, and the fair will showcase the best livestock and agriculture, along with clothing, textiles, canning and preserves among a lot more. Kids find unlimited fun on the midway and carnival rides, and there will be plenty to eat to keep everyone going.

The fairgrounds, within a half hour or less of Bend, Prineville, Sisters and Madras, gives travelers five Best Western Hotels to choose from in those cities. Extend your stay in the area and treat the family to your favorite outdoor sites and activities as well.

Oregon State University - Corvallis

Interstate 5, Oregon's most traveled highway, runs over 300 miles north to south through the state. Best Western Hotel locations along the I-5 corridor, are convenient for travelers passing through or on getaways to Oregon's beaches, mountains and rivers. From Portland to Ashland in southwestern Oregon, I-5 connects major cities and small towns, stop for a good nights rest at one of over 15 Best Western Hotels along the route and make it a safe trip. With affordable rates and comfortable accommodations, Best Western is always a good choice for travelers.

Eugene, the second largest city in Oregon, sits on I-5, convenient for travelers to the University of Oregon. Eugene is a nice mix of urban, college and small town, and serves as the cutural and commercial hub for central-west Oregon. Always worth the trip, Eugene's Saturday Market resumes for 2010 on April 3rd. A showcase for the best of Eugene, the Market is held every Saturday through mid-November.

Eugene draws outdoor enthusiasts and the active. The 2010 Eugene Marathon is an early season running event, held April 30th through May 2nd. The schedule includes a half marathon, 5K, and the culmination of the cumulative kids marathon with a 1 mile fun run. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome and spectators can enjoy the live entertainment along the course and a health and safety expo. Come test your winter workout regime, there are preview runs February, March and April.

Ladies take note: New for 2010, there is a Women's half marathon in the works for Labor Day. Ducks fans can enjoy spring sports through May. The schedule includes baseball, softball, track and field, lacross and golf. The University of Oregon will host the Oregon Relays invitational the end of April. This is a two day event where the state top high school, collegiate and professional athletes will compete. The 2010 OSAA Track and Field Finals will also be hosted on campus the end of May. Come on out and cheer on your favorite athletes.

Grants Pass to the south is dreamland for outdoor adventure. On the banks of the Rogue River, Grants Pass is well know for it's world class white water, fly fishing and nearby hiking and camping. Spring and Summer markets and fairs are a staple on the weekends, featuring growers, artisans and crafters. Memorial Day weekend Grants Pass hosts Boatnik. In its 51st year, Boatnik features a parade, the highly anticipated white water hydroplane races, food, arts and crafts. Kids will love the carnival, adults can participate in a golf shoot-out, softball and even a pizza eating contest. The focal point of the weekend are the boats races which include sprint, drag, and the hydroplanes. Get the family off to a great summer at Boatnik in Grants Pass.

When the day is done, come home to the Best Western Grants Pass Inn or the Best Western Inn at the Rogue. Both hotels have heated outdoor pools the kids will enjoy, while the adults look on with a cool cocktail from the lounge. Stay an additional day or two and enjoy the local sites and scenery nearby.

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast - the perfect summer vacation spot. From Tillamook on the coast west of Portland, Astoria and Seaside in the North, to the Southern Oregon coastal cities of Bandon and Brookings it is the ideal time to enjoy Oregon’s beaches and coast. With over 350 miles of diverse coastline, with pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs and evergreen forests on the ocean’s edge, the Oregon coast awaits your adventure. Visit the Astoria Column that was built on top of Coxcomb Hill; spend some time along more than 40 miles of coastal sand dunes at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and glimpse times gone by at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts take a trip to North Bend near Coos Bay for the Annual Circle the Bay 30km Run/Walk or Relay. The 2010 event, the 36th year for Circle the Bay, is held August 7th. Sponsored by the South Coast Running Club, this is a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Coos Bay. Bring family and friends to the coast for a long weekend before the end of summer. The Best Western Holiday Motel is conveniently located downtown on highway 10, an ideal spot for racers. With accommodations ranging from standard rooms to two room suites, Best Western is ready for any size group.

For some good old fashioned fun at the fair head to Tillamook August 11th through the 14th for the Tillamook County Fair. One of the best county fairs in Oregon, visitors enjoy traditional fair exhibits showcasing the best livestock and agriculture in the region. Fair events include the demolition derby, the famous Pig-N-Ford races, horse racing and free grandstand shows. The 2010 headliners include Craig Morgan and Eddie Money. Tillamook’s Best Western Inn and Suites is ready for your visit. With affordable rates and comfortable accommodations, you can enjoy the fair and stick around for a tour of the Tillamook County Cheese Factory or other local sites.

Bandon, the cranberry capital of Oregon, celebrates its bounty at the 2010 Cranberry Festival September 10th through the 12th. Bandon has celebrated the Cranberry Festival since 1946 with a morning parade and a full day of fun activities and events. Browse the arts and crafts vendors and enjoy a variety of food and products made from cranberries. Cranberry Festival is a terrific late summer event.

The Best Western Inn at Face Rock in Bandon is beachfront and an ideal place to stay for Bandon visitors. Start your day with a complimentary full breakfast before the Cranberry Festival or a day at the beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful on the Oregon Coast. You can surf, fish or simply relax and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Eastern Oregon captivates travelers with its eclectic beauty, from John Day's color rich painted hills to the depths of Hell's Canyon. The peaks of the Wallowas and crags of Steens Mountain, provide a beautiful back drop to the wheat fields of the Columbia River Plateau. Ontario, an eastern gateway to Oregon sits close to the Idaho state line off interstate 84. Ontario is appropriately tagged with the moniker - the city where Oregon begins. Rich in history,Eastern Oregon is the land of Lewis and Clark, Chief Joseph and the Oregon Trail.

Ontario, quite appropriately celebrates the diversity of Oregon's heritage and the famous Oregon Trail in June, hosting America's Global Village Festival. Featuring a parade and main stage, the festival showcases cultural villages with native foods, arts and crafts. Each village will hold a kid's activity, making this a terrific family festival, featuring fun in the context of Oregon's history.

Enterprise in the northeast corner of Oregon is surrounded by the natural beauty of pine forest, the Wallowa Mountains and Wallowa Lake. An outdoor enthusiasts wonderland, residents take full advantage of their surroundings, and welcome visitors to do likewise. The Best Western Rama Inn and Suites in Enterprise is a perfect home base to discover northwestern Oregon.

The 28th Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts, in June, is held in Joseph less than 10 miles from Enterprise. With a vibrant arts community and loyal following, the festival showcases works from local to national artists. This is an excellent opportunity to find high quality, one of a kind pieces at great values. Enterprise Arts and Crafts Fair Celebrate Enterprise, an equally entertaining festival is held in July.

Pendleton to the north, famous as the original home for Pendleton Woolen Mills, is proud of its western heritage. 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Round-Up, a showcase for western and cowboy culture. Held in September, the round-up features a world-class rodeo, parades, concerts and shows. This is the event to show the family what a real rodeo is like.

Need something to do before the kids go back to school? The Umatilla County Fair is held in August. The fair is held in Hermiston at the fairgrounds, and is a classic event for family fun and entertainment. Complete with 4-H exhibits and judging, local livestock and agriculture, carnival and top notch performers, everyone will be happy.

Travelers to Pendleton and Hermiston have several Best Western Hotels to choose from. The Best Western Pendleton Inn, the Best Western Hermiston Inn and the Best Western Rama Inn and Suites in La Grande are convenient to the region and I-84. Whether you are traveling through or visiting one of the exciting sites or events in the area, make sure to rest-up and rejuvenate at Best Western Hotels.

Multnomah Falls

Oregon's Columbia River basin is a spectacular lifeline for the region, Carved by the Columbia, the Northwest's largest river, the area is an awe inspiring outdoor recreation area. Historically a key transportation route for food and goods, the Columbia River Gorge is a critical link in Oregon's economy. The gorge offers the only water connection from the Columbia River Plateau to the Pacific Ocean, and an easily navigable roadway through the Cascades. Today its beauty and recreational opportunities draw throngs of visitors. The Columbia River Gorge is a National Scenic Area offering year round recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Columbia River is the only one to completely breach the Cascade Mountain range forming the Columbia River Gorge. Interstate 84 runs parallel to the river through the gorge - one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the world. Travelers are treated to vistas of the mighty river flowing through dramatic cliffs, past quaint, idyllic towns.

The city of Cascade Locks in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, takes its name from a series of locks built to facilitate transportation along the river. Cascade Locks celebrates its history and heritage in June at the Sternwheeler Days Festival. Just 40 miles east of Portland, the festival features steamboat rides, join or watch the sailing regatta, and feast on baked salmon along with other local delicacies.

Bring the entire family, kids will love the parade, games and will be fascinated by the mountain men encampment. The Best Western Columbia River Inn is an ideal place to stay in Cascade Locks. Convenient to all the festival activities, it overlooks the river and the guest rooms have been recently renovated. Make sure to visit the Bridge of the Gods and see the Oregon Pony (Oregon's first steam engine) nearby.

Hood River, just 20 miles east of Cascade Locks is well-known for the combination of the river and steady breezes. A mecca for sailing sports, Hood River, is known as the windsurfing and kiteboarding capital of the world. Visit in April for the 57th annual Blossom Festival and Craft Show. Timed for the blossoms marking the beginning of fruit growing season, this is a gorgeous time to be in Hood River. Drive the 47 mile scenic loop through the Hood River Valley and enjoy offerings from the farms, orchards and wineries along the route.

The Hood River Saturday Market is held every Saturday from May through September. The Market showcases local arts, crafts, food and agriculture. Special performers and music has also become a tradition to make for a terrific weekly event. The Best Western Hood River Inn is centrally located for the Saturday Market as well as all the local sites. With an outdoor pool, this is a perfect place for a summer weekend away with the kids.

The Columbia River Gorge region of Oregon is beautiful beyond imagination. Ideal for outdoor activities from easy hikes to sailing, there is something for all ages and abilities. Plan a stay, and enjoy this spectacular piece of Oregon.

Crater Lake National Park

Southern Oregon is gifted with North America's deepest lake and Oregon's only National Park, Crater Lake. A mecca for outdoor visitors, southern Oregon is filled with recreational opportunities. From Brookings on the coast, a popular beach vacation and retirement area to the stark beauty of Lakeview, the highest town in Oregon. Ashland hosts the Oregon Shakespeare Festival which celebrates it's 75th anniversary in 2010. The region is also home to the popular Britt Music festival held outdoors in Jacksonville, Oregon.

Ashland is a well know southern Oregon town. Convenient to I-5, Ashland is easy to get to, and a favorite American small town. Ashland hosts Oregon's Shakespeare Festival from mid-February through October. Look for Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice June through October. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will play through the fourth of July. A spring or summer visit to Ashland is a delightful experience for theater lovers.

The Oregon Chocolate Festival, in its 6th year, is quickly growing in popularity. The March event in Ashland, is a week long chocoholics fantasy. Visitors can stick around for the TNT Tar'n Trail run later in the month, this six mile run will burn some of those chocolate calories. Serious runners, return to Ashland in May for the Pompadour Half Marathon, to run off the rest and more. With a diversity of events and interesting activities

Medford, just 10 miles north of Ashland, celebrates spring and salutes all moms, at the 2010 Art in Bloom. Held over Mother's Day weekend, this is the 10th year for the celebration. Art in Bloom showcases fine arts and floral arts from the best local and regional artists. The show is juried, with cash prizes, as well as exhibits with works for sale. Live entertainment, workshops and special children's activities add to the event. Bring mom, or at least make a visit to purchase a special Mother's Day gift.

Best Western Hotels feature three lodging options in Ashland and Medford. All convenient to the events and sites around the area. Whether you choose to be downtown or close to the freeway, there is a Best Western Hotel to meet your needs.

East, the Klamath Falls area features a diverse geography, making the region a draw for a wide variety of outdoor activities. Mountains, desert, lakes, wetlands and forests are filled with birds and wildlife, regularly spotted throughout the area. Travelers with pets remember the Best Western Klamath Inn is pet friendly as well as convenient to all the regions sites and activities. For a couple of special treats, evening cookies and soup and bread in the afternoon, choose to stay at the Best Western Olympic Inn in Klamath Falls.

The Best of the Basin is Klamath Falls high school honors recital. Held in April at the Ross Ragland Theater, the event honors the cities finest young classical performers, demonstrating the community commitment to excellence and its youth. Bring your budding musicians and enjoy the local talent. Support local children again the end of May at the Klamath County Run for Kids. This race benefits mentoring programs for kids in the area. Events include a half marathon and 5K run.

Discover the diversity of places and adventures in southern Oregon this spring and summer. Best Western Hotels are conveniently located to take advantage of the regions offerings. Take advantage of the affordable rates for a nice family vacation.