10 Oregon Day Trips That Are Even Cooler During The Winter
By Christy Articola|Published February 27, 2023
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Are you feeling lazy, lethargic, and shut in this winter? It doesn’t have to be that way! Even though Oregon truly comes alive during the warmer months of the year, there are still plenty of super fun and interesting things to do in this great state during the wintertime, too. Some attractions are even better in the winter, in fact, because you won’t have to deal with as many crowds. Other spots are truly Oregon winter playgrounds and they’re calling your name. We’ve put this list of winter day trips in Oregon together for you with high hopes that you will get out there and explore before spring arrives. Read on, check out these ideas, and start planning your next adventure!
1. The High Desert Museum - Bend
High Desert Museum, 59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702, USA
The High Desert Museum near Bend is fantastic at any time of year! This very large and interesting museum opened in 1982 and offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits that help teach visitors about the wildlife, people, culture, art, and natural resources of North America's high desert country.
2. Fort Clatsop - Astoria
Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, 92345 Fort Clatsop Rd, Astoria, OR 97103, USA
Fort Clatsop near Astoria is a replica of the fort in which Lewis & Clark and the other members of their party spent the winter of 1805-1806 before beginning their long journey back east. If you like history, you'll love it! Winter is a great time to visit because you can imagine what it might have been like for these brave explorers to spend a winter season here.
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3. Tillamook Creamery - Tillamook
Tillamook Creamery, 4165 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, OR 97141, USA
Do you like cheese? If so, you will probably enjoy a self-guided tour of the Tillamook Creamery, the largest cheese production facility in the world! Of course, you also get to sample some of the cheese and you can buy some to take home.
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4. Oregon Coast Aquarium - Newport
Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport, OR 97365, USA
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a non-profit, education-based aquarium in Newport. Exhibits mostly focus on animals that live on the Oregon Coast. You can learn a lot about nature here, all while staying indoors and keeping warm.
When there's a lot of snow, the road to the trailhead to Umpqua Hot Springs sometimes closes, but if winter has been fairly mild, you should go there, hike to the springs, and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of natural hot springs in the wintertime. This is an epic adventure.
Do you like to ski or participate in other winter sports? Lots of people head to Mount Hood or Mount Bachelor for these activities, but you might prefer Hoodoo Ski & Recreation in Sisters instead. Ski, snowboard, snowshoe or go tubing - you'll love it!
The Applegate Wine Trail in southwestern Oregon will take you to 19 different wineries and several of them are open in the winter for tours and wine tastings. What a tasty way to spend a day!
Crater Lake National Park is often packed in the summertime but it's quiet and serene in the winter. It's a great time to visit and you'll get beautiful photos like this one!
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9. Timberline Lodge - Government Camp
Timberline Lodge, 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028, USA
Whether you like skiing or snowboarding or not, the historic Timberline Lodge is a wonderful winter day trip destination. Even if you don't feel like hitting the slopes, you can enjoy a meal or a cocktail at any one of Timberline's restaurants or bars and enjoy the views from a cozy spot.
10. Oregon WinterFest - Redmond
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Wy, Redmond, OR 97756, USA
Oregon Winterfest in Redmond is the northwest's biggest winter festival and there's so much to do there. Shop, eat, listen to music, go on rides, check out exhibits, and more - it's fun for the whole family!
There’s so much to do in Oregon in the winter! These are just a few ideas to get you started – but there are so many other options as well. Don’t stay home this winter – get out there and enjoy Oregon!
