Highest-rated free things to do in Oregon, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Oregon, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Oregon.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Oregon using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Powell's City of Books
- Rating: 5/5 (5,424 reviews)
- Address: 1005 West Burnside St. Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Vista House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (681 reviews)
- Address: 40700 East Historic Columbia River Hwy Corbett, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Forest Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (726 reviews)
- Address: NW 29 & Upshur to Newberry Road Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Harris Beach State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (639 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Hug Point State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (534 reviews)
- Address: Highway 101 Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Hatfield Marine Science Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (709 reviews)
- Address: 2030 Southeast Marine Science Drive Newport, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Cape Meares Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (837 reviews)
- Address: 3500 Cape Meares Loop Tillamook, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Nye Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (910 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Portland Saturday Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,116 reviews)
- Address: 108 West Burnside St. Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Yachats coastline
- Rating: 5/5 (819 reviews)
- Address: 241 Highway 101 North Yachats, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Tumalo Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (715 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Newport's Historic Bayfront
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,471 reviews)
- Address: SW Bay Boulevard Newport, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Pearl District
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,137 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Willamette Valley Vineyards
- Rating: 5/5 (382 reviews)
- Address: 8800 Enchanted Way Southeast Turner, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Willamette Valley
- Rating: 4.5/5 (900 reviews)
- Address: Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,075 reviews)
- Address: US Highway 101 Otter Crest Loop Newport, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
- Rating: 5/5 (800 reviews)
- Address: Off US 101 Bandon, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Astoria-Megler Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,051 reviews)
- Address: Us-101 Astoria, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Mount Hood
- Rating: 5/5 (652 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,243 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Heceta Head Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,274 reviews)
- Address: 725 Summer St. Florence, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Lithia Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,629 reviews)
- Address: 59 Winburn Way Ashland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
- Rating: 5/5 (1,190 reviews)
- Address: Hwy 101 South Yachats, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Columbia River Gorge
- Rating: 5/5 (1,232 reviews)
- Address: Hood River, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Washington Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,571 reviews)
- Address: 4033 Southwest Canyon Road Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- Rating: 5/5 (4,636 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Cannon Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,565 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Haystack Rock
- Rating: 5/5 (3,293 reviews)
- Address: Us-101 Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Multnomah Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,413 reviews)
- Address: 50000 Historic Columbia River Hwy Bridal Veil, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. International Rose Test Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,672 reviews)
- Address: 400 Southwest Kingston Ave. Portland, Oregon
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
