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Highest-rated free things to do in Oregon by visitors

·Stacker

r.classen // Shutterstock
r.classen // Shutterstock
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Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were cost-burdened, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

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.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, 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 Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#29. Newport's Historic Bayfront

Tripadvisor

2 / 30

#29. Newport's Historic Bayfront

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,473 reviews)
- City: Newport
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

- Rating: 4.8/5 (803 reviews)
- City: Bandon
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Portland Saturday Market

Tripadvisor

17 / 30

#14. Portland Saturday Market

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,118 reviews)
- City: Portland
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Tripadvisor

18 / 30

#13. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,634 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,197 reviews)
- City: Yachats
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. International Rose Test Garden

Tripadvisor

29 / 30

#2. International Rose Test Garden

- Rating: 4.6/5 (5,702 reviews)
- City: Portland
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Multnomah Falls

Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. Multnomah Falls

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,524 reviews)
- City: Bridal Veil
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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