Willamette Valley

Abundant rainfall and melting snow in the spring makes for outstanding waterfall hikes (and photo opportunities galore). Check out the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park, a roughly 12-kilometer moderate hiking trail that meanders past 10 falls, including several that you can actually walk behind. For a more ADA-accessible (but no less scenic) route, hike North Rim Trail, a gently-sloping, nearly one-kilometer path leading to stunning views of North Falls with connections to the Canyon Trail and the Trail of Ten Falls.

Built entirely by local volunteers, the Albany Carousel is, in a word, marvelous. Each animal, ranging from a giraffe to a dragon, is meticulously carved and painted by hand. The circa-1909 mechanical carousel structure was completely restored, from the bolts to the mirrors. You can still watch wood carvers at work and there’s a small museum featuring carousel animals dating back to 1885. It’s truly an Albany treasure.

Enjoy hectares of open green space, peaceful walking paths and beautiful views of the Willamette river in Salem, the capital city of Oregon and the cultural heart of the Willamette Valley. The historic Capitol District and the Riverfront Park and Amphitheater are always bustling with local events, concerts and community festivals, and the Salem Municipal Airport provides easy connections from other major USA airports.

Road trip an astonishing 346-kilometer route that weaves through old growth forests and alongside pristine mountain lakes, rushing rivers and natural hot springs. You can simply drive and enjoy the views, or stop along the way to fly fish, mountain bike, hike or paddle. Road cyclists should carve out time to pedal the 144 kilometers of the road that overlap with the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway.

It’s the highest peak in the Oregon Coast Range and an essential hike in any visitor’s agenda. Marys Peak rises 1,250 meters and, on a clear day, you’ll be wowed with views of the Willamette Valley, the Cascade Range and the Pacific Ocean. Spring is the ideal season to visit – the wildflower displays are spectacular.

If the only thing you know about aviation history is when your flight arrived in Oregon, not to worry – the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is utterly fascinating, even for the uninitiated. Check out military aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft. The museum’s crown jewel is the Spruce Goose, a massive, World War II-era plane built entirely of wood by Howard Hughes.

This charming town offers a diverse line-up of sights for all kinds of travelers. Springfield served as the inspiration for the imaginary locale of the same name in television show "The Simpsons," whose creator Matt Groening, is a Portland, Oregon, native. Take the unofficial self-guided tour to see the real-life landmarks that inspired the on-screen setting. For more adventure, mountain bike just minutes from downtown and stop for refreshments at local eateries and breweries along the South Willamette Valley Food Trail.

If you need to fill some photo frames, grab your camera and do a bicycle or driving tour of Willamette Valley’s historic covered bridges. These were built extensively in the 19th century to protect wooden bridge floors from the rain. Along the way, stop at orchards, farms and small towns that can’t help but be charming with names like Sweet Home. Pick up a map at the Albany Visitors Center.

REI rated the Willamette one of the top seven thru-paddles in the lower 48 states. A kayak tour of “the Willy” is a great introduction to paddling for people of all ages. Several professional outfitters provide rentals and organized tours, including half- and full-day excursions, sunset paddling, craft beer and kayaking tours, and stand-up paddle boarding lessons.

The first bikeway in the USA was the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, and what a ride it is. The bucolic, 212-kilometer trail boasts amazing scenery, wineries, hops farms and inviting small towns. This is a fantastic ride all year round, but bring warm gear for the rainy winters.