Oregon is a spectacularly beautiful state. Located in the Pacific Northwest, it is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, with Washington to the North and California to the south. It’s scenery is almost unparalleled in its uniqueness and beauty. From the spectacular Pacific coast line, the giant redwood trees, the Cascade Mountains and the Crater Lake National Park., there are breath taking things to see and do.Some other sites to see are also beautiful. The Portland Classic Chinese Garden was transformed from a parking lot and was donated by Northwest Natural. All the plants are indigenous to China but were grown in the United States. The garden takes up one city block in Portland’s Chinatown, making it the largest Chinese Garden outside of China. The Pittock Mansion, also in Portland, is a beautifully furnished turn of the century mansion once the home of Portland pioneer and owner of the Oregonian newspaper, Henry Pittock, and family.

Another interesting thing to do is Jerry’s Rogue Jets at the mouth of the Rogue River near Gold Beach. These are guided scenic jet ski boat rides that offer beautiful views of the Rogue River wilderness. Crater Lake is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon and is not to be missed. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is in Corvallis and is a scenic drive as well as a state park. It offers spectacular views and many hiking trails that lead to the beach. In Cannon Beach the Ecola State Park is another park to visit and is part of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail. Silver Falls State Park near Salem offers hiking and dramatic waterfalls.

The Undergroud Tours, done by a nonprofit group, take visitors through the maze of passageways and cellars built underneath Portland over a century ago. And the Portland Japanese Garden is also a must see. The capitol Salem and Portland are its major cities and offer many other cultural activities. Symphonies, museums, ballets, even the A. C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, a hands on children’s museum in Salem.

One of the strongest cultural attractions in Oregon is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival held each year in the summer months in the Elizabethan Theater in Ashland. This draws visitors from around the world who wish to view world class Shakespeare under the stars.