Mt. Hood - Mt. Hood might not be the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, but you probably won’t mind. Home to four ski areas - including the only ski area in North America that is open year round - Mt. Hood is filled with volcanic slopes, valleys, and rivers. Perhaps the furthest thing from skiing, fruit growing is also something this region is famous for. From grapes to apples, from blueberries to pears and apricots, the only thing you can’t grow here is bored.

After a day on the slopes or a day of harvest, many travelers find their experience continues at the Columbia River Gorge, right nearby. This is arguably one of the most magnificent places in the nation: it’s as if verses of America the Beautiful were written with this gorge in mind. Containing Multnomah Falls, one of the 77 waterfalls in the area, visitors here can‘t help but ask, “Niagara who?” Six hundred and twenty feet high, there are only three other waterfalls in the country that are higher.

The Willamette Valley - For people who like wine, otherwise known as people who are breathing, the Willamette Valley is a great place to visit. Located roughly 100 miles south of Portland, this valley is filled with rolling green hills, country lanes, and covered bridges. It reminds people of a simpler time of life, when neighbors said hello, people helped each other, and farmers' markets existed instead of Wal-Mart’s.

Three quarters of Oregon’s wine comes from the Willamette Valley: this is a valley known not only for some of the best Oregonian wine, but some of the best wine everywhere. Over 200 wineries are located here, waiting to offer the thirsty traveler a little taste of Oregon in the form of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.

The Shakespeare Festival - Where art thou Good Theater? 'Tis in Oregon. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, located in Southern Oregon, is one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit theaters in the country. Tony Award-winning, this festival operates on an eight-and-a-half month basis, producing eleven shows at a time in three theaters. Annually, this theater is home to over 780 performances and 360,000 patrons. For those who like literature, there is no better place to see Shakespeare’s words come to life.

Oregon is one of the best places to go for a laid back, unique vacation. It offers people a chance to experience a variety of things in an eclectic environment. Simply put, it is an Oregon trail of fun.