The best places to go in Oregon and Washington by car

Traveling through Oregon is a beautiful experience. It gives you the feel of freedom that one can only experience in the great outdoors. There really are a lot of great places you can visit in Oregon and Southern Washington. Here are some of the best places to travel to via car.

With Spring break around the corner, The Oregon Coast is calling you! It's saying "hey here we are, come and enjoy." The car ride is only 3 to 3.5 hours from portland. Its a great place to enjoy the ocean, the sights and the historic value of our great coast. Another nearby place to go up in washington is Long Beach. Just a quick trip over the river from Astoria and past the small town of Iwaco. Long beach offers a terrific view, some interesting shops and some great bed and breakfasts as well.

If the coast is not your scene then maybe just head into downtown portland, its close to almost all of the suburban and out lying areas. It offers a very laid back tone for a big city. On saturdays you can visit the saturday market in the morning where there is a plethora of different booths with interesting things to look at and shop for. You can hit up some of the interesting resturants in portland, visit china town or go up into the hill and visit the Japanese gardens and experience a tranquil peace and quiet sceneray.

If you are into the arts, theater, and music then ashland is a great place to visit. Located just two hours out from portland, Ashland provides a very hippie like, free loving atmosphere where the theater and performing arts are stressed and a feeling of brotherhood is felt when you speak to strangers. This is the ideal place for any person to go and enjoy some small theater acting and some great local music. Check out the different book shops and gift shops along the main street and also check out the shakespear shop and museum near the performing arts theater.

If the big city is your thing then you could also head up to seatle and visit the space needle, check out some local bands, and also visit the different museums including the museum of flight. These all can give you a great insight into different parts of American History, great architecture and a view into the city where most bands form, including the band Nirvana.

All of these great places will give you a taste into the history of America in different ways, but if you are the kind of person who wants to enjoy the great outdoors, then head to the deschutes or rogue river where you can enjoy some great rafting or Kyacking. If camping is your thing there are many spots all around eastern Oregon that offer great camping spots that are all low cost to rent out a space. The Washington area also offer many good kyacking, rafting and camping areas. If camping and kyacking isn't your thing then head up to any of the great mountain slopes of Oregon or Washington where you can experience some awesome skiing or snowboarding.

No matter what all of these are great options one should look into when traveling around Oregon and Washington. Alot of the times it also doesn't help to go into small towns you have never visited you never know what you may discover.