Explore Oregon with Kids: 4 Destinations for a Memorable Family Vacation

Exploring Oregon with your kids is a lovely way to create a memorable family vacation. Whether you’re an Oregon resident, from a neighboring state, or are just curious about the Pacific Northwest, traveling through this gorgeous, ecologically diverse state will help you connect with nature and discover new favorite spots.

It’s also a particularly great place to bring your kids because there’s so much to do, ranging from educational museum visits to afternoons splashing around at water parks.

Our favorite Oregon family vacation spots include Sun River, Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, and Bend. Keep reading to learn our top activity picks for each location, and consider booking a curated vacation rental to get the most out of your stay.

1. Sun River: Your Outdoor Oasis in Central Oregon

Located in the heart of Central Oregon just off the Dalles California Highway, Sun River is less than half an hour away from Bend and less than four hours from Portland.

Sun River is an outdoor adventurer’s dream– there’s hiking, biking, swimming, and several nature exhibits and museums.

It’s perfect for families because it has a good mix of structured and unstructured activities, along with outdoor trails that range from leisurely to challenging. Both the adults and kids in your group will be able to stay engaged with fun things to do– meaning while you’re there, you’ll be unlikely to hear “I’m booored” on repeat.

When planning your Sun River itinerary, we recommend you check out the following:

• The Deschutes National Forest for hiking, biking, and exploring
• The SHARC Aquatic and Recreation Center to cool off– it has pools, waterslides, and a lazy river for tubing
• And family-friendly restaurants like Sunriver Brewing, Cafe Sintra, or Blondie’s Pizza.
  

2. Cannon Beach: Coastal Adventures Close to Home

Cannon Beach is famous for its iconic Haystack Rock, a monolithic rock structure that is home to a tide pool ecosystem (meaning you can spot animals like starfish, sea anemones, and crabs). It also serves as a nesting site for sea birds.

Ecola State Park is also just about three miles north of Cannon Beach. It includes old growth rainforest, rock formations with incredible views, and the historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

After you’re done hiking, wading, and seeing how many different marine animals your group can count, head to downtown Cannon Beach for fresh seafood, local art, and boutique shopping.

Be sure to visit:

• The sea caves at Hug Point
• Local restaurants like The Wayfarer and Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market
• Art galleries (such as DragonFire Gallery, Bronze Coast Gallery, and Archimedes Gallery)-- perfect for families with older children and teens.
  

3. Arch Cape: Discover a Hidden Coastal Gem

Less than ten minutes away from Cannon Beach, you’ll find the community of Arch Cape.

Arch Cape feels intimate, tucked-away, and private. The community is so small that it doesn’t even have retail stores or a post office– it shares those resources with Cannon Beach. Its size and proximity to untouched coastline makes it a great place for quiet connection and reflection with your favorite people.

Ideas for how you can make the most out of your visit to Arch Cape:

• Pack a picnic basket with lunch or favorite snacks.
• Walk the beach, explore tidepools, and find hidden caves (following safety recommendations, of course).
• Bring journals, art supplies, or a yarn project. If that sounds like too much “doing,” you could also plug into your favorite meditation playlist and focus on “being” instead.
  

4. Bend: Your Central Oregon Outdoor Getaway

Located in the high desert of Central Oregon, Bend offers interesting scenery and plenty of family-friendly attractions. For those living in Oregon or nearby, it's a great spot to spend a long weekend because everyone in your family will find something that suits their interests.

Bend is on the Deschutes River and close to the Cascade Lakes– consider scheduling your getaway in the summer so you can enjoy the water as much as possible.

Reasons Bend is a great destination for families with kids:

• Hiking, biking, and river activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and open water swimming.
• Educational spots like the High Desert Museum, the Museum at Warm Springs, and the Fort Rock Homestead Village are nearby.
• Plenty of kid-friendly restaurants and food venues like Jackson’s Corner, The Lot, and Chow.
  

Make the most of your Oregon family getaway– book a vacation rental through The 100 Collection.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes each of our partners in the area the perfect choice when choosing your Oregon accommodations.

Bend Vacation Rentals by Arrived offers a wide variety of cozy houses that sleep between 4 and 14 people. These houses are varied in location– some are surrounded by forest, and others are right on the water. The views are beautiful across the board.

Cannon Beach and Arch Cape Vacation Rentals by Beachcomber Vacation Homes offer lovely, naturally-lit beachside homes that sleep between 4 and 24 people– perfect for extended family gatherings such as reunions, birthday celebrations, or weddings.

Sunriver Vacation Rentals by Cascara Vacation Rentals offer warm furnishings and rustic elegance. They sleep between 6 and 16 people, and will provide a comforting home base to return to after adventuring all day.

Of course, all of our Oregon partners offer top-notch amenities as well, including comfortable furnishings, crisp linens, Smart TVs, and kitchen and dining areas that can feed a crowd. Start looking for you rperfect rental today!