St. Johns Bridge
Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon's largest city, is enjoying the traditional warm dry summer weather, ideal conditions for it's famous roses. Portland is home to the annual Rose Festival with the popular Grand Floral Parade. Portland, set beautifully near where the Columbia and Willamette rivers converge, is filled with coffee houses, brewhouses and micro-distilleries. Visitors can enjoy Portland via the light rail system and on foot with plenty of places to relax and take a break. A well known Northwestern city, Portland is one of the “greenest” cities in the US. The city is also know for its counter-culture movements and is a haven for young individualists.

The Portland Farmers Market is a must do for summer visitors to the city. Six markets are held on different days in various locations throughout Portland. The most well-known is the Saturday market held at Portland State University. New markets in 2010 will be Mondays at Pioneer Courthouse Square and an additional Thursday market on NW 23rd Street. The Wednesday market at Shemanski Park caters to downtown Portland, the Buckman market in Southeast Portland is on Thursdays and Sundays the King Market serves the North and Northeast of the city. The Markets run through the end of September.

The 23rd Annual Waterfront Blues Festival is held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park July 2nd through the 5th. The 2010 Festival is a fantastic way to celebrated the 4th of July with a fireworks spectacular over the Willamette River topping off the July 4th performances. Headliners include Taj Mahal, Booker T, and several zydeco groups. Just a few of the top names that are scheduled. Music fan will not want to miss this Blues Festival, it is one of the biggest in the country.

The Best Western Inn at the Meadows located off I-5 and the Best Western Pony Soldier Inn - Airport just off I-205 are convenient for travelers to the Waterfront Blues Festival and downtown Portland. Both are within walking distance of light-rail service, so you can park the car and enjoy the city and events on foot.

The Portland area offers great summer options for exercise enthusiasts. The 15th Anniversary Providence Bridge Pedal takes place August 8th. The Willamette River bridges are shut down to cars and open to bicycles on routes from 3 to 36 miles. Walkers are also welcome on a 6 mile walk beginning and ending in downtown Portland.

The Portland Triathlon, sponsored by the Freshwater Trust, is August 22nd. Geared for athletes of all abilities, events include Olympic and sprint distance triathlons plus 5k and 1K runs. This is Portland's only triathlon. The Hood to Coast Relay passes through Portland on leg 12 of the course. The Portland to Coast Walk and the Portland to Coast High School Challenge are sister events of the HTC relay and are held the same weekend.

The Best Western University Inn & Suites in Forest Grove is just west of Portland and convenient to downtown, area wineries and the coast. The Best Western Northwind Inn & Suites is about 20 minutes from downtown on the road to the coast. A convenient location and with jetted tubs and suites available, this hotel makes a great place to relax after a big race.

Mt. Bachelor

The Cascade Mountains bisect Oregon's coast and the Willamette Valley from the remaining Eastern two thirds of the country. Mount Hood in Oregon's North is the tallest peak in the state and a popular climbing peak. In the south, Crater Lake is on Mount Mazama with Mount Scott to its south - both in Crater Lake National Park. Klamath Falls and Upper Klamath Lake are on the Pacific Flyway bird migration path, and ideal habitat for water fowl and Bald Eagles. Mount Bachelor west of Bend is one of the Northwest's largest winter resorts, and 2010 is looking like another great year. The first snowfall was August 30th.

Crater Lake honors National Public Lands Day with its 2010 Family Fun Day, September 25th. Park admission is free and there are exciting events for the family. The Klamath Indigenous Dance Society will perform, with music by the Wocus Bay drummers. Wildlife Images will host exhibits on the regions indigenous birds of prey. There will even be afternoon root beer floats for visitors to top off the day. A nice day to enjoy and learn about Crater Lake and the area.

The Klamath Blues Society presents the 2010 Klamath Blues Festival Saturday, September 18th. A fun local festival in its third year, music fans will enjoy Chris Bell, Becki Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies and Mike Zito among the performers. Held at Veterans Memorial Park in Klamath Falls, there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors on hand along with arts, crafts and a special kidfest for the youngsters – the whole family is welcome!

The Best Western Klamath Inn and the Best Western Olympic Inn are convenient locations for travelers to Klamath Falls. Located about an hour from Crater Lake National Park, these hotels make a great home base to explore the Southern Oregon Cascade region. Offering clean and comfortable accommodations at reasonable rates, make a good choice with Best Western Hotels.

Sisters hosts the 29th Annual Sisters Harvest Faire October 9th and 10th, 2010. Sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, over 200 juried artists will showcase their wares. Known for quality unique handcrafted goods, visitors also enjoy live entertainment and fresh local food. Travelers can find excellent accommodations at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge in Sisters. Located on 14 acres surrounded by National Forest, the setting is spectacular and convenient for outdoor activities and area attractions.

Redmond, Oregon east of Sisters is celebrating its Centennial this year. The 2010 Harvest Celebration honors the culture and heritage core to the development of the city. Held September 17th through the 19th, residents and visitors enjoy live music, speakers, and the downtown harvest market and celebration. Vendors will offer fresh local produce, goods and all-American pies. Have fun with the historic games and activities. The Harvest Festival Dinner Saturday night is a BBQ feast will music and historic presentations. There is fun for everyone at Redmond's Centennial Celebration. The Best Western Rama Inn in Redmond is ideal for travelers. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and a convenient location at the Best Western Rama Inn.

Oregon State University - Corvallis

Oregon's Interstate 5 Corridor is the major north south passage through the state. I-5 links Portland the largest city, in the north to other business, education and commercial centers west of the Cascade Mountains. Salem the state capital sits about an hour south of Portland in the center of the Willamette Valley. Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, ten miles west of I-5, 30 miles from Salem. Eugene, in the South of the Willamette Valley, is home to the Oregon Ducks, the popular University of Oregon sport's teams. Eugene is the second largest city in Oregon. The I-5 corridor continues through Medford and Ashland in the south of Oregon.

Film enthusiasts mark mid-October on your calendars for the Salem Film Festival. The 2010 festival has been pushed to the fall and will be October 15th through the 22nd. Film goers have the opportunity to screen a variety of independent films and interacts with the filmmakers. Student and amateur filmmakers also will have an opportunity to showcase their works. Sponsored by Salem Cinema, Allied Video Productions and Salem Film Society, who are dedicated to bringing inspiring and innovative films to Salem.

The Best Western Pacific Highway Inn, the Best Western Mill Creek Inn and the Best Western Black Bear Inn offer quality and convenient lodging in the Salem area. The Best Western Pacific Highway Inn is north of downtown, just east of I-5. The Best Western Black Bear Inn offers family units along with refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms. The Best Western Mill Creek Inn is located near Highway 22 and Interstate 5, convenient to downtown and region attractions. Make Best Western Hotels your choice for accommodations in the Salem area.

Corvallis celebrates its 38th Annual Fall Festival September 25th and 26th, 2010. The Corvallis Fall Festival brings together a diversity of visual and performance arts, along with great community activities. The Fall Festival Run features 1K, 5K and 10K runs and welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. An evening street dance will be held on Saturday evening, along with daily entertainment at the children's and main stages. Over 170 arts and crafts booths are the highlight of the festival, showcasing unique and innovative art creations for sale.

The Best Western Grand Manor Inn is conveniently located north of downtown Corvallis. Close to Oregon State University, it makes ideal accommodations for travelers to Beavers games. Enjoy your time in Corvallis with comfortable and quality amenities at the Best Western Grand Manor.

The Siskiyou Challenge, in Ashland, is an exciting multi-sport relay race hosting its inaugural event in 2010. The course is a 46 mile circle around Ashland, featuring an 11K run, 3K Kayak, 25 mile road bike leg, 9 mile mountain bike loop and a 5K run. Participants can enter as individuals or teams for one of the most unique race events in the US. Fans and family can join in the Fun Run and Festival near the finish. Costumes are encouraged, so this challenging event will also be fun and full of surprises. Ashland's Best Western Windsor Inn and Best Western Bard's Inn make ideal accommodations for travelers to the Siskiyou Challenge. Come make this event a success!

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast - the perfect summer vacation spot. From Tillamook on the coast west of Portland, Astoria and Seaside in the North, to the Southern Oregon coastal cities of Bandon and Brookings it is the ideal time to enjoy Oregon’s beaches and coast. With over 350 miles of diverse coastline, with pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs and evergreen forests on the ocean’s edge, the Oregon coast awaits your adventure. Visit the Astoria Column that was built on top of Coxcomb Hill; spend some time along more than 40 miles of coastal sand dunes at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and glimpse times gone by at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts take a trip to North Bend near Coos Bay for the Annual Circle the Bay 30km Run/Walk or Relay. The 2010 event, the 36th year for Circle the Bay, is held August 7th. Sponsored by the South Coast Running Club, this is a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Coos Bay. Bring family and friends to the coast for a long weekend before the end of summer. The Best Western Holiday Motel is conveniently located downtown on highway 10, an ideal spot for racers. With accommodations ranging from standard rooms to two room suites, Best Western is ready for any size group.

For some good old fashioned fun at the fair head to Tillamook August 11th through the 14th for the Tillamook County Fair. One of the best county fairs in Oregon, visitors enjoy traditional fair exhibits showcasing the best livestock and agriculture in the region. Fair events include the demolition derby, the famous Pig-N-Ford races, horse racing and free grandstand shows. The 2010 headliners include Craig Morgan and Eddie Money. Tillamook’s Best Western Inn and Suites is ready for your visit. With affordable rates and comfortable accommodations, you can enjoy the fair and stick around for a tour of the Tillamook County Cheese Factory or other local sites.

Bandon, the cranberry capital of Oregon, celebrates its bounty at the 2010 Cranberry Festival September 10th through the 12th. Bandon has celebrated the Cranberry Festival since 1946 with a morning parade and a full day of fun activities and events. Browse the arts and crafts vendors and enjoy a variety of food and products made from cranberries. Cranberry Festival is a terrific late summer event.

The Best Western Inn at Face Rock in Bandon is beachfront and an ideal place to stay for Bandon visitors. Start your day with a complimentary full breakfast before the Cranberry Festival or a day at the beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful on the Oregon Coast. You can surf, fish or simply relax and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Eastern Oregon captivates travelers with its eclectic beauty, from John Day's color rich painted hills to the depths of Hell's Canyon. The peaks of the Wallowas and crags of Steens Mountain, provide a beautiful back drop to the wheat fields of the Columbia River Plateau. Ontario, an eastern gateway to Oregon sits close to the Idaho state line off interstate 84. Ontario is appropriately tagged with the moniker - the city where Oregon begins. Rich in history,Eastern Oregon is the land of Lewis and Clark, Chief Joseph and the Oregon Trail.

Ontario, quite appropriately celebrates the diversity of Oregon's heritage and the famous Oregon Trail in June, hosting America's Global Village Festival. Featuring a parade and main stage, the festival showcases cultural villages with native foods, arts and crafts. Each village will hold a kid's activity, making this a terrific family festival, featuring fun in the context of Oregon's history.

Enterprise in the northeast corner of Oregon is surrounded by the natural beauty of pine forest, the Wallowa Mountains and Wallowa Lake. An outdoor enthusiasts wonderland, residents take full advantage of their surroundings, and welcome visitors to do likewise. The Best Western Rama Inn and Suites in Enterprise is a perfect home base to discover northwestern Oregon.

The 28th Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts, in June, is held in Joseph less than 10 miles from Enterprise. With a vibrant arts community and loyal following, the festival showcases works from local to national artists. This is an excellent opportunity to find high quality, one of a kind pieces at great values. Enterprise Arts and Crafts Fair Celebrate Enterprise, an equally entertaining festival is held in July.

Pendleton to the north, famous as the original home for Pendleton Woolen Mills, is proud of its western heritage. 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Round-Up, a showcase for western and cowboy culture. Held in September, the round-up features a world-class rodeo, parades, concerts and shows. This is the event to show the family what a real rodeo is like.

Need something to do before the kids go back to school? The Umatilla County Fair is held in August. The fair is held in Hermiston at the fairgrounds, and is a classic event for family fun and entertainment. Complete with 4-H exhibits and judging, local livestock and agriculture, carnival and top notch performers, everyone will be happy.

Travelers to Pendleton and Hermiston have several Best Western Hotels to choose from. The Best Western Pendleton Inn, the Best Western Hermiston Inn and the Best Western Rama Inn and Suites in La Grande are convenient to the region and I-84. Whether you are traveling through or visiting one of the exciting sites or events in the area, make sure to rest-up and rejuvenate at Best Western Hotels.

Multnomah Falls

The Columbia River forms the state line between Oregon and Washington, cutting a spectacular passage through the Cascade Mountains. The dramatic gorge created by the Columbia River is set below Mt Hood, Oregon's tallest peak. The gorge section of the Columbia River Highway, or Interstate 84, is 80 miles long, sits at sea-level and is lined with cliffs up to 4,00 feet high. Encompassed by the Mount Hood National Forest, the region is paradise for outdoor recreation and activities. From world-renowned windsurfing and kite boarding near Hood River, kayaking, fishing and rafting, on a variety of rivers, to breathtaking hiking and mountain biking trails, the Columbia River Gorge is un-surpassed.

The 7th Annual Hood River Hops Fest returns on October 2nd to Hood River. With craft brewers from over 20 of the Northwest's finest beer makers, this is a popular fall tradition in the gorge. More than excellent beer tasting, there is live entertainment, special art activities and a climbing wall for kids. With great food, including BBQ from the Apple Valley Store, you will not go hungry.

The 28th Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest will be October 15th through the 17th, 2010. Held outdoors along the waterfront on the Columbia River, Harvest Fest features fun and activities for all ages. Get the freshest and best selection of local produce from the fall harvest, browse the arts and crafts booths, enjoy food and drink from the best local vendors, while enjoying live entertainment. A special kid's zone will keep children entertained and everyone has a great day.

The Best Western Hood River Inn is ideal for travelers in the Columbia River Gorge. The Hood River Inn offers clean and comfortable accommodations, in a breathtaking setting and location convenient to local outdoor activities and attractions. Choose a suite or river-view room and all rooms feature a mini-fridge and microwave. Enjoy your stay in the Gorge with Best Western Hotels.

The community of Cascade Locks celebrates its culture and heritage at the 2010 Festival of Nations in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The festival is held at Cascade Locks Marine Park September 24th through 26th. A showcase for the arts and culture of the Native American heritage of the area, everyone is welcome to come enjoy and share the experience. Highlights of the festival include the 10K Salmon Run, 1 Mile Fun Run, Native American dance and drumming performances and special activities geared for children. Sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Wasco and Paiute Native American Tribes from Central Oregon welcome all visitors.

The Best Western Columbia River Inn is conveniently located in Cascade Locks within walking distance of the Marine Park. Enjoy the comfortable lodging and friendly customer service on your visit to Cascade Locks. Close to all the areas activities, make a getaway out of your stay and spend a day on the river, hiking or enjoying your favorite outdoor activity.

Crater Lake National Park

Travelers to Southern Oregon will find the state's only National Park – Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US at almost 2,000 feet which fluctuates with weather conditions. The lake is located in Klamath County, among a variety of outstanding outdoor destinations. The Klamath area includes six National Wildlife Refuges, the Fremont-Winema National Forests and Upper Klamath Lake, which is the largest freshwater body in Oregon. Lakeview in Lake County and the Goose Lake Valley, is one of Oregon's tallest towns at 4800 feet. Well-known as a premier location for hang gliding and parasailing, Lakeview commonly hosts national free flight events.

Southern Oregon hosts the inaugural Field and Stream Festival at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point, October 9th and 10th, 2010. The first annual festival will showcase the harvest bounty of Southern Oregon and products, vendors and services that promote a sustainable green lifestyle. From natural health and beauty products and handcrafted goods, to alternative energy products and technology, this festival will be informative as well as fun. There will be music and an open mike, Kid's Fest for the children, a Salmon Cook-off, BBQ and cooking demonstrations. Enjoy events and entertainment for everyone.

Klamath Falls hosts another first for Southern Oregon. The Moore Park Half Marathon will be held Sunday September 26th, 2010. In addition to the half marathon, there is a 5K course for a trail run or walk. Join in the fun and support the inaugural running of this Klamath Falls event. The Best Western Olympic Inn and the Best Western Klamath Inn in Klamath Falls are ideal for travelers to the area. Both are centrally located near the area's events and attractions, with clean comfortable accommodations.

Lake County is the site of a couple of unique Oregon attractions. The Oregon State gemstone is the Sunstone, known as the Plush Diamond. The gem is only found in Lake County. The Sunstone Collection Area in lake County is open for free collection of the stones as long as they are not resold. No mechanized equipment is allowed, but shovels and picks are welcome. Lake County is home to Ole Perpetual, the only hot water geyser in the pacific Northwest. Visitors to Lake County have the convenience of the Best Western Skyline Motor Lodge. Bring the family dog along, this Best Western Hotel is pet-friendly. Relax and enjoy your travels in Southern Oregon at Best Western Hotels.