Driving through Oregon, you may come across some pretty bizarre roadside attractions. From life-sized dinosaur sculptures to fake ghost towns, you almost never know what oddity will appear on the horizon next. If you’re craving a dose of the unusual, these eight odd roadside attractions in Oregon are sure to catch your eye:
- Paul Bunyan statue, Portland
flickr/ Darin Barry This famous, 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue is located on North Interstate and North Denver avenues in Portland and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to celebrate the state’s centennial, and it has continued to draw visitors since its unveiling in 1959.
- Prehistoric Gardens, Highway 101
flickr/ Mark Goebel Longing to go back to a simpler time? Located on the beautiful Highway 101, this charming roadside attraction features 23 incredible, life-sized dinosaur sculptures. The whole family will enjoy this unusual local landscape.
- Short Bridge Ghost Town, Highway 20
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood Driving along Highway 20, you’ll come across the tiny ghost town of Short Bridge. Upon closer inspection, however, you can see that the little town is fake; it’s only a very ornate facade. Nonetheless, this charming and old-timey attraction continues to draw interest.
- Enchanted Forest, off Interstate 5
flickr/ Thomas Shahan This unique, fairytale-themed amusement park is absolutely enchanting. It’s located just off the I-5 near Salem and is a must for visitors and locals alike. This fairytale destination has entertained visitors since 1971.
- Caveman sculpture, Grants Pass
flickr/ Miguel Tejada-Flores Driving through Grants Pass, you’ll be greeted by this awesome, 17-foot-tall caveman sculpture. It was first unveiled in 1971, and it has since become a source of local pride.
- Petersen Rock Garden
flickr/ Calvin Hodgson This amazing rock garden and museum features incredible handmade miniatures of famous monuments, castles, bridges, and more - and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located just outside of Redmond just off US 97. Though only 4 acres in size, you’ll fall in love with this impressive landscape.
- Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery, Gold Hill
flickr/ Lynn Friedman The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery is a bafflling place where you’ll witness strange phenomena like balls rolling uphill, brooms balancing on their handles, and more. Located in Gold Hill just off the I-5, this house of optical illusions is incredible for visitors young and old.
- Peace Candle of the World, Highway 30.
flickr/ Ed Kohler This incredible 50-foot candle is located on Highway 30 in Scappoose. Formerly a silo, this huge structure was filled with candle wax and renovated into an enormous candle promoting world peace. Believe it or not, this statue was designed using actual wax, and it originally had a wick. Nowadays, of course, it just features a flame-shaped light.
Oregon is full of quirky, unusual attractions. Have you visited any of these offbeat places? Share your thoughts on these roadside attractions in Oregon with us in the comments!
flickr/ Darin Barry
This famous, 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue is located on North Interstate and North Denver avenues in Portland and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to celebrate the state’s centennial, and it has continued to draw visitors since its unveiling in 1959.
flickr/ Mark Goebel
Longing to go back to a simpler time? Located on the beautiful Highway 101, this charming roadside attraction features 23 incredible, life-sized dinosaur sculptures. The whole family will enjoy this unusual local landscape.
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood
Driving along Highway 20, you’ll come across the tiny ghost town of Short Bridge. Upon closer inspection, however, you can see that the little town is fake; it’s only a very ornate facade. Nonetheless, this charming and old-timey attraction continues to draw interest.
flickr/ Thomas Shahan
This unique, fairytale-themed amusement park is absolutely enchanting. It’s located just off the I-5 near Salem and is a must for visitors and locals alike. This fairytale destination has entertained visitors since 1971.
flickr/ Miguel Tejada-Flores
Driving through Grants Pass, you’ll be greeted by this awesome, 17-foot-tall caveman sculpture. It was first unveiled in 1971, and it has since become a source of local pride.
flickr/ Calvin Hodgson
This amazing rock garden and museum features incredible handmade miniatures of famous monuments, castles, bridges, and more - and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located just outside of Redmond just off US 97. Though only 4 acres in size, you’ll fall in love with this impressive landscape.
flickr/ Lynn Friedman
The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery is a bafflling place where you’ll witness strange phenomena like balls rolling uphill, brooms balancing on their handles, and more. Located in Gold Hill just off the I-5, this house of optical illusions is incredible for visitors young and old.
flickr/ Ed Kohler
This incredible 50-foot candle is located on Highway 30 in Scappoose. Formerly a silo, this huge structure was filled with candle wax and renovated into an enormous candle promoting world peace. Believe it or not, this statue was designed using actual wax, and it originally had a wick. Nowadays, of course, it just features a flame-shaped light.
Longing for more local adventure? Check out these 7 incredibly strange places in Oregon.
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Address: North Denver Avenue, N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217, USAAddress: 36848 US-101, Port Orford, OR 97465, USAAddress: US-20, Sweet Home, OR, USAAddress: 8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392, USAAddress: Grants Pass, OR, USAAddress: 7930 SW 77th St, Redmond, OR 97756, USAAddress: 4303 Sardine Creek L Fork Rd, Gold Hill, OR 97525, USAAddress: Scappoose, OR 97056, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Roadside Attractions In Oregon February 02, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the best road trips to take through Oregon? If you’re craving a road trip through Oregon, you’ll be pleased to know that The Beaver State is full of incredible destinations. You can take in the beauty of the Oregon Coast, or you can check out some local waterfalls. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll surely fall in love with our state’s beauty. What bizarre trait is Oregon known for? Our state is known for its incredible geographic diversity. If you’ve never visited, you may be surprised to learn that there are many weird places in Oregon. You can, for example, hike on a dormant volcano and visit a beach in the same day. What are some unique things to do in Oregon? Visitors and locals alike enjoy a diversity of things to do in Oregon. You can check out winter waterfalls or go whale watching. You can also ask the locals how to have a good time like a true Oregonian – we’re happy to point you in the right direction!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Roadside Attractions In Oregon
February 02, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the best road trips to take through Oregon? If you’re craving a road trip through Oregon, you’ll be pleased to know that The Beaver State is full of incredible destinations. You can take in the beauty of the Oregon Coast, or you can check out some local waterfalls. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll surely fall in love with our state’s beauty. What bizarre trait is Oregon known for? Our state is known for its incredible geographic diversity. If you’ve never visited, you may be surprised to learn that there are many weird places in Oregon. You can, for example, hike on a dormant volcano and visit a beach in the same day. What are some unique things to do in Oregon? Visitors and locals alike enjoy a diversity of things to do in Oregon. You can check out winter waterfalls or go whale watching. You can also ask the locals how to have a good time like a true Oregonian – we’re happy to point you in the right direction!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re craving a road trip through Oregon, you’ll be pleased to know that The Beaver State is full of incredible destinations. You can take in the beauty of the Oregon Coast, or you can check out some local waterfalls. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll surely fall in love with our state’s beauty.
What bizarre trait is Oregon known for?
Our state is known for its incredible geographic diversity. If you’ve never visited, you may be surprised to learn that there are many weird places in Oregon. You can, for example, hike on a dormant volcano and visit a beach in the same day.
What are some unique things to do in Oregon?
Visitors and locals alike enjoy a diversity of things to do in Oregon. You can check out winter waterfalls or go whale watching. You can also ask the locals how to have a good time like a true Oregonian – we’re happy to point you in the right direction!
