I love this place. The owners (?) have always been very kind and you can view the fields after it technically closes. Oh and it's free!
Home | Swan Island Dahlias | Swan Dahlias
A great place to visit and also buy peonies (clipped or plants). Not too crowded and still free!
Adelman Peony Gardens: Shop Over 200 Peonies By Type
Peaceful and beautiful. They charge now, but you can get season passes if you plan to visit more than once. I usually see bunnies and hummingbirds there too!
Schreiner's Iris Gardens | Growing the finest Iris since 1925 ...
My favorite coastal town in Oregon. My husband and I got married nearby, and we like to visit regularly.
Cannon Beach | Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do
I think Salem is underrated. It's just the right size, a great location, and has access to lots of cool stuff.
Salem, Oregon
A very nice garden that I've been to several times. Silverton, in general, is a really cute town. It's only 20 minutes from Salem but feels like a getaway.
The Oregon Garden – The Oregon Garden
This has been a true refuge for me (corny as that sounds). I've been a hundred times, but unfortunately the last few times have been somewhat disappointing (fewer wildlife sightings, etc). Still: if you haven't been, you should go. It's a wonderful, ...
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Such a beautiful vineyard whether you like wine or just beautiful scenery. It's like 5 minutes from Salem and has some incredible views.
Willamette Valley Vineyards - Sustainably made classic Oregon ...
The Spruce Goose is so huge! This is a fun stop for homeschool, out of town guests, or just a nice outing. McMinnville is also a nice little town to get lunch or whatever.
Evergreen Museum: Home
Such a cute city!! And there's the whole Shakespeare thing if you're into that.
Ashland, Oregon
What a great city--there's a reason so many people talk it up.
Bend, Oregon: Your Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Adventures, Culinary ...
Nice scenic point for viewing, hiking, and enjoying the day. Plus: cute chipmunks!
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint - Oregon State Parks
It's so awesome that waterfalls are so accessible here. Beautiful any time of year.
Silver Falls State Park - Oregon State Parks
Beautiful, of course. This place gets crowded, so go during the week if possible. There's also a nice restaurant by the falls.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Multnomah Falls
This is such a fun day trip. Dan surprised me with it once and we had a really nice time. The gorge is gorge.
Columbia River Brunch & Dining Cruises | Sternwheeler Columbia ...
Awesome city park with a house for tours, gardens, and a nice walking path. I've been a jillion times with my camera.
Bush's Pasture Park field - Find a Park | Salem, Oregon
A free garden open during all daylight hours. Usually quiet--sometimes there are events. I'm so grateful for this place. Also we did the house tour and it was really interesting.