What to do in Oregon while house and pet sitting

Are you up for a pet sitting trip that won’t just bring a new pet buddy into your life but will also let you explore some of the most beautiful natural areas the US has to offer? Then Oregon might be right up your sleeve!

With 11 national forests, 21 national wildlife refuges, 361 state parks, a national scenic area and a national grassland, Oregon is the place to be for any outdoor lover – and any doggo who loves to go on long walks. Which is pretty much every doggo, right? Read on and find out which of all the amazing areas above you should most definitely visit, and what to do in Oregon apart from hiking and enjoying nature’s beauty.

Oregon attractions

When it comes to the best Oregon tourist attractions, the first places that come to mind are some of its stunning natural areas, but there are just as many things to see in Oregon’s cities, especially in its capital Portland. Here are our top things to do in Oregon:

1. Crater Lake National Park: out of all the picturesque national parks in the north-western US state, our favourite must see in Oregon is the Crater Lake National Park. Located in the state’s south and established in 1902, the park features scenic lakes, lush forests, snow-covered mountain peak vistas and abundant fauna and flora to be explored and enjoyed.

2. Silver Falls State Park: should you be staying in Oregon’s north and love waterfalls, Silver Falls State Park is the national park for you! Here, you’ll find a whopping ten falls as well as a plethora of tranquil brooks and rivers running through a fairy-tale forest, perfect for some quiet hikes or picnics on the banks.

3. Portland’s museums: no trip to Oregon is complete without a trip to Portland – but what is there to do in Oregon’s exciting capital? One of the places to see in Oregon’s biggest city – or rather some of the places, plural, to see there – are Portland’s fascinating museums. From the city’s famous Portland Art Museum to the Oregon Maritime Museum, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, or the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, all the way to more unusual exhibitions at the Portland Puppet Museum, the National Hat Museum, or the Kidd Toy Museum – Portland has exhibitions for every taste and fancy.

Free things to do in Oregon

Looking for even more places to go in Oregon, preferably budget-friendly ones? Here is some of the best free stuff to do in Oregon:

1. Smith Rock State Park: like true for most national parks in the US, entry to the Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon is 100% free, unless you count the day-parking ticket you need to buy should you decide to travel here using a rental car. Unlike the parks we’ve previously mentioned, though, the Smith Rock State Park boasts breath-taking river canyon and rock formation vistas and is perfect for hiking as well as mountain biking, animal spotting, rock climbing and even kayaking.

2. Seaside adventures: as a state located directly on the US West Coast, Oregon features many beautiful beach towns and seaside locations, offering spectacular ocean views and amazing opportunities to take a dip in the waves. If surfing’s your thing, the best area to do so are Oregon’s northern shores, whereas the southern ones are great for relaxing days basking in the sun or reading a book on the warm sand. Oh, and did we mention Oregon’s coasts are also great for whale watching trips?

Fun things to do in Oregon

On to even more fun Oregon attractions! Here are some of the best things to do in Oregon that are simple, pure fun:

1. Mount Hood: have you ever been up a real, potentially active volcano? Climbing or hiking around Mount Hood in Oregon is your chance to do just that! There are various trails that run up and around the mountain, offering exciting hikes for all skill levels as well as amazing views of the surrounding area and the snow-topped volcano itself.

2. Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve: from the top of the world to its dark but just as beautiful belly. At the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, located in the state’s very south, amid the Siskiyou Mountains, you can take traditional or candlelight tours through stunning stalagmite caves, and even go on off-trail caving adventures if you’re daring enough.

3. Oaks Amusement Park: are you in the mood for some adrenaline-filled entertainment? Then best plan for a trip to Oaks Amusement Park in Portland. Oaks is one of the oldest, continually operating amusement parks in the entire US and features about two dozen rides, such as the beautiful historic Herschell–Spillman Noah's Ark Carousel, as well as a skating rink you can visit through all seasons.

What to do in Oregon with pets

What to see in Oregon with your new pet buddy? The good news is there are plenty of great Portland dog parks to choose from. These adventures are perfect for a day out with the pooch:

1. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: where the desert meets the sea – that’s how one might describe the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. And the best thing? You can explore it alongside your new four-legged friend! Just be sure to bring a leash, poop bags and plenty of drinkable water for you and the pupper.

2. Forest Park & Witch’s Castle, Portland: should your Oregon pet sitting adventures take you to Portland, bring the doggo and check out Forest Park, a scenic, 4,000 acres woodland area. Among its many highlights is the Witch’s Castle, an old two-story stone house that once served as a rather unique public toilet.

3. GoodDog! off-leash trail, Bend: for some off-leash fun with the pooch during your pet sitting trip to Bend, head over to the GoodDog! trail. The beautiful off-leash park offers chilled walkways through groves and meadows, a scenic lake and ample opportunity to play fetch, have a picnic, or just chill out in the soft green grass together.

Best Restaurants in Oregon: Food and drink

Ready for some of the best food Oregon has to offer after all your exciting outdoor and city adventures? Here are our picks for the state’s top eateries:

1. Bangers & Brews, Bend: if you’re wondering what the best restaurants in Bend, Oregon that are also dog-friendly are, here’s our top contender! Bangers and Brews offers exactly what the name suggests: a wide variety of yummy sausage dishes and refreshing drinks – best enjoyed on the eatery’s pooch-approved patio.
2. Purringtons Cat Lounge, Portland: we just know you’ll love this next one here. Purringtons Cat Lounge is a hip café in north-east Portland, where you can enjoy delicious snacks while petting amazingly cute, free-roaming kitties, waiting to find people to give them new forever-homes. Doesn’t that sound like the best place for afternoon tea ever?
3. The Tin Shed, Portland: another one among the best restaurants in Portland, Oregon is this cozy and very dog-friendly café. The Tin Shed offers mouth-watering brunches and lunches as well as hearty dinner options for you and the pooch. And just to be clear: Yes, they have a special dog menu!

So, where in Oregon would you most love to go? Have a look right here to explore all currently available Oregon pet sitting opportunities and take your pick! And should you be new to TrustedHousesitters and need a few up-front pointers on how to register, how our members connect, or how to apply for pet sits, simply check out our How it works page.

Up for some insider tips?

If you’ve never been to Oregon and would love to hear about the best inside scoops on which places to see and which activities to try, best join our Community Forum and get valuable tips directly from other pet-loving members of the TrustedHousesitters community.