Things to Do in Oregon

Local artist and glass master Dan Watts opened the doors of MorArt more than a year ago with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that attracted the likes of actress Tippi Hedren of Hitchcock's The Birds fame. After the confetti settled and the balloon outlines of Hitchcock's silhouette popped, Lincoln City was left with a haven for hands-on glass making. 

Dan teaches the arts of glass fusing, mosaic building, and glass painting during one-on-one sessions or group classes. Equipping students with the tools, materials, and knowledge necessary, he lets them roam free to breathe life into their own refractive creations. Though he remains on-hand for advice, instruction, and assistance, the onus lies on each individual to create a masterpiece worthy of mantel display. Once students finish, Dan fires up his kiln's bedchamber so that each piece can stay and solidify overnight. Masterworks can be shipped for an additional fee, delivered express via the studio's catapult, or picked up from the store along with a few pieces of Dan's original work.

The 600-acre park plays host to visitors who drive through the more than four miles of winding grounds to catch up-close glimpses of its inhabitants—over 550 wild animals from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Bison, zebras, and giraffes roam the wide-open surroundings, living in harmony with tigers, lions, and bears. Founded by Frank Hart in 1972, the park has helped to protect endangered species while educating the public about them and their important roles in the fragile ecosystem. Visitors can make arrangements for private and personalized animal encounters as well as visit the safari village zoo, botanical gardens, and gift shop.

Plumes of steam puff from the locomotive as it travels along the Pacific coast. A mountainside blanketed in evergreens towers above the vessel as waves pound against the boulder-strewn shore below. Guided by the vision of president and engineer Scott Wickert, the nonprofit Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad serves as both a living history museum and tour operator for the state's forested coastline. Antique locomotives that hearken back to the region's logging origins take guests on waterside excursions as conductors feed the engines recycled motor oil and coal-flavored candies. Seasonal events bring about the railroad’s dinner trains, which treat guests to four-course meals as they gaze at the sparkling water of Tillamook and Nehalem Bays. For an even more immersive experience, conductors sometimes let passengers ride in the cab of the locomotive.

No strangers to the great outdoors, the guides of Sage Canyon River Company help visitors tackle the great outdoors on whitewater-rafting, camping, and fishing expeditions. Adventures range from three-hour jaunts to multiday trips into the wilds of the Oregon frontier, giving outdoorsmen many options for experiencing nature. Thrill seekers can steer a raft or oversize rubber duck through calm waters amid desert-rock formations or crash through Class IV rapids—including the challenging Oak Springs on the Deschutes River—under the direction of a trained guide. For adventures that tend to keep the water outside of the boat, fishing trips journey into Sherars Falls and Macks Canyon in search of trout and steelhead, with fly- and reel-casting opportunities.

Over its 155-mile path from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, the Rogue River alternates between slow-flowing Class I water to roiling, Class IV rapids that challenge even experienced paddlers. Rogue Rafting Co. is situated mere steps from the dynamic watercourse, making it easy for paddlers of all ages and abilities to go exploring by raft or kayak.

Professional river guides lead tours that range from three-hour forays to multi-day camping trips. Though they challenge guests to brave the Class IV Nugget Falls and Power House rapids, they consider passengers’ comfort paramount. To that end, they welcome nervous guests to jump ashore, walk around the more challenging rapids, and then rejoin the group on the other side. Additionally, guides can customize tours to suit groups’ interests, whether it be tackling the most difficult rapids or taking time to spot eagles, osprey, and nomadic watercolor painters who roost along the shore.

Indian Creek Golf Course's layout snakes through the Hood River Valley between a network of sprawling orchards and wineries with panoramic views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams creating a dramatic backdrop. Water comes into play on 11 holes, including three creeks that bisect fairways to disrupt play and tempt players to take fairway naps to the melodic babbling of their playing partners. On the par 5 fourth hole, precision is paramount, as the dogleg right is entirely fortified by water to the right and the small, narrow green make short putts strenuous with hard-to-read-breaks.

Indian Creek Golf Course won an Environmental Excellence award from Audubon International for its efforts in areas of wildlife and habitat management, chemical-use reduction, and water-quality management. The course and its surrounding land act as a sanctuary to a variety of wildlife, including several species of caddies now endangered because rampant cart use. Course at a Glance:

• Par 72
• Three sets of tees
• 6,150 yards from the back tees
• Rating of 71.3 and slope of 129 from the back tees