How to go off-beat with your honeymoon in Oregon

Personally, I find Oregon a thing of beauty. It’s anything but normal, so after I got hitched I looked for the most unusual destinations to set up my honeymoon. I really wanted to feel like a tourist, so I tried to search for the most off-beat place. Here are some of my favorites:

Climbing Mount Jefferson

My husband and I are avid mountaineers, and Oregon has a variety of mountain regions that one can explore. Dog mountain trail is perfect for beginners; although we’re daredevils and prefer Mount Jefferson. It’s very steep and challenging, but we truly enjoyed the experience. We cannot wait for winter to come to try out the routes on rough weather conditions!

Silver Falls State Park

It’s no wonder the locals call this place Oregon’s “crown jewel” of park systems – personally, I find it sublime. Silver Falls State Park is great offbeat location that made our honeymoon a dream come true. We loved the wealth of recreational opportunities available, natural beauty, and historic presence. Located at the foothills of Cascade Mountains, and only 1 hour away from Salem, the park is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in my life. Make sure to hop on the Trail of Ten Falls; a hiking area that descends into a beautiful winding creek! There are great camping spots nearby; as well as a playground and barbecue stands if you want your little honeymoon to really feel personal and alluring.

Cannon Beach

Moving from the top of the mountain to the beach, I do think Cannon Beach is the perfect travel destination for romantic honeymooners in Oregon. Famous for its sandy shores and peaceful vibes, this place exudes romance inside out. There’s Ecola State Park nearby; with sweeping views of the endless ocean, and the most surreal sunset. We stopped by Arcadia Beach as well; where we had a picnic and explored Hug Point with its secluded sea caves.

PortlandCrystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

We’re already familiar with Portland’s famous Peninsula Park and International Rose test Garden, meaning I was convinced that Crystal Springs will blow my mind. We visited the garden in late spring; the 2,500+ rhododendrons and beautiful azaleas made our honeymoon memorable. At the entrance, we decided to go for the self-guided tour because we really wanted to spend some time alone and admire the wildlife at our own pace. Crystal Lake never looked better!

Northeast Portland Cliff – The Grotto

Spanning on 62 acres of lush gardens, The Grotto is a sheer sanctuary with a very unique aesthetic. The tranquil paths and carved Catholic shrines really made us honeymoon feel even more romantic. At Lower Level, the imposing cave has a very nice trekking trail we decided to explore. The art gallery displayed spectacular nativity scenes; and from the gift shop nearby we got ourselves some souvenirs that we will probably cherish for a lifetime. I was impressed by the soft choral music in the background; definitely a must-see for couples.

For an extra $6 we also went to visit the Upper Level of the grotto. The famous botanical garden at the peak overlooks Columbia River Valley, Mount Saint Helens, and Cascade Mountains; a scenery that will always have a special place in my heart. I’m not a fan of meditation, but we got to the Marilyn Moyer chapel, I somehow felt the need to gather my thoughts and just embrace the serenity.

Crazy jet charter experience from Portland to Eugene

Because I’ve always wanted to see Eugene in Oregon, we chosen an air charter service in the last minute, and went on a crazy trip to Eugene. I was pleasantly impressed by the wonders of the city. The mix of impressive museums, variety of parks, and historic allure really made our honeymoon special. My favorite spot was Mount Pisgah Arboretum; a vast area of hills and valleys with stunning farmlands and a very traditional yet welcoming vibe.

What’s not to like Oregon? We had the best honeymoon ever and we would come back to the places I mentioned above anytime. I’m sure there’s plenty more to explore, and we’ve already started making plans for next year.

About the Author jasonphillips

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