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Portland has no qualms with being known as America’s weirdest city. That became obvious from the moment I arrived a few months ago.
As a first-time visitor, I stumbled upon drag shows at food truck parks, ‘Karaoke from Hell‘, and every downtown corner seemed to waft with patchouli oil.
It goes without saying Portland is Oregon’s most popular destination, and it’s certainly not everyone’s flavor as this city has been notoriously, let’s say, open-minded, in recent years with controversial back-and-forth law changes that friendly locals I personally spoke with claim is the cause turning this once bustling bohemian haven upside down.
Whether you’re a fan of the “City of Roses” or not, there’s one thing that’s certain ¸— much of Oregon is overlooked in the shadow of California, along with the good or bad headlines of Portland.
But that’s set to change soon as a pair of lesser-known cities are destined to become Oregon’s new hotspots this summer.
Medford: Last Call For Crater Lake!
Ever heard of Medford? Well, you likely will this year.
Practically hugging the California state line lies an underrated city brimming with an up-and-coming wine scene, a buzzing County Fair, and gateway to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most astounding nature, which is the top reason Medford is expected to see a spike in tourism.
If you want to experience the park’s famous 33-mile Rim Drive in its entirety, summer 2025 is the perfect time to go. A major, multi-year road rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin in 2026, which will cause significant closures and detours along the scenic route for several years.
Crater Lake feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but that’s where Medford comes to the rescue as an easy gateway.
To be clear, Portland is over five hours away from Crater Lake, while Rogue Valley International Medford Airport is just under 2 hours away. Both airports host Alaska, Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, and United, and they offer a wide selection of direct flights.
And while you’re in town this summer, make sure to check out a local favorite, the Jackson County Fair set to kick off July 15-20, 2025 in nearby Central Point.
As for Medford proper, there’s an array of scenic wineries offering award-winning wines and sensational cuisine. While HomeToGo just revealed Portland and Astoria as Oregon’s top foodie destinations, don’t sleep on Medford’s trendy restaurants, such as The Beatrice and Decant, both holding near-perfect Google ratings.
North Bend: Flights Put This Coastal Gem On The Map
You may know of Bend, Oregon. How could you not with the world’s last Blockbuster store?!
But you may not know North Bend, an entirely different destination along Oregon’s lesser-known coast compared to California’s sprawl.
On one side of North Bend, you have calm Coos Bay, not to be confused with the neighboring town of the same name.
On the other, you have beautiful Pacific coastline with spacious beaches, such as Horsfall Beach, where one recent beachgoer loved how untouched it felt, saying there were ‘sand dollars everywhere!’.
North Bend is a laid-back delight for those looking to evade the summer crowds of big cites or popular beach towns…or Portland’s “zombies”.
Best of all, North Bend easy to reach. Their small Southwest Oregon Regional Airport has a daily flight from the major hub of Denver, so you can skip the road trip from Portland or Eugene and fly right in.
Not only is North Bend a beach town, it’s a outdoor lover’s dream whether for serene hikes in the woods, cascading waterfalls, or more action-packed mountain biking.
TripAdvisor’s Top Oregon Gems To Uncover For 2025
If for some odd reason neither Medford nor North Bend tickles your fancy this summer, TripAdvisor released a top 10 list of Oregon hidden gems for 2025:
- Crater Lake National Park (told ya!)
- Silver Falls State Park
- Ecola State Park
- Pittock Mansion
- The Grotto (National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother)
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Smith Rock State Park
- Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
- Forest Park
- Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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