Oregon Staycation: 7 Fun Things to Do While Staying Close to Home

For many people, a vacation means taking a trip to another state or country, but that doesn't always have to be the case, especially in Oregon. Planning a family staycation can cost less, produce memories and uncover fun activities close to home.

Here are seven fun things to do in the state of Oregon:

1. Voodoo Doughnuts: This isn't your basic doughnut shop. With more than 90 varieties, featuring Bacon Maple Bar, Captain my Captain, Grape Ape and other flavor names not suitable for print, these gooey treats are the ultimate in decadence. Also, those looking for an unconventional wedding, Voodoo Donuts can also provide an official legal exchange of marriage vows, as performed by an ordained minister beneath the holy doughnut and a velvet painting of Isaac Hayes, Kenny Rodgers or a Crying Conan, depending upon the location. There are four locations, three in Oregon.

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2. Timberline Lodge: The mountain ski lodge near Mount Hood in Oregon was built in the late 1930s and draws more than one million visitors each year. A National Historic Landmark, exterior shots of the Timberline were used in the Stanley Kubrick classic, "The Shining," starring Jack Nicholson. The lodge and the area surrounding it was also used in "Jingle Belles" (1941), "Bend of the River" (1952), and "All the Young Men" (1960), among others.

3. Columbia Gorge: Located in Cascade Locks, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area spans 292,500 acres, including parts of southern Washington. Nature lovers will enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, golf, whitewater rafting and kayaking, boating, bird watching, and skiing, while those who prefer the indoors can visit museums, dine and shop.

4. Silver Falls State Park: Referred to as the "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks, Silver Falls is the largest of Oregon's state parks, at 9,200 acres. In addition to trails and multiple campgrounds, visitors can walk behind the 177-foot high South Falls, which is part of Trail of Ten Falls.

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5. If you're a sports fan, Oregon has several options. The NBA's Portland Trail Blazers offer the only professional ticket from the four major sports. Beyond that, there's the Portland Timbers for soccer, as well as two major college programs in the University of Oregon Ducks or Oregon State Beavers. In addition, the state also houses two minor-league baseball teams in the Eugene Emeralds and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

6. The Oregon Vortex: Billed as a "glimpse of a strange world where the improbable is the commonplace," this mysterious point in Gold Hill, Oregon defies the laws of physics. Native Americans called the area the "Forbidden Ground," the Vortex is a place where compasses no longer function, balls roll uphill and people appear taller and shorter. Enter if you dare.

7. Oregon Country Fair: This year's annual festival is scheduled for July 10-12 in Eugene. Hundreds of performers, hand-craft artisans and gourmet food creators provide a memorable experience for families.

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