Fun Summer Activities in Oregon

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Fun Summer Activities in Oregon

By Kimberly Juarez
Posted: 06/08/2026

Tags: fun activities, summer, oregon

With summer right around the corner, many of us are anxious to go out and have fun. However, it may be overwhelming to try to think up exciting activities for yourself and the family. Here are some fun places and fun activities to do in our very own beautiful Oregon.

Animal Attractions:

If you are interested in seeing and learning about animals, perhaps these places will be a great fit for you and your family.

The Oregon Zoo: The zoo is a great place to go to learn about animals and have fun with the family. Animal activities and educational conversations are done daily. For easier mobility around the zoo, scooters are available for rent at the gift shop.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium: Interested in critters from the ocean? Then perhaps the aquarium is the place for you. Learn about and see the beautiful species that live in our oceans. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for rent if needed. All buildings are ADA accessible and have seating areas. Sensory-friendly areas are also available in the aquarium, as well as sensory bags available for check out.

Seaside Aquarium: Want to see sea critters but want a shorter drive? Try the Seaside Aquarium. Say hello to the seals and enjoy seeing some sea critters up close.

Gardens:

For those plant enthusiasts, perhaps visiting one of our many gardens would be a good idea.

International Rose Test Garden: Enjoy the 10,000 rose bushes and over 610 varieties of beautiful roses. You can have a picnic with the family and enjoy the beauty the park has to offer.

Portland Japanese Garden: Explore and learn about Japanese culture, landscape design, and art. Many parts of the garden are ADA accessible, but some parts are not due to its hilly location. A shuttle is available to take you from the Welcome Center to the Cultural Village. For more accessibility information, please click here.

Lan Su Chinese Garden: Learn and view species of plants native to China. Also enjoy some traditionally fresh-brewed tea. Art, teaware, and more are available at the shop to take home with you. Click here to view the Lansu Chinese Garden ADA accessible map.

Museums:

If you are interested in learning about history, science, culture, or art, perhaps visiting one of the many museums in Oregon would be a good idea. For more museums in Oregon, click here.

OMSI: Interested in science? Head over to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. With interactive labs, educational halls, a planetarium, and more, OMSI is a great place for the entire family.

The Oregon Historical Society: For those interested in the history, people, and stories that helped create Oregon, the OHS is a great place to visit. The building is ADA accessible, and some manual wheelchairs are available free of charge to those who may need them.

Portland Art Museum: For art fanatics, the Portland Art Museum is a fantastic place to visit. From historic exhibitions to single-artist retrospectives and traveling exhibitions, the art museum has something for everyone to enjoy. The art museum is also ADA accessible and offers multiple accessibility devices. To learn more, please click here.

Saturday Markets:

Lastly, Saturday markets are great places to go to find local produce, food, art, crafts, and more. They are fun for the whole family, friends, or going alone, too. For a list of Saturday markets in Oregon, please click here.

For more ideas on where to go, try Travel Oregon. Have a safe and fun summer, everyone!

Article Sources:

https://traveloregon.com/

Animal Attractions:

https://www.oregonzoo.org/getaway

https://aquarium.org/

https://seasideaquarium.com/

Gardens:

https://www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden

https://japanesegarden.org/

https://lansugarden.org/

Museums