Exhibits about the native peoples, plants and animals of the High Desert.
59800 South Hwy. 97, Bend; 541-382-4754; www.highdesertmuseum.org.

24000 Spirit Lake Highway, Toutle, Wash.; 360-274-2140; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm.

Cultural museum of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Warm Springs; 541-553-3331; www.museumatwarmsprings.org.

Headquarters: 28908 NW Main Ave., Ridgefield, Wash.; 360-887-4106; www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges; Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge: www.ridgefieldfriends.org. Five thousand acres of wetlands, marshes, grasses – and scores of birds and other wildlife.

To reserve state park campsites in Oregon, call 800-452-5687 or visit www.oregonstateparks.org. For information only, call 800-551-6949. For state park campsites in Washington, visit www.parks.wa.gov or call 888-CAMPOUT (226-7688). For information only, call 360-902-8844.

View exotic animals as you drive through grasslands and wooded areas.
1790 Safari Rd., Winston; 541-679-6761; www.wildlifesafari.net.

Salem isn’t just our state capital and the site of the Oregon State Fair (www.oregonstatefair.org). It’s a fabulous city filled with family-friendly fun all year long. Check out the attractions below in and around Salem, or visit www.travelsalem.com for more ideas.

This children’s museum is located in downtown Salem’s Riverfront Park. (Your OMSI membership is honored for free admission so bring your membership card!)
116 Marion St. NE, Salem; 503-371-3631; www.acgilbert.org.

1877 house features many of the original furnishings.
600 Mission St. SE, Salem; 503-363-4714; www.oregonlink.com/bush_house.

City Hall, 930 Chemawa Rd. NE, Keizer, 503-390-3700; www.skateoregon.com/Keizer/Keizer.html. Free.

1894 multi-gabled Queen Anne style house and English gardens.
1116 Mission St. SE, Salem; 503-363-1825; www.oregonlink.com/deepwood.

Amusement park with fantasy themes for young children. Closed during winter.
8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner (seven miles south of Salem); 503-371-4242; www.enchantedforest.com.

551 Commercial St. NE (in Marion Square Park); 503-588-6261; www.skateoregon.com/Salem/Salem.html. Free.

Features the 1847 John D. Boone House and the 1898 Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.
1313 Mill St. SE, Salem; 503-585-7012; www.missionmill.org.

101 Front St. NE, Salem. Take a cruise on the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler (503-371-1103, www.willamettequeen.com), ride the Riverfront Carousel (503-540-0374, www.salemcarousel.org), or check out Eco Earth, an inspiring work of recycled art.

Saturday Market between Winter and Summers Streets NE, between Marion and Union Streets NE; free parking in “Yellow Lot” across Marion St. Farmers Market also held on Wednesdays at Chemeketa St. NE between Liberty and High Streets; free parking in the Chemeketa Parkade. Free.
Downtown Salem; 503-585-8264; www.salemsaturdaymarket.com.

Home of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball team.
6700 Field of Dreams Way NE, Keizer; 503-390-2225; www.volcanoesbaseball.com.

You’ve likely got your own favorite spots along the Oregon coast, but there’s always more to experience! Check out www.visittheoregoncoast.com or call 888-628-2101 for more information about activities, attractions and festivals.

Interactive exhibits illustrate life on the river, both past and present.
1792 Marine Dr., Astoria; 503-325-2323; www.crmm.org.

Commemorating the 1805-06 winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the site includes a replica of the explorers’ camp, museum, theater, historic canoe landing and hiking trails that follow the explorers’ paths.
92343 Fort Clatsop Rd., Astoria; 503-861-2471, ext. 214; www.nps.gov/lewi.

Free (donation suggested).
2030 S Marine Science Dr., Newport; 541-867-0100; hmsc.oregonstate.edu.

This world class aquarium features high quality marine life exhibits including Passages of the Deep, an acrylic passageway suspended in a 1.3 million gallon tank of sea creatures.
2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd., Newport; 541-867-FISH (3474); www.aquarium.org.

See sea lions, birds and other marine life.
91560 Hwy. 101 N, Florence; 541-547-3111; www.sealioncaves.com.

Self guided tour, cheese tasting, restaurant, ice cream, fudge and more. Free.
4175 Hwy 101 North, Tillamook; 503-815-1300; www.tillamookcheese.com.

6030 Hangar Rd., Tillamook; 503-842-1130; www.tillamookair.com.

The region’s largest forest-based learning center is just an hour’s drive from Portland – and it’s free! Closed during winter.
45500 Wilson River Highway, Tillamook; 866-930-4646; www.tillamookforestcenter.org.

Walk-through safari where visitors can pet the “wildlife.”
Hwy. 101, 7 miles south of Bandon; 541-347-3106; www.gameparksafari.com.

Just a short drive away lies the Columbia River Gorge, rich with awe-inspiring scenery and regional history. Below are a few gorge icons to get you started. You can find ideas for family-friendly hikes at www.gorgefriends.org.

Located in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the dam spans the Columbia River.
Cascade Locks; 541-374-8820; www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/home.asp.

Interactive exhibits about the formation of the gorge.
5000 Discovery Dr., The Dalles; 541-296-8600; www.gorgediscovery.org.