1. The Oregon Coast Bike Route
City: Salem, OR
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (503) 986-3556
Address: 355 Capitol St. NE, Room 210
Description: Traveling from north to south, the Oregon Coast Bike Route covers 368 miles (378 miles if you opt to ride on the Three Capes Scenic Loop) following US 101 beginning in Astoria and ending in Brookings. Most cyclists can complete the route in six to eight days by cycling 50 to 65 miles per day. The Oregon Department of Transportation recommends that you travel the route from north to south from May through October due to prevailing winds that blow from the northwest. This ride offers stunning ocean views, scenic beaches, and great camping facilities. However, it also has heavy car and truck traffic during the summer season, steep ascents and descents, and many narrow, dangerous sections. You can obtain a free map of the Oregon Coast Bike Route by downloading it from their Web site. If you would like to take day trips along this route, here are some suggestions:
2. Oregon Association Of Realtors
City: Salem, OR
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (800) 252-9115
Address: P.O. Box 351
Description: The Oregon Association of Realtors is the professional organization for Oregon Realtors and it tries to ensure its members follow strict ethical practices. While they won’t recommend a particular realtor, they can give you comprehensive information about locating realtors in the areas where you want to look for property or about simply finding properties. And they can give you information about local Associations of Realtors. Their Web site is useful for information about legislation that affects real estate and for obtaining publications that can help make your real estate transactions simpler.
3. Oregon Arts Commission
City: Salem, OR
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (503) 986-0123
Address: 775 Summer St. Northeast Suite 200
Description: Established in 1967, the Oregon Arts Commission supports the arts to ensure their excellence in the state of Oregon. Nine commissioners in this organization determine policies, establish long-range plans, and review applications to grants programs to determine funding levels. The commission provides ongoing funding for the operations for almost 100 nonprofit arts organizations. This organization’s Web site has links to dozens of arts organizations and also lists internship and grant opportunities for Oregon writers and artists. Many music venues on the Oregon Coast sell out quickly. Buy major concert tickets in advance so you are guaranteed a good seat as well as admission.
4. A. C. Gilbert Museum
City: Salem, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 371-3631, (800) 208-9514
Address: 116 Marion St. NE
Insider Pick:
Description: Pretending you are a Maasai herder, a 19th-century explorer, or a modern astronaut are just a few of the compelling activities available at the A. C. Gilbert Museum in Salem—a truly worthy excursion from Portland. This museum complex, made up of three Victorian houses on the Willamette, is filled with interactive exhibitions that are so interesting you might forget they are supposed to be good for you. It’s hard to say which you’ll like best. Is it the Frozen Shadow room, which captures your shadow on the wall? Is it the bubble room, where you can inhabit a giant bubble? Perhaps it’s the Earth’s Fury room, which allows you to build buildings and towns and then wipe them out with floods and earthquakes. You will also find many other diversions, including a room devoted to puzzles, a toy-inventors’ workshop, a toddler room, and wonderful temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and special events. A. C. Gilbert, a Salem native, was a toy inventor who gave us, among other things, the Erector Set and American Flyer trains. This museum is a fitting tribute to his contribution to American childhood. Hours are Mon through Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun from noon to 5 p.m.
5. Redhawk Vineyard
City: Salem, OR
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (503) 362-1596
Address: 2995 Michigan City Ave. Northwest
Description: Redhawk Vineyard produces French oakbarrel-aged estate Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also favorites from this winery. Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. They are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Easter, and Super Bowl Sunday.