A fun and kid-friendly winter getaway is the Ski Bowl at Mount Hood. Skiing is available, but the real fun is the snow-tubing option. Snow tubing at Skibowl offers visitors an automatic tow up the hill, so visitors don't end up tired from hiking up hills. There are steeper snow-tube runs for older kids too. If kids need more than snow tubing, they can also try out the adventure park with many more activities such as ball pits and slides. The snow tubing fee is $20, and the adventure park is $5.
Take a weekend getaway to Portland and go to the Portland Saturday market. The market is free and held every Saturday and Sunday beginning in March. The market is the largest continuous outdoor fair in the United States. You can make purchases at the market, you can also sample food at booths, listen to street performers' music and watch a number of other free shows. Stay in a cheap hotel in the downtown Portland area and ride the bus free to and from the market.
Hells Canyon lies on the border of western Idaho and northeastern Oregon and is a great camping getaway. The canyon is the deepest canyon in North America and the views are truly spectacular. Visitors can drive the scenic byway of Hells Canyon All American Road to see Hells Canyon from the top cliffs down to the river floor. Along the way are numerous campsites (see Resources). Many of these campsites have no fee and those that do only charge $5 a night in 2011. Fishing is permitted at several of these sites as well.
Oregon knows how to wow with food and alcohol. The state has multiple breweries, wineries and makers of cheeses and chocolates. Confluence is one food festival in Oregon and, at only $15 for an entire weekend, is a great cheap getaway. Local bands play during the festival and tastings are offered of beer, wine, and seafood. The festival is held between Reedsport and Coos Bay on the Oregon coast. Confluence is held in February.
