What's New in Oregon

Oregon acknowledges all peoples during America250 

As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026 (America250), Oregon’s official observance, Oregon250, aims to be inclusive and share the histories of the state’s diverse populations, including the nine federally recognized Indigenous tribes. The Oregon250 calendar will feature community events and exhibitions across the state that reflect Oregon’s diversity, creativity, and layered history.

Beyond these commemorations, the anniversary offers an invitation for visitors to follow in the footsteps of two epic journeys that shaped the American West: the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Oregon Trail. Oregon’s museums and cultural centres along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Oregon National Historic Trail showcase the final segments of these monumental journeys and offer rich interpretive experiences to illustrate how history unfolded through the perspectives of many peoples-- ultimately defining the map of the modern United States. Highlights include Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, the End of the Oregon Trail, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, and the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. 

New Amtrak trains arrive in time for FIFA World Cup 26TM 

A new fleet of Northwest-styled Amtrak Cascades trains will transport passengers in style between Vancouver, BC – Seattle – Portland, when eight new trainsets arrive in the Pacific Northwest in 2026. This upgraded transportation option will allow FIFA World Cup fans to travel seamlessly between the official host cities of Vancouver and Seattle, and conveniently add excursions to neighbouring Oregon to experience more of the beautiful Pacific Northwest region during The Beautiful Game. Amtrak Cascades serves 18 stations on the I-5 corridor.

Photo Credit | AMTRAK

James Beard Public Market bolsters Portland as Best Place to Go in 2026

The long-awaited opening of the James Beard Public Market in 2026 has contributed to Portland –James Beard’s hometown – being named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Best Places to Go 2026. Expected to compliment Seattle’s Pike Place, the indoor-outdoor market in historic downtown Portland will be a permanent showcase for Oregon’s agricultural bounty, gathering farmers, butchers, cheesemakers, fishmongers and other independent food and beverage vendors under one roof in a city renowned for having one of North America’s most acclaimed culinary scenes.

Accessible travel to Oregon on the “rise”

After earning the landmark designation as the first state to become “Accessibility Verified” by Wheel the World, Oregon knows its work to make the state accessible to all visitors has just begun. Joining the effort is Tree Climbing at Silver Falls, an accessible adventure operator in Silver Falls State Park, one-hour southeast of Portland. This guided tree climbing program offers multiple ways to scale almost 100 m (300 ft) up some of the tallest old-growth trees in the world, including a battery-powered ascender for visitors with physical restrictions.