Visit Tillamook, Oregon: The Jewel of Oregon's Coast

Nestled among the foothills of Oregon's coastal range lies the rural community of Tillamook. Tillamook County lies along seventy-five miles of Pacific coastline and contains four bays and nine rivers. It is no wonder that the Native American tribes gave it the name meaning, "Land of Many Waters."

In any of Tillamook's nine rivers, a person can find adventure in kayaking, canoeing, rafting and fishing, just to name a few. The mountainous terrain offers endless places to hike or even bird watch.

Tillamook's leading industry is timber. The surrounding woods are full of a variety of wildlife. The hunting enthusiast would be hard pressed not to be impressed by the area's abundant population of black tail deer and elk.

For those who prefer to simply watch their wild life, there are plenty of opportunities. Area rivers are home to otter, beaver, crayfish, several varieties of salmon and much more. Head over to the ocean beaches to see some seals lazing in the sun, interesting tide pool life and maybe do some whale watching. The local state parks will provide you with ample nature trails where you can expect to encounter a variety of woodland creatures.

The second most important industry in Tillamook County is dairy. The county is home to more then one hundred and fifty dairy farms. A visit to the Tillamook County Cheese Factory is essential to your trip. While in the factory, take in the tour. You may not be all that interested in the ins and outs of cheese making, but the tour will provide you with quite a few chances to mug for "cheesy" vacation pictures - pun intended. Once you wrap up the unguided tour, you'll undoubtedly be a little hungry and have the munchies! Head over to the grocery area and take advantage of the ladies with the samples. Don't worry, they're used to it. The gift shop has everything imaginable to offer and there's no reason to leave empty handed. Before you leave, treat yourself to some ice cream. Trust me, it is worth standing in line for. Tillamook may be famous for it's cheese, but the ice cream cannot be denied. I highly recommend the Strawberry Cheesecake flavor.

For the history buff, Tillamook offers three local museums.

The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is located downtown, contains three stories of artifacts relevant to Tillamook's history. For hours and directions visit www.tcpm.org

The Tillamook Naval Air Museum is located off of Trask River Road in a World War Two blimp hangar. There is a cafeteria, gift shop, movie theater and more. Any aviation enthusiast will be in heaven among the planes, blimps, helicopters and other artifacts. The museum website can be visited at www.tillamookair.com

The Latimer Quilt and Textile Center has exhibits on beautiful quilts, handmade textiles and hand woven baskets. The center also offers classes. Contact them at www.oregoncoast.com/latimertextile
Although it's not a museum, the Tillamook Forest Center is worth visiting if you are interested in the history of the Tillamook Burn, forestry practices and other environmental issues. The center is open seven days a week in season and admission is free. Visit www.tillamookforestcenter.org for more information.

Annual events in Tillamook include the June Dairy Festival, the Tillamook Rodeo, Taste of Tillamook Country, the Moograss Festival and the infamous Pig and Ford Races at theTillamook County Fair.

The final of the three leading industries in Tillamook is the Ocean. Fishing is abundant and many people enjoy both the salmon and the steelhead runs. Crabbing and digging for clams are fun family events that should not be overlooked.

Tillamook has a great many county and state parks to visit. Cape Lookout has a beautiful lighthouse that is worth taking the winding trail to see. The Octopus Tree located in Oceanside, just seven miles outside of Tillamook, against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, is an amazing and curious item of nature. Most of the parks offer camping and picnicking at low, reasonable rates. Visit the Department Of Fish and Wildlife at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/

Downtown Tillamook has a variety of shops all within walking distance. There are department stores, a used bookstore, tourist oriented shops and much more. An afternoon is well spent visiting Tillamook's shops and restaurants.

The Tillamook Chamber of Commerce lists lodging and eateries of the area, catering to the needs of each individual. Visit www.tillamookchamber.org for more information.

Finally, Tillamook is located in the heart of coastal destinations. Lincoln City, Newport and Seaside are all within a few hours drive. Casinos, the Newport Ocean Aquarium (former home of Free Willy star, Keiko) and the Seaside boardwalk make for great day trips when you visit Tillamook.

For your next vacation, consider the Oregon Coast and spend a little time in Tillamook, you'll be glad you did.