Silverton sits 15 minutes from Salem and 45 minutes from Portland in the foothills of the Cascades. The Oregon Garden, the state's official botanical garden, occupies 80 acres on the south edge of town with rotating seasonal displays, ponds, and trails, and you can stay next door at the Oregon Garden Resort. Just inside the property, the Gordon House is the only home Frank Lloyd Wright designed in Oregon, a 1957 Usonian relocated to the garden in 2001 and now open for tours.

Silverton, known as Oregon’s Garden City, is a charming town perfect for a weekend getaway, especially for those who enjoy exploring botanical displays. The Oregon Garden covers over 130 acres and features more than 20 specialty gardens, while the Oregon Garden Resort provides lodging just steps away. The town also boasts a lively local culture, with art galleries, colorful murals, and the Silverton Christmas Market in November and December. Nearby, Silver Falls State Park is a hiker’s dream, famous for its Trail of Ten Falls and the many waterfalls throughout the park.

The Travel & Hospitality Awards is pleased to announce that Oregon Garden Resort has been officially recognised as a winner in the 2026 Travel & Hospitality Awards programme. This distinction reflects the organisation’s consistent commitment to quality, guest experience, and operational excellence within the global travel and hospitality sector.

About an hour south of Portland, Silverton is a great destination for those who appreciate gardens and architecture. The town's main attraction is The Oregon Garden, a botanical garden spanning over 80 acres. It features a variety of specialty gardens, including a Pet-Friendly Garden and a Children’s Garden, making it a great stop for the whole family. If you're planning to stay for a few days, you can book a room at the Oregon Garden Resort, which is located right on the property.

Forget about staying in, Salem and the surrounding area have a thriving nightlife scene. Whether you want to belly up to a saloon-style bar for a hand-pressed bacon burger and flight of whiskey, catch a live jazz or comedy show, high-score on Star Wars pinball, or try a friendly game of axe-throwing with your pals — these buzzy nightspots keep the good times rolling after the sun goes down.

The spacious Fireside Lounge in Silverton is excellent for groups and offers live music almost every night of the week, plus a brow-raising lineup of Oregon wines and a toasty fire. 

Known as “Oregon’s Garden City,” Silverton is a slow-paced town that provides comfort and charm year-round. The main attraction is the Gordon House, designed by Frank-Llyod Wright and open to the public as a museum. The house sits next to the 130-acre Oregon Garden, a botanical haven for all to enjoy. For a true taste of Silverton, enjoy a delicious meal and drinks at the Fireside Lounge, a cozy restaurant offering live music and a great culinary experience at the Oregon Garden Resort. Twenty minutes outside of town is Silver Falls State Park, featuring the Trail of Ten Waterfalls and miles of hiking trails amid natural beauty. Silverton is also home to an outdoor art museum, with over 30 murals preserved by the Silverton Mural Society, each telling a unique story of the town. Walk along the trail of murals with a guided tour or explore on your own with a free walking map.

Renowned for its extravagant light displays bedazzling the famed gardens of the Oregon Garden Resort, the Silverton Christmas Market is one-of-a-kind. But the 1.5 million dazzling lights are only half the fun. At the authentic German Christmas Market, shop for gifts from artisan vendors and find imported German nutcrackers and unique ornaments. Imbibe in the beer garden, take a ride down a snowless tubing hill, and then warm up at the firepit with a hot drink. 

This enchanting holiday extravaganza features 1.5 million lights that now reside at the Oregon Garden Resort. This change offers a longer and more intimate one-way walking path that eases the flow of traffic and winds through varied landscaping. Visitors can also visit a Biergarten, snowless Tubing Hill and local artisan vendors, including a few that sell German-imported goods such as nutcrackers. Santa will visit at various times, too. Market closed Nov. 24-25 and 27 and Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 24-25.

Inspired by traditional Christmas markets in Germany, the Silverton Christmas Market is a massive event, with an expansive light display, snowless tubing hill, fire pit, music and lots of vendors. Hosted at the Oregon Garden Resort, the event is a big draw for families around the region, offering German holiday traditions like glühwein, lebkuchen and Krampus. Overnight packages are available at the resort. This year the market will be closed for additional nights: It will not run Nov. 24-25 and 27; Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 24-25.

The Silverton Christmas Market returns to the Oregon Garden Resort, transforming its scenic grounds into a glowing holiday village. The market runs from November 21 through December 31, 2025, with closures on November 24–25, 27 and December 1–2, 8–9, 24–25.

The Silverton Christmas Market in Oregon is famous for its dazzling display of over 1.5 million lights. At the Oregon Garden Resort, this market, open from November 21 to December 31, features activities like snowless tubing, a Biergarten, and craft stalls. Visitors can enjoy traditional German food and hot drinks while exploring this charming winter wonderland. 

Silverton’s Christmas Market: A Winter Wonderland in Oregon

Silverton, Oregon, is home to one of the most magical Christmas markets in the U.S., the Silverton Christmas Market, running from November 21 to December 31, 2025. The market takes place at the Oregon Garden Resort and is known for its dazzling display of over 1.5 million lights. With a snowless tubing hill, a Biergarten, and dozens of vendors selling handcrafted goods, this market is an enchanting destination for families. Visitors can also enjoy traditional German food, warm drinks, and holiday entertainment while exploring the garden’s winter landscape. If you’re looking for a festive escape in the Pacific Northwest, Silverton’s Christmas Market is a must-see this year.

Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Silverton is less than an hour from Portland and just 30 minutes from Salem, making it a convenient weekend destination for those hailing from the city. As you might expect in a Willamette Valley town, vineyards are plentiful. Paradis Vineyards, founded in 2017 by two fourth-generation farmers, has a new tasting room with beautiful views of the valley, perfect for sipping a glass of wine. Want to spend the weekend outdoors? Silver Falls State Park is just a short drive from town as well, home to a massive, 177-foot cascade that travelers can reach via a nationally recognized hiking trail. To tie it all together, reserve your stay at the Oregon Garden Resort, directly connected to the iconic 80-acre botanical garden filled with diverse plant life.

Although Oregon is famous for its majestic coastal destinations, there are many gorgeous, verdant towns that await once you venture inland. Silverton, Oregon is just off the scenic drive between Portland and Eugene, and is an approachable small town that's perfect for a weekend getaway, whether you enjoy the outdoors, wine, or a relaxing stroll through lush, art-filled streets.

If you're looking for scenic road trip ideas in Oregon, add Salem to your list. It's just over an hour away from Portland — and right outside of Salem, in the charming town of Silverton, you'll find the Oregon Garden: an 80-acre botanical masterpiece filled with more than 20 specialty gardens. If you're wondering why you should visit a botanical garden on this vacation, it's because this isn't your average rosebush-and-bench setup. It's a living showcase of Pacific Northwest flora, featuring everything from a massive conifer collection to a pet-friendly garden and a garden just for kids.

Oregon’s spring break is upon us. And while some families will be leaving town on big vacations (maybe to someplace warm and sunny), many people will likely be sticking around, looking for some quick, local day trips to kick off the season.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sometimes a break to just wander (or drive) among festive lighting displays is just what the elves ordered. We’ve gathered a list some of the best lighting shows around Oregon, some of which have been burning bright for more than 100 years. Gather up the kids and head to your favorites or try one that’s new-to-you.

If you’re dreaming of twinkling lights, charming festivities, and cozy holiday vibes straight out of a Hallmark movie, Oregon has you covered. These adorable Oregon towns go all out to capture the magic of the season with festive events, decorations, and activities to fill your heart with joy. 

The Silverton Christmas Market, set within the Oregon Garden Resort (through December 31st), is a seasonal masterpiece with over 1.5 million lights illuminating themed pathways like candy cane tunnels and ocean-inspired scenes. Enjoy German treats like schnitzel and mulled wine as you shop for imported ornaments and handcrafted gifts at the authentic German Christmas market.

The Oregon Garden Resort hosts the annual Silverton Christmas Market on Saturday. It is open now until Dec. 31.

Located inside the Oregon Garden Resort, this authentic Christmas market includes more than 15 vendors offering items inspired by authentic German Christmas markets. Items include collectible mugs, traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread hearts), imported handcrafted goods, ornaments, and more. Tickets start at $15 for adults, with prices higher on weekends, although Silverton residents receive discounts. Children also receive discounts, with free admission for children 5 and younger.

Inspired by traditional Christmas markets in Germany, the Silverton Christmas Market is a massive event, with an expansive light display, snowless tubing hill, fire pit, music, and lots of vendors. Hosted at the Oregon Garden Resort, the event is a major draw for families around the region, offering German holiday traditions like glühwein, lebkuchen and Krampus.

Set in the picturesque Oregon Garden Resort, the Silverton Christmas Market (formerly known as Christmas In The Garden) is a holiday dreamscape that lights up the season with over 1.5 million dazzling lights. Wander through themed pathways and snap memorable photos, from candy cane tunnels to ocean-inspired displays with glowing jellyfish.

The Silverton Christmas Market is undoubtedly this town’s seasonal main attraction. With more than a million lights, the event brightens up even the dreariest winter night. Sip a hot cocoa or traditional mulled wine while you stroll past the light displays (most paths are ADA-accessible), buy treats and gifts from independent vendors, zoom down a snowless tubing hill and put in a good word with Santa. Pay for entry and parking ahead of time online.

Seriously, there is no better time to visit the Oregon Garden in the Willamette Valley than fall. The 80-acre botanical display of the state’s horticultural greatest hits glistens in the autumn rain and gleams with fiery red, orange and yellow foliage.

A rainbow tunnel, a Christmas under the sea, a singing partridge in a pear tree – these scenes and more can be found at the Silverton Christmas Market, a beloved annual holiday market and light display just outside of Salem.  

The annual Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Resort offers a magical holiday experience for all ages and even pets. Stroll along immersive paths draped in 1+ million lights. Explore the authentic German Christmas Market for gifts from local artisan vendors and imported German nutcrackers and ornaments. Visit Santa to share your wish list, enjoy live music and a brew in the Biergarten, cozy up next to a fire pit, or take a ride down the snowless tubing hill. The event focuses on its German heritage and gathers inspiration from authentic German Christmas Markets, with collectible mugs; traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread hearts), gluhwein (mulled wine) and more. The event is designed for friends and family to enjoy time together and experience the traditions that make this time of year so special. Experience the magic of Christmas by booking an overnight stay immersed in the magic, at the Oregon Garden Resort.

The Oregon Garden Resort is changing the game, offering a serene experience for its visitors thanks to, as the name suggests, its peaceful garden setting. The Oregon Garden Resort is unlike any corporate chain or freeway-side cookie cutter hotel you might normally encounter off of the I-5 corridor.  Right next door to the spectacular Oregon Gardens, an 80-acre botanical garden, the resort has 103 rooms in “charming cottage-style” buildings that allow guests to be immersed in nature while enjoying privacy and quiet without being far from the best the area has to offer.

The Silverton Christmas Market is much more than a market: with an expansive light display, snowless tubing hill, fire pit, music and Biergarten, it’s a full-on holiday extravaganza. Hosted at the Oregon Garden Resort, the event is a major draw for families around the region.

Travel Awaits writer Peggy Cleveland highlights the Oregon Garden Resort as a great place to stay when you plan your visit to The Oregon Garden. Dine in the Garden View Restaurant at the Resort, where you will enjoy stunning views of the Garden and Willamette Valley. 

Oregon Garden Resort was featured in Portland Monthly's list of the best Pacific Northwest hotels to get away to this holiday season. Learn about what makes the Oregon Garden Resort a perfect spot to get in the holiday spirit.