Florence Oregon Named a National Top-25 Getaway For Families


The recognitions keep rolling in for Florence, Oregon.

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TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, recently named Florence, Oregon, as one of its 25 Best Family Weekend Getaways With Kids.

In introducing their recommendations the site said “From kid-friendly adventures in the great outdoors to classic theme parks, we’re featuring our picks for the best family weekend trips in every US region—so no matter where you live, there’s a convenient spot not too far away.”

TripAdvisor touted Florence as a place with “plenty of activities to do with kids—whether it’s a visit to Sand Master Park, the world’s first sandboard park, or spending the day on Heceta Beach. The entire family will love the Sea Lion Caves, a favorite roadside attraction and must-see spot. There’s mini golf, horseback riding on the beach, and giant dune buggy tours, too. With an activity to satisfy every mood, it’s a top choice if you’re looking for family weekend trips in the Northwest.”

The area known as Oregon’s Coastal Playground was in some pretty prestigious company, sharing its top 25 status with Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Branson, Missouri; and Anaheim, California. The Northwest region included West Yellowstone, Montana; McCall, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; and Seward, Alaska.

“Once again, Florence is in some pretty prestigious company,” says Florence Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Bettina Hannigan. “In April, USA Today’s 10Best.com listed Florence as the country’s second-best small town for adventure. Florence beat out such adventure heavyweights as Sun Valley, ID; Telluride, CO; Moab, UT; Watkins Glen, NY; Bar Harbor, ME; and Stowe, VT.”

Florence was the only Oregon destination on either list.

In a similar 2017 USA Today poll Florence was voted second of the Top 20 Best Small Towns in the Northwest. Florence was also recently named The Oregonian/OregonLive.com readers’ “Favorite Coastal Getaway,” Expedia.com’s “Most Beautiful Town,” and one of Flights.com’s “8 Coolest Places You Must Experience.” Two local destinations, the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area and Sea Lion Caves, made the Oregonian’s “Top 20 Oregon Landmarks.”

“We’re really getting known to vacationers around the country, and even the world,” adds Hannigan. “We even had a Dutch vlogger visit and report favorably on Florence last year, and she’s followed by many thousands of avid world travelers across Europe.”

Hannigan points out that many of the accolades Florence has received in the last year or two emphasize that adrenaline junkies flock to Florence for some of the nation’s best sand dunes for buggy rides, sand boarding, hiking, fat-tire biking, kiteboarding, wind surfing, hiking and camping in pristine ancient forests, fishing, crabbing, and clamming.

“After all, we are Oregon’s Coastal Playground, and all these attributes and accolades prove it. Unfortunately, they sometimes miss the indoor adventures of our growing culinary and arts communities,” she adds.

For more information on Florence, or to receive a free Florence Visitor’s Guide, contact the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce at FlorenceChamber.com, [email protected], or 541-997-3128. The entire TripAdvisor list can be viewed at www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalsBlog/2018/10/01/best-weekend-getaways-kids-family-trips-ideas/.