EASTERN OREGON
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
A FEW NOT-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS Malheur National Wildlife Refuge These 187 acres/75.7 hectares are home to more than 320 bird and 60 mammal species. As a key stop on the Pacific Flyway, the refuge offers rich wildlifeviewing opportunities. Seasonal bird migrations bring unique birds like sandhill cranes, but there’s something to see here every season. Burns, FWS.gov/Refuge/Malheur
Eagle Cap Excursion Train Ride the rails along the historic Joseph Branch rail line, which once ran between the towns of Elgin and Joseph. Winding through a remote and rugged landscape, the train ride offers beautiful views of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers on charming old steam engines. Elgin, EagleCapTrainRides.com
Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center This museum collects and preserves the history of the logging town of Maxville, which once existed nearby. Maxville was home to many Black loggers who came for work and settled here. Discover this unique history with a collection of videos, photography and oral histories. Joseph, MaxvilleHeritage.org
Four Rivers Cultural Center Oregon’s easternmost cultural center is also one of its most diverse. This center chronicles the varied histories of the region’s people, including those of Hispanic, Japanese, Northern European, Basque and Northern Pauite descent. Visitors will enjoy life-size dioramas, a Japanese Tea House and a unique collection of exhibits. Ontario, 4RCC.com
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Located just outside of Baker City, this interpretive museum brings the story of the Oregon Trail to life. Living-history demonstrations, special exhibits, and more than 4 miles/6.4 kilometers of interpretive trails illuminate the experience of trail pioneers, miners, explorers and settlers that passed through here. (Note: The building is closed for renovations 2022-2024.) BakerCity, BLM.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/ national-historic-oregon-trailinterpretive-center
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site This remarkable museum offers a look back at the large Chinese immigrant community that once thrived here. A Chinese medical clinic, general store, community center and residence in one, the little building is a time capsule of a unique period in Oregon’s history. John Day, FriendsOfKamWahChung.com 14 8 T R AV ELO R EG O N .CO M
SAGE Center Delightfully interactive exhibits tell the story of the region’s long agricultural
traditions. Learn about the diverse industries of the Port of Morrow, one of the busiest ports in the state, as well as the technology behind modern farming methods and the field-to-table journey of the humble potato. Boardman, VisitSAGE.com Sumpter Valley Railroad Mining history comes to life aboard vintage steam-powered trains as you travel through the heart of the scenic Sumpter Valley. The train runs on weekends from Memorial Day Weekend through September, with some special-event trains in October and December. Sumpter, SumpterValleyRailroad.org Tamástslikt Cultural Institute Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, this museum offers insight into the lives of Native people who have called this region home for more than 10,000 years. Here the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes share their stories through interactive exhibits and special events. Pendleton, Tamastslikt.org Thomas Condon Paleontology Center The center chronicles the rich fossil record of the John Day Basin, which is over 40 million years old. Learn about the long extinct mammals — such as the rhino-like brontotheres and the horselike haplohippus — as well as the wet tropical landscape that thrived here. Explore interpretive exhibits inside and fossil beds outside. John Day, NPS.gov/joda
TRAVEL BAKER COUNTY
Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon There’s nothing but hands-on fun at this museum. Explore interactive exhibits like a fire station, a pizza kitchen or a Western wagon. The smallest visitors can dive into the toddler zone, and everyone enjoys the art studio and reading corner. Look for special events like Night at the Children’s Museum. Pendleton, CMEO.org
