Ashland Leads Oregon Destinations with a Foreign Vibe, Survey Reveals

In a recent traveler poll of U.S. destinations with a ‘foreign feel,’ several places in Oregon were included in the list of the most sought-after destinations offering international charm. Ashland ranked among the top places.

Most Sought After Places In Oregon That Offer A Foreign Feel

Turn the Paige Travel surveyed 3,023 travelers to find out which towns that offer a ‘foreign feel’ they would most like to visit. While the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, ranked number 1 across the U.S., followed by Savannah, Georgia, in second spot, and the Historic District of San Antonio in 3rd, the top 3 destinations with international charm across Oregon are:

#1. Ashland

Ranked 11 nationwide, Ashland hosts the Shakespeare Festival in its magnificent surroundings. The festival has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity since 1935, significantly influencing the city’s architecture with Elizabethan-inspired designs reminiscent of historic English towns.

Settlers of European descent mainly drove Ashland’s early development. Still, more recently, diverse immigrant communities have also shaped the city. The diverse cultures and influences have culminated in Ashland’s unique cultural heritage and contemporary art blend.

#2. Mount Angel

Founded by German and Swiss Catholic immigrants in the 19th century, Mt. Angel is ranked 18 nationwide as a place with an international charm that travelers would most like to visit.

It is renowned for its Bavarian-style architecture, with alpine façades, chalet-like storefronts, and cultural events that give visitors an authentic German village experience. The 49-foot  Glockenspiel is the biggest in the U.S. and stands as a landmark, celebrating daily performances.

Mount Angel hosts a four-day Oktoberfest each September, which has been held since 1966 and is recognized as the largest folk festival in the Northwest, highlighting Mount Angel’s Bavarian roots.

#3. Astoria

Ranked 83 nationwide of places to visit with an international feel, Astoria’s historic Uniontown has been home to the most prominent Finnish settlement west of the Mississippi since the late 1800s.

Thousands of Finnish and other Nordic immigrants worked in Astoria’s fishing and canning industries, and many Nordic landmarks can be seen in the city- like the Finnish-built Suomi Hall (1886).

The town honors its Nordic roots with the annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, which takes place every third entire weekend of June. Because of the town’s inhabitants’ cultural impact, the festival features Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian folk traditions.