7 Best Things to Do in Pendleton, Oregon

Take the Family to the Children's Museum of East Oregon

If you happen to be traveling with little ones, make time to visit the Children's Museum of East Oregon, a great place to let the kids blow off some steam and learn a little something along the way.

Don't miss permanent exhibits like Big John's Pizza—where they can pretend to run a pizzeria—the fire station, the Build It! station, STEM Alley, and the toddler zone, created especially for the museum's youngest guests. There's also an art studio, a mock grocery store, and several exhibits featuring magnets, puzzles, games, and books.

Learn and Dine at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute

A visit to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of the region's Indigenous groups, including the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples, who have lived in the area for more than 10,000 years.

The museum's permanent exhibits are organized to look not only at the American Indian peoples' past, but the present and the future—its structure tells quite a compelling story. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute also hosts changing displays and other cultural events. During your visit, be sure to check out the well-stocked gift shop or take a lunch break at the Kinship Cafe.

Visit the Iconic Pendleton Woolen Mills

The colorful blankets and woolen fabrics produced at Pendleton Woolen Mills are an icon of the American West and prized heirlooms in many families. Sheep and wool production ​has thrived in Eastern Oregon for well over a century, so it's no surprise that Pendleton became the base for the creation of these all-American textiles.

The Pendleton retail store is open seven days a week, providing the opportunity to view some historic exhibits and browse the abundance of colorful clothing and blankets.

Explore Downtown Pendleton and Local Events

Make no mistake, Pendleton is not a large city, and yet wandering its compact downtown is always a fun way to spend a morning or kill some time in the afternoon. Many of the shops offer a nod toward the area's Western heritage, and you'll find plenty of art galleries and restaurants to keep you busy.

Many people visit Pendleton for one of its popular events and festivals, and there are lots of them to choose from, including the Blue Mountain Community College Arts & Culture Festival, typically held each year in April, the Umatilla County Historical Society Old Iron Show, usually held in June, the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up, which typically takes place in September (we'll get into that more a bit later), and Oktoberfest Pendleton, held each year in October to celebrate the area's rich German heritage.​

Explore the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

While the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up and its companion events take place every September, you can still experience the grand rodeo all year long at this museum.

The Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame, located next to the rodeo grounds, is packed with historic artifacts and photographs that bring the Round-Up's long 100+ year history to life. During your visit, you'll have a chance to learn all about the men, women, and livestock that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Items on display include saddles, firearms, clothing, vehicles, wagons, beadwork, and trophies.

Get Wild at McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Encompassing the McKay Reservoir just south of Pendleton, the McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge provides land and water habitats for creatures great and small, including osprey, pheasants, quail, and deer, among the many examples of wildlife you might be able to spot depending on what time of year you're visiting. Fishing, boating, and bicycling are also popular recreation opportunities within the refuge.

Learn About the Past at the Heritage Station Museum

With ever-changing exhibits, the Heritage Station Museum, brought to you by the Umatilla County Historical Society offers visitors a look at the area's rich local history.

Located inside the 1909 Pendleton railroad depot, an important piece of history in itself, the Heritage Station Museum is packed with interesting artifacts that combine to tell the story of a time or a culture. Be sure to visit the larger artifacts located throughout the museum grounds, which include an old one-room schoolhouse, a caboose, and a vintage fire engine. A trip to this place is one of the best ways to really delve into the local history in this part of the state.