Tractors rolled through the Great Oregon Steam-Up during a parade in August. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Visitors enjoyed Powerland Heritage Park last year, so much so that it has risen to number nine in a list of 100 favorite destinations in Oregon.
The list is distributed by Oregon Business each year, and the campus of antique equipment museums rose from 45th place last year. The winners were chosen based off the number of four- and five-star reviews on Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor. Researchers studied more than 95,000 reviews to create the list.
“It was quite a surprise to us that we moved up so aggressively,” said Lena Prine, marketing coordinator at Powerland Heritage Park.
She said the improvement is likely based on better marketing and expanded events on the 62-acre campus of museums.
This year, the Great Oregon Steam-Up, an annual event that features a tractor parade and steam-powered sawmill, is celebrating its 50th year.
“This award is a tribute to the volunteers, sponsors, and dedicated board members in commemorating the unique campus community,” board president Michelle Duchateau said in a statement.
Prine said Powerland is one of two nonprofits that made the list.
Some other local destinations on the list include the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, The Oregon Garden, Enchanted Forest and the Gilbert House Children’s Museum.
The top destination was Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch in Mollala.
The top 100 destinations will be charted on a map for visitors and residents to use while traveling the state. Maps will be distributed at most of the state’s entry points and visitor centers.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
