Located at the southeastern end of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook is named after the Native American tribe of the same name. The Salishan language speaking people lived in the area until the early 1800s. Tillamook lies approximately 75 miles west of portland and is popular with visitors interested in the famous cheeses made here.
Tillamook is best known for the Tillamook Cheese Factory, which turns out world-famous cheeses and locally-loved ice creams. The nearby Blue Heron cheese makers also draw large numbers of visitors; offering tastings and sales of cheeses as well as a shop featuring gourmet food items and gifts. Other area attractions include the Tillamook Co. Pioneer Museum, the Tillamook Air Museum, and the Latimer Quilt and Textile Center.
Located about 10 miles west of Tillamook is the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, on the northern end of the Three Capes Scenic Loop. The park features the Cape Meares Lighthouse and scenic lookouts where visitors can view native birds perched on off-shore rocks and whales during their annual migration.
Highlights
Tillamook Cheese Factory: 78,000,000 pounds of cheese are produced here annually and shipped around the world. There’s a self-guided tour available showing the process of making cheese and an opportunity to taste some of the varieties afterwards.
Tillamook Co. Pioneer Museum: established in 1935, it is housed in an early 20th century courthouse. The original collection of 400 artifacts from early pioneer life has to grown to more than 35,000.
Tillamook Air Museum: boasts more than two dozen vintage aircraft from all over the country. The collection is housed in a WWII blimp hangar, which is noteworthy for being the world’s largest wooden structure.
The Latimer Quilt and Textile Center: is involved in promoting and displaying regional textile arts. Several exhibitions are held annually, with the goal of demonstration the diversity in textile arts. Classes are held at the center in cross-stitch, dyeing, weaving, spinning, needlepoint, and many other subjects.
Blue Heron: another tasty cheese factory where visitors can sample stinky cheeses before heading to the petting zoo at the back of the building.