5 Best Sights in Roseburg, Southern Oregon

The name derives from an archaic Spanish word meaning "to plant grapevines," and that's exactly what this winery's husband-wife team started doing in the late '90s. Abacela has steadily established itself as one of Oregon's most esteemed wineries. Hot-blooded Spanish Tempranillo is Abacela's pride and joy, though inky Malbec and a subtly floral Albariño also highlight a repertoire heavy on Mediterranean varietals, which you can sample in a handsome, eco-friendly tasting room where you can also order light appetizers to snack on.

Roseburg is the starting point for this dramatic route that climbs east as Highway 138 alongside the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River through dense stands of old-growth Douglas fir and hemlock trees and into the Cascade Range for about 80 miles to the northern (summer only) entrance to Crater Lake National Park. Just after Diamond Lake, the route turns southwest via Highways 230, 62, and 234 along a stunning stretch of the Rogue River, before ending northeast of Medford in tiny Eagle Point. Allow six to nine hours to drive the entire 172-mile route, taking time to stop here and there to enjoy the scenery, and perhaps even hike some portions of the North Umpqua Trail. Signposted trailheads along the drive lead to some magnificent waterfalls—Deadline Falls and Fern Creek Falls are a couple of favorites. Note that this route differs from the Umpqua River Scenic Byway, a stretch of Highway 138 that can access 15 miles north of Roseburg in Oakland and follow 66 miles as it twists and turns over the Coast Range—through famous fishing holes and rugged timber towns—to Reedsport on the central coast.

Come face-to-face with some 600 free-roaming animals at the 615-acre drive-through wildlife park. Inhabitants include alligators, cheetahs, cougars, African elephants, gibbons, lions, giraffes, grizzly bears, Tibetan yaks, Siberian tigers, and many more species. There's also a petting zoo, a miniature train, up-close animal feedings and encounters, and engaging wildlife talks. The admission price includes two same-day drive-throughs. This nonprofit zoological park is a respected research facility with full accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, with a mission to conserve and protect endangered species through education and breeding programs. Through its cheetah breeding program, for example, more than 215 of these animals have been born here.

One of Oregon's best regional history museums, this engaging place surveys 10,000 years of human activity. The fossil collection is worth a stop, as is the state's second-largest photo collection, numbering more than 24,000 images, some dating to the 1840s.

One of southern Oregon's earliest wine-making stars, this picturesque estate sits alongside the Umpqua River about 15 miles northwest of Roseburg and turns out exceptional Pinot Noir and Alsace-style Pinot Gris, along with some European wines less often seen in the United States, such as Müller-Thurgau and Veraison. The winery hosts a number of events, including a Cajun blues festival each June.