Willamette Valley, Oregon 72-Hour Vacation
Oregon is known for big trees and small breweries, wind surfing and winemaking, innovative businesses and laid-back residents. It's a state of dramatic vistas from Hell's Canyon to Crater Lake and glistening Mt. Hood, to the rugged Pacific coastline. In the center of it all is the Willamette Valley, which lies nestled between two mountain ranges. On the west is the low and ragged Coast Range that protects the valley from the moist ocean air. Along the eastern side is the more substantial Cascade Range, a line of huge peaks standing like ghostly sentries against the high desert of Central Oregon. This 110-mile-long pocket of lush farmland and rolling hills, stretching from Portland to Eugene, is where Mother Nature and man have long collaborated to create Oregon's food pantry. Today the Willamette Valley is a world-renowned foodie paradise, acclaimed for its Pinot noir and outstanding cuisine. It's home to over 250 of Oregon's wineries, and the Pacific Northwest's sustainable agriculture movement is evident here, as boutique farms and ranches supply fresh vegetables, cheese and meat to local chefs. Most wineries are open year-round for tasting, and there are many fairs and festivals celebrating such fascinating subjects as diverse as UFOs, turkeys, wine and the arts. Sightseeing ranges from such natural wonders as waterfalls, forests and winding rivers to man-made attractions including covered bridges and a huge airplane. Tourists and locals flock to the many fairs and festivals celebrating life's many pleasures. There are boundless recreational activities—bicycling, hiking, boating and golfing to name a few. Add the fresh air and warm weather guarantee relaxation and rejuvenation. However, the Willamette Valley's most wonderful resource is its people, who live and work to bring Oregon's bounty to the rest of us. It's truly a magical place. As idyllic as the Willamette Valley seems, there are still strip malls, traffic jams and annoying weather conditions to deal with. The best time to visit is in temperate September and October, when the heat and crowds have abated, and the winter rains are still on the horizon. Early fall is the optimum time, but the valley has plenty to offer any time of year. Many visitors enjoy hot air ballooning, bicycling, hiking or golf in the summer. The spring offers beautiful flowering fields of irises, daffodils and tulips. And winter is a fine time to hunt mushrooms, view waterfalls and covered bridges, or explore the many small historical towns sprinkled throughout the region.
A great place to drop anchor for a three-day tour is McMinnville, a mid-sized town in the north valley that offers many accommodation options. McMenamins Hotel Oregon, built in 1905, offers an affordable historic setting that provides a glimpse into Oregon's past. The rooftop bar and eclectic art collection guarantee a memorable stay. Comfort Inn and Suites or the Red Lion Inn and Suites both offer more modern and conventional amenities including an indoor pool, high-speed Internet access, and a fitness center. There are also several bed-and-breakfasts in the area worth noting. A Tuscan Estate combines modern conveniences with old-world charm. This European-style inn, within walking distance of McMinnville's Historical District, has gorgeous grounds and a resident chef who will gladly give cooking lessons. Those who want to immerse themselves completely in the Oregon wine experience can stay on a working vineyard. The Mattey House is an 1892 Queen Anne Victorian set in an orchard and vineyard. Youngberg Hill Vineyard & Inn sits on a 50-acre estate that boasts expansive views of the valley. Guests can choose a hands-on experience here, perhaps even helping to blend the wine. DAY 1
Get acclimated to the valley by exploring McMinnville. Start at Hotel Oregon's unique, art-filled pub for homemade biscuits and gravy or a fluffy omelet. Stop by the McMinnville Downtown Association for a printed walking map that identifies the significance of the Historical District's Third Street buildings, then spend the morning poking around McMinnville's many shops and galleries. If the season is right, the McMinnville Farmers Market may be in full swing, offering a chance to witness the valley's harvest and rub shoulders with area chefs stocking up for their fine regional restaurants. For lunch, walk north on Fourth St. a few blocks to the Golden Valley Brewery & Pub to enjoy a craftsman beer and a burger made from beef raised on the family ranch. Then, drive east on Third St. for three miles to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to gaze in wonder at Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, a "flying boat" with a wingspan greater than a football field. The museum also offers a variety of aviation displays, a separate museum devoted to space, an IMAX theater, and of course a wine tasting room featuring Evergreen Vineyards' Spruce Goose Wine—it is the Willamette Valley, after all.
Dinner is waiting back downtown at one of McMinnville's excellent restaurants that celebrate the sustainable agriculture movement. The elegant and lively La Rambla prepares a vast array of Spanish tapas made from regional ingredients, or opt for a huge platter of paella. The Bistro Maison specializes in authentic French bistro fare such as steak au poivre or coq au vin. If the weather is fine, dine in the beautifully landscaped garden. The Willamette Valley is rural with an "early-to-bed, early-to-rise" sensibility. Nightlife is nearly non-existent here, but there are a few spots with occasional live music, including the Hotel Oregon and Scotte's Imbibery, a friendly, sometimes rowdy bar on the north side of town off Highway 99 that features rock bands.
* Willamette Valley image courtesy of the Willamette Valley Visitors Association. Youngberg Hill © Frank Barnett Photography.
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