Things to do in the Willamette Valley
- A world famous wine country that offers 440 wineries, producing award-winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling using the grapes from 647 vineyards in the region
- Organic farms providing livestock and produce for fine dining at area restaurants
- Several craft breweries, cideries, meaderies & distilleries
- An active arts culture & museums can be found throughout the region
- Scenic drives & biking routes that connect it all on back roads and through covered bridges
Where to grab lunch in the Willamette Valley
Red Hills Market – This is a great stop for coffee and espresso drinks and our favorite pizza spot, they also have great sandwiches, salads, and cookies
Community Plate – ‘We love the healthy and vegetarian-friendly options at this upbeat, family-owned cafe. It serves American breakfast and lunch classics, plus beer, wine and cocktails. And it’s a favorite among the locals’, say the innkeepers at A’ Tuscan Estate Bed and Breakfast in McMinnville.
Where to Eat Dinner in the Willamette Valley
‘We also love the Joel Palmer House in Dayton. Chef Chris works hard to source local, unique, even rare, foods. He artfully prepares each dish, for a great presentation, and they’re served by his excellent service team’, per the innkeepers at The DreamGiver’s Inn. The restaurant has developed a following for its mushroom cuisine.
The Painted Lady is a special dining experience offering 8-course prix fixe meal in a beautiful refurbished Victorian home. Rosmarino Osteria Italiana is a fine dining restaurant with an exciting, entertainer of a chef. So dining here is another experience that we love and guests love. Plus you get awesome, Northern Italian family recipes, per the innkeepers at Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast.
Things to Do in in the Willamette Valley
Like most other wine regions, great wines have drawn great restaurants, and there are dozens in the Valley along with many fine Bed and Breakfasts
The Willamette Valley extends from Portland south to Eugene, and from the Coast Range to the Cascades, although 99% of the wine grapes grown in the valley are on the west side of the Willamette River. There are more than 500 wineries in the Valley and as many vineyards, growing pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot blanc, riesling, and lesser known varietals.
Newberg is in the Willamette Wine Valley and home to two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards. There are nearly 700 wineries in the area! There are 100-wineries alone within 20-minutes from Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast. And all the wine tasting rooms in downtown Newberg are a great way to taste the wine, explore the eateries, and shop local.
Get an appointment with Beckham Family Vineyards in Sherwood. You can taste their excellent wines and learn about aging Pinot Noir in jars of clay.
Cozy up at the 99W Drive-In movie theater, weather-permitting, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are only three remaining drive-in movie theaters in Oregon. This one has been in operation since 1953.
The Chehalem Cultural Center offers a look at Oregon’s history as well as the work of emerging local artists. Music and events happen all year long offering locals and tourists a great community locale to immerse in local culture.
There are many museums and other attractions such as Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville, End of the Oregon Trail Museum in Oregon City (until it reopens, enjoy its digital content online), etc.
Visit 36 HOURS IN OREGON – WHAT TO SEE, DO, EAT AND WHERE TO STAY for so much more
Oregon Bird Watching in the Willamette Valley
There is an amazing wildlife show at these three Oregon wildlife refuges. Oregon Bird Watching is amazing. Especially this time of year when activity along the major flyways increase.
Visit a Hops Farm
Once known as the ‘Hops Capital of the World’ from the late 1890’s to the 1940’s, Independence, Oregon is located twelve miles southwest of Salem. You’ll still find acres of hops growing in the area. A few miles south of Independence is the 42 acres Hop Farm for Rogue Brewery and the Rogue Farms Chatoe Tasting Room.
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum – home of the Spruce Goose, the largest wooden airplane ever constructed. This aviation museum in McMinnville also has the Hughes H-4 Hercules and more than fifty military and civilian aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and spacecraft.
Miller Woods Conservatory Area has several great hiking trails of varying length and difficulty.
McMinnville Farmer’s Market is a must for fresh, local, fruits and veggies. It’s open on Thursdays from 12 to 6 p, May – October.
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Best Waterfalls near the Willamette Valley
The Multnomah Falls are a group of absolutely stunning waterfalls. They’re a short drive up the Columbia River Gorge. Ask your innkeeper for must-see destinations off the beaten path!
Silver Falls State Park – 10 waterfalls in over 8 miles, several that you can walk behind and get some waterfall mist on your face.
Where to Stay in the Willamette Valley
In the Willamette Valley you can spend your entire day doing nothing. or doing all of the above. Relax on a comfortable front porch at one of 14 bed and breakfasts or in their gardens.
Visit 36 HOURS IN OREGON – WHAT TO SEE, DO, EAT AND WHERE TO STAY for so much more
Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.
Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.
After mask guidelines are lifted:
● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.
● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.
We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.
