Willamette Valley farmers, ranchers, and growers produce more than 170 crops each year, bringing a seasonal bounty to every dinner plate and wine glass across the region. In recent years, a number of self-guided food trails—including the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail and South Willamette Valley Food Trail—have brought together restaurants, wineries, breweries, markets, and more to showcase these offerings.
So to help you enjoy it all, we've put together a five-day foodie itinerary that showcases some of the Willamette Valley's best cuisines and wines—along with suggestions for fun overnight stays and epic outdoor adventures. Here's how to enjoy the fresh, seasonal flavors of the Willamette Valley.
Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), and drive just 30 minutes south to your basecamp at the Best Western Plus Rivershore Hotel in neighboring Oregon City. All rooms offer views of the Willamette River and easy access to downtown Oregon City—winner of the 2018 Great American Main Street Award. Grab lunch from one of downtown's food carts or restaurants.
After lunch, savor a well-deserved beer from the great taplist at Duke’s Public House—or enjoy a glass of wine at Domaine Serene Wine Lounge near Millennium Plaza Park. From there, head to The Kitchen at Middleground Farms for your pre-reserved cooking class; set on a working farm, The Kitchen’s fully modern, commercial space offers classes where even experienced foodies are bound to learn something new.
Start your day with brunch at The Hive Social, known for crafting made-from-scratch dishes with locally sourced ingredients. From Oregon City, embark on an hour-long drive west to Oregon Wine Country, named the Wine Region of the Year in 2016 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Here you’ll find more than 700 wineries, from boutique artisans to popular estates.
Stop at Tabula Rasa Farms at The Ground to learn about regenerative farming and permaculture in the Willamette Valley via bookable farm tours. Afterward, visit the nearby Fairsing Vineyard, whose tasting room offers wide-open valley views alongside a selection of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosè.
Grab dinner at Rosmarino in Newberg (dishing traditional Italian fare) or Humble Spirit in McMinnville (whose menu is largely sourced from and inspired by the seasonal bounty of the Willamette Valley). For a quirky glamping experience, spend the night at The Vintages Trailer Resort—home to several renovated Airstream trailers near the community of Dayton. For a more luxurious stay in Oregon Wine Country, look to The Allison Inn and Spa in Newberg.
The patio at Left Coast Estate / Photo by Taylor Higgins
Start your morning with pastries, cinnamon rolls, and fresh bread at Alchemist's Jam in McMinnville. On your way south, stop at Left Coast Estate, a family-owned-and-operated winery that specializes in sustainable viticulture and winemaking. If you’re hungry, save room for the winery’s wood-fired pizzas.
Continue your day’s trip south on Highway 99E and the Territorial Highway. Stretch your legs with a stop at Benton-Lane Winery, whose vines straddle two counties, and enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir on a sun-dappled patio that looks over the Southern Willamette Valley.
After arriving in Eugene, ditch the car and walk, bike, or scooter to some of the many urban wineries and breweries in downtown and the hip Whitaker neighborhood. Check into the Graduate Eugene, The Gordon Hotel, or the Inn at the 5th for a convenient stay in subtle luxury—all surrounded by casual and fine dining options.
“Farm-to-fork” is nothing new on the menu at Marché (celebrating 25 years of delicious and inspiring meals), the rooftop bar at Carlita’s pairs flavorful margaritas with sweeping views, and Lion & Owl dishes creative takes on comfort food from a converted Airstream trailer.
Wild and Scenic Molalla River in autumn / Photo by Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr
Start your day with flaky biscuits at Magpie Coffeeshop or Liege waffles from Off the Waffle. Before hitting the road, pick up food for the road at Provisions Market Hall.
From Eugene, start the eastbound drive toward the Mount Hood foothills. Along the way, drive to one of the best-kept secrets on Mt. Hood: Molalla River Recreation Area, where visitors can hike, bike, and picnic alongside the federally designated Wild and Scenic Molalla River.
After spending some time outdoors, make your way up to Mount Hood, with a stop at the North American Bigfoot Center on the way. Owned and operated by Cliff Barackman, star of Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot'' television series, the museum caters to both true believers and visitors looking for a fun, educational experience. Nearby, Wippersnappers Kids Play Place in Sandy is a great place for parents to relax while their kids frolic in the fully indoor play area; the attraction has a full food menu that includes pizzas and adult beverages.
Spend the night in the Mt. Hood National Forest at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, which offers 27 holes of championship golf, mini golf for the kids, on-site restaurants, a spa, and more.
Dinner options near the resort include Skyway Bar and Grill (dishing barbecue on one of the region’s largest, most fun patios), Koya Kitchen (serving Japanese dishes, Indian cuisine, and several fusion offerings), Chicali Cantina (preparing hearty Mexican fare), and Al Forno Ferruzza (known for thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas).
Barbecue platter at Skyway Bar and Grill
Salmon River at Wildwood Recreation Site
Grab a quick breakfast at Coffee Brewsters in the Hoodland Shopping Center. Don’t let that “mini-mall” vibe fool you: The shop serves strong coffee for the adults and homemade breakfast sandwiches for the kids.
Less than an hour’s drive from Portland International Airport, be sure to explore some of the over 1,000 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest to get your nature fix in before heading home. Just five minutes from Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, the Old Salmon River Trail heads through a lush forest as it meanders along the Salmon River. Nearby, the Wildwood Recreation Site hosts short (paved) walking paths with educational displays and a viewing window that affords an underwater peek at the Salmon River.
