Life in Hood River, Oregon revolves round water and mountains. With the Columbia River bordering town to the north and Mount Hood, a stratovolcano within the Cascades, to the south, the small metropolis is a playground for individuals who prefer to be energetic outdoors year-round. The vacation spot has all of the climbing, biking, and snowboarding you might need, however it might be greatest identified for a sport that’s a bit extra area of interest: windsurfing. Because of the winds that funnel up the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River has been nicknamed the “windsurfing capital of the world,” and windsurfers and kiteboarders come from throughout to play within the wind, particularly between June and September. However vacationers with different pursuits are certain to get pleasure from Hood River as properly.

“Generally known as Portland’s yard, Hood River is not only for skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and kiteboarders, but in addition for artwork lovers, beer and wine lovers, and foodies,” says Ashley Huckaby, a Hood River native and account supervisor with DVA Promoting & Public Relations who spoke with Journey + Leisure by way of electronic mail.

The wealthy, volcanic soil of Mount Hood make the Hood River Valley a paradise for farmers and locavores, too. This area is the most important producer of pears within the U.S., and native growers additionally produce award-winning apples, cherries, and grapes. The latter crop has made the Hood River Valley house to among the greatest wineries within the Pacific Northwest, and regionally made beer is simply as prevalent. In truth, Huckaby notes that there are “greater than 20 wineries, 13 cideries, and probably the most craft breweries per capita within the nation” right here. Many might be visited by touring the realm’s iconic Hood River Fruit Loop (extra on that under). 

That will help you discover this wealthy vacation spot, we have put collectively the last word information to the Hood River group (which has a pleasant inhabitants of beneath 10,000 folks), together with what to do, the place to eat, and the best way to get round.

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Finest Motels & Resorts

Hood River Resort

The Hood River Resort is as central because it will get. This historic property is the city’s oldest resort, and its location offers visitors easy accessibility to Hood River’s greatest meals, espresso, breweries, and outlets. There’s a room sort for everybody, together with a 10-bed, hostel-style bunkhouse and spacious suites with full kitchens and home windows overlooking downtown. 

“As the one resort in downtown Hood River, [guests] are a brief stroll from award-winning eating places and breweries, galleries, wine tasting, and nightlife,” stated Huckaby. “A keep on the Hood River Resort wouldn’t be full and not using a Nordic-inspired brunch at Broder Øst (adjoining to the foyer), [nor] an [e-bike] rental and a trip from Sol Rides two doorways down.”

The Columbia Gorge Resort & Spa

The Columbia Gorge Resort & Spa is simply 5 minutes from downtown Hood River by automobile, nevertheless it feels hours away. The property sits proper on the Columbia River and is surrounded by lush gardens. Rooms have an Artwork Deco really feel, with some perched on the cliffs overlooking the gorge and others outfitted with fireplaces.

Finest Issues to Do 

Windsurfing & Kiteboarding

The city isn’t known as the “windsurfing capital of the world” for nothing. The winds listed here are constant, and the Hood River Waterfront Park makes launching into the water straightforward for even novice windsurfers and kiteboarders. You’ll be able to e book a lesson or simply hire windsurfing gear by Large Winds at “The Hook,” a leisure space on the west finish of the park. At Hood River Occasion Web site, located within the middle of the park, Brian’s Kiteboarding, Windsurfing & SUP additionally rents out all you may want for windsurfing, along with kiteboards and stand-up paddleboards.

Hood River Fruit Loop

If you wish to eat your method by Hood River, hop on the Hood River Fruit Loop, a 35-mile, self-guided driving tour that passes by 28 fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers. It’s hands-down one of the simplest ways to see the valley and to partake within the food and drinks the area is thought for.

“It goes from rainforest to abandon in solely about 25 miles,” explains Jonathan Cohen, co-owner of The Society Resort in Bingen and Portland, who spoke with T+L by way of electronic mail. “We will develop apples to cherries to nuts to wheat to wine grapes all inside a number of miles of one another, once they’re often a lot additional aside.”

Snowboarding

Lower than an hour from Hood River, skiers and boarders will discover two nice ski areas — Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows. The previous is perched close to the highest of the Mount Hood volcano and boasts the longest ski season in North America (usually November to Might), and that is welcome information for multi-sport athletes who need to kayak or windsurf within the gorge earlier than making turns within the snow up at Timberline.

Mountain climbing

The panorama created by the Columbia River Gorge and Cascade Vary is ideal for climbing. The Coyote Wall Path on the Washington aspect of the river is a good place to start out, particularly if you would like sweeping views of the gorge. And in case you time your go to proper, it’s a terrific place for recognizing wildflowers.

Again on the Oregon aspect of the river, hikers head to Mt. Hood Meadows to benefit from the ski-runs-turned-hiking-trails that abound within the space. There’s additionally a scenic chairlift, and Huckaby notes that “the resort hosts starlight dinners on the patio, reside music, and different family-friendly occasions all through the summer season.”

Hood River Harvest Fest

Keep in mind after we stated Hood River was a locavore’s dream vacation spot? The valley’s contemporary meals is well known in October throughout the annual Hood River Harvest Fest. The multi-day occasion is all about native meals, and competition attendees can benefit from the bounty of the valley’s greatest farms and orchards proper within the coronary heart of Hood River. There’s additionally reside music, arts and crafts, and — because of the competition’s location on the water — loads of water sports activities.

Finest Buying 

Doug’s Hood River

Hood River fashion is pretty particular, and if you wish to emulate the easy, outdoorsy look of locals, your greatest wager is to move to Doug’s, which has been outfitting Hood River in surfy, mountain duds since 1984. You’ll discover cool seaside put on, climbing gear, sun shades, sneakers, hats, and extra right here, from manufacturers like Olukai, Patagonia, Brixton, and Roxy.

Twiggs

The distinctive items, delicate jewellery, and residential items at Twiggs all match an aesthetic that’s each pleasing and inventive. It’s a terrific place to search out that one-of-a-kind ring or piece of pottery to remind you of your time in Hood River. They run gross sales recurrently and even arrange meet-the-maker occasions, throughout which artists share the tales behind their work.

G. Willikers Toy Shoppe

G. Willikers Toy Shoppe is an area gem, with an enormous collection of Lego, stuffies, board video games, puzzles, and humanities and craft provides. G. Willikers’ workforce of toy-centric staff like to play as a lot as youngsters do, and they’re going to fortunately level the best way to chill reward concepts, particular manufacturers, and age-appropriate toys.

Waucoma Bookstore

Waucoma Bookstore is among the oldest companies nonetheless in operation in downtown Hood River, promoting books of every kind since 1976. The store continues to advertise native authors by book-release celebrations, e book signings, and readings. 

Arome

We have already established that Hood River a terrific place for foodies; in case you’re a culinary traveler, you should definitely step inside Arome. This downtown store is full of kitchenware, from aprons and napkins to spices and oils. Tasting occasions are sometimes held right here and the workers is all the time up for sharing a favourite product or recipe in case you’re searching for inspiration.

Wineries and Breweries

Evoke Vineyard

Evoke Vineyard is ready within the coronary heart of Hood River. Utilizing fruit sourced from Pacific Northwest vineyards, this vineyard comes up with its personal concoctions, and it just lately gained accolades on the 2023 Seattle Wine Awards (try their 2019 tempranillo and sangiovese). Along with a protracted wine checklist, you’ll discover out of doors, dog-friendly seating and a terrific number of cheese plates and snacks on the menu right here.

Pfriem Household Brewers

Benefit from the stunning and fashionable tasting room at this brewpub, or seize a beer-to-go and head to the sting of the river. It’s laborious to beat sipping a beer on the riverfront seaside whereas windsurfers zip by.

Hiyu Wine Farm

In contrast to the downtown Evoke Vineyard, Hiyu Wine Farm is positioned in a river valley removed from the thrill of town. In truth, they’ve gone to nice lengths to create an expertise that’s immersed in nature, with cattle and wild gardens including to the ambiance. Huckaby calls it an “nearly fully regionally sourced expertise,” and notes that the vineyard obtained a James Beard nomination. 

Finest Eating places 

Celilo Restaurant & Bar

Each Huckaby and Cohen are fast to provide Celilo Restaurant & Bar a shoutout. Cohen says it is the place to go for a “positive, locally-sourced meal” within the space. The menu is heavy on veggies and contemporary fish, and there is loads of Oregon-made wine and beer to select from as properly.

Solstice Wooden Fireplace Cafe & Bar 

For an off-the-cuff chew, Huckaby recommends the “beloved pizza” at Solstice Wooden Fireplace Pizza, Cafe & Bar, which doles out complete wood-fired pizzas, slices, and gentle serve ice cream alongside the Hood River waterfront. You can too take your pizza to go and head to the river’s shoreline for a picnic-style meal.

Riverside

You wouldn’t suppose {that a} restaurant at a Finest Western resort could be an area favourite, however Riverside has been breaking norms and difficult expectations because it opened. When you can snag a desk on the patio overlooking the gorge, you’re in luck, however irrespective of the place you sit, you gained’t be upset with the meals. Huckaby says the restaurant “is dedicated to supporting the native meals financial system and has cultivated relationships with native farmers, creameries, vintners, brewers, fermenters, and fisher women and men to create dynamic dishes that talk of the area. The restaurant is proud to serve the freshest elements grown and harvested by considerate and intentional growers.”

Finest Time To Go to

Hood River is a real year-round vacation spot, however for most individuals, summer season is the candy spot, with temperatures staying comparatively low and an everyday breeze coming off the water. Most individuals spend their days lounging by the river or taking part in within the water throughout this season, and so they dip out and in of the eating places, breweries, and wineries that dot the shoreline and downtown Hood River, too.

When you intention to ski and board, plan your journey in January, February, or March. When you’re right here for the meals, think about reserving a visit over the Hood River Harvest Fest in October.

Tips on how to Get There

When you’re touring to Hood River from out of state, your greatest wager is to fly into Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) after which make the 1-hour scenic drive to Hood River. When you don’t need to hire a automobile, the Columbia Gorge Specific runs between Portland and Hood River each 1 to 2 hours.

These coming from one other metropolis in Oregon or Washington can merely make their solution to Interstate 84, which runs alongside the Oregon-Washington state line earlier than dropping all the way down to Boise, Idaho and Ogden, Utah.

Tips on how to Get Round

By parking and site visitors is usually a ache, most vacationers will discover that renting a automobile is worth it, particularly if you wish to hike, drive the Fruit Loop, or discover the valley. For these keen to surrender comfort so as to save a buck, Hood River has a terrific bus system that serves your entire space 7 days every week.