This Oregon Small Town Is Home to Mountains, Rivers, and an Abundance of Fruit Orchards
Hood River is basically every type of country getaway, all rolled into one.
There’s not many places you can travel within the U.S. where you can experience life on the river, life on the mountain, and life among the orchards. Magically, the small town of Hood River, Oregon—population: 8,011—offers all three. First established in 1848 and originally known as Dog River, this river-meets-mountain town nestled along the northwest border of the state offers adventure for every kind of weekender.
Those looking for a fruit-forward getaway will want to spend their days driving the Hood River Fruit Loop, which offers ample opportunity to taste fresh-from-the-grove apples, pears, and cherries. (Fun fact: Hood River County provides 50 percent of the world’s supply of Anjou pears, and is America’s largest supplier of winter pears.) More into cooked food and drink? Wineries and breweries abound, as do seasonally-inspired gourmet restaurants. Outdoorsy folks will welcome the bounty of mountain hikes, waterfalls, and on-the-water activities (the Columbia Gorge offers ideal wind and kite-surfing conditions), and you don’t have to be an avid shopper to enjoy perusing top-quality, and often locally made, goods in the town’s independent boutiques.
So if you’re looking for a great small town to visit this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Our travel guide to Hood River, Oregon, is packed with the best restaurants, shops, sites to see, and more! Here are 21 of-the-season-ways to make the most of a warm summer day—or full-blown weekend!—in one of our favorite small towns.
Brake for Breakfast
Locals love KickStand Coffee & Kitchen for bacon Bloody Marys and orange-zested donut fritters (plus an adjoining bike shop!).
Pick Your Path
The 35-mile Hood River Fruit Loop winds its way through an abundance of U-pick apple, pear, and cherry orchards. Plan to pull over at Draper Girls’ Country Farm, where you can also also sample hard cider, shop the self-serve farm store (it works on the honor system!), and build a bouquet from the wildflower field. Another must-visit: Mt. View Orchards, a 50-acre apple and pear farm.
Stop in for a Souvenir
Pistil Designs specializes in outerwear accessories such as breezy cotton-blend scarves, while the sturdy backpacks and duffles offered at Alpine Sea Co. (pictured) are crafted right in the store. Fair trade-focused Red Thread & Co. works with Ecuadorian artisans to craft their brightly patterned blankets and pillows, and Chemistry Jewelry is popular for baubles with an organic look.
Hop the Water
Come lunch, cross the Hood River Bridge—and the Washington State line—to tuck into savory smoked beet and grilled brie-and-gouda sandwiches at Nina Jimenez (pictured) and Jure Poberaj’s White Salmon Baking Co.
Fill Your Basket
June marks the start of lavender season in Hood River. Gather a bundle of 10 different varieties—or just pose for the perfect Instagram—at Lavender Valley Farm.
Mind the Mountain
Mount Hood marks the highest point in Oregon. Come summer, the nearby six-mile Elk Meadows Trail passes through a Douglas fir forest and flowering meadows.
Drink it All In
Hood River Valley overflows with wineries such as The Gorge White House (pictured), where you can sip heritage pear wine made with a Bosc varietal grown on the property. At Hiyu Wine Farm, former French Laundry sommelier Nate Ready tends to more than 80 grape varieties and hosts seasonally inspired dinners. More into beer and cider? Add Ferment Brewing Co., Pfriem, and Fox-Tail Cider to your itinerary.
Follow the Falls
While waterfalls abound in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic area, Multnomah Falls is the must-visit. Clocking in at 620 feet—the tallest in the state!—it flows over two tiers of basalt cliffs and is best viewed from the bridge that directly crosses its center.
Stay the Night
Situated right downtown, the historic Hood River Hotel has welcomed visitors since 1888. Seven miles south at the luxe farm-stay Sakura Ridge, guests share the grounds with grazing sheep. Across the river in White Salmon, RubyJune Inn has PNW charm in spades, and the nearby Society Hotel Bingen is also home to spa and bathhouse.
Nominate Your Favorite Small Town!
Where should we mosey to next? Tell us at countryliving@hearst.com, or start planning your next getaway with our small town guides:
• The Best Small Towns in the U.S.
• 30+ Small Towns to Visit This Summer
• The 50 Best Small Towns for Antiques
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