DAY 1: ON THE WATER
Start your day off the right way with a fresh cup of coffee at one of HR’s favorite coffee spots (
Dog River Coffee,
Doppio, or
Ground);
all located right on Oak Street in downtown Hood River. Once you’re
sufficiently caffeinated, fuel up with a great New Orleans’s style
breakfast at
Nora’s Table,
where beignets, stuffed French toast, and omelets stuffed with fresh,
local ingredients are just a few of the tantalizing items you’ll find on
Chef Kathy Watson’s menu.
Now you’re ready to start your adventure. Getting on the water is
what it’s all about for many Hood River visitors and locals alike. Bring
your own equipment, or head to
Big Winds or
Hood River Waterplay
(in summer, you’ll find them both at the Event Site on waterfront) to
rent what you need. You can even sign up to learn how to windsurf,
kiteboard, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), with lessons ranging from
beginner to advanced, kids to special clinics. Don’t need a lesson? Head
over to Big Winds
and try one of their SUP tours from either
Viento State Park or Mosier.
If rafting is what you’re after, there are plenty of options. The
White Salmon River is less than a 20-minute drive from HR center and
boasts some of the best white water rafting around; indulge yourself in a
2.5 hour rush of class 3-4+ white water with professional guides that
will not only introduce you to the wonder of the river, but will get
your heart racing.
Wet Planet, Zoller’s, and River Drifters All Adventures operate on the White Salmon and offer daily trips. And if you want to kayak, just contact the
Kayak Shed downtown and they’ll get you all set up.
To cap off your day, head back down to the city center and indulge in wine tasting at
Springhouse Cellar or
The Pines before heading down to
Andrew’s for pizza made with love that you can take right into the Skylight Theater while you watch a movie, or
Celilo for their organically inspired local menu.
DAY 2: TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
Today we recommend
Bette’s Place
for a hearty breakfast before heading out to one of HR’s many hikes.
Bette’s place serves up fan favorites like omelets and biscuits and
gravy and has some of the best cinnamon rolls around.
Now you’re ready to burn those carbs! We’re got endless miles of
hiking trails throughout the Gorge, with walks on easy terrain that are
perfect for a family outing, to difficult hikes that will take you on a
multi-day journey through some of the prettiest country you’ll ever see.
Try the easy-going Hood River Trail (a 1.3 mile one-way hike along the
Hood River pipeline), or local favorite
Tamanawas Falls Loop
(a 4.5 mile loop that takes you into the beautiful Mt. Hood National
Forest to a waterfall complete with a cave behind the falls where you
can hang out on a warm day). Hike to a waterfall, hike a mountain, or
hike to a spectacular viewpoint—it’s all good in the Hood. Need some
gear? Head to
Shortt Supply,
Doug’s Sports, or
2nd Wind downtown for everything you need from shoes to permits.
Biking and horseback riding are big here too. You can bike on paved paths (like the
Mosier Twin Tunnels Trail) or fly down an off-road path in Post Canyon—the choice is yours. You can rent a bike at
Discover Bikes downtown—or bring your own and stay in a bike-friendly vacation rental, B&B, or the outstanding
Oak Street Hotel
that boasts free bike storage onsite, a bike washing and repair
station, and breakfast-to-go if you want to head out early. Saddle up
with
Double Mountain Ranch
and take a spectacularly scenic horseback ride through the Gorge—you
can even ride through a lavender field to one of the best local
wineries.
Now congratulate yourself on surviving your hike by kicking back at
Pfriem Brewery where you can sip on beer made on site and sample fares like Rachlette Cheese Fondue or the Vegan Bowl or
Sixth Street Bistro where
you can sample their rotating NW beers on tap or wine selection
including delicious NW varieties while pairing it with Teriyaki Stir Fry
or one of their famous burgers. Or maybe you’ll want to do a little
wine tasting at
Cathedral Ridge, and then make your way back to town for dinner at
Stonehedge Gardens for a classic blend of European recipes using fresh, local ingredients.
DAY 3: GIVE IT A REST
We think you’ve earned a day off, so pick up a
Fruit Loop
map at any local store or restaurant and take this 35-scenic loop
through the Hood River Valley, filled with over 40,000 acres of orchards
and vineyards. Eat, drink in the scenery, and be merry! Tomorrow you
can go out and start on a new Hood River adventure.
