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Morning Activities
Start the day in Canby with a breakfast of fresh vegetables or
regional smoked salmon and shrimp omelets at the Seasons
Grill. This restaurant uses fresh
seasonal ingredients and has an outdoor dining area where patrons can
enjoy the fresh air. After a hearty breakfast, head on over to the historic
Canby Ferry for a scenic ride across the Willamette River.
This ferry has carried travelers across the river since pioneers first
settled in Oregon. Nearby, the Flower
Farmallows visitors to stroll through the fields of
buds and blossoms and ride the Phoenix & Holly
Railroad, a miniature train for little and big kids. If you
would like to stay in Mt. Hood Territory for the rest of the day, the
region offers restaurants and entertainment no matter your interest:
Lunch
Take Hwy 99W to Yamhill
County (approximately 50 minutes). Stop by a favorite
of hometown winemakers, The
Dundee Bistro. Like other area chefs,
Dundee Bistro’s Jason Stoller Smith takes great pride in using locally
grown organic ingredients that showcase the bounty of Willamette Valley’s
farmers.
Afternoon Activities
Take Hwy 99W to Yamhill
County (approximately 50 minutes). As you enter the heart
of Oregon’s wine country, you’ll find nearly 200 wineries ranging
from large-producing estates to small, boutique artisans such as WillaKenzie and Cuneo
Cellars. Right next door to Cuneo Cellars you’ll
find Carlton Winemakers
Studio, where you can sample hand-crafted wine made by
independent winemakers. Both Willakenzie and Cuneo are low-production yet
award winning. Cuneo Cellars offers visitors an exclusive tasting and tour
with winemaker Gino Cuneo by appointment. At WillaKenzie, you get
a taste of France with their Burgundian winemaking technique while sampling
what they call “insanely good wine.” Stop by Erath
Vineyards Winery to see one of the true pioneers
of Oregon’s wine industry. For over 30 years Erath Vineyards
has continued to excel with each vintage of Pinot noir, Pinot gris and
Gewurztraminer, among other varietals. Bring a picnic lunch and stay awhile—the
outside terrace offers sweeping views of the valley.  Dinner
Yamhill County has become the culinary hot spot of Oregon’s wine
country – the perfect destination for any foodie. Enjoy innovative,
seasonal dishes in a charming Victorian setting at The
Painted Lady Restaurant. Popular with natives and visitors
alike, The Painted Lady has an extensive wine list that showcases many
of the valley’s finest varietals. Another favorite of hometown winemakers
is The Dundee Bistro. Like
other area chefs, Dundee Bistro’s Jason Stoller Smith takes great
pride in using locally grown organic ingredients that showcase the bounty
of Willamette Valley’s farmers. Here are some other great restaurants
consistently serving up culinary masterpieces:
- Nick’s Italian
Café in McMinnville is a legendary restaurant
championed by winemakers and travelers alike. Serving a fixed
five-course dinner or a la carte entrees, enjoy owner and chef Nick
Peirano’s handmade pasta and an extensive Oregon wine list.
- Spanish food comes alive with a Northwest twist at La
Rambla in historic downtown McMinnville.
- Located on the National Historic Register, the Joel
Palmer House in Dayton creates
culinary works of art based on sustainable, regional ingredients – primarily
wild mushrooms.
Evening Activities
You don’t have to venture to the hills of Tuscany for an Italian
retreat. Centrally located in the Red Hills of Dundee,
the Black
Walnut Inn is the perfect jumping off point for the area’s
numerous world-class wineries and wide range of activities. The value-conscious
traveler may prefer a stay at Hotel
Oregon. Owned by the McMenamin brothers, this hotel features
European style rooms, handcrafted pool tables and a rooftop bar – all
of which are designed to compliment the history of the building.
Day 2 (Yamhill County, Corvallis, and Eugene)
Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious breakfastat your hotel, or those with
a sweet tooth looking to explore the region won’t want to miss the
granola French toast, "Wildwood Toast," at the Wildwood
Cafe.  Morning Activities
Take 99W south to Corvallis (approximately
90 minutes). No matter what day, there’s always something to do in
this quirky city:
- Saturday travelers will want to stop by the Downtown Waterfront to
sample some of the region’s freshest local produce at the Farmers
Market
- Visitors looking to discover a hidden gem or a piece of history can
visit more than a dozen antique shops.
- Granted the title "Bike Friendly City" by Bike USA, what
better place than Corvallis, to take to two wheels? Stop by Peak
Sports and rent a bike to begin your exploration
of this beautiful college town.
Lunch
Enjoy the best of the Pacific Northwest’s fare at Big
River Restaurant, or go global and sample fine French cuisine
at Le Bistro. Wondering what else has Corvallis
has to offer?
- Get a taste of the Orient at Magenta. Here
dishesare influenced by the many different foods of Southeast
Asia and incorporate wild, bold flavors while remaining simple and tasty.
- After experiencing a meal at Cloud
9, you’ll feel like you’re on it. Cloud
9 is the newest restaurant in town and one of the best choices for
appetizers and cocktails.
- Vegans and vegetarians don’t have to despair. Nearly
Normal’s Gonzo Cuisine serves up a wide
range of dining options free of animal products.
- Get a taste of historic Corvallis with a bite to eat at Michael’s
Landing. Housed in the original train depot
built in 1909, it offers some of the best steaks around.
Afternoon Activities
Continue south on Hwy 99 (approximately 50 minutes) and arrive in
one of the Willamette Valley’s southernmost cities, Eugene. A
unique city, Eugene combines rural farming with cosmopolitan attractions. There’s
something for everyone here – from world-class arts, to outdoor
adventure. Here’s a look at a few of the options the region
offers: 
- Golfing enthusiasts can grab their clubs and try their hand on one
of nearly
20 golf courses within the valley. Voted
a “Top 10 Golf Getaway” by The Oregonian, hit the greens at
Lane County’s newest golf course – Diamond
Woods.
- Rated the eighth best walking city in America, Eugene features guided
art walks through downtown. The
walking tours start at local galleries and allow enthusiasts to explore
the city’s vibrant art scene.
- Lane County is home to 20 historic covered
bridges, more than any other region on the West Coast. Some
date back to as early as 1920, 14 are still open to traffic, and most
are on the National Register of Historical Places.
- Wine aficionados can taste some of the valley’s finest wine while
enjoying spectacular views of the region at King
Estate. This grand winery features 820-acres of
vineyards and a state of the art winery. The estate, resembling a French
Chateau, recently opened a new tasting room, restaurant and marketplace.
Dinner
Considered Eugene’s landmark bistro, Café Zenon is
open for business nearly 24 hours a day and is known for its legendary
desserts and extensive wine list. Looking for a taste of Italy? At
the Excelsior
Inn’s Ristorante Italiano you can have the freshest
seasonal ingredients prepared over your choice of pasta. Cap off
dinner the traditional Italian way with a shot of espresso. Home to some
of the state’s most eclectic eateries, you’ll find Eugene restaurants
take pride in cooking with only the freshest, local ingredients.
- Located in the bustling 5th St. Market, Marché offers
French-style cuisine based on the foods found at a farmers' market – fresh,
seasonal and regional. It is committed to using only those ingredients
that are at their best, so the menu evolves as the seasons change.
- Set in a national historic landmark with antique train cars for dining,
the Oregon
Electric Station is a favorite
destination for Eugene visitors as they feast on the restaurant’s
specialty prime rib and fresh fish from Northwest waters.
Lodging
Relax in the elegant comfort of the Excelsior
Inn. Each of the Inn’s 14 rooms are named for a
renowned classical composer and come complete with everything you need
for a perfect getaway. Or, the value-priced Campus
Inn is also within walking distance of the city’s
main attractions. It serves complimentary breakfast and Starbucks
coffee daily.
Day 3 (Eugene , Albany , Salem
area)
Breakfast
Begin your morning in Oregon’s Emerald City with a hot cup of coffee
or fresh juice at one of these long-time hot spots:
- Keystone,
a hometown favorite for nearly 20 years, has consistently been voted Eugene’s
Best Breakfast by Eugene Weekly readers.
- The Glenwood offers affordable entrees with
distinct Eugene character at its two locations. Serving its popular
breakfast options all day long, The Glenwood has special appeal to students
and for those wanting to feel like a local.
- For those with a sweet tooth, a visit to Eugene isn’t complete
without a stop at the Palace Bakery. This artisan
bakery serves specialty breads, pastries, cookies and more using Willamette
Valley’s freshest produce. A cheesecake connoisseur? Sample one
of 27 varieties of cheesecake and select your favorite, or sample one
of dozens of specialty deserts.
 Morning Activities
Depart Eugene for Albany,
heading North on I-5 (approximately 50 minutes).
Upon arrival, take the Seems
Like Old Times Self-Guided Driving Tour of historic architecture
through Albany's three nationally registered historic districts. Albany
has the most varied collection of historic home styles in the state. After
seeing the outside of these fantastic homes, continue your journey back
in time at The
Monteith House Museum. The first
frame structure built in Albany in 1849, it is one of the most authentically
restored homes in Oregon. The building is now a house museum, where
visitors can see the pioneer kitchen Christine Monteith used to prepare
meals as well as the original piano brought by covered wagon to help make
the Oregon wilderness a bit more civilized.
Lunch
Dine at Sybaris Bistro, where
the food is often described as "eclectic Northwest." The
menu changes monthly to bring the best products from the farm to you at
their peak. The chef’s French training often influences dishes, and
there is always an emphasis on fresh, local products grown in a sustainable
way.
Afternoon Activities
Depart Albany and head north on 1-5. The Salem
area is a nature lover’s paradise. Here are
a few options we recommend to see some of the region’s best natural
wonders: 
- Enjoy one of Oregon's most popular destinations, Oregon
Garden in Silverton,
where thousands of plants are displayed in more
than 20 specialty gardens (approximately 50 minutes from Albany). Discover how easy it is to relax
and be dazzled at The Oregon Garden, located on 80 acres in Historic Silverton.
- No matter what visitors are looking for they’ll find it at Silver
Falls State Park. Majestic mountains? Check. An abundance
of flora and fauna? Check. Cascading waterfalls? Check. At Oregon’s
largest state park you can spot glimpses of wildlife, pick fresh berries
or just enjoy the tranquility of the scenery that surrounds you.
- If it’s more of a spiritual retreat you’re looking for,
stop by Mt. Angel.
Most often recognized for its beloved Oktoberfest,
this old-world Bavarian community is also home to the Mt.
Angel Abbey & Seminary. Built in 1883 by Swiss Benedictine
monks, this tranquil establishment not only offers visitors sweeping views
of the valley below but a priceless collection of rare books and a peaceful
setting for self-reflection.
- Conclude your visit to Oregon’s Wine Country with a visit to Willamette
Valley Vineyards. For over two decades they
have been perfecting their craft, producing some of the best wines
Oregon has to offer. Sample their latest varietals and take in the
scenic beauty of the Willamette Valley.
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