Day Trip: What you need to eat, see, and experience in Hood River, Or
Hood River is a hot spot for Portlanders looking for a quick day trip out of the city. The colorful and vibrant town is known by many for its unique charm and relaxed river vibes. The town is perched on the bank of Columbia River and is only a short drive away from Mt. Hood, making it a perfect spot to cool-down from a hike or to go shopping in the bustling downtown storefronts.
Experience
Take the Scenic Route
Relive the glory days of the American railroad by taking a 1.5 hour ride on a century-old railroad. Mount Hood Railroad offers scenic passenger excursions through Northern Oregon. The trip takes visitors through orchards, vineyards, and forests, and offers picture perfect views of Mount Hood.
Hit the Waves
Hood River has a huge water-sports community and is often called the windsurfing capital of the world. The wind patterns and river swell challenge the best of the best, while also offering some quiet nooks for beginners to try their luck. There are multiple businesses in the area that offer lessons and rentals for people who want to windsurf, kayak, paddle board, or kite surf.
Experience the Valley
The Gorge White House really has it all; U-pick flowers, cider, farm-fresh food cart, craft wines, and fruit orchards. The historic home built in 1910 sits on a 30+ acre farm in the heart of the Hood River Valley. The home is nearly identical to the day it was built and is a prime example of a Dutch Colonial Revival home. The open land and rows of flowering plants make it a beautiful place to spend a sunny day with friends.
Get your Hands Dirty
Clay Commons is a ceramics studio that offers private lessons, parties, and memberships. Lessons include an instructor, clay, and all the tools you need to make magic happen. Once you have a piece that you love, Clay Commons will glaze and fire it for you, so you can take home your newly minted creation. Call it a date night or call it self-care. Either way, this is a great way to learn a new skill.
Eat
Good news Garden Cafe
This is a favorite casual lunch spot for locals. Good News Garden Cafe is a little drive out of downtown, and the perfect spot for an unpretentious soup and sandwich under the roof of a beautiful little greenhouse. The cafe is part of Good News Gardening Center, which has a wonderful supply of plants and gardening tools. Visitors to the cafe can sit indoors, or go into the garden to eat their meal. The menu changes daily, and focuses on sustainably-grown organic ingredients.
Broder Øst
Portlanders might recognize this familiar brand of Scandinavian-inspired brunch spots. The out of town sister restaurant, Broder Øst, is a highlight of any Hood River visit. The cozy laid-back atmosphere is a great way to ease into a day in the city. Broder Øst offers traditional Scandinavian breakfasts and lunch items everyday until 3 PM.
Riverside
Riverside is unique because it is the only restaurant in Hood River on the banks of the Columbia River. In the warmer months, visitors can sit on the seasonal dining deck and enjoy the uninterrupted panoramic views of the Gorge while they enjoy their meal. The menu features a range of items made from fresh, all-natural, often locally sourced ingredients. Riverside boasts an impressive wine list, most of which are locally made.
Stonehenge gardens
Spend a romantic evening at one of the best fine dining restaurants in Hood River. Stonehenge Gardens occupies a restored 1890’s home and features three indoor dining rooms and a beautiful outdoor terrace that doubles as a private wedding venue. The dinner menu features options like rack of lamb, lobster, wild salmon, fresh halibut, scampi, and ahi tuna.
Romeo Gelato
There is always room for dessert. And the best dessert in the city is a little, inconspicuous gelato stand near the Hood River Waterfront Park named Romeo Gelato. All of the homemade gelato and sorbetto are made daily with organic milk and fresh, local fruit. Hours and availability change depending on the season and weather, so check their Facebook page before you go.
Drink
Ground
Ground is so much more than a coffee shop (though, that is a huge part of it.) They also pride themselves on being a bakery, restaurant, and roaster all in one. They roast their signature coffee in-house, bake pastries every morning, and make all of their breakfast and lunch orders from scratch. The retro vibes, bright orange chairs, and bright interior set this place apart from the standard.
Ferment brewing
Ferment Brewing is a modern brewery with a focus on handcrafted beers and kombuchas. They also offer locally-sourced seasonal produce, sandwiches, slow roasted meats, and various house-fermented items. The tasting room is on the second floor of the brewery and overlooks the Columbia River Gorge, so guests can kick back and enjoy a beer while watching windsurfers on the river.
Stoked Roaster and Coffee House
Stoked Coffee Roasters is a sleek, modern coffee house that boasts 11 different organic coffee roasts to choose from. It is located right near the waterfront, and has a great atmosphere to reset after an afternoon in the sun.
Evoke winery
Evoke winery is run on the idea that award-winning wine should be fun to experience. Their flagship location is in downtown Hood River and has great views of the Columbia River Gorge. This warm and welcoming space is family-friendly and pet-friendly, and offers cozy seating inside and on their outdoor patio. Beer, small bites, and take-away bottles are available.
Want to experience the winery but don’t want to drive? Evoke Winery is set to open a new location in Vancouver, WA later this spring that will cater to the Portland Metro area.
Shop
Alpine Sea Co.
Alpine Sea Co. is a store front and design studio all in one. The open floor plan of the store gives visitors a first-hand look at the studio where the team creates the products stocked on the shelves. Alpine Sea Co. is dedicated to making quality products with sustainability in mind. The store uses recycled materials, local manufacturing, and small batch production on all of their products.
Twiggs
Twiggs is a quintessential stop for anyone doing shopping in downtown Hood River. They have a curated assortment of home goods, beautiful jewelry, thoughtful gifts, and trinkets.
Ruddy duck
Inspired by the residents and uniqueness of Hood River, this self proclaimed “mini-department store” has something for everyone. Ruddy Duck is located in the historical heart of downtown Hood River, and run by multiple generations of women from the same family. They carry a unique variety of clothing, shoes, accessories, gifts, textiles and home décor for women, men and kids.
Bonus: Get a treat for yourself after you shop. The same family runs an ice cream store next door to Ruddy Duck called Mike’s Ice Cream.
Gorge Dog
No day trip is complete without bringing back a souvenir for your furry friend. Gorge Dog is the ultimate pet supplies store in Hood River, offering all pet necessities, accessories, toys, apparel, and gifts for dog lovers.
