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Pacific Northwest
Click on town and road map above to help you locate cities, towns and other attractions.
Willamette Valley Cities and Towns
Albany
Amity
Brownsville
Corvallis
Cottage Grove
Dallas
Dundee
Eugene
McMinnville
Newberg
Salem
Silverton
Springfield
Woodburn
ACTIVITIES
Snow Skiing
Tours
Tour Operators
Whitewater Rafting
ATTRACTIONS
Lighthouses
--Haceta Head
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Wine Country
VISITOR INFORMATION
Cities and Towns by
Region
Map of Cities and Towns
Oregon Travel Regions
Cascade Mountains
Central Oregon
Columbia River Gorge
Northeast Oregon
Oregon Coast
Portland & Vicinity
Southern Oregon
The Willamette Valley, located at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range, comprises some of the most fertile and lush farmland in the Northwest. Stretching from just below the Oregon-Washington border to the city of Eugene, the Willamette Valley has long been considered the heartbeat of Oregon. Nineteenth century pioneers following the Oregon Trail were drawn by its Eden-like reputation for abundant land, idyllic beauty and ample resources. These first emigrants did not turn to farming to make a living, but rather to profitable gains of the lumber and fur trades. It was not until later that Oregon's farming industries truly took shape.
Now containing Oregon's largest metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley is considered the state's economic center and is home to more than 2 million people. At its northern tip lies Portland, Oregon's largest city and cultural center. The evidence of Oregon's 19th century homesteaders can still be seen today in the Portland vicinity, where historic landmarks such as Oregon City still flourish.
The Willamette Valley is best known for its agricultural accomplishments, which include a flourishing wine industry. The valley is actually divided into two distinct appellations, although both are known for their rich and robust Pinot Noir and exceptional Pinot Gris. Hazelnuts, raspberries, blackberries and surprisingly, Christmas trees, are major exports of the Willamette Valley area.
Massive flood waters helped shape this valley more than 10,000 years ago, when the glacial waters of Lake Missoula washed over areas of Oregon and Washington's western regions in a series of periodic floods. The result was a transplantation of rich volcanic soil from eastern Washington to western Oregon, where the moist, cool winds of the Pacific Ocean continue to nurture Oregon's most abundant agricultural region.
Albany Click here for Albany
Amity
Vineyards
A small family-owned winery in Yamhill County 45 miles southwest of Portland
above the village of Amity. Established in 1976, the winery produces
Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Eco-wine (a sulfite-free Pinot Noir made from
Organic Grapes), and late harvest Riesling. The tasting room is open daily,
February 1st through December 23rd. Closed in January.
Corvallis Click here for Corvallis
Apple Inn Bed and Breakfast
The Apple Inn is located just 5 minutes from Cottage Grove, the covered
bridge capital of the world. The Apple Inn is in a forest setting with a
mountain view on the edge of 190 acres of fir trees. There are trails and
roads to hike or bike. Tours of the tree farm are available on Sunday
afternoons by appointment. Harry, the owner, is a professional forester and
enjoys sharing his knowledge.
Dallas Click here for Dallas
Black Walnut Inn and Vineyard. 9600 NE Worden Hill Road, Dundee, OR 97115. Phone: 503-429-4114; Toll-free: 1-866-429-4114. E-mail
Argyle Winery
The modern winery operations are housed in a former hazelnut processing
plant in the small Willamette Valley community of Dundee. Argyle produces
three types of vintage sparkling wines: Brut, Blanc de Blaney and Rose, hand
riddled and disgorged to order. Still wines include: Dry Riesling,
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris crafted by traditional methods in
limited quantities.
Sokol
Blosser Winery
Located just 40 minutes SW of Portland, Sokol offers visitors a self-guided
tour through the showcase vineyard as well as wine tasting. This site
also features local events.
Eugene Click here for Eugene
McMinnville Click here for McMinnville
Newberg Click here for Newburg
ACCOMMODATIONS
Springbrook Hazelnut
Farm
Springbrook Hazelnut Farm is just a 20 mile drive from greater downtown
Portland, and this peaceful Yamhill County is a listed on the National
Historic Register. The property includes four matching Craftsman-style
buildings nestled among ten acres of lawns and gardens, complete with huge
old trees and a one-acre pond. The property is surrounded by a 60-acre
hazelnut orchard.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Rex Hill
Vineyards & Winery
Secure on-line ordering and winery information from one of Oregon's leading
producers of premium and super premium varietal wines. Best known for Pinot
Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, Rex Hill is receiving growing recognition
for consistent, sophisticated wines.
Whistling Ridge Vineyard
Whistling Ridge Vineyard - Owned and operated by Richard Alvord, Patricia
Gustafson, and family since 1989, occupies eight acres in the northern
Willamette Valley, near Newberg. The vineyard includes a variety of grapes
some of which are Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvigno.
ACTIVITIES
Vista Balloon
Adventures
Hot Air Ballooning in Oregon's wine country. Features balloon rides for one
to 36 passengers. From April 1st through October 31st, five balloons fly
seven days a week, weather permitting. Gift certificates, group rates and
wedding packages are available.
Salem Click here for Salem
Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Whitewater Rafting
A Helfrich Outfitter. 2605 Harvest Lane, Springfield, OR 97477. Phone: 541-726-5039; Toll-free: 1-800-328-7688; Fax: 208-567-0289. E-mail
Woodburn Click here for Woodburn
Go Northwest!
Bookstore
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!
Moon
Oregon, 8th Edition by Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae. Created by local
writers and photographers this guide provides in-depth history,
culture and character of Oregons most spectacular destinations,
covering everything there is to see and do plus full-color
photographs; topical essays and literary extracts; detailed color
maps; and capsule reviews of hotels and restaurants.
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Fodor's
Oregon, 5th Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides) by Fodor's. Fodor's helps
you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insights and
tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you're always at
the helm, Fodor's offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee
of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination.
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Backroads & Byways of Oregon: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend
Excursions by Crystal Wood. With natives as your guides, this series
leads you down the road less traveled. Offering up 11 distinctive
road trips and weekend getaways-from the awe-inspiring Oregon Coast
to the geological wonders of Mt. Hood-this one-of-a-kind guide
reveals the quirks and little-known delights of the "real" Oregon.
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Oregon:
An Explorer's Guide 3d Edition by Denise Fainberg. New color highlights
make it easier to find the info you need. Includes: getting there,
getting around, what to see, what to do, green space, family activities,
where to stay and eat, entertainment, selective shopping, special
events, and more. Color highlights throughout, 100 black-and-white photographs.
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The
Oregon Companion: An Historical Gazetteer of the Useful, the Curious, and
the Arcane by Richard H. Engeman. A-Z handbook of over 1000 people,
places, and things. This entertaining and delightfully meticulous compendium
is an essential reference for anyone curious about Oregon.
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Oregon
Curiosities, 2nd: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities, and Other Offbeat
Stuff by Harriet Baskas. Your round-trip ticket to the wildest,
wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things the Beaver State has to
offer!
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Oregon
Lake Maps & Fishing Guide by Gary Lewis and Esther Appel. Logging
over 6,000 miles Lewis visited 40 lakes and surrounding communities
to bring accurate information. Each lake map includes: Roads, access
points, boat launches, peak fishing times, insect hatches,
hatch-timing chart; fly-fishing, conventional tackle techniques;
fishing knots, tackle guide, important services and more.
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Oregon
Wine Country: A Great Destination by Sherry L. Moore and Jeff Welsch.
Detailed maps with insider knowledge make this book a must-have. A practical Great Grape Destinations checklist rounds out this
invaluable resource. Includes: history, getting around, wineries, lodging, dining, attractions, recreation, shopping, 100 photographs and maps.
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Essential
Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Wine
Countries of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho by Cole
Danehower and Andrea Johnson. With beautifully illustrated
photographs and helpful maps, this guide enables wine lovers to plan
touring, select wines, and explore and discover the riches of the
Northwest's wine country.
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