Charming Downtowns in Oregon Wine Country

Nicknamed “Oregon’s favorite Main Street,” downtown McMinnville revolves around Third Street—a vibrantstretch chockablock with craft breweries, winery tasting rooms, businesses run by hard-working locals, and buzzy restaurants.

Dine on farm-fresh flavors at Grounded Table, which incorporates ingredients from its own farm and whose menu changes often to reflect what's in-season. Try local wines at the friendly tasting room from R. Stuart & Co., and get a feel for the valley’s commitment to sustainability at Troon Vineyard's Biodynamic Wine Bar just one block away. Craft beer fans, meanwhile, can sample gluten-free ales and lagers at the community-minded Bierly Brewing. If you’re shopping, find your next favorite title at Third Street Books or creative home goods at La Bella Casa.

For overnight stays, take your pick among hotels right on Third Street. The luxurious Tributary Hotel & Spa hosts well-appointed suites with in-room soaking tubs, fireplaces, and smart TVs—and invites rest and relaxation at an on-site spa. One block away, McMenamins Hotel Oregon rents a number of whimsically designed rooms and shows off wide-open views from the Rooftop Bar.

With fewer than 3,000 residents, Dayton is easily the smallest community we’re highlighting here. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for with refined restaurants, fun overnight stays, and other attractions. 

Spend a relaxing afternoon shooting hoops, reading a book, or napping under towering Douglas-fir trees in Courthouse Square Park—a forested green space with a playground, basketball court, and picnic area. Afterward, kick back on the patio with Pinot noir, Pinot blanc, Sauvignon, and other wines at the hip Seufert Winery.

Treat yourself to dinner at The Joel Palmer House Restaurant, which has earned acclaim for its seasonal dishes (frequently crafted with wild mushrooms and truffles), as well as a stellar wine selection. For something more casual, pop into Juanita's Cafe y Neveria for tacos, burritos, bowls, and other fresh Mexican favorites.

If you’re staying the night, the Inn at Dayton, housed in the heart of downtown, is a sophisticated, lovingly stored boutique—and one of the newest hotels in the Willamette Valley. Just across the Yamhill River from downtown, The Vintages Trailer Resort brings together nearly two-dozen restored trailers for a retro-inspired taste of luxury. See why the Vintages makes a great stop on a Highway 99W road trip through the Willamette Valley.

Downtown Newberg artfully blends old-school charm with new-school attractions in Oregon Wine Country, making it a worthy stop on your next wine-tasting getaway.

The vintage charm is apparent in tree-lined streets and vintage brick buildings, many of which host tasting rooms that celebrate decades of craft and care. At the eastern edge of downtown, Stoller Wine Bar pours a variety of award-winning wines in a friendly space that dishes bistro-inspired bites and routinely hosts live music inside a converted car dealership. For a sit-down meal, make a reservation for farm-to-table fine dining at The Painted Lady Restaurant—or enjoy housemade Italian dishes at Rosmarino Osteria Italiana; both are among the best-loved restaurants in Oregon Wine Country.

If you’re looking to get beyond downtown, check out our guide to fun day trips around Newberg and nearby McMinnville.

Time moves a little slower in downtown Independence, where brick buildings line the main drag and Willamette River views are rarely more than a block or two away.

Ease into the day at Brew Coffee & Tap House, which serves light bites and coffee drinks for breakfast—and transforms into a casual lounge with house-made pizzas, wraps, and cocktails later in the day. From there, cross the street, head through Riverview Park, and enjoy a short stroll along the Willamette River; watch the forest across the channel for great blue herons, ospreys, and other waterfowl. In spring and summer, get on the water with a paddlecraft from Independence Kayak Rentals. Afterward, savor sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas made with local ingredients, as well as a flight of housemade craft beer, at Gilgamesh Brewing—home to one of the best brewpub patios in the Willamette Valley.

When you’re ready to call it a night, check into your room at The Independence—one of several stylish boutiques in Oregon Wine Country—which offers river views from select rooms, a rooftop patio, and an on-site restaurant specializing in seasonal fare. Bringing your bike? See why Independence makes an ideal homebase for your next cycling adventure.

Residing between Salem and the foothills of the Cascade Range, the modern-day community of Silverton got started as a timber town in the mid-1800s. The last of the mills closed long ago, but the city of 10,000 today welcomes visitors to a cozy downtown brimming with historic charm.

Coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, and boutiques dot the downtown core. Start your day with baked goods at Silverton Bake Shop or a breakfast burrito at The Warren Silverton, an all-day café that doubles as a used bookstore and wine bar. While away the lunch hour with hearty pub grub and a flight of local craft beer at Silver Falls Brewery, peruse the more than 30 murals that celebrate Silverton’s history, and enjoy a chic dinner at Oso—specializing in Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Wind down by seeing what’s new at the Palace Theatre, an art-deco movie house that dates back to 1936.

Extend your stay with a night at Silverton Inn & Suites, whose elegant rooms reside in the midst of it all. Away from downtown, see what’s in bloom at the 130-acre Oregon Garden, take a guided tour of the Gordon House (designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright), and spend a day at nearby Silver Falls State Park—home to many miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as thundering waterfalls.