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Hood River ticks every day trip box: A short but scenic drive from Portland, a cute downtown, plenty of outdoorsy activities on the spectrum from sedate (waterfall viewing) to extreme (windsurfing), and tons of options for dining and drinking well. Here are the highlights.
Where to Eat
Grasslands Barbecue
Don’t let the long line deter you; the “Tex-ish” barbecue from food cart Grasslands Barbecue is worth the hour-long drive alone. Oak-smoked meats like brisket, tri-tip, black pepper chicken, and pork belly burnt ends are the main draws, but don’t miss the outstanding sides like green chile mac and cheese or refreshing Tex-Mex slaw with cabbage, toasted pumpkin seeds, pickled red onions, and cotija in black chile vinaigrette. They’re only open during lunchtime, and only on Saturdays, Sundays, and some Fridays during the summer. Go with a group, order it all, and sprawl out on the grassy lawn while watching the windsurfers. 403 Portway #300, grasslandsbarbecue.com
Broder Øst
The Broder empire extends east to the ground floor of the Hood River Hotel, where a bustling crowd of locals and tourists tuck into Swedish breakfast fare like aebleskiver (AKA pancake balls), lefse, and aquavit bloody Marys. It’s a solid choice for brunch, when it can get crowded, or come for a late lunch and finish with coffee and a cardamom bun. 102 Oak Suite 100, brodereast.com
Pfriem Family Brewers
Hood River is a beer town, and options abound for great pints. Double Mountain, Ferment, Full Sail, Kings & Daughters, Working Hands Fermentation, and Hood River Brewing Company are all good choices, but pFriem offers the perfect combination of great brews, food, and views. A menu of crowd-pleasers—think pimento cheeseburgers, Korean pork sandwiches, pork chile verde, and wedge salads—accompanies dozens of taps, including several draft cocktails that are way better than they need to be. 700 Portway Suite 101, pfriembeer.com
Where to Drink
Analemma Wines
Embracing the warm, arid climate of nearby Mosier, biodynamic estate winery Analemma grows primarily Spanish grape varieties like Mencia, Tinto, and Albariño (you can also arrange a Spanish-language tasting experience ahead of time). Come for a glass, flight, or bottle, plus a lovely selection of bites ranging from antipasti platters to more serious meals like albondigas or pasta alla zozzona. In season, there’s u-pick cherries and lavender, too. 1120 State, Mosier, analemmawines.com
Soča
Just across the Columbia River in White Salmon, winemaker-owned Soča Wine Shop & Bar connects the Columbia River Gorge AVA with the broader world of natural wine. Bottles and glass pours from Gorge producers sit alongside wines from France, Italy, and Slovenia, while a tight menu of beautiful, veggie-forward bites like smoked trout dip, burrata with snap peas and asparagus, and garden pea paté tartine is designed for pairing. 120 N Main, White Salmon, WA, socawineshop.com
Where to Get Out
The best way to get from Portland to Hood River starts on the Historic Columbia River Highway, the nation’s first planned scenic roadway. Built when Model Ts were first hitting the road, you can still drive many parts of the original highway. Today, some segments have become the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which is reserved for people-powered transit like walking, biking, and e-biking (dogs OK). Bring your own wheels or rent a bike or e-bike at Sol Rides, then hit the 4.5-mile Twin Tunnels segment connecting Hood River to Mosier. The route passes through two tunnels dynamited through solid basalt in 1921 and offers great views of the river and cliffs on the other side. It’s fully paved and not too hilly, making it a super accessible way to see the Gorge at a slower pace—and work up an appetite for the next meal.