In addition to regular stories on all things that make the Southwest shine, each month The Best of the Southwest takes readers on a weekend getaway, sharing the ultimate itinerary for a destination either a quick drive or short flight away, in a column we are calling Field Trip Friday. 

Today’s field trip: Willamette Valley.   

Willamette Valley musts:

• Order the hazelnut milkshake from Oregon’s famed Tillamook Creamery featuring local sourced hazelnuts and ice cream
• Experience the intimate, orchard setting and abundant ammenties found at Allison Inn & Spa
• Visit one of the regions picturesque waterfalls and world-class vineyards

Destination: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley is equal parts farms, forests, wine and waterfalls. Forged during the Ice Age, the region is 150 miles long and 60 miles wide, following the Willamette River north to south for more than 150 miles from the Mt. Hood Territory east of Portland to just south of Eugene. Thanks to its fertile soil, Willamette Valley boasts the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Oregon, produces most of the hazelnuts sold in North America and grows more Christmas trees than anywhere else in the U.S. 

Getting There: A hop, skip and jump from Portland

As convenient as it is breathtaking Willamette Valley is located less than an hour south of Portland, just a short drive to and from Portland International Airport. The Salem Airport is in the heart of Willamette Valley, but tends to have fewer daily, non-stop flights than its massive Portland sister flight center. 

Stay: From historical and cozy accommodations to renowned resort comfort

When it comes to determining where to stay, there are several ways to go (even up). 

If seeking a downtown, urban vibe with entertainment within walking distance, consider Holman Riverfront Park Hotel in downtown Salem, which is also the capital of Oregon. Open since March 2023, the seven-story hotel has all the modern comforts but with clever accents that pay homage to the region’s pioneers, winemakers and artisans. The building itself has a storied history as it was the home of the Oregon state government from 1857 to 1876 without a formal Capitol building. There are more than 120 rooms, many with floor-to-ceiling windows and some with complete kitchenettes.

The hotel offers both on-the-go sustenance via Lip Service Café and a more luxe dining experience in Pacific Standard. Both a chic lounge with an impressive mixology program and full-service dining experience, the menu is a celebration of all the best flavors across the entirety of the West Coast.

Smart diners should order the hazelnut milkshake, which dazzles with local hazelnuts and ice cream sourced from Oregon’s famed Tillamook Creamery. And if staying at this downtown dazzler, be sure to make the time to walk or take the two-minute drive to Cozy Taberna, a celebration of Spanish tapas with some of the sneaky best cocktails in the Pacific Northwest. The Squid Ink Pasta and Patatas Bravas with one of its signature cask cocktails is an especially magical pairing. 

If seeking the ultimate wine country retreat, go with The Setting Inn. Both a working vineyard and lush garden estate, The Setting Inn offers 10 acres of untouched natural beauty. European in its design and inspiration, there are only eight rooms on the estate, but guests who nab the coveted wine country accommodations are treated to daily Pacific Northwest-sourced continental breakfast; in-room teas from award-winning artisan Oregonian teamaker Steven Smith; LATHER bath amenities; fire pits complete with s’mores kits; bocce, badminton and croquet courts; a great room with a fireplace that could double as an art installation; and even a rustically chic 1,200-square-foot relaxation lounge made from a historic barn.

There is a full-scale wine-tasting space on property as well, offering Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Sonoma County and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. 

If you seek a true resort experience, there is The Allison Inn & Spa. While many assume The Allison Inn & Spa is named after a celebrity, it pays homage to Lake Allison, which flowed through the Valley in 15,000 B.C. and is among the raging waters that created the abundance in all directions. In turn, the lake got its name from Ira S. Allison, the geologist who discovered the connection between the body of water and fertile land.

Nestled between mountain ranges and spread across 35 acres of gardens, hazelnut orchards, vineyards and outdoor art galleries, The Allison Inn is limited to just 77 rooms and 8 luxurious suites and boasts one of the most lauded spas in the Pacific Northwest. It specializes in botanical and biological therapies produced by local Pinot Noir grapes as well as water therapy and more traditional massages, facials and body treatments. The on-site eatery, Jory, is a love letter to the local agriculture, complete with a chef’s garden and local wine pairing options.

And if wanting to really walk on the wild side, opt to sleep in the trees – quite literally. The Tree Climbing at Silver Falls program not only guides guests on half-, full- and multi-day quests to climb some of the tallest trees in the world, but also arranges personal hammocks and two-person tree tents so folks can fully immerse themselves in nature overnight. 

Play: Experience spectacular waterfalls and hot springs

The sky is the limit when it comes to things to do and see in the region. 

Given hot air balloon rides are offered daily thanks to Vista Balloon Adventures, Willamette Valley Balloons and others — even the sky isn’t the limit when visiting. 

First Nature Tours offers a private “Chasing Waterfalls” tour during which guests are whisked to (and sometimes behind) a selection of wet and wild waterways including McDowell Creek Falls, Crystal Falls, Majestic Falls and High Rock, among others. There is also an option to pair a day of white-water rafting to the tour. Perhaps even wilder, First Nature also offers a Winter Truffle Forage & Feast, a fully immersive truffle hunting adventure with trained, reliable truffle-hunting dogs complete with diving, digging, authentic connection to nature and education. The day completes with a lavish, yet rustic luncheon utilizing the prized truffles at Alloro Vineyard. 

There are many options for travelers to find waterfalls on their own, but the best bet is Silver Falls State Park, which has a 7.2-mile round-trip hike through a forested river canyon that leads to 10 distinctive waterfalls, half of which are taller than 100 feet and some of which hikers can even walk behind. Should there be guests with limited mobility — or those who prefer not to take a hike to see the falls — Salt Creek Falls is a good bet as it boasts Oregon’s second-tallest single-drop waterfall, which is easily enjoyed via observation platform steps from a wheel-chair accessible parking area. 

Willamette Valley is also home to several natural hot springs, notably Breitenbush Hot Springs and Terwilliger Hot Springs, also known as Cougar Hot Springs. Both are located in the Willamette National Forest and offer soaking tubs and pools as well as wellness services and treatments.

There are also some fun shopping options in the area, notably McMinnville Antiques Mall, which boasts a wonderful vintage and antiques vendor mall that houses around 50 local entrepreneurs under one roof; NW Food & Gifts, a premier provider of locally made gifts and crafts, gourmet foods and wines; and Mac Market, a community-driven and collaborative eating, drinking and gathering place. 

Oh, and if visiting during the winter, here is a guide to spotting whales as they migrate south toward Mexico!

Wine: Plenty of tasting adventures from which to choose

Of course, above all else, Willamette Valley is Oregon’s wine country. 

In total, there are now more than 700 wineries across Willamette Valley, with the vast majority specializing in iconic Oregon-style Pinot Noir. It truly is unlike any other Pinot in the world, but do not sleep on some of the other beautiful varietals that grow in the area either, especially the Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Reisling and Chardonnay. 

There are 11 smaller American Viticultural Areas (AVA) within the massive Willamette Valley AVA, so it’s recommended to set off to explore one or two at a time or focus on experiential tastings that go beyond a quick flight or glass. Here are some musts: 

• Left Coast Cellars: A titan in the wine world that has been ranked among the top vineyards in the world, reservations here run the gamut from a seated, multi-course food pairing experience complete with foraged and other locally sourced ingredients to an estate experience wherein guests get a behind-the-scenes tour of the property in a 1950 Chevy vineyard truck or one of the vineyard’s RTVs. In addition, Left Coast has a one-mile, dog- and child-friendly hiking trail that is open seasonally. All one needs to do is visit the tasting room to sign a waiver.  
• Benza Vineyards: Both a mecca for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine alike, animal lovers should not miss this spot if. In addition to having mind-bending Sparkling Brut Crémant, Estate Pinot Noir, and several reserve offerings, Benza boasts a family of furry and feathered friends — resident kitties, pups, chickens, hummingbirds and even a horse — the property’s informal hosts.
• Ambar Estate: Willamette Valley’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard, this property is all about making guests feel Zen thanks to its Japanese-inspired design. It offers a private food and wine pairing that elevates the combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with local flavors to an art form. 
• Soter Vineyards: Soter Vineyards is set within a 240-acre ranch and farm, a 100% biodynamic one no less. Eager to showcase every impressive inch of the property to guests, Soter has a stunning Mineral Springs Ranch (MSR) provisions tasting that explores every flavor grown on the farm and ranch and how they are elevated by the estate wines. Soter makes every effort for each plate to be 100% sourced from the estate, deviating only when necessary, for seafood and such as needed. It’s an edible, educational, interactive adventure on a whole new level.  
• Willamette Valley Vineyards: The perfect spot for those who love cool-climate varietals, there are nearly endless experiences, but a crowd favorite is the Blind Tasting Experience. This fun, private experience teaches the basics of blind-tasting wine and then puts those skills to the test with four different and unique wines. 
• Antica Terra: This small-batch wine producer has some big flavors, in all the best possible ways. They also feature a visually unique tasting that captures all the other senses too, called Tables in the Trees. During the experience, enjoy a tasting along a 200-foot concrete table poured between nearly 90 acres of towering oak trees. 

More Willamette Valley details:

Searching for a few more options? Look up Rex Hill Winery, Domaine Serene Vineyards, King Estate Winery, Lumos and Cherry Hill Winery as well. 

Bonus tip: Alaska Airlines, Travel Oregon and the Oregon Wine Board have teamed up to offer the Wine Flies Free program, which allows visitors to check a case of wine for free when flying from certain cities throughout the Pacific Northwest—including Portland and Eugene. 

For more information, visit www.willamettevalley.org.