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Washington County Itineraries
- Washington County Itinerary
Day One
Start your Washington County holiday with a hot-air balloon ride over the Willamette Valley by Pacific Peaks Balloon Company. After a gentle sunrise liftoff, the basket sours as high as 3,000 feet, lending sweeping views of Oregon’s wine country and rich agricultural lands with majestic mountain peaks keeping watch in the background.
After a morning of flight, explore the sense of taste at some of the region’s northern Willamette Valley wine country, which boasts more than 20 wineries, many of which are within minutes of downtown Portland. Ponzi Vineyards, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Oak Knoll Winery, David Hill Vineyards and Winery, Apolloni Vineyards and Tualatin Estate are just some of the examples of the grape quality that Oregon’s mild climate yields.
Next, stop by SakéOne, the only American-owned and operated saké brewery and the country’s leading producer of premium-grade saké. Visitors can tour the brewery, which includes a traditional Japanese cedar-lined koji room, and sample a flight of sakés in the tasting room.
The day is topped off with dinner at Mingo, which offers a delicious menu of simple Italian cuisine, using sustainably produced ingredients. Inquire about their special Mingo Wine Series, where the menu is perfectly paired with wines from near and far.
Get some zz’s at one of Washington County’s myriad hotels. From the luxury of a bed and breakfast to a well-known brand hotel, there is something for all budgets and tastes.
Day Two
Starts with a drive along the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route, which meanders through Washington County’s agricultural area, to sample Oregon’s fruits, berries, vegetables, plants and wine. The region boasts several U-pick farms, including Jossy Farms, which offers apples, peaches and pears.
Oregon’s earthly treasures abound at nearby Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, named one of the top ten museums of its kinds in the United States, and lays claim to the largest opal-filled thunderhead egg in the world, dinosaur eggs and an extensive meteorite collection.
Head south and grab a milkshake at the Smith Berry Barn, a U-pick farm and country store offering a wide variety of berries, apples and other seasonal produce. The store features gourmet food and kitchen items, as well as freshly made milkshakes and coffee drinks.
Naturalists will feel at home at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, only one of a handful of urban national wildlife refuges. The refuge is teeming with 200 species of birds, more than 50 species of mammals and 25 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Finally, treat yourself to a gourmet feast at the Hunter’s Ridge Grille, a fine dining American bistro serving sustainable, local and seasonal Pacific Northwest fare. Its extensive wine list offers wines from around the globe, with a focus on wines from the Pacific Northwest, as well as a wine flight program offering select wine tastings.
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