Portland. Go there. Come home 20 lbs heavier, I did and don't regret it one bit.  As usual, a link to the photo collection is HERE

Stay

Hotel Deluxe – Beautiful hotel. On the edge of downtown. Walking distance to everything. Valet parking across the street is $1 more than the lots in the area but having the car right there in case you want it was nice. Layed back bar in the lobby has great drinks (Champagne cocktails) and great service. I also loved the mornings with the cheese cloth fruit infused water in the lobby. So refreshing first thing. We only ate breakfast there once. A little pricy considering the options in the area but the staff was amazing! I don’t know how Hotel Deluxe manages it, but their staff was always chipper and happy to see you. It might be the water :P  

Eat and drink

Saint Cupcake Galore. Go in, order a multitude of mini cakes, best way to try them all, and a tall glass of milk or a coffee. Do not think about how much sugar is in them, how many calories you are stuffing down, just think about how delicious they are and that you walk off all of the bad stuff later.

Deschutes Brewery – Try their flight of beers so you can sample as many in one sitting as you can. I didn’t find a bad one, just wanted larger glasses of them all. Their food was really good as well. We stopped for lunch on our last day and the portion size was just perfect. If I lived closer I would invest in a growler and fill it often.

Henry’s Tavern - We went here A LOT. If I lived in Portland, this would be my local watering hole. All the food was good, Too many beers to choose from, and such a welcome atmosphere that I never wanted to leave.

Clyde Common - Try the daily punch. It was pretty tasty for what ever was in it when we went. Also their Nasturtium (drink) was tasty. No food had, but everything that came out of the kitchen looked really good. The idea of the common tables is cool, definitely a place I want to go back to.

Red Star Tavern and Roast House – Drinks to start, Ruby Gimlet (mmmmmMMMMmmm), Saint 75 (delicious) . Meals, Rib eye was the best steak I have ever had south of the boarder. The Brick Chicken, Mussles, Pork and roasted Cauliflower ordered by others were also great, I was too focused on my own to really remember how great.

PF Changs – First time there and had a very filling lunch. I’d suggest sharing, the orders were almost too big, and then you don’t have to box it up.

Rogue - Great selection of beer, again I suggest a flight to try as many as you can. That’s all I can say, we only stopped in for a drink.

Gruner - Only stopped in for a drink here as well. Probably a bad idea that it had raw egg in it as I was not a happy camper the rest of the night. I would like to go back and try something else though.

Roma Ristorante - Though feeling quite ill from the egg drink diner at Roma was pretty good. Home style Italian food. Check it out.

Kenny and Zuke’s Delicatessen - Great breakfast, great coffee, great location to watch everyone head off to work. Very nice and relaxed place to wake up in the morning. I suggest the omelettes. YuM!!!

Shop 

Finnegans Toys - Cute toy store, quite large with a huge selection. Being a big kid myself, it was a ton of fun. Stop and take a look around, you might find something for the kids or yourself.

Powell’s City of Books - We limited ourselves to 2 hours just so we didn’t get lost in the store or in a book. Worth a visit, make sure you have room in your suitcase; there are a ton of deals to be found here. As graphic novels go, they are over half price off than a regular cover price and are just like new! I could spend days and a lot of money here.

Dundee, OR 

White Rose Estate – Best view of the valley. Cozy tasting room you can stand and chat to the wine maker at the bar or sit at one of the tables around the room. I could have listened to the wine maker all day, he even signed the bottle my brother-in-law bought. Amazing place.

The Four Graces – Cool old house turned into the tasting room. The Pinot Noir tasting flight really demonstrates their range with that particular grape. The atmosphere felt like visiting a family member you like but never stay long because there isn’t anything to do.

Erath – Beautiful Winery, Beautiful grounds, friendly inviting staff… all that before you even taste the phenomenal wine!

Argyle Winery - Beautiful tasting room, ask about the ghost. I really enjoyed the POP Flight tasting. Ended up leaving with a couple bottles and a Sparkling Wine bottle resealer/saver. Works amazingly well!!

Red Hills Market –  Great for a quick tasty lunch and beer to change up your palette from Wine tasting or to just pick up snacks or a picnic for the road. Patio is sun or shade. It is also within walking distance from Argyle wines.  Market Picture

Pacific City, OR 

The Pelican Pub - Good beer, good seafood, GREAT VIEW!! Stay until sunset if you can. It is about a 2 hour drive but worth every minute there and back. The View at Sunset