Where can I eat?
Farmer’s Markets & Fruit Stands
Living in the Gorge, community members also have the opportunity to participate in and purchase from various markets. The most popular one is the Hood River Saturday Market that has been open since 1990. You can find a variety of locally grown food and crafted products. The market showcases work and products from some of the finest artisans and growers anywhere. They also feature some of the best music and coolest activities going on in the area!
The Columbia Gorge area is also home to the best orchards in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the main agricultural products include apples, pears, and cherries. Many of these orchards encourage families to come and pick the fruit. There are also fruit stands set up in various areas during the summer months selling delicious fruit.
The presence of these orchards, fruit stands, and farmer’s markets are just a couple things that contribute to the amazing sense of community found in the Columbia River Gorge.
Other helpful sites:
Wineries & Vineyards in the Columbia River Gorge
About wine in the Gorge:
“Wines of the World in a 40-mile stretch!”
There are over 50 different vineyards growing Columbia Gorge grapes right now! The Columbia Gorge region is an official American Viticultural Area or AVA. Meaning the area is certified to grow grapes and produce wines. The vineyards are located in portions of Hood River, Wasco, Skamania and Klickitat Counties. The Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (ATTB) designates viticultural areas to allow bottlers to better describe the origin of wines.
The 280 square mile Columbia Gorge viticultural area straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles, and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; Lyle, Washington, on the east; Parkdale, Oregon, on the south; and Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon, on the west. The area is just west of the established Columbia Valley viticultural area.
Growers have raised grapes in the Columbia Gorge for over a century. In the 1880s, the Jewitt family, founders of the town of White Salmon, built terraces on a wide south-facing slope on the bluff above Bingen, Washington. They planted American vines that they had brought with them from Illinois.
The primary grape varieties grown in the Columbia Gorge are Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Some Lemberger, Merlot and Zinfandel are also planted. In general, the whiter grapes grow better on the west side and the deeper reds grow better to the east.
There are also over 25 different wineries in the Gorge offering a variety of wines as well as tours and tastings. The Columbia River Gorge has a diverse wine community with a number of connoisseurs and novice wine drinkers. Taking a winery or vineyard tour may turn out to be a lifelong memory here in the Gorge.
Other helpful links:
Columbia Gorge Wine Growers Association
Restaurants in the Columbia Gorge
Satisfying food in the Columbia Gorge:
Although the local towns along the Columbia River are relatively small during the low-tourist season, there are numerous restaurants to satisfy any palate. There are food choices of almost any variety including: Chinese, Mexican, Italian, American, and many more. Bistros and brew pubs that serve an assortment of foods to satisfy the entire family are also quite prevalent.
Some unique things about the Gorge are the family owned restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream stands. They really do add character to the towns. There are very few chain restaurants. Instead, people flock to food establishments that have great food, a welcoming atmosphere, decent prices, and staff that makes you feel like family even if you’ve just met.
Check out these links to find out more about specific restaurants in the area:
