Day Trip: U-Pick Berry Farms Near Seattle and Portland
Summer is berry season in the Pacific Northwest! And we happen to have the perfect climate for growing very tasty raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, nurtured to maturity in rich volcanic soils and plumped to juicy ripeness in the warm but not too hot sun.
Ask TripFinder: Where to Go Cherry Picking?
Dear TripFinder, I would love to find a good orchard near Seattle to go cherry picking with my kids. I am willing to drive 2-3 hours. My goal is to buy tons of (ideally organic) cherries to make jam. I would be fun if there was a bit more than just cherry picking – a […]
Autumn Escape: Harvest Time in Hood River, Oregon
THIS WEEKEND! Hood River Harvest Fest (October 11-13, 2019) is a classic fall festival that takes place right on the waterfront overlooking the Columbia River. Sample local apples, craft brews, wine, cider and artisan cheeses. Browse booths filled with local art and crafts. Enjoy live music and plenty of games and activities for the whole family. Kids […]
NORTHWEST GIFT GUIDE: The Locavore
Salmon, oysters, cranberries, hazelnuts, apples, cider, wine, chanterelles and huckleberries… Pacific Northwest locavores like myself are spoiled rotten with yummy locally-sourced things to eat. And here are some ideas for how you can spoil your favorite locavore even more this holiday season. But first, what the heck is a “locavore,” you ask? Here’s a hint: […]
Wine for Thanksgiving in the Willamette Valley
Before we were parents, before the mornings of waking up at 3am to our son singing Band on the Run in his underwear after turning on every light in the house, my husband and I took leisurely romantic getaways. Ah, the memories. Our favorite, perfect Northwest weekend getaway was wine tasting in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. […]
Guidebook: Autumn Escapes in the Pacific Northwest
Welcome to fall! If you ask me, this is the best season for Northwest weekend getaways for a number of reasons. That’s why I’ve written a book on it! Autumn offers unique, colorful and delicious opportunities to explore the Pacific Northwest. Get inspired to spend your fall weekends combing rocky beaches, savoring the harvest, and […]
TRIP GUIDE: Walla Walla Wine Country
Ask a local wine lover which Northwest region is producing the most complex, interesting reds right now, and Walla Walla will probably top their list. And while not all great wine regions are necessarily great travel destinations, you’re in luck. Walla Walla is both. And it’s much closer than you think. We visited Walla Walla […]
Ask TripFinder: Where to Go Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley?
Dear TripFinder, Q: Hi, We are travelling to Portland Oregon in late June for a 4 day long weekend and are looking to spend some time wine tasting in the Willamette Valley. Any recommendations for restaurants, vineyards or B&B’s in the area? We will have a car. Thanks! -Kathleen from Calgary Dear Kathleen, Yes! A visit […]
Wine Tasting: Getting to Know Northwest Wines
Have you pondered why Washington is known for full-bodied Merlot while Oregon is famous for its fruity Pinot Noir? Location, location, location. The topography and climate of the Pacific Northwest is incredibly diverse, and this diversity is reflected in our wines. When you visit a particular wine region, you’ll encounter some of the same wine varietals again and again. For example, […]
Wine Tasting: Vino Vocab
Do you know what fruit-forward means? How about tannin, or terroir? Students, gather ’round. You don’t have to be ultra-knowledgeable about the world of wine to enjoy visiting wine regions and tasting rooms. In fact, like we told you in Wine Tasting 101, the point of visiting wineries is to learn. Still, you might feel […]
