Oregon wine country is known for its evergreen beauty, but with so much change in the region from season to season, you can visit a hundred times and still have countless new places to discover. So where does one start? Well, we at the hotel are excited to share a 3-night itinerary to get you started. Come see why Independence has been called “a hidden gem of the PNW,” synonymous with nature, local organic cuisine, and world-class wine..
*Note: This itinerary has been planned for a Thursday-Sunday. Always make sure to check the hours of each establishment when booking a trip, and whenever possible make reservations ahead of time.
Day 1: Thursday
- Take your time heading to Independence.
- 5:30pm: Arrive at the hotel, unpack, and head downstairs for dinner at our restaurant, Territory. (Make sure to check out the specials, as we often change the menu to reflect what’s in season.).
- 8pm: After dinner, enjoy a private session in our hot tub, before heading back to your room for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 2: Friday
- 9:15am: Wake up and enjoy a light complimentary breakfast at Territory.
- 10:15am: Take a stroll along the Willamette River and look for local flora and fauna.
- Noon: It’s time for your first wine tasting adventure, and we suggest starting off with a bang! Specifically, a local lunch and wine pairing at Left Coast Estate. With their 45 North Experience, Left Coast works with local purveyors and foragers, while using their estate grown produce. You will have the opportunity to pair four estate wines with carefully crafted small plates showcasing the bounty of the region.
- 2pm: It’s time to try a seasonal activity! Depending on when you’re visiting, we have a few suggestions…
- Winter: Hike “the crown jewel” of Oregon State Parks: Silver Falls. Choose between any number of short loops, or embark on the famous “Trail of 10 waterfalls.”
- *Note: if you choose the 10-waterfall hike, you may want skip the lunch and eat a larger breakfast, as that trail is longer and the sun sets earlier in the wintertime. With that said, Silver Falls is a beautiful option to hike year-round.
- Fall: Explore Oregon via bicycle and take in the beautiful changing colors of the leaves as we transition to cellar season. (For details on bike paths, check out https://www.bikeindyoregon.com/.)
- Summer: Kayak or float the lazy Willamette River. With a drop off point right in front of the hotel, there’s no easier way to take in the beauty of the region than from the water.
- Spring: Visit Basket Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Look for birds, and watch as the gray of winter fills in with bright colored wildflowers and countless shades of green.
- Winter: Hike “the crown jewel” of Oregon State Parks: Silver Falls. Choose between any number of short loops, or embark on the famous “Trail of 10 waterfalls.”
- 8:00pm: Grab a bite at Territory or any of our many local restaurants in town. Just don’t forget to grab a bottle of wine to go and finish the night stargazing from our rooftop deck!
Day 3: Saturday
- 9:30am: Grab a complimentary breakfast at Territory. We recommend taking full advantage of breakfast today, as your itinerary will involve a lot of wine tasting!
- 11:00am: Your first tasting of the day begins at Johan Vineyards. Experience their signature tasting, and if the weather permits, enjoy a gentle stroll down their mile-long pond-side walking trail.
- 1:00pm: It’s time for some wine and food pairing at Willamette Valley Vineyards for lunch. With a vast menu available for all ranges of taste buds, you can please even the pickiest of eaters. Dine within the main tasting room, out on their patio, or enjoy a private pairing inside one of their heated covered domes. (Perfect for rainy days when you want the unparalleled views of the neighboring vistas without the risk of getting wet!)
- 3:00pm: Your final wine tasting begins at Airlie Vineyards. This all-women owned and run winery is a favorite amongst locals, and welcomes not only the whole family but all of your four-legged friends as well.
- 5:00pm: Discover downtown Independence. Finish off the evening exploring all of the local shops and restaurants nearby the hotel. Choose a new spot for dinner and then walk (or perhaps, take the newly finished trolley!) back to the hotel
Day 4: Sunday
- Sleep in! And enjoy the cloud-like beds of the Independence Hotel.
- 11:00am: It’s brunch time, and the Pink House Café is hard to miss. (Hint hint: it’s pink.) Owned and run by a local family, the Pink House Café specializes in local dishes bursting with flavor. When asked what cuisine they specialize in, they’ll often tell you, “Homemade.”
- 1:00pm: Speaking of homemade, we’ve reached the end of this itinerary and it’s time to head home yourself, but make sure you don’t leave before first planning your next trip to The Independence Hotel!
