With new restrictions and recommendations on travel, staying local is your best plan — and if you’re lucky, staying local includes Newberg. A socially distant day trip or weekend getaway to Newberg is the perfect antidote to cabin fever. And even though it’s only 45 minutes from Portland, in Newberg, you’ll feel like you’ve really gotten away from it all.
With more than 100 wineries within a few minutes of downtown, and countless fun things to do, Newberg is the gateway to your weekend in Oregon Wine Country and definitely one of the top 10 places to visit in Oregon. In downtown Newberg alone, there are seven wineries within walking distance of each other, all set up with the most up-to-date protocols to ensure safe, socially distant tastings. Start early at Anam Cara Cellars and make your way to Chehalem in the afternoon.
The open expanses of Newberg’s surrounding farmland and forests are also conducive to socially distant tastings. At J. Christopher Wines, take in the views of Chehalem Mountain from their large patio. Make a reservation at Styring Vineyards to bring your own picnic and stay awhile. Trisaetum is one part of the winery, one part art gallery, featuring the spectacular paintings of owner James Frey. If you want to meet a llama (or 20), head over to https://www.raindancevineyards.com. Who knew that llamas paired so well with Pinot?
Newberg is full of ways to get outdoors while also practicing social distancing. The Willamette River, through Newberg, is usually quite calm and perfectly suited for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Plan on setting out at Roger’s Landing and check out the Chehalem Park & Recreation District for canoe and kayak rentals.
If you’re more of a landlubber, the Newberg area is a cyclist’s paradise. Champoeg State Heritage Area is a great place to park and start your ride. Pedal through quaint St. Paul, which has the oldest brick building in the Pacific Northwest. The Chehalem Valley is rich with farmland and vineyards, with beautiful vistas and well-kept roads. Don’t have your own set of wheels? Bike rentals are available in downtown Newberg, at Newberg Cycle and Skate.
Newberg also offers some incredible al fresco dining options. For breakfast, visit Newberg’s new See See Motor Coffee location, which has two patios, great coffee, and plenty of sweet and savory options. Coffee Cottage is another exceptional breakfast choice, with locally-roasted coffee, warm out of the oven marionberry scones, and other bakery treats, as well as a just-refurbished outdoor patio. Dos Mundos is a local favorite and offers daily specials for breakfast and lunch. Unwind with happy hour at Barley & Vine or Social Goods: both offer sidewalk seating and front row seats on Newberg’s quaint main street. Dine under the stars at Ruddick/Wood or Recipe, two downtown favorites with outdoor patios, or at the award-winning Jory, The Allison Inn’s creative fine-dining destination.
Downtown Newberg is lined with small shops, cultural detours, and assorted things to do. Independently-owned shops like Little Bird Boutique and Pulp & Circumstance offer thoughtfully-curated gifts, apparel, and accessories. ART Elements and Blue Trout galleries feature artists from around the region. For more arts and culture, head over to the Chehalem Cultural Center, a regional art center with two gallery areas open and free to the public.
Make your socially distant getaway a weekend adventure! Newberg is full of places to stay. Local hotels and bed and breakfasts are offering limited reservations. The Allison Inn, Newberg’s luxury resort in Oregon Wine Country has extensive and detailed cleaning procedures, going above and beyond government guidelines. The recently-constructed Willamette Valley Bed & Breakfast has five king suites, en-suite bath with heated floors and two-person soaking tub, a private patio, and a fireplace. Lifestyle Properties has a number of well-appointed apartment and house rentals in the Newberg area, all with contactless self-check-in.
Whether you’re looking to spend a day or making your trip an overnight stay, Newberg has plenty to offer local visitors in this time of social distancing. For more information on Newberg’s safe reopening, visit our COVID-19 travel resources page.
Written by: Taste Newberg
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