Find our entire Accessible Road Trip series here: 1. Willamette Valley / 2. Central Oregon / 3. Portland Region / 4. Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge / 5. Southern Oregon / 6. Eastern Oregon / 7. Oregon Coast
Those who know Shane Burcaw through social media know he lives to experience new things. The writer, speaker and disability advocate travels the world to challenge perceptions about living with a disability, and is usually cracking jokes the whole time. He and his wife, Hannah Burcaw, made their first trip to Oregon in spring 2025 to experience firsthand what the state has to offer travelers of all mobilities.
“When you don’t have experience with something there is a tendency to fear it,” says Burcaw, who uses a power wheelchair and lives with spinal muscular atrophy. “But here we are wine tasting and climbing trees and exploring the world and eating amazing food, and I hope it inspires [other travelers] to think differently about disability and also travel the world more if you’re a person with a disability.”
Wheel the World is a travel platform that has partnered with Oregon and 43 of its communities, meaning a significant percentage of the state’s hotels, activities, transportation and restaurants have been reviewed and verified by accessible community travelers. These listings include detailed accessibility information and photos to help travelers plan their trip to Oregon with confidence.
In fact, Oregon is the first Accessibility Verified state in the U.S., and the Willamette Valley invites travelers of all mobilities to enjoy its world-class wineries, restaurants, forests and cultural attractions. Here’s how to take an accessible 2-day road trip around the Willamette Valley.
Day 1: Wine Tasting, Artisan Foods and Cozy Lodging
The Willamette Valley is most famous for its wine country, producing stellar pinot noir as well as pinot gris, chardonnay and other cool-climate wines thanks to its diverse terroirs. Pair this with friendly tasting rooms, year-round offerings (tents, heaters, harvest activities and more) and wine-focused offerings like truffles, pizza, pasta and cheeses — all inspired by the land — and it’s paradise for any culinary adventure.
About 25 miles southwest of Portland, Newberg is a wine and culinary hot spot in the North Willamette Valley, home to many of the state’s most famous vineyards. Eminent Domaine is known for its exceptional wines and modern tasting room with magnificent views from both inside and out. Make sure to visit the vineyard’s Little Farm, home to their happy pigs, chickens, barn cats and vegetable garden. Find a step-free entrance, obstacle-free area, accessible restrooms and parking.
There’s no lack of outstanding places to eat in Newberg, from barbecue to fine dining. Kopitos Cocina is a casual Mexican restaurant located on the main highway through town, serving up street tacos and burritos from fresh ingredients. There’s a step-free entrance, accessible dining area, low dining tables and accessible parking.
Hop on the highway and head about 20 minutes west to McMinnville, a thriving town known for its sizzling restaurant scene, wine bars, music and art scene. Mac Market is at the middle of it all, a renovated historic warehouse showcasing some of the community’s top local food vendors and events like movie nights and live opera. Find everything from amazing pastries and coffee to New York-style pizza and gourmet groceries. There’s a dog-friendly patio and mezzanine, as well as accessible restrooms, step-free entrance, obstacle-free area and smooth flooring.
You can easily spend the day browning the boutiques and wine tasting in downtown McMinnville, and if you’re lucky enough to book a room at the Atticus Hotel it’s a truly Oregon-inspired experience. The high-end boutique hotel features a terrace, lobby fireplace and 36 unique rooms — each filled with handmade furniture, artwork and products by Oregon artists and makers.
Day 2: Tree-Climbing Adventure, Waterfall Trails and Urban Markets
In addition to wine, the Willamette Valley is also known for its lush Douglas fir forests — and Tree Climbing at Silver Falls offers a one-of-a-kind immersive forest adventure for all ages (7 and up) and mobility levels, no experience needed. It is the only tour operator in the U.S. with a government permit to guide participants up some of the largest and rarest old-growth trees in the world. Booking a guided experience with a battery-powered ascender allows almost anyone to rise 100 to 300 feet into the forest canopy and enjoy the forest from a new perspective.
Silver Falls State Park is about 20 miles southeast of Salem, Oregon’s state capital. It’s part of the Mid-Willamette Valley, an agricultural heartland where food, beverage and farm options abound. Find great stops along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail, from bakeries to farm-to-table restaurants and more.
Continue heading south along Interstate-5 and then on rural roads with a worthy detour in Corvallis, home of the Oregon State University Beavers. This vibrant college town along the Willamette River is famous for its bicycle-friendly streets, local trails, river access and exciting food and craft beer scene. The European-inspired Caves is one of many cozy downtown restaurants that feature local, seasonal fare inspired by the landscape. Find a step-free entrance, accessible dining area, low dining tables and accessible restroom.
Less than an hour south along I-5 you can continue your journey across the region, landing in Eugene — part of the South Willamette Valley. This buzzing college town is home to the University of Oregon Ducks, also known for its outdoor spaces, accessible river paths, colorful murals and counterculture vibe. Stop into Magpie Coffeeshop for a savory pie and cup of coffee in an accessible space with smooth flooring, a step-free entrance and accessible restrooms. It’s one of many options in the cheerful, pedestrian-focused 5th Street Public Market area.
Check out more inspired stops along the South Willamette Valley Food Trail, from corn mazes and pumpkin patches to craft cocktails and scenic tasting rooms.
Rest your head for the night at the Art Deco-inspired Graduate by Hilton in downtown Eugene, one of many gorgeous new or recently renovated hotels bursting with personality. Book early for the accessible room and enjoy the step-free entrance, pool lift, accessible parking and restrooms.
If You Go
Need a list of accessible locations in this itinerary?
Caves restaurant
For more accessible itineraries in Oregon, visit our main accessibility page.
