Whether you’ve got some extra money socked away or have a special occasion approaching, there’s never a bad reason to treat yourself to a little bit of luxury. In Oregon you don’t have to travel far for wow-inducing experiences. Here are some splurge-worthy trips in the Willamette Valley that will have you itching to book your next excursion.
Ride in a Hot-Air Balloon
Play: You’ve probably taken a drive through the Willamette Valley, but have you ever floated above the patchwork landscape? The experience of riding in a hot-air balloon is unforgettable — drifting along at a relaxed pace in a basket suspended underneath a colorful, majestic balloon. You can book a sunrise flight with Portland Rose Balloons for one-of-a-kind views of Mt. Hood, the Portland cityscape and the sweeping countryside. Flights launch from the Aurora Airport and start off with a Champagne toast.
Eat: End the day with the tasting menu at the Painted Lady Restaurant in Newberg, a memorable food journey meticulously crafted by executive chef Allen Routt.
Stay: Rest your head at the wellness-focused Allison Inn & Spa. Located in the heart of wine country, the resort is the ideal place to launch a wine-tasting adventure in the valley or take in the vineyard views while getting a therapeutic massage.
Wine Country Regenerative Tours
Play: If you’re looking to give back to the land while having fun, Portland-based First Nature Tours offers group opportunities to help restore and learn about landscapes that make Oregon unique. Their all-inclusive regenerative tours offer hands-on restoration and volunteer experience with plenty of active outdoor adventures. Expect naturalist-guided hikes and stewardship projects in beautiful locations with transportation and locally sourced food and drink for pampering along the way.
Eat: After you’re done, head to Dayton to dine at the Joel Palmer House Restaurant, which features the family’s hand-foraged wild mushrooms and truffles as well as a list of more than 500 individual pinot noirs to choose from.
Stay: Finish the day diving into the high-thread-count sheets and cozy bathrobes at Atticus Hotel in nearby McMinnville, where you’ll experience a dash of local history with your night of luxury.
Dinner Cruise on the Willamette
Play: Take in the sunset while gliding on the river at a romantic pace aboard one of Oregon’s most iconic sternwheelers, the Willamette Queen. Sitting on the deck as the paddle wheel propels you forward will have you feeling as if you’ve taken a step back in time. Reservations are required for this two-hour adventure that leaves from Salem Riverfront Park. Arrive in style or end your excursion with a bang by adding on a ride in the Willamette Queen Lincoln Limousine, where you’ll enjoy chilled Champagne as you’re chauffeured around.
Eat: For dinner, it doesn’t get much better than Rudy’s Steakhouse, where fresh oysters, clams and crab accompany a menu of hearty beef classics.
Stay: Stay at the deluxe Grand Hotel in Salem, which is in the middle of downtown, mere walking distance to shops, bars, restaurants and the city’s beautiful riverfront.
Gourmet Dinner in the Vineyard
Play: What better way to experience wine country than a gourmet meal with each course expertly paired with locally crafted wine? The only thing that could make the meal better is live music from top-rated musicians. This magical evening is what you’ll get at Eola Hills Wine Cellars’ Twilight in the Vines dinner series. The meal is served as a picnic at their Legacy Estate Vineyard and comes complete with a checkered picnic blanket, complimentary wine glasses and a fresh bundle of flowers.
Stay: Once you’re properly satiated and serenaded, drive 7 miles southwest to end the evening at The Independence, a charming boutique hotel located on the banks of the Willamette River.
Eat: Continue your gourmet-food excursion with a home-cooked Italian meal at Mangiare Italian Restaurant, located in the 1913 former Sperling Hotel building in Independence.
All-Inclusive Rafting on the McKenzie
Play: Spending time in the great outdoors doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Enjoy an overnight rafting trip on the McKenzie River while getting pampered by the expert guides at High Country Expeditions. The two-day itinerary will allow you to see the upper and lower sections of the river, and you’ll end your first fun-filled day with a gourmet dinner prepared for you at a campsite that’s already been set up. There’s enough downtime built in for fly-fishing or a nature walk, and each trip is customizable to your group’s desires.
Stay: After your night under the stars, head back into town for a night of luxury with a stay at the artist-inspired Gordon Hotel in downtown Eugene.
Eat: Walk to dinner at Marché, an award-winning French bistro that tops Eugene’s fine-dining scene with its seasonal cuisine and covered outdoor patio.
Take a Chartered Flight
Play: Though you might think it’s an experience meant only for celebrities and dignitaries, taking a private chartered flight is a luxurious experience you can claim as your own. Forgo the security lines and cramped rows of passengers for a comfortable jet experience with Eugene’s Valkyrie Air Charters. It offers scenic flights, transportation to Pacific Northwest vacation destinations and even organized wine tours for a day or a weekend.
Eat: After your afternoon above the clouds, tuck in at one of Eugene’s premier fine-dining experiences, Rye, where you’ll find decadent dishes like wild boar bolognese and smoked duck breast.
Stay: Find your way to the Excelsior Inn, an early 1900s fraternity house that has been thoughtfully transformed into an Italian villetta bed-and-breakfast.
