A weekend in Hood River is one of those trips that makes you rethink your life choices. Specifically, the choice to not live in Hood River. This small town at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River has world-class windsurfing, a restaurant scene that rivals cities ten times its size, orchards and farms stretching up toward Mt. Hood, and a brewery and wine scene that could fill an entire weekend on its own. My husband and I try to get out here at least a few times a year, and every time we leave, we’re already planning the next trip.
Hood River is about 60 miles east of Portland (roughly an hour on I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge), which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway. The drive alone is worth the trip, passing Multnomah Falls, the Gorge’s dramatic basalt cliffs, and some of the most scenic highway in the Pacific Northwest. For the full list of what to do in town, check my Hood River things to do guide.
Here’s how to spend a perfect weekend in Hood River.
Day 1: Downtown, Waterfront, and Breweries
Morning: Brunch and Downtown
Start your weekend with brunch at Broder Ost inside the historic Hood River Hotel. If you know the Broder restaurants in Portland, you know what to expect: Scandinavian-inspired dishes like aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls), Swedish hash, and smoked salmon plates. The setting in the old hotel adds charm, and the cocktails are better than any brunch spot this small should have. Weekend brunch gets busy, so arrive early or expect a wait.
After brunch, walk downtown Hood River. The entire commercial district is about six blocks along Oak Street and Cascade Avenue, and it’s packed with galleries, outdoor gear shops, boutiques, and tasting rooms. It’s the kind of downtown where you can browse for an hour and discover something new every time. For the full restaurant list, check my Hood River restaurants guide.
Late Morning: The Waterfront and Event Site
Walk down to the Hood River Waterfront Park and the Event Site. This stretch of the Columbia River is one of the premier windsurfing and kiteboarding spots in the world, and even if you’re not out on the water, watching the kites and sails rip across the river with Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams as a backdrop is incredible. On a summer day, the Event Site lawn is full of people lounging, picnicking, and watching the action on the water.
If you want to try windsurfing or kiteboarding yourself, several outfitters in town offer lessons for beginners. A half-day lesson runs roughly $80 to $120 and includes gear. Even if you’ve never done it, Hood River is one of the best places in the world to learn because the consistent winds in the Gorge make conditions reliable.
Afternoon: Fruit Loop Drive
The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic drive through the Hood River Valley that passes orchards, farms, vineyards, and lavender fields with Mt. Hood rising in the background. It’s the kind of afternoon drive that makes you understand why people move to this valley. Depending on the season, you’ll find U-pick cherries, peaches, apples, pears, and berries at farm stands along the route.
Key stops on the loop: Draper Girls Country Farm for cider and farm vibes, Lavender Valley for rows of purple lavender (peak bloom is usually July), Kiyokawa Family Orchards for U-pick fruit in season, and Cathedral Ridge Winery for wine tasting with Mt. Hood views. The whole loop takes 2 to 4 hours depending on how many stops you make.
Evening: Brewery Crawl and Dinner
Hood River has one of the densest brewery scenes in Oregon relative to its size, and a Saturday evening brewery crawl is the perfect way to end Day 1. Start at Full Sail Brewing (the original Hood River brewery, with panoramic Columbia River views from the Loading Dock pub), then walk to pFriem Family Brewers (Belgian-inspired ales, excellent food menu, river views), and finish at Ferment Brewing (creative fermented beverages plus a food menu that goes way beyond typical pub fare). For the complete list, my Hood River breweries guide covers all of them.
For dinner, Celilo Restaurant and Bar on Oak Street is the best restaurant in Hood River. Farm-to-table menu, locally sourced everything, and an atmosphere that’s upscale without being pretentious. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends. If Celilo is booked, Solstice Wood Fire Pizza does excellent wood-fired pizzas with foraged and local toppings.
Day 2: Hiking, Wine, and the Gorge
Morning: Hike in the Gorge
You have several excellent hike options near Hood River depending on how much energy you have on a Sunday morning.
Mosier Twin Tunnels (5 miles round trip, easy) follows the old highway through two hand-carved tunnels with incredible Gorge views. The trailhead is about 10 minutes east of Hood River, and the hike is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for all fitness levels. The views of the Columbia River from inside the tunnels are worth the trip alone.
Tom McCall Point (3.4 miles round trip, moderate) starts at the Rowena Crest viewpoint about 15 minutes east of Hood River. The trail climbs through wildflower meadows (spectacular in April and May) to a summit with 360-degree views of the Gorge, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams. This is one of the best hikes in the Columbia Gorge.
Tamanawas Falls (3.4 miles round trip, easy to moderate) is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall about 30 minutes south of Hood River on the way to Mt. Hood. The trail follows a creek through old-growth forest. It’s one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in Oregon and doesn’t require a permit.
Late Morning: Wine Tasting
The Hood River Valley has a growing wine scene focused on cooler-climate varietals that thrive in the mountain microclimate. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer are the specialties, and several tasting rooms are either downtown or along the Fruit Loop.
In town, Stoltz Vineyards has a tasting room on Oak Street that’s walkable from downtown. Marchesi Vineyards on the Fruit Loop does Italian-style wines with lovely grounds. And Cathedral Ridge Winery has some of the best Mt. Hood views of any tasting room in the valley. Most tasting fees run $10 to $15 and are often waived with a bottle purchase.
Afternoon: One Last Meal and the Drive Home
Before heading back to Portland, grab lunch at Mugen Noodle (incredible Pan-Asian noodle bowls, the duck ramen and khao soi are both excellent) or Pine Street Bakery (scratch-made pastries and breakfast sandwiches, closed Sundays so plan accordingly). Load up on coffee at Doppio Coffee or Ground Coffee for the drive.
The drive back to Portland takes about an hour on I-84, and if you haven’t stopped at Multnomah Falls yet, it’s right on the way. The 620-foot waterfall is the tallest in Oregon and one of the most visited natural attractions in the state. The walk to the Benson Bridge viewpoint takes about 10 minutes. For more on stops along the way, check my Multnomah Falls day trip guide.
Alternative Activities
White water rafting on the White Salmon River. Several outfitters run half-day trips on the White Salmon River just across the bridge in Washington. Class III and IV rapids, beautiful canyon scenery, and usually runs from spring through early fall.
Mountain biking at Post Canyon. Post Canyon is a network of trails just west of town that’s popular with mountain bikers. Trails range from beginner-friendly to advanced, and the views of the Gorge from the upper trails are spectacular.
Stand-up paddleboarding. If the wind isn’t blowing (rare, but it happens), the calm stretches of the Columbia near the Hook are perfect for SUP. Rental shops in town have boards and give basic instruction.
Visit the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Even if you’re not staying there, the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel and its grounds are worth a visit. The hotel sits on a cliff above the Columbia with manicured gardens and a waterfall on the property.
Best Time for a Hood River Weekend
Summer (June through September) is peak season. Warm days, consistent wind for water sports, the Fruit Loop in full bloom, and every restaurant and brewery patio open. Book lodging early because Hood River fills up fast in summer.
Spring (April and May) is wildflower season, and the Gorge hikes are at their most beautiful. Tom McCall Point and Rowena Crest are covered in balsamroot and lupine. The weather can be unpredictable, but the crowds are smaller.
Fall (September and October) is harvest season in the Hood River Valley. Apple and pear orchards are loaded, the fall foliage is gorgeous, and the wine tasting rooms are releasing new vintages. This might be the most underrated time to visit.
Winter (November through March) is ski season at Mt. Hood Meadows, about 35 miles south of town. A winter Hood River weekend combines skiing with breweries and restaurants. For more on timing, check my best time to visit Oregon guide.
Quick Tips
- My husband and I try to get out here at least a few times a year, and every time we leave, we're already planning the next trip.
- For the full list of what to do in town, check my Hood River things to do guide.
- Weekend brunch gets busy, so arrive early or expect a wait.
- The entire commercial district is about six blocks along Oak Street and Cascade Avenue, and it's packed with galleries, outdoor gear shops, boutiques, and tasting rooms.
- For the full restaurant list, check my Hood River restaurants guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Hood River from Portland?
Hood River is about 60 miles east of Portland, roughly a 1-hour drive on I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge. The drive passes Multnomah Falls and some of the most scenic highway in the Pacific Northwest. For stops along the way, check my Columbia Gorge hikes guide.
Is 2 days enough in Hood River?
Two days is perfect for the highlights: downtown exploring, a Fruit Loop drive, a Gorge hike, brewery and wine tasting, and great meals. Three days gives you time to add water sports, mountain biking, or a day on the slopes at Mt. Hood. But two days covers the essentials.
What is Hood River known for?
Hood River is known for windsurfing and kiteboarding (it’s one of the top spots in the world), its brewery and restaurant scene, the Hood River Fruit Loop scenic drive, proximity to Mt. Hood skiing, and Columbia River Gorge hiking. It’s also one of the most beautiful small towns in Oregon, with orchards, farms, and Mt. Hood views everywhere you look.
Where should I stay in Hood River?
Downtown Hood River puts you within walking distance of restaurants, breweries, and tasting rooms. The Hood River Hotel is the most characterful option in town. For something more upscale, the Columbia Gorge Hotel is a classic. Vacation rentals in the Hood River Valley are great if you want views and space. Book well ahead for summer weekends.
Hood River is the weekend trip from Portland that my husband and I never get tired of. The drive through the Gorge, the Fruit Loop, the breweries, the food, the views. It’s an hour away and feels like a completely different world. If you haven’t done a Hood River weekend yet, this is your sign. What’s your favorite thing to do in Hood River? Let me know in the comments.
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