Like many this summer, we were itching to get out of town. We’d missed travel and friends. Fully vaccinated and ready for a change of scenery, one of my best friends and I plotted to get out of town with our teenage daughters. We compared our calendars and managed to find a single weekday in July when we could squeeze in a quick getaway with the girls. With just 24 hours available, we looked for a destination that would allow us to maximize our time together. We set our sights on Hood River, located approximately an hour outside of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. A good spot for our group, which wanted a mix of recreation and relaxation for our first hangout in months.
Where To Stay: Hood River Hotel
We headed for the vintage Hood River Hotel (102 Oak Street), located in the heart of downtown Hood River. The Hood River Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, located in a beautiful 1912 building that’s been restored and modernized. The guest rooms either overlook downtown or the Columbia River.
We wanted to share a room for our slumber party, but we didn’t want to be squished. So instead of staying in a standard hotel room, we opted for the hotel’s Bunkhouse. The Bunkhouse sleeps 10. It’s a co-ed, hostel-style accommodation that’s located in the basement of the hotel.
KidTripster Tip: You and your nine favorite friends or family members can rent the whole space out. Otherwise, individual bunks rent for as low as $49 per night.
Each guest gets their own bunk. You’ll be assigned a bunk at check-in. Each one is numbered. It includes a reading light, a USB charger, a storage locker, and a privacy curtain. On your bed you’ll also find a stack of towels. Bunkhouse guests share mens and womens locker rooms, a kitchen and a sauna. The kitchen has a small fridge, a sink, microwave, some dishes and a dining area. There’s also a sofa and a TV in the communal area.
Related: If you like the Hood River Hotel’s vibe, check out its sister property the Campfire Hotel in Central Oregon
KidTripster Tip: Pack a swimsuit. The sauna is exclusively for the use of Bunkhouse guests, definitely a nice perk!
KidTripster Tip: The Hood River Hotel is a popular place to stay. If it’s booked up, we recommend The Society Hotel in Bingen as an alternative. It’s situated just across the Columbia River, on the Washington side. It has cute family cabins and a swimming pool, too.
What To Do: Shop & Dine in Downtown Hood River
After checking out our digs, and dropping off our stuff, we were ready to explore. We left our cars in the hotel parking lot and headed out on foot. Downtown Hood River is very walkable. It stretches several blocks and it’s lined with local restaurants and cute boutiques. It’s easy to spend several hours strolling, something our teens were eager to do.
You’ll find a variety of shops appealing to all ages and interests. Two of our favorite stops are the classic Waucoma Bookstore (212 Oak Street), a community fixture for over 45 years, and G. Williker’s Toy Shoppe (202 Oak Street), a sprawling store filled with books, games and toys. The teenagers, who are currently into resale and vintage clothing, spent a good amount of time scouring the racks at the Goodwill Boutique. They made out with a couple of affordable scores. In all, Oak Street has a large selection of stores with items including home goods, stationary, hats, bags, pet accessories, and outdoor gear. We went inside all of them.
When we got to the end of Oak Street, we stopped at Mike’s Ice Cream (504 Oak Street), a Hood River landmark for over 35 years. We walked up at just the right time. It was hard to decide which flavor we wanted. In the short amount of time we debated rocky road versus caramel, a long line formed behind us. Clearly, this is a popular place!
We crossed over Oak Street, and made our way down the opposite side where we encountered more shops! All the strolling and shopping made us hungry. We ended up at Andrew’s Pizza & Skylight Theater (107 Oak Street), located just across the street from the Hood River Hotel. Andrew’s has pizza by the slice, or you can order a custom pie or calzone. In addition to great food, the large selection of local brews, wine, and arcade games make this a popular hangout spot with tourists and locals. There’s a movie theater here, too, although it’s currently closed due to Covid.
Sunset was approaching and we wanted to get a better view of it, from the edge of the Columbia River. So we headed over to Waterfront Park. The park borders the river and has beaches and a playground. It’s also a good place to watch people windsurfing.
KidTripster Tip: If your family is interested in trying out windsurfing, you can sign up for lessons at Big Winds. The beginner lessons include wetsuit, booties, helmet, PFD, board and sail. The lessons take place in a protected lagoon. Big Winds works with all ages and skill levels.
We wanted to end the night with something sweet. So we popped into Solstice Wood Fire Cafe & Bar (501 Portway Avenue) for dessert. The teens couldn’t resist the Wood Fire S’more, which consists of house-made honey, marshmallow, chocolate ganache and a buttery pecan crust. It’s served in a cute, little skillet and it comes out hot! The moms opted to spend their calories on cocktails instead of treats.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re too tired or full to walk back to the hotel, hop in the Hood River Pedicab. This is a convenient way to get between the waterfront and downtown. You can hail a cab, or call or text 541-714-3130 to arrange a pick-up.
With full bellies, we headed back to the Bunkhouse. The warm summer temperatures disappeared with the onset of night. We were chilled and ready to get cozy. It was time to try out the sauna. We cranked it on and warmed up. Before long we were sufficiently relaxed and sleepy, too.
It’s easy to sleep in the Bunkhouse. It’s dark and quiet. I was worried I might hear the others snoring (or, more accurately, that they might hear me), but the room is large. Once you pull the curtains on your bed, you can’t hear your bunkmates. We slept so well that it was hard to wake ourselves the next morning, especially the teens.
One of the best breakfasts in town can be found in the lobby of the Hood River Hotel. Broder Ost (102 Oak Street #100) serves Swedish and Nordic fare. In spite of being well-fed the previous day, our group woke up with an appetite. Between the four of us, we ordered most of the breakfast menu. We recommend trying the Swedish Breakfast Bord which includes a soft boiled egg, rye crisps, citrus, hard and soft cheeses, smoked trout, and smoked ham. The Aebleskiver is always a winner. It’s a Danish pancake served with lingonberry jam and lemon curd. There are a few hashes to choose from. I love the Pytt I Panna, which is a Swedish Hash served with trout. The teens even wanted to try the Unnipurro – a traditional Finnish style oven porridge served with honey and steamed cardamom milk. If you’re a fan of the Bloody Mary, you should try the Danish Mary. I recommend it with the Dill Aquavit.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re into this type of food, Broder also has three delicious locations in the Portland-area.
Where To Get Outside: Drive To Mt Hood
While there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures right in Hood River, we had a hankering to see the mountain so we checked out of the Hood River Hotel and hopped in our cars. Oregon’s tallest mountain, Mt Hood, is just a short drive from Hood River.
Mt Hood Meadows is located about 45 minutes away. In the summer months, the mountain is open to hikers. From June through September, you can buy a pass to take the scenic chairlift up the mountain. From there, follow one of the designated trails or service roads listed on the summer trails map. Our group took the lift to the top, then leisurely walked down the mountain. We saw lots of beautiful patches of wildflowers bordering the trail.
KidTripster Tip: Hiking shoes are recommended as the gravel can be slippery, especially when walking downhill. It can be cool at this high elevation, even in the summer, so bring a light layer for warmth. For longer hikes, be sure to have basic hiking essentials with you.
Once we got back down to the lodge, the girls weren’t quite ready to head out. We couldn’t blame them, it was a spectacular summer day with the sun beaming down on the mountain. We put our chairlift passes to good use and rode up and down the mountain a few more times, just for fun (and perhaps for the selfies!).
KidTripster Tip: There’s plenty to do in this area, no matter the season. In the summer and fall, the “Hood River Fruit Loop” is popular with families. You can stop at local farms and orchards. Many offer u-pick. In winter months, bring your skis and snowboards with you. Or rent some gear in Hood River. The Gorge To Mountain Express Service transports passengers from Hood River to Mt. Hood Meadows.
From Mt Hood Meadows, we could have driven back through Hood River on our way home to Portland. However, we choose to continue down the mountain instead. This route led us to the doorstep of Timberline Lodge. While my daughter and I have visited this Oregon landmark many times, our friends hadn’t yet been. We felt compelled to correct that.
This lodge is famous for a couple of reasons. For one, it was built by local artisans during the Great Depression. President Rosevelt dedicated it during its opening in 1937. Its exterior is famous for another reason. It appeared as the Overlook Hotel in the horror movie The Shining. Visitors can borrow an ax inscribed with “Here’s Johnny” on its handle. It makes for a good photo. Just ask our teens!
We looked around the lodge then headed upstairs for lunch at the Ram’s Head Bar & Restaurant. Tables are perched on the second floor circular balcony and the views of the lodge and the mountain are worth the price of lunch. The menu (mostly locally sourced and NW inspired) is pretty great, too.
KidTripster Tip: Timberline offers year-round skiing. And in summer months, the Timberline Bike Park is open with bike rides ranging from “easier” to “most difficult”. You can take the Magic Mile Chairlift to the 7,000 foot elevation and throw a summer snowball. There are several hiking trails around Timberline Lodge, including the famous PCT (aka the Pacific Crest Trail).
Related: 10 Things To Do At Timberline Lodge Besides Skiing
The magic of Timberline was a great way to cap off a fun girls’ getaway. Reconnecting face-to-face was much needed after so many months of separation. We laughed a lot … and, yes, we ate a lot … and for 24 blissful hours had a chance to step away from real life. I’m thinking we’ll have to make this an annual adventure.
For additional ideas of what to do with kids in Hood River, read this itinerary.
Related: Glamping Tents in the Columbia River Gorge
The author received a complimentary hotel stay, meals and activities for purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
