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The Best Hood River Lavender Farms to Visit this Summer

Summer in the Columbia River Gorge brings a vivid display of color, and Hood River Lavender Farms are among the most anticipated seasonal highlights. By late June and early July, fields across the region reach peak bloom, filling the landscape with rows of vibrant purple and a distinct, calming fragrance. Visiting these lavender farms offers a memorable way to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest while enjoying one of the most popular things to do in the Columbia River Gorge.

Several lavender farms Hood River visitors seek out offer more than scenic walks. Guests can browse farm shops featuring handcrafted goods, culinary lavender products, and locally made gifts. At Hood River Lavender Farm, open fields and sweeping views create an inviting setting for a relaxed afternoon. Nearby, Stave and Stone Winery provides an elevated perspective of the surrounding landscape, pairing lavender views with a beautiful outdoor tasting space.

Van Gogh Lavender Farm welcomes visitors during the summer bloom season with vibrant fields and a focused, small-scale farm experience. At Hope Ranch Lavender Farm, guests can walk through rows of lavender framed by views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, with opportunities to gather fresh bundles and browse the farmstand. Glacier View Lavender Farm, located along the Hood River Fruit Loop, offers a convenient stop between orchards and other agricultural experiences in the area.

Luxury Cabins Near Hood River

A visit to a lavender farm near Portland pairs naturally with a well-located place to stay. A Cabin in Washington State near Hood River provides convenient access to the Gorge while offering a refined lodging experience. Located close to hiking trails, river viewpoints, and local towns, these cabins make it easy to explore the region at your own pace.

After a day spent visiting Hood River Lavender Farms or exploring all the things to do near Hood River, returning to a private cabin offers a comfortable and quiet retreat. Summer is an ideal time for a couple’s getaway in the Pacific Northwest, with long days, clear views, and a wide range of outdoor activities. Plan your visit around peak bloom and secure your stay to fully experience this seasonal highlight.

Explore the Stillwater Lift Bridge from Downtown

The Stillwater Lift Bridge stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Midwest, offering both historical significance and a scenic outdoor experience. Spanning the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, this historic lift bridge has evolved from a vital transportation route into a pedestrian-friendly attraction. Today, it remains central to many of the top things to do in Stillwater.

Originally constructed in 1931, the Stillwater Bridge was designed with a vertical lift to allow river traffic to pass beneath. Its engineering and longevity earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Following a multi-year restoration, the bridge reopened in 2020 as a space dedicated to walkers and cyclists, providing visitors with a new way to experience the river and the surrounding landscape.

Walking across the Stillwater Lift Bridge is one of the most accessible and rewarding activities in downtown Stillwater. Clearly marked lanes allow pedestrians and cyclists to move comfortably across the span while taking in views of the St. Croix River and the historic riverfront. Midway across the bridge, visitors can pause for photos that capture both the water and the town skyline. During the warmer months, the bridge lift remains in operation, offering the chance to watch the structure rise for passing boats.

Beyond the bridge, visitors can extend their adventure along the St. Croix Crossing Trail Loop, a multi-mile route that connects Minnesota and Wisconsin with scenic viewpoints throughout. Lowell Park, located at the base of the bridge, offers open green space for relaxing along the riverfront. Additional things to do in Stillwater include river cruises, live music, fantastic restaurants, and exploring the many independently owned businesses throughout downtown.

Stay at the Historic Stillwater Hotels

Where you stay enhances your visit. The Water Street Inn is one of the most distinctive Stillwater hotels, located directly along the river and steps from the lift bridge. Its central location makes it easy to explore downtown Stillwater, from shops and restaurants to nearby outdoor attractions.

With its combination of history, accessibility, and scenic views, the Stillwater Lift Bridge remains one of the most memorable historic attractions in the region. Whether you are visiting for a day or planning a longer stay, it offers a central starting point for experiencing everything Stillwater has to offer.

Cor Cellars: A Wine Lover’s Essential Stop in the Columbia River Gorge

Cor Cellars has become one of the defining stops in Washington State wineries, and for good reason. The winery sits above the Columbia River in Lyle, Washington, with views of Mt. Hood and the Cascade range that make the tasting itself feel secondary to the setting, at least until the first pour arrives. For anyone building a wine weekend around wineries in the Columbia Gorge, Cor Cellars is the kind of stop that anchors the whole trip.

Founded by Luke Bradford, who began planting vines on the estate property in Lyle before partnering with Meg Gilbert in 2011, Cor Cellars has grown into a producer with a clear identity. The winery focuses on white and sparkling wine varietals grown in the Columbia Gorge AVA, while its reds are sourced from the warmer growing regions of Horse Heaven Hills and the Yakima Valley. That split gives visitors a tasting flight that actually tells a story about Washington wine country rather than just working through a generic list.

What to Expect at the Cor Cellars Tasting Room

The tasting room, designed by Seattle firm goCstudio and completed in 2016, was built around the view as much as the wine. Large windows and a shaded courtyard overlook the hills and cliffs of the Gorge, and an indoor fireplace keeps the space comfortable once the weather turns. The winery produces around 5,000 cases a year, a scale that keeps the tasting room personal rather than crowded.

Open Wednesday through Monday, with seatings typically running from late morning through mid-afternoon in the tasting room and courtyard. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, and the winery is happy to accommodate walk-ins by text when space allows. Guests who fall for the wines on a first visit often join the Cor Cellars wine club, which is one of the simplest ways to keep a taste of the Gorge coming home with you between trips.

Your Home Base for a Columbia Gorge Wine Getaway

A day built around wine tasting deserves a luxurious place to unwind afterward, and that is exactly what Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins offers. Our private cabins sit in the forest about an hour from Lyle, close enough to reach Cor Cellars and the rest of the Gorge’s wineries without a long drive, but far enough into the trees to feel like a true escape. Each cabin includes a jetted tub, a gas fireplace, and a private porch, the kind of quiet, romantic setting that turns a wine tasting into a full getaway. Add in a hot breakfast delivered to your cabin each morning, and you have a home base built for exactly this trip.

Cor Cellars is also an easy addition to a longer day of Gorge wine tasting. Wineries in the Columbia Gorge tend to sit close together on the Washington side, so a stop at Cor Cellars pairs naturally with a second or third tasting before you head back to unwind for the evening. Whether it’s wine or waterfalls you are chasing, there are so many things to do in the Columbia River Gorge.

Whether you are visiting Washington State wineries for the first time or you already know the Gorge well, Cor Cellars earns its place on the itinerary. Book your Cor Cellars reservation, then reserve one of the best Columbia River Gorge cabins for the kind of romantic wine country weekend that a hotel room simply cannot match.