Visitors inside an exhibition gallery at Maryhill Museum of Art, courtesy of Kelly Turso Photography
As adults, many of us can feel over-scheduled and over-exposed to the screen. If you’re craving a weekend that allows to you unplug and explore at a relaxed pace, the East Columbia Gorge is your go-to escape. Just two hours or less from Portland, Bend, Yakima, and Tri-Cities, you’ll find that a destination starring Maryhill Museum of Art is surrounded by scenic drives, cozy wineries, lavender fields, and unexpected gems like a full-size Stonehenge replica and a world-class observatory.
This two-day itinerary gives you everything you need: beauty, adventure, chill vibes, and a strong coffee or glass of red when you want it.
Day 1: Fruit, Art, Wine & Stargazing
🍒 Morning: U-Pick Fruit in Hood River
Source: Article by Local Adventurer
Start your Saturday morning like a local in Hood River, picking fresh cherries, peaches, or blueberries (depending on the season) right from the tree or bush. Farms like Draper Girls Country Farm or Mt View Orchards offer mountain views and baskets of juicy, Instagram-worthy fruit that tastes way better than anything from the store.
Bonus: It makes a perfect road trip snack.
🎨 Midday: Explore Maryhill Museum of Art
Maryhill Museum of Art overlooking the Columbia River, courtesy of Kelly Turso Photography
Next, drive east along the Columbia River to Maryhill Museum of Art, perched above the water with sweeping views and eclectic collections of painting, sculpture, fashion, ceramics, and more. Founded by early 20th century entrepreneur Sam Hill along with friends Loïe Fuller, Queen Marie of Romania, and Alma De Bretteville Spreckels—the same women who brought San Francisco’s well-known Legion of Honor Museum to life—it’s an inspiring cultural moment (read: mental reset) with highlights from Rodin sculptures to Indigenous art.
In 2026, don’t miss exhibitions of Romanian folk textiles and Romanian folk pottery in honor of the 100th anniversary of the museum’s dedication by Queen Marie of Romania, an exhibition of Illuminated Manuscripts from the 15th and 16th centuries, painting exhibitions and more.
Got three hours? Here’s the route we recommend:
- Stretch your legs with a walk through the William and Catherine Dickson Sculpture Park, located to the right of the main entrance.
- Inside, get oriented in The Four Founders and Their Legacy gallery.
- Pause for a moment of reflection with Russian Orthodox icons and New Mexican bultos and retablos.
- Explore the intricate artistry in Romanian Embroidery and the Marie, Queen of Romania gallery (if you’re traveling with kids, visit the adjacent Discovery Gallery for creative play activities).
- Head downstairs to visit the Auguste Rodin Gallery of sculptures and drawings.
- Wander across the historic building and through the Loïe Fuller gallery into the recently renovated Indigenous Peoples of North America gallery.
- Walk into the glass-walled Mary & Bruce Stevenson Wing and enjoy Romanian Folk Pottery before making your way to the Lower Level for lunch.
- Grab a bite to eat or glass of local wine with one of the best views in the Columbia River Gorge! Loïe’s: The Museum Cafe is open for lunch Fridays-Mondays.
- Step inside the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center to see a current exhibition of regional artists or giant-size photos of works featured in nationwide program Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026.
- Discover stories in miniature sculpture at the George E. Muehleck, Jr. Gallery of International Chess Sets, located outside the cafe
- Make your way back upstairs, into the historic wing, and all the way up to the Top Level to see Contemporary Indigenous Art, American Classical Realism paintings, and Illuminated Manuscripts.
- For your final destination, be enraptured by the unique Théâtre de la Mode miniature fashion gallery and its story of wartime resilience.
Tickets to Maryhill Museum of Art >>
🍷 Afternoon: Wine Tasting at Maryhill Winery
After you’ve soaked in so much art, head one mile west on SR-14 to Maryhill Winery. The vibe is casual elegance, with killer views of Mt. Hood and some seriously good reds. Grab a flight or a single glass with a charcuterie board, sit outside, and let that “is this my soft life era?” feeling wash over you. Another stellar choice: Jacob Williams Winery, just seven miles west of Maryhill Museum of Art near the historic site of Celilo Falls.
Designated driver tip: Most tastings are small pours—just be mindful if you’re heading to the observatory later.
✨ Evening: Stargazing at Goldendale Observatory
Stock up on farm-fresh produce and other fresh goods from Gunkel’s Fruit Stand (open in the summer) on Hwy-97 near the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge or pickup impressive street-style Indian food for takeout from the hidden gem that is Amayah’s Cafe in Biggs Junction. After dinner, head up the hill to Goldendale Observatory for a night under the stars. It’s a public astronomy center with telescope viewings and presentations that make the night sky feel magical and fascinating. On a clear night, you’ll see the cosmic dust trail of the Milky Way.
🏕️ Overnight: Camp at Maryhill State Park
Camping at Maryhill, courtesy of Michael Peterson Photography
End your day camping at Maryhill State Park, right along the Columbia River. It’s a peaceful, grassy area with plenty of space to set up camp, unwind, and maybe even crack open a local cider around the fire.
Day 2: Off-The-Beaten-Path Treasures, Aesthetic Pizza, and Lavender Fields
🏛️ Morning: Visit the Stonehenge Memorial and Walk (or Bike) Maryhill Loops Road
Stonehenge Memorial Monument at dawn, courtesy of Kelly Turso Photo
Yes, there’s a full-size Stonehenge replica in rural Washington, and yes, it’s majestic. Built as a WWI memorial by Sam Hill (the same entrepreneur who built Maryhill Museum of Art), it’s both moving and delightfully surreal. The dramatic landscape has great golden-hour lighting if you go early. Just across the road, the Maryhill Loops Road undulates up the hillside with a twisty 3-mile route. Commissioned by the indefatigable Sam Hill as the first macadam-asphalt paved road in the entire state, it’s open to pedestrians and cyclists daily.
Visiting tip: Both destinations are managed by Maryhill Museum of Art and occasionally close for private facility rentals. Call the museum or visit their website for blackout dates.
🪁 Midmorning: Kiteboarding (or Watching) at Maryhill
Before you pack up your camping gear from Maryhill State Park, head to the riverside launch areas to watch kiteboarders and windsurfers take on the Gorge winds. Even if you’re not out on the water, it’s exciting to watch and feels like the PNW’s version of beachside energy.
☕ Midday: Coffee & Wood-Fired Pizza at Cafe Enza
Cruise across the bridge at Maryhill/Biggs Junction or Dallesport/The Dalles and westward to downtown The Dalles for a relaxing lunch hour at Cafe Enza, a cozy spot known for aesthetic wood-fired pizza and the best locally roasted espresso beans in town. It’s the ideal place to reflect, recharge, and re-caffeinate before the drive home.
💐 Afternoon and Wrap-Up: Lavender Farm Stop in Hood River
Spend your final precious weekend getaway hours at a local lavender farm like Hood River Lavender Farm. Walk the rows, pick your own bouquet, and snag some lavender lemonade or handmade soap. It’s peaceful, smells amazing, and makes the best kind of souvenir from your beauty-filled weekend recharge.
Pack your camera, your sense of wonder, and a weekend bag—you’ve got a Gorge-ous escape waiting.