A weekend road trip from Seattle
We are constantly in the hunt to find hidden gems around Seattle. We look for places and regions that offer many activities and good food. Coffee and drinks are also essential. And bonus points, if we can reach there by car because it is just so convenient to do roadtrips. One destination we have been eager to explore is Wilsonville in Oregon. We were really excited because there are so many things to do here. Join us this weekend as we discover what Wilsonville offers. We’ll show you why you should plan to visit and how it’s the perfect weekend getaway. To learn more about Wilsonville please click here.
Disclaimer : This article is created in partnership with Explore Wilsonville, but the views, experiences, and opinions are entirely those of the author(s).
Reaching here
About 20 Miles South of Portland, Wilsonville is very connected by road, I-5 Interstate runs through this area and is the most convenient way to get here. Due to its Proximity to Portland, it is a great destination to reach from nearby Cities like Seattle as a roadtrip destination or pit-stop. We drove to Wilsonville from Seattle and it was a 3 hour drive to get there. Portland International or as it’s popularly known as PDX, is also a great option for out of towners to arrive into the Portland Area before heading to Wilsonville.
Where we Stayed
We Stayed right off I-5 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Wilsonville. We absolutely loved our stay here due to the many amenities they have like 24hrs Gym, Pool, easy parking and of course, clean and hygienic rooms. It was really easy to get in and out of the hotel due to its proximity to I-5 and the many activities we had planned for the weekend.
Top things to do in Wilsonville
Wine tasting at LadyHill
We love finding such gems when we travel because we have a passion for wine. We highly recommend adding wine tasting here to your itinerary. Owners Jerry and Elaine Owen established LadyHill Winery on their family farm. Jerry’s family has owned this farm since the 1850s. We were fortunate to meet Elaine. We talked to her about a variety of topics. These ranged from the history of the region, PNW wines, and an elaborate tasting. This tasting included uncorking a wine from their library and so much more! Jerry and Elaine established one of the earliest wine labels in the Willamette valley and after selling it they established LadyHill.
Ladyhill is named after Strong and historic contributions from the women of the Zorn-Owne Family and is a homage to the profound impact the family has had on the history of Oregon and United States. It was surreal hearing stories from Elaine while sipping on some exquisite wine that the winery produces.
The Winery manages multiple labels under their umbrella – starting with the namesake Lady Hill Wines with classical french varieties, Ad Lucem, an homage to Elaine’s home state of Kansas, focusses on Rhone Varietals, Procedo is a more Italian focussed label with Super Tuscan Varietals and Fond Amoris their top of the line label. With so much to savor it was hard to come up with a short list of our favorites but we really cherished the 2012 Columbia Valley Blend, 2021 Pinot Noir , Rose and Riesling! The highlight of wine tasting here was chatting with Elaine. The way we got to know about Ladyhill from her. We will never forget it.
Click here to learn more about Lady Hill Winery.
TMK Creamery tour
Growing up in India, my (Nia) mom’s side of the family used to own a dairy farm and my mom always told me stories of how they cared for the cows and the whole process of milking. I was always fascinated by this, but never had a chance to actually meet the cows , so when we found out about TMK Creamery and that they give tour of the farm and the whole process, we were just so excited. Located in Canby, OR, 15 min from Wilsonville downtown, TMK is a family owned farm, specializing in Dairy. We met the owner Marc, who took us around the farm and showed us behind the scene of how they care for the cows, their milking and the whole process of making cheese .
We were thoroughly mesmerized in the tour because of Marc’s vision for how to ethically raise cows and to care for them. The farm is quite small, about 20 cows, and that is to ensure that the cows are looked after well and loved. After getting an overview of the feeding process, it was time to try our hands at milking the cows. Marc walked us through the steps and practically demonstrated each step of the process and we felt at ease when we milked the cows. Marc is an extremely knowledgeable and passionate farmer, hearing him talk about his farm just made us appreciate the effort of small farm owners and operators in this country!
The farm is also know for their Cowcohol. Yes, you read it right, alcohol is extracted from the whey, a by-product of cheese making process. Because TMK uses up all their milk to produce Cheese, there is enough Whey to allow this process. They use the Whey to ferment and distill truly great tasing Vodka, so much so that their vodka is now rated one of the top 30 Vodka’s in the world!
Their Store next to the farm has food options like cheese curds and ice cream, along with cocktails and a shop to buy all these items. We highly recommend you do the tour if you are here, so that you can appreciate the entire process behind Cheese!
Click here to learn more about TMK Creamery.
Soakbox Float Treatment
I think this was the best way to end our weekend getaway in Wilsonville and relax before heading back home. Since we travel often it gets taxing on our body and mental well being, especially when we have a short gap at home. So we always look forward to ways to unplug and just connect with ourselves to de-stress even when we travel. This time around we discovered an amazing way to unwind after we tried the “The Float Experience” at Soakbox Wellness Spa. It’s a 60 min treatment where you get to soak in a peaceful, uninterrupted environment of salted water pool. It’s just the perfect way to spend 60 min away from a screen and relax while relieving muscle tension! We absolutely loved it. Definitely check this experience out if you want to unplug. It’s great for destressing while in Wilsonville. Click here to book your appointment at Soakbox.
Graham Oaks Nature Park
Located just outside of Wilsonville, Graham Oaks Park is a restored oak woodland, ideal for a stroll, run or bike ride though its 250 acre preserved natural area. We did a 2 mile loop called Coyote Way and Tonquin Trail and it was a perfect start to our day in the morning! We enjoyed the tranquil surroundings and chirps of birds !
Exploring Wilsonville’s Heritage Trees
In 2004, the city established the Heritage Tree Program to recognize trees / groves of trees that have a historical significance based on their age or that they were planted by or in honor of someone who advanced the interest of trees and plants in the community.Wilsonville has thousands of trees, but only 9 trees or groves are recognized City Heritage Trees. The map with details around the significance of each of these sites is avaialable here. We went out on an adventure to explore a few of these sites and visited the Ernest Kolbe Giant Sequoia and the Frank Lockyear Grove located near the Wilsonville Library!
Strolling in Boone’s Ferry Park
Located on the Willamette River, This is a historic area where ferries would ply across the river in the 19th Century. Although the ferries don’t exist anymore, once can still walk a short trail to reach the river and gaze at the mighty Willamette river. We stopped here for a quick stroll and we loved the views of the river. The misty and rainy weather made the views even more beautiful, a very PNW scene.
Antiquing in Downtown Aurora
We absolutely enjoyed the charming town of Aurora, and we know fellow antiquing enthusiasts will love it just as much as we do! Located just a short drive from downtown Wilsonville (only 10 minutes away!), this quaint gem is steeped in rich history and boasts an incredible antique scene.We adored strolling through Aurora’s picturesque streets, discovering hidden gems and one-of-a-kind treasures in each of the charming shops.
From vintage collectibles to historical artifacts, every store is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. If you’re an avid collector, Aurora promises an unforgettable experience. Even if you’re simply looking for a nostalgic day trip, you’ll find hidden gems and delightful finds. We explored the Timeless Antiques and Collectables, Aurora Antiques and Home Again Antiques and were just amazed by the wide range of collectables on display here.
Restaurants and Cafes –
Pearl Bakery
Artisan Bakery located close to Holiday Inn, Pearl Bakery has a great selection of Breads, baked goods and donuts! We tried Jalapeño Cheese Scone and Almond Croissant and we devoured them instantly. Find out more about the Pearl Bakery here.
Santa Fe Grill
For that Mexican craving, Santa Fe Grill in downtown Wilsonville is the perfect spot. With plenty of options ranging from classics like Fajitas, Tacos, Enchiladas to more options like combo plates, you will definitely find something that you like! We ordered the plate with 2 main options along with Chicken Fajitas and were really happy with the food the service here. After our drive from Seattle, this is what we needed to end the night. To learn more about Sant Fe Grill’s menu click here.
Lux Sucre : Our favorite coffee/bakery stop in Wilsonville
Tucked away in Charbonneau, Lux Sucre is a hidden gem that’s stole our heart! This quaint cafe serves up more than just delicious coffee and sandwiches – it’s an experience. From the heavenly fruit tart to the cozy atmosphere, you will find cute items you can shop. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make you feel welcome. It is also very instagrammable and the colors/details were absolutely my (Nia) vibe.
If you’re looking for a charming spot to unwind and indulge in some amazing baked goods/sandwitches, you must try Lux Sucre. I promise you’ll leave feeling delighted and already planning your next visit! All the pastries and cakes looked delicious and they also make wedding cakes.
Click here to learn more about Lux Sucre.
Parkway Grille
Parkway Grille is located inside the Hilton Garden Inn, Wilsonville downtown and is one of the best restaurants here to grab dinner. With plenty of open seating and a bright setting, this place is just so inviting and cozy! We each tried a cocktail here to start off with, a classic old fashioned and I (Nia) got a special Gin based drink from the bar tender. We both loved our drinks and we ordered Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Creme Chicken Garlic Herb , Pan Roasted Salmon and the Chef sent us a special appetizer of fried beans. The food was just so well thought out in terms of the accompaniments on the plate and the overall taste was just perfect and elevated. This is a gem of a restaurant and the perfect spot for dinner or lunch when you are here!
To find out more about Parkway Grille click here.
Blue Jeans Coffee & Graham & Tooze Farm Store
This place had its own charm as it was Located inside a converted Barn. Blue Jeans Coffee is just the cutest place to pick coffee when you are in Wilsonville. This cozy cafe is serving up more than just your average cup of joe – their seasonal coffee drinks are a revelation! We really liked their Brown Butter Toffee Shaken Espresso.Be sure to arrive early to snag one of their freshly baked pastries, both savory and sweet. The almond croissant was a delightful surprise and was a perfect start to our morning.To learn more about Blue Jeans Coffee, click here.
Next door is a store you shouldn’t miss- Graham & Tooze Farm Store.This cute store is an eclectic collection of fashion, home goods and just everything in between. Get lost in their wide selection of sweaters, candles, hats, honey, jams, mugs and so much more. You will definitely be leaving with something unique and we did! We bought these really cute cocktail picks that we are looking forward to use in our next cocktail recipe.
Find out more about Graham & Tooze here.
Filbert’s Farmhouse Kitchen
Refined. Polished. Exquisite. Three words that aptly describe our experience at Filbert’s farmhouse kitchen. They serve classic American comfort food, the story of food here revolves around freshness of product and local sources. Filbert’s is located in downtown Aurora in a charming farmhouse that just gives this rustic vibe with quaint cozy interiors. We really liked the overall feel and vibe of both the interiors and exteriors. We were here for lunch and we got the Classic Chicken and Dumplings and Vegetarian Pizza. The food here is crafted with such finesse, we absolutely savored every single bite. And for dessert we got their bread pudding that was literally out of this world and a must try! To learn more about their menu and history click here.
In conclusion, Wilsonville is a perfect spot to spend a weekend with plenty of activities and options for restaurants, wineries and coffee shops. We absolutely enjoyed spending time learning about dairy farming, wines , antiques and natural trails around this area and just loved all the restaurants we went to! To learn more about Wilsonville please click here. Wilsonville has also created curated itineraries for you and you can access it here.
Travel Stories by Nia 