Year-Round Abundance
The Fruit Loop – Official site, providing maps and information on each stop.
There are special events hosted by vendors year-round, whether your family is looking for Easter Egg hunts in early spring or cherry-picking events in the fall. Pick your own pears in an orchard in September. Do you love homemade jams and jellies? Pick some up in May. Have some pulled pork at one of the best restaurants in the Hood River Valley in August after shopping for antiques. In June, you can pick blueberries and enjoy an ice cream at an old-fashioned soda fountain. Grab some fresh apple cider and while you watch it being made from the trees you’re standing beneath in October. Check out the fruit tree blossoms in April and see the leaves burst into color in September. Sip a local fruit smoothie while you feed local animals in November, then pick up a pie for Thanksgiving. Grab a local picnic basket for your hike in July or buy unique artisan gifts for the family in December. This spot is a year-round adventure!
Who doesn’t love sampling fruit in its natural habitat? Have you ever wondered what is in season? Ever wanted to taste an apple or pear when it’s perfectly ripe? The Fruit Loop is one of Hood River County’s famous attractions. Drive the 35-mile loop through a beautiful valley with 30 farm stands and winery tasting room stops along the way.
The Hood River Fruit Loop was started in 1992 with a goal of preserving Hood River’s bountiful agricultural heritage and has blossomed into over 28 stands offering local fruits and vegetables, gorgeous flowers, delicious wine, cider, and other foods. Grab your family and friends and take a winding drive down Highway 35, any time of year, to learn about the apples, pears, cherries and grapes this area is famous for. Your group will love taking pictures together in the abundant flowers and trees, while sampling local produce, jams and pies or wandering through special antique shops and general stores along the route. There is something for everyone and with some planning ahead, you can personalize your trip to make sure your day on the road is amazing.
The Fruit Loop is one of Hood River County’s famous attractions. Drive the 35-mile loop through a beautiful valley with 30 farm stand and winery tasting room stops along the way.
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Our Favorite Fruit Stands:
The Fruit Loop – Official site, providing maps and information on each stop.
Packer Orchards – Stop #7 on the loop, hosts “you-pick” and “ready-picked” produce. Great stop for the fam.
Kiyokawa Family Orchards and Fruit Stand – Stop #17. If you’re after variety, Kiyokawa is a great stop with over 80 different fruit varieties.
Mt. View Orchards Inc. and Fruit Stand – Stop #18. From antiques to hikes (and lots of fruit of course) Mt. View Orchards, Inc. has a beautiful view of Mt. Hood and just about everything else you could think of.
Packer Orchards and Bakery – Stop #14. A great stop for locally produced jams, jellies, pie filling, fruit varieties, and much more!
Our Favorite Wineries:
Columbia Gorge Wine Growers – As Libby would say “A treasure trove of information!”
Marchesi Vineyards & Winery – Stop #26. Marchesi provides an inviting environment with indoor and outdoor seating. Have a tasting or a glass and enjoy the atmosphere with views of Mt. Hood.
Mt. Hood Winery – Stop #4. You will be greeted by a warm and knowledgeable staff at Mt. Hood Winery. Choose to pair your tasting with a spread of different food items and you’ll walk away feeling like an expert!
The Gorge White House – Stop #3. Known locally as the “chamber of commerce for wine”, Gorge White House provides wine from all over the Columbia River Gorge. Enabling you to taste a large variety of wine in one location!
Where to Dine
If you’re looking for somewhere with a great menu and a wholesome atmosphere to fit in smoothly with a day on the Fruit Loop, Apple Valley BBQ is the place to go. Start off with some Jalapeño Corn Fritters to share with the table, and for the entree try to the Poblano Chicken Chili Sandwich to match! Or if you’re in the mood for something classic, get their BLT on sourdough, or the Mushroom, Grilled Onion, & Swiss Burger. The food here is hearty and filling, and it’s a perfect balance to the light fruit and berries you’ve been snacking on all day as you make your way around the Loop.
Other Attractions in the Area
The Fruit Loop covers such a wide breadth of Hood River that you’ll see everything there is to see! You’ll be passing by so many fun places and hidden attractions, so keep an eye out for things to do off the loop while you’re on the road. For instance, between Pearl’s Place and Hood River Organic, you’ll find the inspiring Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. If you’re in Hood River for your love of springs, creeks, rivers, and mountains, take a moment after visiting the Kiyokawa Family Orchards near the southernmost bend of the Fruit Loop to visit the nearby Trout Creek or Bear Creek, and take some time to marvel at the Parkdale Lava Overflow, where you can see the leftover remnants of a volcanic eruption from eons past. It really gets you interested in the history of the land. If the curious nature of the lava flow and your trip around Hood River gets you excited to learn more about the history of our town and the land it’s built on, head on over to The History Museum of Hood River County after the last stop of the Fruit Loop. The History Museum is right by the Columbia River, which is a perfect way to end the day.
Stay with Hood River Vacation Rentals!
On the Fruit Loop, you’ll get to see all of Hood River in a whirlwind of a day. After a long day like that, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest your head in the evening. Give Hood River Vacation Rentals a call today at 1-877-260-2519 and we’ll help you get started on finding your perfect rental, so that you can come and visit us soon!
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