Wallowa Mountain
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Travel Oregon Map: The Wallowas – One of the 7 Wonders of Oregon!
The Hells Canyon National Scenic Byway, an All American Road, offers visitors rural shopping experiences that range from the opportunity to purchase bronze sculptures by world-renowned artists, to locally grown lamb, served with a bottle of local wine or a microbrew. Along the 218-mile route through the mountains, past rivers, and traversing the ranch lands, three primary communities and several small towns offer experiences for shoppers with interests the foodie to the art collector. You’ll find ‘must have’ items from whimsical antiques to locally created jewelry and memorable works of art.
Begin your journey along Hells Canyon Scenic Byway in La Grande, Oregon. Home of Eastern Oregon University, the community reflects the look, feel, and culture of a college town. Shopping in downtown La Grande will yield hard-to-find antiques and gift items, locally created works of art, and a wonderful array of culinary offerings. Side A Brewing and 10 Depot Street restaurants are two examples of fine dining that use locally grown beef, lamb, and products from the regional gardens. Stop by Community Merchants on Adams Avenue and stock up the freezer with beef, lamb and poultry from local farms. While there, browse through the selection of pottery, weavings, clothing, decor and jewelry by area artisans.
When traveling the Byway to Joseph, Oregon you’ll be enchanted by an entire town at the base of Chief Joseph Mountain that celebrates art and visitors! The community transformed their Main Street into the Joseph Art Walk, which will lead you past many larger-than-life bronze sculptures, cast at foundries in the towns of Joseph and Enterprise. The shops of this little community vary from fine art galleries, to outdoor recreation equipment, locally made soaps and hand creams, unique jewelry, that piece of antique decorative art you have been searching for, and chocolates! Made right before your eyes! Of course, shopping is not complete without something to eat, and in Joseph or near-by Enterprise the opportunities are abundant. Many byway travelers find Terminal Gravity brew pub in Enterprise a ‘must stop’. Stein’s Distillery in Joseph has a tasting room and features products made from local ingredients.
Following the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, named for the deepest river gorge in North America, shoppers will find a unique stop in the little town of Halfway. Here several shops cater to the byway traveler, including Halfway Whimsical, where you’ll find a little bit of nearly everything! Stop by Cornucopia Coffee House for a refreshing beverage, espresso drink and lunch or a homemade treat, and browse their fun selection of wall art signs and decorative items. Hungry for rancher’s fare? Dine at The Main Place, with a menu that includes savory burgers and prime rib from range-fed Pine Valley beef! There are multiple lodging options available through Pine Valley Lodge, too.
The final stop on your shopping tour of Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is in Historic Baker City. You’ll find a wide variety shops to fit the desires of every member of the family; from antiques, to candles and artwork locally crafted, to the best wine and culinary shop in eastern Oregon – Bella on Main Street. Barley Brown’s brew pub serves up local beef and lamb, along with award winning brews (Try their Tumble Off Pale Ale or in the summer the Hot Blonde jalapeño beer – great with a burger and homemade fries!). Prefer wine and cheese? Stop by Copper Belt Wines on Main Street, where you can taste wines from the local winery and enjoy imported cheeses and charcuterie at the Cheese Fairy, in the same location! Across Main Street, the Geiser Grand Hotel offers fine dining beneath its beautifully restored stained glass ceiling in the Palm Court.
Your shopping journey along Hells Canyon National Scenic Byway is complete, but you’ll be taking home treasures discovered along the way. An antique you have been looking to find; a piece of artwork that will enhance your home; a taste of an Eastern Oregon memory!