Thanks to the breezes that whip through the Columbia Gorge, Hood River evolved from pear orchard town to windsurfing and kiteboarding hub; big-name breweries like Full Sail and pFriem were a natural progression for the sporty city near Mount Hood.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has been restoring the original Columbia River Highway for scenic driving and bike travel, with a tunnel section at Mitchell Point expected to open in 2024.

A half-billion-dollar replacement for the bridge connecting Hood River with the Washington side has been proposed, with funds drawn from both states and federal grants, but it is unlikely to become a reality before almost 2030.

The minimalist decor—no centerpieces, no wall art—can make new fine-dining spot Votum feel alarmingly sparse, but everything on the table, from housemade leek and cheddar sourdough to grilled lamb with mole rojo has enough complexity to compensate.

Situated in a waterfront row of breweries and bars, Wilderton Botanical Spirits crafts alcohol-free concoctions in a distillery that smells like an appealing blend of garden and organic-product hair salon.

Funky shop ArtiFacts delivers on its promise of “Good Books and Bad Art,” its walls a veritable Louvre of wonky portraits, cheesy Jesus paintings, and jarring landscapes. The owner thrifts most of the works, but some canvases were abandoned on the doorstep as if it were a no-kill shelter for art.

Recent renovations grafted new carpets and art deco furnishings into the Jazz Age–era Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa, once a destination for the likes of President Calvin Coolidge and Shirley Temple. Downtown, the folks behind the Horsefeathers 
Boutique Hotel reimagined an 1889 building as sleek short-term condos with kitchens.