By Steve Fox, Principle Broker/Owner, Pinot Noir Properties
My family and I love living in the Willamette Valley. It’s one of the reasons we opened our business – to enable others to enjoy the great aspects of being in the Oregon wine country.
We happen to live in McMinnville, about an hour or so from Portland, and which is the county seat of Yamhill County. It’s also a growing town that has a lot to offer – whether you have a family or are looking to retire and enjoy life. Here’s a short list of some of our favorite things around town. I’d love to hear about your faves as well!
Downtown/Third Street
The historic downtown area is the heart of the city and has been called Oregon’s Favorite Main Street – also known as Third Street. Downtown McMinnville is a stroll-worthy place with its tree-lined streets anchored by quaint boutiques, cool coffeehouses, art galleries, a growing number of restaurants, and of course, wine tasting rooms and craft breweries. Voted among the best main streets in America, the town hosts a variety of events and community celebrations from the annual UFO Festival and Turkey Rama to a weekly farmer’s market.
Great Places to Eat
McMinnville has a wide range of cuisine to choose from – and it’s getting wider as more restaurants open. You don’t have to be a foodie to appreciate the mind-boggling amount of good restaurants – from pizza to Thai to Mexican to Zagat-rated establishments, you won’t go hungry.
Higher Education? McMinnville Has It
Established in 1858, Linfield University is recognized for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum along with its professional programs. The school was named one of the nation’s “Top Colleges” by Forbes and was highly ranked on quality of teaching and student satisfaction. In addition, The Princeton Review and US News & World Report named Linfield one of the top five liberal arts schools in Oregon and Washington. That’s probably why the school attracts undergrads and faculty from around the U.S. and across the globe!
The McMinnville Art Walk
There are a number of interesting art galleries in McMinnville and a great way to learn about them is to take the McMinnville Art Walk. It happens on the third Friday of each month from May through September. Take a minute to learn more about this fun event.
The Only Private Golf Club in Willamette Valley
Whether you’re new to the Willamette Valley area or simply seeking a great place to play golf, there’s a lot to love about Michelbook Country Club – the only private country club in the Yamhill County wine country! The course is within walking distance from the center of McMinnville and offers 18 holes of tree-lined golfing beauty.
As a private club, Michelbook offers a variety of membership options from Premium Golf with unlimited access, Junior programs offering summer and fall activities, to social memberships and in comparison to many private clubs in the Portland region, a membership here is a great value for individuals and families.
McMinnville is a real jewel in the center of Willamette Valley, and I hope you get a chance to visit it if you already haven’t. So until next time, cheers!