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City Cast Portland

Ben McBee

Rolling hills and orderly vineyards are enough to tempt even the most faithful city folk to start a new, slower life in Dundee. Of course, the town’s location 45 minutes outside of Portland means regular visits are more than feasible — and once you get a taste, you’ll definitely yearn for more.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Fresh Off the Press

As the year draws to an end, farmers are plucking the first olives of the season from the 

 orchards and grinding the fruit into olive oil at Oregon’s only commercial olive mill. That first batch of liquid gold will be the star of the 

. Every weekend in November, guests can enjoy complimentary activities, including olive oil samples, chef demonstrations, and 

. Artisans will also have seasonal dishes and gift boxes for purchase in the food and wine pavilion.

While attendance is free, some events like the 

. It would take many, many weekends to visit every tasting room in the 

, which is home to some of the state’s most recognizable wineries, including 

Here are a few select destinations and some experience notes to get you started.

: Relax in a peaceful Japanese garden with a red torii gate that frames the vineyard and views of Mount Hood.

: An elevated, patio panorama sets the scene for pinot noir and chardonnay.

: Contemporary pop meets small-lot, organic wine, shipped to your front door or sipped at their tasting room, The Art Barn.

: Floor-to-ceiling glass windows invite the beauty of this vineyard indoors, accentuating every pour.

As for food, farm-to-table has never been easier to find. Soak up the sips at restaurants such as 

 (Benedicts and other breakfast favorites), or 

 is a monastery that’s home to Cistercian monks, nestled on the edge of a beautiful wood that’s 

. Members of the public who observe the rules — 

 — are invited to walk the paths and enjoy the peace of nature. In total, the Guadalupe Loop is 3.5 miles with a short spur to a viewpoint at the top, perfect for watching low clouds drift among the trees. Keep in mind, recent rain means you’ll deal with slippery mud.

Did we miss something in the Dundee Hills? 

Dundee Hills recs

📲 Your Dundee Hills Recommendations

There’s much more than wine to be found over the Dundee Hills — the pinot noir is world-class though too.

Your Guide to the Dundee Hills, Oregon

Your Guide to the Dundee Hills

The Weekly Wander

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The Weekly Wander by City Cast Portland

There’s no shortage of adorable farm animals out in Willamette Valley wine country. From the 

 at Arlyn Vineyard to the Tennessee Walking Horses used by 

, it’s easy to get the warm-and-fuzzies.

But allow us to spin a yarn about a place where whimsical creatures roam, melting the hearts of anyone they meet with their long ears and big, dark eyes.

Just a few miles outside of Sherwood, you’ll find 

, a family-owned and -operated farm that’s raised the animals for decades. Visitors must 

, where you’ll mingle with the many-colored huacayas, a breed known for their fluffy, crimped wool (they make up about 

Feed them some treats (keep your palm flat and prepare to be tickled), learn what goes into alpaca breeding and day-to-day care, and browse the store’s scarves, sweaters, and other souvenirs. Additional products are available next door at 

 (you can also have your own sheep or alpaca wool processed here).

If you stop by Alpacas of Oregon during the spring and summer, chances are 

Where there’s a wool, there’s a way. Add some alpaca to your life by touring Alpacas of Oregon near Sherwood.

Visit an Alpaca Farm in Oregon Wine Country 

Side Quest: Wool You Look At That

Just because “old” is in the name doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of excitement in Old Town Chinatown. Yes, it’s a bit grungy, but Portland’s history runs deeper than the Shanghai Tunnels here (more on that later), and it’s a fascinating place to 

Why You Should Visit This Week: One Last Bloom

. Of course, we’re talking about Lan Su Chinese Garden’s 

, which returns Nov. 5-22 in honor of the flower that symbolizes nobility, longevity, and autumn. Guests can appreciate 81 different varieties across the grounds during this event, which features floral art installations, horticulture workshops, and other cultural experiences. Some require a special ticket:

Holiday Dried Flower Wreath Workshop with Walking Whale Flower Farm

Chinese workers began arriving in waves after the city’s incorporation in 1851. The 

 preserves life during this era, showcasing the vibrant culture that thrived in the face of the government’s Chinese Exclusion Act.

Later in the 19th century, Japanese laborers moved into the same area to fill positions at timber mills, farms, and canneries, while developing their own 

 community. To grasp all of the stories that unfolded in the streets below the 

Points of Interest: Tales From the Underground

, as well as Portland’s oldest piece of public art: 

, which would’ve pumped Henry Weinhard’s beer at its dedication if not for public officials' fear of inebriated horses.

along the waterfront runs March through Christmas Eve. Shop from the many arts and crafts booths, like 

— a network of underground passageways once used for all manner of illicit purposes — are offered weekly. Guests will hear haunting stories as they navigate the warren, wrapping up with a tasting at 

 (ask to see the ghostly footage of the bar; it is eerie).

 is a happening destination for dinner and drinks or even a staycation. Ride the elevator up to 

, a rooftop taqueria with some of the best views in town that you can enjoy with tequila in hand, or head down to 

, the basement speakeasy with elegant libations (shaken or stirred) and coastal Mexican seafood.

 has incredible pan-Asian fare (try the beef bulgogi bowl and crispy chicken curry) as well as a sizable play area for the kiddos.

 is an indoor food hall featuring a taproom and juice bar, handmade dumplings and bao, Costa Rican cuisine, Thai comfort food, 

If long lines don’t feel like a pretzel stick through your heart, 

Many music and theater venues line the pockets of Old Town, including the 

 (renowned for its “Sinferno Cabaret”), and the even-more-iconic 

. Before your night is over, play a few rounds on the vintage side-scrolling or pinball games at 

Of course, there’s much more to do and see in Old Town Chinatown. Want us to add to this list? 

Old Town Chinatown recs

📲 Your Old Town Chinatown Recommendations

There’s always something blooming in Old Town Chinatown. In November, mum’s the word.

Your Guide to Old Town Chinatown in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Old Town Chinatown

John Notarianni

🗳️ Election Day Is Almost Here — Get Out and Vote!

For all you procrastinators out there, we've put together 

 to Tuesday's election. It's probably too late to put your ballot in the mail, so make sure you sign the back of the envelope and drop yours off at an 

If you're feeling anxious after you drop off your ballot, Write Around Portland is hosting a virtual 

There are also a pair of events to break down the results and look toward the future happening on 

City Club of Portland and the League of Women Voters are hosting a 

 event at University Place Hotel & Conference Center.

Oregon's climate justice and environmental community are hosting a 

 with Secretary of State Tobias Read at Waverly United Church of Christ.

Whether or not you're familiar with opera music, checking out a performance by the Portland Opera is always a treat. They're a wickedly talented group of musicians and vocalists, and it's a perfect excuse to get dressed up and go downtown. City Cast senior producer Giulia Fiaoni recommends Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 three-act romantic tragedy 

 which will be at the Keller Auditorium on 

. The performance is in Italian, but there are English subtitles to follow along. The arts organization is downsizing and will only have 

 this season (in December and March), so go see them while you can! 

🦃 Order Your Thanksgiving Feast (and Plan a Trot)

It's no surprise that a holiday based around seasonal eating is a perennial Portland favorite, so it's time to start thinking about what you're putting on your table on 

. Bridgetown Bites has a great round-up of 

 to order your Thanksgiving spread — I've got my eye on that confit turkey leg from 

Plus, there's plenty of options to burn off a few calories before the big meal: On the day before Thanksgiving, 

 is hosting a Turkey Trot among the holiday lights at the Portland International Raceway. On Thanksgiving day, the 

 are hosting their Turkey Trot at the Portland Zoo, and 

 plant-based Tofurky Trot starts at OMSI.

Embrace November in Portland with our guide to Election Day, opera performances, Thanksgiving feasts, and holiday turkey trots.

What To Do in Portland, Oregon, in November 2026

What To Do in November

Find the best of everything that Portland has to offer.

Portland’s Best

Portland's Best

Despite what you may read or see on the news, Downtown Portland is alive. Among the high-rises, people are 

. It’s not perfect, but as with most matters of the heart (

), it’s complicated — and that makes it more interesting to explore.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Farewell, Feathered Friends

For nearly 10 years, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has 

 to ensure that crows roost where their droppings are less of a nuisance. Since August, 30 of the birds have refused to budge — 

, an art trail featuring hand-painted corvid statues scattered across downtown and other central neighborhoods in honor of Laika Studio’s 

). In addition to being a scavenger hunt, a series of community events, and a 

, the pieces will ultimately be auctioned off to benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

But before that happens, the flock will gather at 

 complete with a Saturday costume contest and your last chance at a feathered photo-op.

Touted as Portland’s oldest restaurant, 

 is known for turkey dinners and Spanish coffee that’s set alight tableside. 

Ride the elevator to the 30th floor for drinks with a view at 

, the pinnacle of Big Pink public access … 

Dolly Olive’s in-house bakery program (get the focaccia) and vibrant vegetables set the table for a 

Grab a black sesame or tiramisu latte from 

In a world where packages arrive on your doorstep, sometimes it’s fun to go out and bargain hunt (

 carries on the nostalgic mall legacy — RIP, 

 offers great gifts at All Burn Wax. Freshen up your interior design at 

Of course, every bucket list would be incomplete without a visit to 

, an outfitter of cowboy boots and other Western attire for more than 100 years. These are also must-see sights:

, but our love for it and its resident leprechauns could not be any bigger.

🎸 Concerts are remarkable at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, which wows crowds with its lofty ceilings, opulent chandeliers, and a unique “floating” floor whose surface is 

 — known for its Karaoke From Hell and Sinferno Cabaret — the 

Did we miss something in downtown Portland? 

Downtown Portland Recs

📲 Your Downtown Portland Recommendations

 A previous version of this article mentioned the now-shuttered Danner in Union Way. We regret the error. 

Last caw! Don’t miss out on “Follow the Crows,” an interactive art trail in downtown Portland celebrating Laika’s upcoming film, “Wildwood.”

Your Guide to Downtown Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Downtown Portland

Portland State University sprawls across more than 40 blocks of downtown Portland, creating a neighborhood that ebbs and flows with the students. Although the 

 brings people to the area regardless of the season, campus truly comes alive when fall rolls around: Business picks up at local restaurants, 

 fill up the calendar. There’s plenty to look forward to throughout the year, but this week, we’re looking to the past.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Catrinas in the Street

, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and parts of Central and South America that honors family and friends who are no longer with us. In Mexico, an elegant skeleton woman depicted in fancy attire called 

 is an important symbol associated with the festivities, as she represents the equality we all face in death.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., embrace the spirit at 

, a vibrant celebration of heritage and cultural expression held in 

. Participants dressed in calavera makeup and traditional garb will walk in a parade and fashion contest alongside musical performances, food carts, and craft vendors. The event’s organizer, 

, fosters a space of belonging and healing and invites all attendees to bring something that reminds you of your deceased loved ones (such as a flower, photograph, toy, etc.) to place on the 

Forget dorm food; there are plenty of quality restaurants off campus that appeal to students squeezing in a meal between classes — or really anyone looking for a bite in that neck of the woods.

 serves up loaded fried chicken sandwiches 14 different ways.

🍱 Get pan-Asian fare like the Korean beef bento or the Bangkok burger without breaking the bank at 

🥙 Grab a lamb wrap or falafel gyro Chappell Roan style (that’s hot-to-go) at 

🥡 If you crave the tongue-tingling spice of Szechuan cuisine, 

 may just be the best in the city. Load up on xiao long bao, pork wontons, and beef noodle soup.

🇧🇿 You get warm hospitality and flavors of the Caribbean at 

🍸 Take in skyline views and enjoy a cocktail by the fire on the rooftop patio at 

Arts & Entertainment: 1920s Vogue and Art from Down Under

, the south end of downtown Portland is a cultural corridor. Let’s take a look at what’s on right now.

 Fresh on display is “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” and on the way out are “Abstraction Since Mark Rothko” and “Inkling Studio: Community and Printmaking in Portland” — 

 This month, the Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow is showing vintage horror films, including “Lost Highway,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Eyes Without a Face,” and “Night of the Living Dead.”

 Richly hued, vaguely organic forms jump off the prints at “Anish Kapoor: Dissolving Margins,” open until Dec. 5, 2026.

 Explore a photographic time capsule of women’s fashion in the post-World War I era originally captured at Bushnell Studio and compiled for 

 “La Traviata,” the beloved and historic opera, a performance from Beck on the artist’s Ride Lonesome Tour, Penn & Teller, and comedy from Brett Goldstein (who plays Roy Kent in “Ted Lasso”) are all coming to the stage.

Did we miss something around the PSU end of town? 

PSU/South Downtown recs

📲 Your PSU/South Downtown Recommendations

There’s always something to do around the South Park Blocks, from the PSU Farmers Market to cultural celebrations like Catrinas en la Calle.

Your Guide to Portland State University

Eerie mist hovers over unending rows. Hordes gather and slowly make their way out of the suburbs. Figures bring cups of red liquid to their lips. It’s harvest time in Willamette Valley wine country — and that chill in the air just ran down your spine, didn’t it?

 are a great way to get into the spooky season, but so is wine tasting — and many of the local vineyards host hair-raising (and glass-raising) 

🍷 What’s more unnerving than a pour you weren’t prepared for? That’s the energy at Saffron Fields Vineyard’s 

 (Saturday, Oct. 17), a showcase of producers who take Oregon’s signature grape and turn it into something unrecognizable.

🎃 Highlights of Brooks Wine’s Halloweek festivities include a 

 demonstration where you can chat with local artist Joey Edwards (Tuesday, Oct. 27), as well as “

 an interactive mystery dinner where guests work together to crack the case (Wednesday, Oct. 28).

🎥 Take in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on the big screen at Knudsen Vineyards’ 

 (Saturday, Oct. 31), where costumes are encouraged, and each ticket comes with a bag of 

Frightful festivities from beyond the grapes await as Willamette Valley wineries host Halloween events. Throw on your costume and get ready for scary good wine tasting.

things to do

Your Guide to the Dundee Hills

Side Quest: Wool You Look At That

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