The Destination
Situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, Pendleton was founded as a trading outpost in the mid-1800s and has since retained much of its historical charm. Three hours from Portland, four hours from Boise, and five hours from Seattle, this town of about 16,000 residents was once the fourth-largest city in the state and even boasted a small Chinatown. Today, its downtown is included on the National Register of Historic Places, and Main Street is still lined with red brick buildings that house locally owned shops and restaurants.

The Digs
Steeped in the peaceful serenity of The Pendleton House Bed & Breakfast, you'd never guess that a Wild West town built on casinos, rodeos, and a lucrative red-light district once thrived just two blocks away. Built in 1917 on a quiet street overlooking the Umatilla River, this beautiful mansion still retains virtually all of its original splendor: ornate woodwork, Chinese silk wallpaper—even the original handmade curtains and French doors. The spacious front porch, featuring hanging flower baskets, provides a relaxing overlook to historic Downtown Pendleton.

Each of five guest rooms is tastefully decorated with beautiful chandeliers, king- or queen-size beds, wall sconces, and area rugs, not to mention warm comforters, high-thread-count linens, and plush pillows. In spring and summer, fresh-cut flowers from the inn's garden adorn the rooms. The Gwendolyn and Mandarin rooms provide a romantic balcony setting with a great view of Main Street, and all of the rooms are accessible by elevator or stairs.

Each morning in the formal dining room, the innkeepers serve a gourmet candlelit breakfast with hot coffee, assorted teas, and fresh fruit juice. Dishes may include egg frittata with vegetables, secret-recipe bacon, homemade biscuits, or even fresh berry cobbler.

The Diversions
• Virgil's at Cimmiyotti's Restaurant
• Heritage Station Museum
• Pendleton Underground Tour
• Pendleton Woolen Mill Tour