Keep it more low key with a high desert getaway.
In big cities people get dressed up with friends, enjoy dirty Martinis, and even dirtier gossip about co-workers and neighbors. Thankfully, Redmond is not a big city. Far from it. As you explore the restaurants, wineries, and delectable eateries, you’ll find people here are a little different. Good different. Smiles warm. Open doors welcome. And honest conversation fills the air. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have the same great amenities. It’s just that our five-star experiences go perfectly with a million stars overhead. Here are a few places to start your ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Central Oregon.
Get your Vegetables in…Sorta.
You’re going to need energy for the day ahead. No, we’re not talking about the caffeinated kind. It’s more along the lines of salt, pepper, celery, asparagus, pickles, candied bacon, marinated prawns and pepperoncini, with…a little house-infused pepper vodka thrown in. Enjoy the famous award-winning Game Changer Bloody Mary at Hideaway Tavern. It’s the brunch of champions.
Stroll, Shop, and Bring Home Memories.
Walk into some boutique shops in Redmond and you never know what you’ll discover: Vibrant Western apparel hanging on the racks at Desert Prairie, a handmade notebook from Cognitive Surplus just waiting for your thoughts and drawings, row after row of delectable olive oils at Arome to sample and take back with you. Some go to Rodeo Drive looking for that one-of-a-kind item. Here we find them and then go to actual rodeos.
Tastes like Napa. Feels like home.
Bold, yet slightly sweet. Earthy. Having good taste that lingers. But enough about you and your friends. Let’s talk about Pinot Noirs and Cabernets. Visit Testimony and Beyond the Vine and you’ll see why they consistently show up as some of the best wine bars in Redmond. Drink in the high desert views and enjoy tasting samples from small, local producers. You’ll find that the happiness in your glass, like good conversation, flows freely.
Saddle up for a Fun Dinner.
In a place that describes itself as “industrial cowboy meets down-home comfort”, let’s just say you can be yourself. The service and vibe at E BarGrill are friendly, the food – American fare with a side of homemade craft – is filling, and the sports on the big screen TV are loud. Something tells us you and your friends can be louder though.
Your only wish: A bigger spoon.
You might not expect to come across tasty gelato in a place like Redmond. You’d be wrong. Sweet cream with dark chocolate shards in the Stracciatella, caramel ribbons in the Dulce de Leche, and salted vanilla stares at you from the freezers in a warm, inviting space. You’ve got a tough decision to make at Bonta Gelato: one scoop or two.
Girls shouldn’t have all the fun.
The purpose of this trip was an escape. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring something exciting – of the sweet variety – back for your loved one. Enter: Sweet Oasis Chocolate Shop. Here you’ll find a variety of hand-crafted truffles and fudge. Or opt for some nostalgic candy that’ll bring them back to the days of their youth, while you hold onto a memory of a trip well spent.
