Beautiful, quaint, and historic McMinnville comes alive during winter. You've found it if you're looking for the ultimate romantic escape and holiday break. Come cozy up next to a crackling fireplace. Sip and savor a flight of locally crafted wine. Or embrace your inner elf and enjoy a Christmas pageant or many other holiday activities. We invite you to stay at A’ Tuscan Estate and make it your home base for all the wonderful holiday festivities in the area.
To start your holiday adventure, we've created a carefully curated list of fun and festive things to do near McMinnville, Oregon. So let's get started.
1. Visit the Portland Japanese Gardens
The Portland Japanese Gardens are stunning any time of year. They are a bit of a drive from A' Tuscan Estate, but worth the trip. You'll see the best foliage during autumn and even late autumn—the colors really ‘pop!’ However, winter is also a beautiful and often an underappreciated season.
During winter, you see more of the gardens' underlying structure and design elements. The graceful curve of branches and the gardens' skeletal framework reveal the tranquil intention of the artistry behind the gardens. And when it snows, the beauty of the gardens' structure shines through for those picture-perfect, Insta-worthy moments.
2. Head to the Theater for a Christmas Pageant
Love plays? Then, head to the local theater around mid-December for a festive experience. The Gallery Theatre offers a special yearly holiday show for all to enjoy. Check their shows and events schedule for titles, times, and tickets.
Regardless of what's playing, be it A Christmas Carol, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Santa's Jingle Jam, or something else, everyone will have a great time.
Best of all, the Gallery Theater is a short 10-minute walk from our romantic inn and the historic downtown McMinnville.
3. Try a Wine and Olive Oil Tasting
A visit to the Willamette Valley would only be complete with visiting one of our local wineries and sampling a flight of local wine or even a unique olive oil tasting. Thankfully, you can have the best of both worlds — wine and olive oil tasting experiences — at one location: Durant Vineyards.
Visiting Durant Vineyards is always a fun and fabulous way to spend the day. There's much to see and do at this estate, from visiting the farm shop to touring the olive mill, indulging in a wine or olive oil tasting, and visiting the estate gardens. Plan your visit with the estate's event schedule. They often host festive holiday workshops for a wine of a good time. So bring your elf hat and get ready for some serious fun!
4. Dinner at Thistle Restaurant
If you're looking for great food, Thistle is the place to go. This restaurant combines vintage-chic decor with a warm, welcoming atmosphere bursting with local flavor. It's a short walk from A' Tuscan Estate — 10 minutes or less — and in the heart of our historic downtown area.
Although its menu changes daily, some of the delectable dishes it previously featured have included:
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Bread and Fat
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Oysters
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Radish Salad
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Rockfish
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Lamb Shank
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Bone Marrow
Each menu item depends on the season, available ingredients, and the farmers' harvest. However, one thing is always sure and consistent: At Thistle, you can expect outstanding, friendly service and mouthwatering dishes made with uber-local ingredients.
5. Cozy Up Next to the Fireplace
When you've finished your holiday adventuring, head back to the A' Tuscan Estate, sit back, relax, and enjoy each other's company. Imbibe with a glass of wine and cozy up next to the fire for a relaxing evening. Our main sitting room has a lovely fireplace and comfortable seating that awaits your return. Alternatively, you can enjoy a private fireplace by reserving the Tuscan Suite.
Few things offer a warmer and more welcoming reprieve from the crisp winter air and seasonal adventures than a fireside retreat with a glass of wine or cocoa in hand.
Let the flickering flames of the crackling fire cast a soft glow, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, silky sweet cocoa, or a fine glass of Oregon Pinot Noir tempt you into relaxation. A' Tuscan Estate is the perfect place to unwind after exploring McMinnville's vineyards, boutique shops, eateries, and holiday events.
Whether you're looking to share stories, read a favorite book, or simply enjoy the ambiance of the fire and a quiet moment together, a cozy fireside retreat offers the ultimate amenity for any stay. Take any holiday break from fun and exciting to spectacular, unforgettable, and 'must-do-again!'
Make Your Holidays Unforgettable at A’ Tuscan Estate
Prepare to make your holiday break truly unforgettable. Why settle for average when you can have extraordinary? As an alternative to your average hotel, why not book a stay at our memorable artisan bed and breakfast, A’ Tuscan Estate? Come as a couple for a romantic holiday getaway you'll never forget. Every moment of your stay will captivate and delight you.
Enjoy the cozy ambiance of your luxurious room and the aroma of our gourmet breakfasts. A stay at A’ Tuscan Estate will give you elegance, comfort, and plenty of holiday cheer during the holiday season.
Check out the Portland Japanese Garden and appreciate its framework and structure's artistic and serene design. Embrace your inner Picasso and capture some Insta-worthy, frameable moments. Wander through McMinnville's festive and historic downtown. Savor the local wines and taste the local flavor, or return to A’ Tuscan Estate and simply relax by the cozy fireside.
Whether you want to spark a little holiday romance or create cherished memories with loved ones, we invite you to enjoy your romantic holiday break in McMinnville. A' Tuscan Estate offers a heartwarming retreat you'll want to experience year after year.
Photo Credit: © GummyBone via canva.com, © lisegagne via canva.com