Hidden away in the southwest corner of Oregon, just north of the California border, sits the small city of Grants Pass. Serving as a gateway to the Applegate Valley wine region and the rolling Siskiyou Mountains, the city makes for an excellent retreat into the Oregon countryside. You’ll find a barrelful of vineyards in the surrounding landscape, but Grants Pass is also home to multiple antique shops, wonderful hiking trails, and the inspiring Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center. When taken together, it’s easy to see why Grants Pass could be an ideal spot for your next getaway.
Grants Pass sits along the Rogue River, two hours directly south of Eugene. It’s served by multiple local airports, including the small Grants Pass Airport and the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport just 30 minutes east. Flying into the latter lets you explore a city known as the “Heart of the Rogue Valley,” which is the perfect complement to the vineyards and antiques of Grants Pass. When you’re not out in the countryside sipping on wine, you’ll find a charming downtown district overrun with specialty boutiques and restaurants. Be sure to pack light and save some space in your suitcase, too, as it’ll be hard to leave empty-handed.
Antiques and the best of downtown Grants Pass
If you love the thrill of searching for hidden treasure on the crowded shelves of antique stores, Grants Pass won’t disappoint. A cluster of shops can be found downtown, including the popular Old Town Antique Mall. Spanning nearly 7,000 square feet, the venue is home to everything from retro paintings and plateware to model trains and vintage watches. It’ll take quite a while to sift through its collection, so make it the first stop on your list to ensure you don’t run out of time.
Once you’re done at the Old Town Antique Mall, skip across the street to Elegance Antiques. Along with plenty of retro collectibles, they often have a fun selection of classic Coca-Cola and Pepsi memorabilia. Still have a bit of space in your suitcase? Walk over to H St. Antiques & Interiors, Rusty Nugget Antiques, and Forged N Found to find even more collectibles.
There are plenty of excellent wineries surrounding Grants Pass — but if you don’t want to travel out of the city for a glass, check out The Twisted Cork. Just steps from Old Town Antique Mall, the wine bar features a rotating list of beverages from local wineries. You can pair these with an impressive food menu spanning everything from brisket and burgers to salmon and truffle scallops. A bit further away is the riverside Cartwrights Taprock Northwest Grill. With an outdoor dining space, it’s a remarkable spot to dine al fresco. Downtown is also home to the Grants Pass Museum of Art and the Schmidt House Museum, so you can truly spend all day without ever leaving the district.
Planning your trip to Grants Pass, Oregon
