Romantic Getaway in La Grande, Oregon

Hot Lake Lodge
Looking for a romantic winter getaway near Boise? Less than a three-hour drive from Boise, Idaho, Northeast Oregon promises hot springs, great food, breweries, skiing and more!

One of our favorite quick weekend getaways is a trip to northeastern Oregon. Less than a three-hour drive from Boise, the towns of La Grande and Baker City offer a unique and convenient location for a romantic couples get-away. Without the hype, crowds and price tag of a big city. 

From stunning mountain ranges to culinary gems, northeastern Oregon boasts incredible options for a long weekend adventure.

First up, food!

No trip to Northeastern Oregon would be complete without a stop at Sweet Wife Bakery. Sweet Wife Bakery’s success is obvious as soon as you walk in the door. Be sure to get there early on a weekend or you may miss out! They often sell out of top selling items like sticky buns or Saturday-only biscuits and gravy special. They serve coffee, breakfast, lunch and countless items to keep your sweet tooth coming back for more. 

After your appetite is satisfied, there are more than a few options for winter outdoor recreation. Just outside of Baker City sits Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort at just over 7,000ft. Run by the nonprofit, Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association, this ski resort offers incredible deals on lift tickets. Thursdays, support locally owned businesses in the area and get a discounted lift ticket! If XC skiing is your thing, enjoy the 30 kilometers of groomed nordic skiing options available. 

Prefer two wheels instead?

Try winter fat tire biking in La Grande. Mt Emily Recreation Area (MERA) offers groomed fat biking trails for your winter cycling adventure. This beautiful area boasts 45 miles of trails just outside of town. Visit the Mountain Works bike shop to rent a bike for your adventure.

For dinner, Side A Brewery in La Grande offers delicious and creative meals that pair well with their extensive list of in-house microbrews. Menu selections include items such as Korean tacos, buffalo fried cauliflower and several burger options. 

To wrap up your northeastern Oregon tour, relax for the day or spend the night at the newly renovated Hot Lake Lodge. The owners are painstakingly restoring this early 1900s hotel with a lot of attention to detail and maintaining its original character. In addition to the beautiful outdoor soaking tubs, the lodge offers a movie theater, pub, ping pong tables, beautiful grounds, and a quiet setting to relax and recharge. 

Interested in more travel tips? Check out our post on avoiding winter travel mistakes or our travel itinerary to avoid the crowds in Magic Valley, Idaho.