Accommodations and Food

Conveniently located off I-84 Exit 87, the Comfort Inn (351 Lone Pine Dr., 541/298-2800, $115 and up) has a pool, a fitness facility, and free continental breakfast. Rooms come equipped with microwaves and coffeemakers.

Cousins Country Inn (2114 West 6th St., 541/298-5161 or 800/848-9378, www.cousinscountryinn.com [1], $94 and up) is a high-quality motel with an indoor hot tub and an outdoor pool. Guest rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers; some have fireplaces. The on-site restaurant and lounge is one of The Dalles [2]’s most popular.

At the west end of the historic downtown is The Dalles Inn (112 2nd St., 541/296-9107 or 888/935-2378, $94 and up), with a pool, a restaurant, a bar, and guest rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers.

In the heart of downtown, Petite Provence (408 E. 2nd St., 541/506-0037, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun.–Wed., 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., $5–12) is a French-style bakery and coffee shop that also offers sandwiches, soup, and light entrées at lunch.

Baldwin Saloon (1st St. and Court St., 541/296-5666, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., main courses $8–18) is in an 1876 building that has seen a bit of history—it was built as the dining hall for the local railroad crews. The redbrick interior houses a repository of early-20th-century oil paintings and an 18-foot mahogany bar. Fresh oysters are the house specialty, but the sandwiches, salads, steaks, and burgers are also good.

Romul’s (312 Court St., 541/296-9771, 11 a.m.–close Mon.–Sat., main courses $10–24) is a good Italian restaurant with a decor that’s meant to recall imperial Rome. Fortunately, the food is more reminiscent of Tuscany. There is a selection of excellent pasta dishes and a number of chicken and seafood dishes that provide a bit of variety in an otherwise pretty meat-and-potatoes town; try the seafood romesco. Romul’s makes an excellent Caesar salad, and the wine list has an impressive selection of both Italian and local bottles.