January 6th, 2025

Cure Your Winter Blues in McMinnville

An early morning photo of a downtown street with the road, buildings and street trees dusted with snow.
An early morning in downtown McMinnville captured by Kitri Culbertson.

The wintertime blues are real in the Pacific Northwest, but nothing blasts them away like a little change in scenery.  This time of year, everything slows down, you get personalized attention, restaurants really shine with their hearty menus, and retail and lodging establishments offer special discounts to brighten your day. If you’re suffering from a case of seasonal woes, we’ve got your treatment plan right here.

Sun shines through a tall long window onto a luxe bed. There are side tables with lamps on either side of the bed and a pretty chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A micro studio room in Atticus Hotel. Photo by Natalie Starr.

Cozy Stays:

  • Atticus Hotel: 20% off all new reservation stays between January 1st & March 31st with code CELLARSEASON.
  • A’ Tuscan Estate: 25% off for NEW bookings with stays between 1/1/25-4/15/25 with promo code WNTR25.  This promotion includes: arrival sweet bite, three-course artisan breakfast, parking, wifi, 2-for-1 wine tasting at NW Food & Gifts, and a charcuterie box for wine tasting. Full payment due at time of booking. Seven day cancellation policy in effect. Blackout dates: 2/14-2/15.
  • The Boutique Retreat: Get 10% off on weekends and 15% off weekdays for stays between now April 1, 2025 by using promo code VISITMAC.
  • The Compass McMinnville: Book your stay in January- March and get 15% off weekend stays (2-night min) and 20% off weekday stays.⁠
  • Douglas on Third: Receive 10% off a 1 night stay and 15% off a 2 night stay with codes NEWYEAR10 and NEWYEAR15 through January.  New specials will be released at the beginning of each month so check their website for new specials and lowest possible rates.
  • McMenamins Hotel Oregon: Book your winter getaway by choosing promotional code CELLAR and receive a complimentary bottle of local wine, keepsake glasses, and a hearty breakfast to fuel your winery explorations. 
  • Olive & Vine Guesthouse: Save 15% on a two night stay.
  • Third Street Flats: 20% off all new reservation stays between January 1st & March 31st with code CELLARSEASON.
A person with a red beanie hat and a blue puffer coat steps outside of a retail business called Third Street Books.
A portal to a new world. Photo by Courtney Cunningham.

The Therapies:

  • Art Therapy: Visit The Merri Artist and dispel those grays and blues with their wide array of bright colors in paints, markers, colored pencils and pretty much anything else you might need for a good art therapy sesh.  
  • Music Therapy: The Vortex Records has you covered with vinyl records, cds, band tees, posters, collectors’ memorabilia and a nostalgic vibe that takes you back to the days when the record store was THE place to be. 
  • The Written Word: Take a break from reality and get swept away to other worlds at Third Street Books. Or check out the large selection of self help and spiritual books and learn a new way to take care of your mind and body .
  • Spiritual Enlightenment: Check out the Magic Attic or Inner Oasis for crystals, tarot cards, books, healing jewelry and any other metaphysical tools you might need for starting your new year with your chakras aligned and your spirit uplifted.  
A white plate with 6 grilled prawns served atop a generous bed of polenta. It is garnished with roasted corn and parsley. Behind it are a glass of white wine and a wine bottle.
Grilled Prawns from Cypress. Photo by Maria Vasoli.

Comfort Food:

  • Cypress nails this category by virtue of their made-to-order pita bread alone, but our favorite is their grilled prawns, which are served with smoked labneh, polenta and roasted squash.
  • Golden Valley Brewery has their comfort foods dialed in and their whole menu fits in this category, but standouts include their pork schnitzel, Not Yo’ Mama’s Meatloaf, and chicken pot pie.
  • James Beard nominee, Hayward Restaurant, is changing things up this winter with a 6 week Nostalgia series.  Make your reservations today for Breakfast for Dinner (Jan. 8-18), Dinner at Grandma’s House (Jan. 22-Feb. 1), or Summer Camp (Feb. 5-18).
  • Humble Spirit’s fried chicken is Chef Sarah Schafer’s specialty and is only available Monday and Tuesday nights.
  • Jacob Williams Winery combines the comfort of homemade soup and bread with a perfectly paired glass of wine on Saturdays in January.  The menu changes each week, but you can expect pairings such as potato leek soup and focaccia with Chardonnay.  

    James Howe (she/her), Visit McMinnville staff writer, has lived in McMinnville since 2009. Some of her favorite McMinnville memories include playing the flute in Second Winds Community Band, acting on stage at Gallery Theater, and co-founding Make Music McMinnville.