A scenic escape through snow-capped mountains, rushing rivers, and miles of ranch lands, the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway in Oregon offers a wide array of rural shopping experiences. Along this 218-mile route, anyone from the “foodie” who enjoys locally-raised lamb and local wines to the avid art aficionado admiring world-renowned sculptures, will find a wide variety of shopping experiences guaranteed to ignite the spirit of fun and discovery found outside the confines of city life.
Begin your shopping spree at one end of the byway in the town of La Grande, home of Eastern Oregon University. Shop in downtown La Grande and uncover hard-to-find antiques, locally made pottery, and a tantalizing assortment of culinary offerings. In between shopping experiences, indulge your creative side with a tour of the La Grande Art Studio, and treat yourself to a view of the many artistic mediums on display.
As you journey along the byway to Joseph, Oregon at the base of Chief Joseph Mountain, become enchanted by an entire town that celebrates art, and most importantly, visitors! The Joseph Art Walk will lead you past many larger-than-life bronze sculptures cast right in the town of Joseph. Town shops boast many great finds, from fragrant locally made soaps and hand creams, to unique jewelry, to that antique door-knocker you’ve been searching for. Of course shopping is not complete without something to eat. In Joseph or near-by Enterprise, satisfy your retail-induced hunger at a local restaurant or brew pub.
As you follow the byway past Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, discover a unique shopping stop in the town of Halfway. Here, several small stores cater to the byway traveler, including Halfway Whimsical, where you’ll admire local art created from eco-friendly and recyclable materials crafted by creative Halfway locals. Take a break from shopping and stop for lunch or dinner downtown. Choose from dishes made with locally grown foods, spices, and herbs, created from a special collection of delectable recipes.
The final stop of your Hells Canyon Scenic Byway shopping experience is in Historic Baker City, the end of the byway. Here you’ll find fun, one-of-a-kind products to suit every member of the family. Stroll past shops full of decorative candles which fill the air with fragrance, or browse shelves of wine and freezers of locally raised lamb and beef. Gather everyone together and share samples of freshly-made fudge, rediscover history in whimsical antique stores, or check out the selection of bikes in a local shop.
Your shopping journey along Hells Canyon National Scenic Byway is complete, and you’ll be taking home treasures discovered along the way. Whether you find that rare antique you’ve been searching for or a piece of captivating artwork, you’ll always own a priceless eastern Oregon memory! Be sure to visit the Eastern Oregon Visitor's Association website for up-to-date information about attractions, events and local merchants and artisans.
Disclaimer: this story does not serve as an endorsement of any private interests by the Federal Highway Administration.
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