It’s A Great Day For A Columbia Gorge Wedding

Although beautiful year around, something special happens in The Dalles and the Columbia River Gorge in the Fall. With the changing of the seasons comes a desire for new beginnings. Maybe this desire comes from the new vibrant colors as they start to paint the landscape, or maybe it’s the familiar fall aromas that start to fill the air. Where ever that desire for a new beginning comes from, one thing is certain, there is not better way to start anew than with a wedding! If a Fall wedding is in your future, you don’t have to look any farther than the Celilo Inn and the Columbia Gorge.

One of the most important decisions that goes into the wedding planning is pinning down the perfect venue.  If you combine this gorgeous season with a great venue, your wedding planning will be off to a great start! Luckily for us, the Columbia Gorge provides couples with naturally beautiful surroundings as well as charming venues.

Bride and Groom at Maryhill Winery

If the romances of a winery are in your wedding vision, one only has to look at Maryhill Winery to know that they’ve found the perfect place! The stunning views and its rustic Italian charm make for one of the most romantic backdrops a bride and groom could ask for. Maryhill Winery is also conveniently located only 25 minutes from the Celilo Inn! There are also a number of other wineries near by that are just as lovely and could serve as the ideal wedding venue for you!

For those couples who have dreamed of getting married in a church, the Riverenza church in The Dalles is wonderful! This charming church with an old world feel sits 120 guests comfortably. This has every feature and amenity that a bride and groom would need to make their day flawless. The Riverenza provides the wedding party with an old stone courtyard, ballroom, fellowship hall, dressing room and kitchen, all of which are wheelchair accessible. The Riverenza church is only a 10 minute drive away from the Celilo Inn!

The Riverenza Church

The Ballroom at The Dalles Civic Auditorium

For larger wedding parties, The Dalles Civic Auditorium is the perfect choice! Offering a room with a capacity of 400 people; The Ballroom is the perfect choice for a larger wedding reception. With its floating hardwood dance floor, elegant décor, balcony, and warm ambiance, The Ballroom is an excellent choice. The venue is also conveniently located only a little over 5 minutes away from the Celilo Inn!

If you’re planning a wedding in The Dalles, congratulations! We look forward to seeing you and we wish you the best of luck! Furthermore if you stay at Celilo Inn on Saturday during the month of October your second night will be 50% off!

For your wedding day lodging needs be sure to speak to our friendly staff when staying at Celilo Inn.

To make a reservation you can call 541-769-0001 or go to www.celiloinn.com. For more information you can email info@celiloinn.com or Like us on Facebook!

French Cuisine Found in The Dalles

When traveling, often times we find ourselves going to large chain restaurants, not because we truly love eating at these big name places, but because we have no idea what’s good in the area. Hopefully after reading this post, Celilo Inn guests will know at least one place where they are guaranteed a delicious, filling meal. The Dalles is fortunate enough to have one of the most delicious French cuisine restaurants located right in the heart of downtown.

 

La Petite Provence was opened in 1996 by three French natives. Originally based in Lake Oswego, OR, the owners have now expanded to four stores, three of which are located within the Portland, OR area. The fourth restaurant is located right here in The Dalles!

 

La Petite Provence in The Dalles is open for breakfast and lunch. The menu features a variety of foods, as well as a full espresso bar. Some Petite Provence classics and favorites include the Northwest Salmon Hash, Risotto Cakes and Eggs, Colette Omelette, Monte Cristo, French Cobb Salad and the French Onion Soup. If you aren’t in the mood for a full breakfast or lunch, La Petite Provence has something for you too! In addition to being an exquisite restaurant, the gourmet pastries that Petite Provence offers are to die for. These pastries range from the breakfast classics like croissants and Danishes, to a wide assortment of cookies, torts, cakes, breads and unique French favorites.

 

If you can’t make it down to La Petite Provence, Celilo Inn guests need not worry as the pastries that can be found at our complimentary continental breakfast are baked by La Petite Provence! (Although we recommend stopping by the restaurant for the full delicious experience!)

For more dining recommendations while in The Dalles be sure to speak to our friendly staff when staying at Celilo Inn.

To make a reservation you can call 541-769-0001 or go to www.celiloinn.com. For more information you can email info@celiloinn.com or Like us on Facebook!

The Dalles, a City of History and Art

Anyone that has visited The Dalles can attest to its surrounding natural beauty, but there is beauty located right in the center of downtown as well. Guests at Celilo Inn can learn about the history of The Dalles while looking at beautiful murals all over the city. The mural walk features 12 murals that each captures a different moment in history. Guests can explore the murals on their own, or they can stop by The Dalles Chamber of Commerce to purchase a key that will activate the talking boxes that are located at a number of the murals. These talking boxes give a more in-depth history of the mural and are narrated by historians, Native Americans or the artist themselves.

 

A segment of the "Decision at the Dalles" mural

The 12 murals have been a labor of love put on by The Dalles Mural Society. The first mural titled “Decision at The Dalles” was painted in 1992 and depicts the perilous journey the first settlers faced along the Oregon Trail.

 

Right across the street from “Decision at The Dalles” is the fourth mural entitled “Celilo/Wyam—The Great Falls on the Columbia.” This mural was completed in 1995 and depicts the magnificent Celilo Falls which played a critical roll in the lives of local Native Americans as well as settlers. While the Celilo Falls no longer exist, this mural has beautifully captured an important moment in time.

A segment of the "Celilo/Wyam-The Great Falls of the Columbia" mural

 

Just a few blocks down you’ll find the striking mural of the Umatilla House, which was one of the largest, most luxurious hotels in the area in 1857. The hotel would hold onto is opulent reputation until a few years later when it would be plagued with continual bad luck–being involved in two fires and one flood. The mural which was painted in 1997 restores the Umatilla House back to the grand hotel that it once was.

 

"Sahaptin Medicine Man" mural

The most recent mural which was painted in 2003 looks the farthest into the past. Entitled “Sahaptin Medicine Man” the mural captures a time before the settlers moved to the Northwest and Western practices had not yet incorporated themselves into the Native American culture. The medicine man played an integral part in the lives of tribe members from the physical, to the natural to the spiritual and this mural does an excellent job bringing us back to that time.

 

With 12 gorgeous and poignant murals to look at and learn from, the mural walk is a great way for Celilo Inn guests to not only learn the history of the area but also provides guests an opportunity to walk around the charming downtown area of The Dalles. All the murals are relatively close to one another making for a pleasant walk.

 

For more places to check out when visiting The Dalles, be sure to speak to our friendly staff when staying at Celilo Inn.

 

To make a reservation you can call 541-769-0001 or go to www.celiloinn.com. For more information you can email info@celiloinn.com or Like us on Facebook!

 

The Outdoors Are For Everybody!

The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the Northwest. Guests at Celilo Inn have many different terrains at their disposal. From hiking, to white water rafting to fly fishing the next outdoor adventure is always just around the bend; however you don’t have to be an outdoor enthusiast to take in the beauty of The Dalles.

 

One great spot for everyone to take in the fresh air is Sorosis Park. This is a 45 acre park located on a hill overlooking downtown The Dalles and the Columbia River. There are plenty of facilities at the park to meet your needs including a sheltered area with a working fireplace, BBQ pit, and electricity. There are also plenty of picnic tables, making this an ideal location for family reunions, birthday parties and office picnics. Sorosis Park also has plenty of play structures, softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts and horse shoe pits for both kids and adults to use! In addition, there are walking paths and an 18 hole disc golf course. For a map of the disc golf course layout you can visit the official park website. Last but not least there is a variety of exercise equipment at the park for those guests who want the luxury of exercising in the great outdoors. There is also a gorgeous memorial rose garden for visitors to walk through. Fortunately for Celilo Inn guests, Sorosis Park is only a 15 minute drive away!

 

The beauty in The Dalles is never-ending. To experience it for yourself book your reservation at Celilo Inn by calling 541-769-0001 or visiting www.celiloinn.com. For more information on places to visit while staying at Celilo Inn you can email info@celiloinn.com or Like us on Facebook!