Making a stay in Oregon’s Wine Country kid-friendly, these retro trailers inspire simple, family fun.
With world-renowned wineries on verdant, rolling hills, Oregon’s lush Wine Country is a must-visit. Plus with historic landmarks and museums alongside thrilling waterslides, it’s a family-friendly destination, too. And right in the middle of it all, you’ll find a portal to another time – though enhanced with modern touches.
At The Vintages Trailer Resort, beautifully-restored camping trailers line the cycle-friendly private lane. Many of the trailers hail from bygone eras – the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s – when American style and luxury were typified by these classic looks. And The Vintages’ perfect location puts you within a short drive or bike ride from a bunch of places that your family is sure to enjoy
Accommodations at The Vintages Trailer Resort
The Vintages Trailer Resort has 19 trailers, ranging from the aircraft-like designs that came rolling off the assembly lines in the late ’40s to several new Airstream Bambi trailers, which look like cool robot toys but with a much warmer vibe inside. There are several that will accommodate two adults and two kids. Expect a full-size couch that folds into a bed and a couple of singles – or – a bed and a sofa – or – a queen bed and a dining table that converts to a bed. Remember, this is like tiny house living; there’s not a lot of room. But it’s exciting. You adapt… it’s centering.
KidTripster Tip: I recommend getting two trailers if you have a pair of kids who are approaching adult size or you have a lot of stuff. Or just check the website to select the roomiest unit. Trailers like the ’53 Vagabond, the ’54 Anderson, and a few others have a queen bed and a full click-clack bed.
All the trailers have a private bath with toilet; most have a shower, and one even has a soaker tub!
KidTripster Tip: The resort is pet-friendly with a dog park right next door.
Rates start at $120 and go up, depending on model.
For other suggestions for other places to stay in Oregon’s Wine Country, read this article. It includes a list of locally owned hotels, luxury lofts and winery cottages.
What to do in Wine Country?
The Vintages’ centralized location is so perfect that it feels engineered to put you in the middle of all the Oregon Wine Country action. Check out this triangle of proximity:
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and Wings & Waves Waterpark: 4 miles west
Historic Downtown Lafayette: 4 miles north
Town of Dundee (home to several fine tasting rooms): 4.5 miles east
KidTripster Tip: To read our review of Wings & Waves Waterpark and the museum, click here.
At the same time, you’re a little over a mile from the vineyard that I would recommend for tastings if you have kids in tow. Stoller Family Estate has great wine, but it’s also accommodates families. There’s a fire pit, rolling fields, and an iconic tire swing hanging from a lone oak at the bottom of a green meadow. My wife and I were here with our 3-year old for a couple of hours. She was thoroughly entertained.
Sokol Blosser Winery is another top vineyard, and it’s just a couple of miles on the backroad from The Vintages. You can even ride the adult-sized bikes that come with each trailer to the vineyard. And even if you just brought a bike along for your child to ride around the trailer park, the quiet road here is safe and smooth.
At the trailer park, you’ll find a small pool and a clubhouse with oversized Jenga and Connect Four.
Dining options in Dundee
We really liked the variety at Babica Hen Cafe (1410 N. Highway 99W) in Dundee for Sunday brunch. My wife ate what I’d have to call an Eggs Benedict waffle, and it was amazing. My daughter went to town on her own waffle creation, and I had an omelette.
I would also recommend Red Hills Market (155 SW 7th St.) in Dundee for breakfast, lunch or food shopping for a trailer meal.
We also had a fresh and tasty Mexican dinner at Los Molcajetes (527 NE 3rd St.) in McMinnville. I would definitely go here again.
KidTripster Tip: You can also eat in. Each trailer has dishes and areas for prep, plus outdoor grills that you can cook. The Vintages has $50 breakfast casserole and mimosa kits that you can cook on the grill in the morning, and portable campfire, wine, and s’mores kits for hanging out before bedtime.
Getting to Dundee
From Interstate 5, take Highway 99W through Newberg. Highway 233 branches off after you pass through Dundee. The Vintages are right up the road. From Portland, it’s about a one-hour drive.
KidTripster Tip: You also can wind through some backroads and take a small rural ferry across the Willamette River at a town called Wheatland. It runs 11 hours a day. It’s a short ride, but it’s worth checking out.
Orion Ludlow is a Portland, Oregon-based journalist/forest ninja and father of two. In his earlier days, he surveyed mountainous wilderness for endangered snails, caught 4,000 albacore tuna by hand, and was the fastest pizza delivery driver in his hometown. Thrilling tales to be sure, but nowhere near as awesome as adventure time with his wife and kids.
This writer received a complimentary stay and activities for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely his own.
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