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Where is Pendleton located?
- Pendleton is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, at the mouth of McKay Creek, overlooking the Blue Mountains.
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When did Pendleton become a commercial center?
- Pendleton was thriving as a European-American commercial center since 1851, when Dr. William C. McKay established a trading post.
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What historical district can be found in Pendleton?
- Pendleton’s rich history is evident in its "Old Town" Historic District.
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Where can visitors learn about the tribes near Pendleton?
- The Umatilla Indian Reservation is located near Pendleton, and the best place to learn about local tribes is at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.
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What resort and casino is owned by the Umatilla Indian Reservation?
- The Wildhorse Resort and Casino is owned by the reservation.
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What is the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame?
- The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame is the first hall of fame dedicated to an individual show, the Pendleton Round-Up.
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What museum in Pendleton offers exhibits for children?
- The Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon offers hands-on exhibits that open up a world of imagination for children.
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What is the Pendleton Center for the Arts?
- The Pendleton Center for the Arts is an arts center located in the historic former Umatilla County Library.
Best Time to Visit Pendleton, Oregon
- June to September – Warm weather, perfect for outdoor adventures and hiking.
- September – Peak season for the famous Pendleton Round-Up and lively festivities.
- April & May – Mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and ideal for sightseeing.
- October to March – Cooler temperatures, great for exploring museums and local culture.
- Early September – Best time to experience pre-Round-Up excitement and local charm.
Getting to Pendleton, Oregon
- By Air
- Fly into Pendleton Airport (PDT), just 3 miles from downtown.
- Limited regional flights, with most connections via Portland International Airport (PDX).
- By Car
- Drive from Portland via I-84, taking about 3.5 hours.
- Scenic routes available from Boise or Spokane.
- By Bus
- Limited bus services connect Pendleton to regional hubs like Portland and Boise.
- By Train
- Nearest Amtrak stations are in Pasco, WA or Portland, OR.
- From there, you’ll need to drive or take a connecting bus.
Hotels in Pendleton, Oregon
- Hampton Inn Pendleton – Modern hotel with free breakfast, pool, and fitness center.
- Oxford Suites Pendleton – Comfortable suites with complimentary breakfast and evening receptions.
- Red Lion Hotel Pendleton – Mid-range hotel with scenic views and pet-friendly options.
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1. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
Explore Native history and discover exciting exhibits on a meaningful trip.
The Tamastslikt Cultural Institute is a research institute and museum located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation near the town of Pendleton, eastern Oregon. The institute celebrates the culture of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes of Native Americans. The museum’s permanent exhibition describes the history of the culture of tribes, and of the reservation on which they live. The museum also has gallery for temporary exhibitions featuring Native American art, craftwork, history, and folklore. The institute’s mission is to preserve the diverse cultures of the indigenous people today known as the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes, as well as to educate people about native American cultures, histories and contemporary lives.
Address: Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, 47106 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-429-7700
2. Wildhorse Resort and Casino
Play slots, catch a show, and enjoy a fun weekend escape.
Wildhorse Resort and Casino is a relaxed casino resort located on the Umatilla Reservation off Interstate 84, about seven miles from downtown Pendleton and 13.5 miles from the McKay Reservoir. Warm, cozy rooms in the resort hotel have cable TV, coffee makers and some have microwaves and whirlpool tubs. Suites have sitting areas. The resort includes a full-service casino, a museum, an indoor pool, seven restaurants and bars, an 18-hole golf course, a kids’ entertainment center and an RV park with a tepee village. Being centrally located between Boise, ID., Spokane, WA., and Portland, Or., Wildhorse Resort & Casino is a popular destination for business meetings and large conventions. Wildhorse is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Address: Wildhorse Resort and Casino, 46510 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 800-654-9453
3. Pendleton Roundup & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame
Celebrate rodeo legends and explore unusual Western artifacts.
The Pendleton Roundup & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame, is a hall of fame in Pendleton, Oregon. When it was established in 1969, it was the first hall of fame for an individual show, the Pendleton Round-Up. Hall of Fame features exhibits that focus on show memorabilia, and cowboy and Native American artifacts. Among the artifacts are a full-sized teepee, clothing, saddles, Indian regalia, weapons, photographs, trophies and wagons. The goal of the Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the history and heritage of the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon show. Every year additional men, women, and sometimes livestock, are added as honorees by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors. Every honoree must have a long association with the Round-Up and/or Happy Canyon.
Address: Pendleton Roundup & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame, 1114 SW Court Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-278-0815
4. Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon
Play, learn, and enjoy hands-on fun perfect for curious kids.
The Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon is a not-for-profit play organization that offers a wide range of educational activities and exhibits for children of all ages. The museum is located on Main Street in downtown Pendleton, Oregon. Its hands-on exhibits open up a world of imagination to the children, at the same time enlightening their minds to real world around them. Every month the museum organizes structured programming that further enhances education experience. Programming includes camps, classes and other events with focus on science, engineering technology, math and arts. Permanent exhibits include Pizza Café, Northwest Adventure, Fire Station, Toddler Zone and more.
Address: Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon, 400 S Main St, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-276-1066
5. Pendleton Center for the Arts
View local exhibits and explore affordable classes in a creative space.
The Pendleton Center for the Arts is an arts center located in Pendleton, Oregon, in the historic former Umatilla County Library building. This 1915 Carnegie library building located near the Umatilla River was constructed in the Italian Renaissance Revival-style. It was one of the thousands libraries funded by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s. In 1996, after serving for more than 80 years as a library and community gathering place, the former library building was renovated by the Arts Council of Pendleton and converted into a multi-venue arts facility. One of the venues, the 1,800-square-foot East Oregonian Gallery, provides space for professional and emerging artists from the region to show their works. The Lorenzen Board Room Gallery offers exhibit space to the local community members. The 110-seat Pearson Auditorium provides a venue for live music performances. The center offer painting, ceramics and digital arts studios for classes for the community members.
Address: Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N Main St, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-278-9201
6. Pendleton Air Museum
See vintage aircraft and discover quick sights from aviation history.
Pendleton Air Museum is a non-profit United States Air & Military Museum' established exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Its mission is to collect, preserve, display, interpret and demonstrate items representing the history of the Pendleton Army Air Base, for public enjoyment and education, The museum commemorates the history of civilian and military commercial aviation in northeast Oregon and southwest Washington and reminds of the sacrifices of local soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines, through exhibits, events and activities. Pendleton Air Museum participates in many local events - parade, Open House for veterans, the First Citizens Banquet, a Bomb Away Ball or Air Show.
Address: Pendleton Air Museum, 21 SW Emigrant Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-278-0141
7. Aura Goodwin Raley
Admire this statue and reflect on a quiet tribute to a pioneering woman.
As you walk through Pendleton, Oregon, you will notice a number of markers describing area’s important people and events. Displayed prominently in downtown Pendleton, erected by Pendleton Bronze Trail, is the marker describing Aura Goodwin Raley, known as “Mother of Pendleton.” This marker is included in the Oregon Trail marker series. Aura Morse Goodwin Raley and her husband Moses Goodwin moved to what is today’s Pendleton in 1864 and took a land-donation claim. They built the first house in Pendleton now located in the 100 block of South Main, in which they opened a hotel and a state station. When the town of Pendleton was established, they donated land for the original town plat, for use as a cemetery, now Pioneer Park, a County Courthouse block and a city block for a future college. Aura Raley owned a big portion of early Pendleton. She developed and sold off lots for commercial and residential purposes. She was an integral part of Pendleton’s growth and lived in it the rest of her life.
Address: Aura Goodwin Raley , Southeast Dorion Avenue, Pendleton, OR 97801
8. Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts
Explore contemporary Native art and enjoy an inspiring cultural visit.
Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts is located within the historic Saint Andrews Mission on the Umatilla Indian reservation, about ten miles from Pendleton, Oregon. The institute was founded in 1992 by a number of local artists: James Lavadour (Walla Walla), Phillip Cash Cash (Cayuse & Nez Perce) and a few of their creative friends. In 2001 the organization brought a full-time Master Printer on staff and turned its focus to fine printmaking. Since then, its reputation for producing fine art lithography has grown significantly. Artworks produced in the Institute’s studio are now part of collections of many institutions such as: Library of Congress, Whitney Museum of American Art, Portland Art Museum, and the Smithsonian. The institute has an Artist in Residence Program and a Fine Print Studio and Gallery, which are open to the visitors.
Address: Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts, 48004 St Andrews Rd, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-276-3954
9. Great Pacific Wine and Coffee Co.
Sip local wines or coffee and relax during a romantic afternoon.
Great Pacific Wine and Coffee Co. is trendy, spacious and charming tavern-style restaurant and coffee shop located in the former Masonic Lodge on the corner of Main and Emigrant streets in Pendleton, Oregon. The Lodge, built in 1887, had many incarnations since and was at times home to a dry goods store, women’s clothing store, athletic store, appliance store, book store, and even a funeral parlor. In 1980 it was lovingly restored to its former glory and today serves large range of coffee drinks, craft beer, wine by the glass and bottle and great menu of cold and hot gourmet sandwiches, salads, hot soups and Neapolitan-style pizzas. There is large stage that hosts live bands from time to time.
Address: Great Pacific Wine and Coffee Co., 403 S Main St, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-276-1350
10. Virgil's At Cimmiyotti's
Savor classic steaks and enjoy a special couples dinner downtown.
Cimmiyotti's was originally opened in 1959 and until its closing in 2005 was a landmark Pendleton eatery where locals went for family celebrations and special occasion. In 2009 Jennifer Keeton bought it, brought it to its original glory and reopened it, kept the tradition of the upscale eatery, adding “Virgil’s” in honor of her father and created romantic Old West atmosphere. Great food and welcoming atmosphere made Virgil's At Cimmiyotti's again the favorite local place to go for great steaks, fresh seafood and wines from all over the world, by the glass or bottle. Full bar also offers classic and innovative cocktails.
Address: Virgil's At Cimmiyotti's, 137 S Main St, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541-276-7711
Map:
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
- 2. Wildhorse Resort and Casino
- 3. Pendleton Roundup & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame
- 4. Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon
- 5. Pendleton Center for the Arts
- 6. Pendleton Air Museum
- 7. Aura Goodwin Raley
- 8. Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts
- 9. Great Pacific Wine and Coffee Co.
- 10. Virgil's At Cimmiyotti's