Want to know the Columbia Gorge’s best-kept secret? Follow your curiosity to its eastern edge to find a small, century-old brick inn that’s become an unlikely stage for some of the Pacific Northwest’s best musical talent. Throw in farm-to-table dining, mountain views, and a deep sense of calm, and you’ve got the Balch Hotel in Dufur, a weekend retreat that is well worth the drive. 

A standout among Oregon’s most unexpected destinations, the Balch is a 20-room landmark inn and event venue built in 1907, just south of The Dalles in the little town of Dufur, less than two hours east of Portland. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn offers historic charm and just enough modern comforts (EV charging, strong Wi-Fi, and plush beds) while skipping TVs to encourage a digital detox for those who want one. Guests can also enjoy a small spa and on-site restaurant, Bistro 1907, which showcases local ingredients and wines grown in the Gorge.

Tucked between fields of wheat and alfalfa, this is where the lushness of the Gorge gives way to the dramatic canyons of Oregon’s High Desert. To the north and west, the Columbia Gorge’s forests and waterfalls are within easy reach; to the south, the landscape opens into rugged canyons and basalt cliffs, dotted with ghost towns and ranch roads that trace the old Oregon Trail. Mount Hood looms on the horizon, visible from the hotel’s grounds and many guest rooms.

“We like to say we’re in the middle of nowhere, but the center of everything,” says Josiah Dean, innkeeper and co-owner of the Balch. 

This is a setting that invites exploration, by cycling remote gravel roads, hiking trails in the Mount Hood National Forest, sipping your way through nearby wine country, or just staying put to soak in the quiet.

Music and art are woven into the culture here, where sculpture gardens and gallery walls showcase local artists. The Balch’s Patio Sessions concert series is a highlight of summer and fall weekends, when the stone patio and grounds transform into an intimate stage for folk, Americana, bluegrass, and indie performances from some of the Northwest’s best up-and-coming artists.  

“The Balch has an authenticity that feels made for the kind of storytelling these artists bring,” says Courtney Christenson, who curates the Balch Hotel’s concert series. “There’s a western, folk-troubadour vibe that fits the sense of place.” 

The concert setting is relaxed but intentional: artists love playing the space, and attentive audiences help create an experience that feels personal. Concerts run on select weekends from July through October and are free for guests who are dining or lodging, but with both seating and accommodations limited, the best move is to book early. 

For Portlanders drawn to scenic drives, small-town charm, outdoor concerts, historic places, and weekends that have a way of stirring up something meaningful, the Balch Hotel in Dufur is ready when you are. Concert packages with special room rates, along with dining and drink specials, are available on show weekends. Discover the lineup, book your stay, and explore all that the season offers at balchhotel.com/summer.