HotelTonight – Dallas, Oregon Hotels
People who are not necessarily familiar with Oregon tend to think that this large state consists of Portland, Eugene, the beautiful coastline and mountains. While all of these things are part of what makes Oregon such a great state. There is a lot more to be seen and experienced. Specifically, I've always enjoyed driving through the Willamette Valley, named for the iconic Willamette River. I had spent time in Salem, the state's capital, but never seen much of anything else in that lovely part of the state. On my last trip through Oregon, that changed. I got a call between Portland and Eugene that told me that my meetings the next day were suddenly canceled. I had 24 hours to myself. I decided right then and there to make sure I made use of that time to see one of these other communities. I chose to spend those 24 hours in Dallas, which is only about 15 minutes west of Salem. I wasn't concerned about finding a place to stay, as I always travel with my HotelTonight app. I'd book a Dallas, Oregon hotel room as soon as I was ready to get some sleep.
The Agriculture
One of the reasons that the Willamette Valley is so well known around Oregon is because of its beauty. Another reason is because of its fertile farming soil. Dallas is one of the places where a lot of these crops are grown. It's long been known as a place to get great prunes. I have never been a fan of them, but I was there in the summer and stopped at a little shop just outside of town to try a couple that had just been harvested. It changed my entire opinion of them. They were tasty, juicy and delicious.
The Town
Dallas is not a big city by any means. Fewer than 15,000 people live here, and it's never been a bustling population center. That seems to be just the way people like it. I sat in a coffee shop for a little while after getting to town and started talking to some locals. They enjoy their classic downtown area, complete with small, locally-owned shops and their sense of community. I could see that personified as the people in and around the coffee shop all seemed to know each other well. Despite its small size, the vibe there was extremely welcoming.
The Dining
After spending the afternoon walking around and taking photos, I was ready to get some dinner. A lady I had spoken to told me about a fantastic Mexican food restaurant, so I decided to give that a try, as I consider myself a bit of a Mexican food connoisseur. After ordering a burrito and some basic sides, I can say that this place was the real deal. The carne asada was cooked perfectly, the tortillas were clearly fresh and held together well and the flavors and seasonings were done just right.
HotelTonight – Hotels in Dallas, Oregon
After such a filling meal and such a nice day, it was time to get some sleep. I opened my HotelTonight app and booked a Dallas, Oregon hotel room in seconds. It was only a couple of blocks away, so I headed over there ready to crash, happy that I had finally seen one of these communities.
