As winter comes to a close, we can’t help but look enviously ahead to the longer, milder days of spring. In the Willamette Valley, it’s a particularly invigorating season, with this year’s crop flowering to life and a host of area events celebrating warmer weather and the end of the hibernation stretch. And in McMinnville, mere paces from the hotel, there’s a delightful combination of big city culture set within the intimate charm of a rural Oregon town.

At Mac Market in the new Craft District of McMinnville, there’s live music every Thursday in April. The Market is a short walk from the Atticus Hotel and features everything from food carts and Commissary Kitchen to a cocktail bar set inside an old Airstream trailer. It’s an entertaining way to get a taste of all things McMinnville without worrying about driving. In fact, we suggest going by way of one of our custom Dutch bikes.

Most people assume coffee culture is limited to larger cities but there’s a vibrant caffeine scene in Yamhill County. Enjoy the work of Flag & Wire at the Atticus Hotel, at our welcome bar in the main lobby. Down the highway, in Newberg, you can even engage in an immersive coffee cupping. Coffee’s equivalent to a flight of wine, the tastings showcase the terroir and unique flavors that come from varying bean varieties. Caravan Coffee hosts informative tastings each First Friday, including April 3rd.

Elizabeth Chambers Cellar is one of the hotel’s closest neighbors, a working winery and tasting room just a couple blocks away. Set in the historic former power station building, ECC hosts live musicians Friday evenings throughout April. Cheese may be the more obvious choice when it comes to pairing up Willamette Valley Pinot Noir but we’ve always thought a great guitarist or powerful soul singer—performing right across the tasting bar from you as you sip some local wine—is as good or better company.

April is National Poetry Month and our beloved town is taking part in the festivities. On April 16th, The Gallery at Ten Oaks is putting on Paintings to Poems. Guests are encouraged to explore the artwork on display and capture the inspiring setting through a poem. The writings will be shared during an open mic session, a colorful showcase of creative expression.

3rd Friday on 3rd Street in April takes place on the 17th. The monthly celebration of historic downtown McMinnville’s many attractions features wine, chocolate and other bites at some of favorite local shops. Not many cities offer such a tightly-knit and collaborative downtown community. Come see why our urban backyard is so distinctive and delightful.

Cyclists will enjoy the Yamhill Gravel Fondo on Saturday, April 18th. The bike ride features three different routes in the picturesque terrain of the area, all on gravel. It draws the entire pedaling spectrum, from casual riders and their kids to avid riders. After you knock out a personal best on the saddle, treat yourself to a local spa before returning to the Atticus to don one of our custom Pendleton bath robes.

Should you prefer a less formal event and—like the rainy for one minute, sunny the next spring weather—just want to go with the flow, we endorse that too. Cozy up and people watch from the lobby or stretch out in the sun with a pint at nearby Allegory Brewing. The skies may be hit or miss but the quality of time spent in and around our wonderful downtown McMinnville home will be reliably fantastic.