The Hamley Building is one of the many historic buildings in Pendleton

City / town · Oregon

Pendleton

The Hamley Building is one of the many historic buildings in Pendleton

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From you
Nearest airportPDT · 3 mi
Typical stay$105/night
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Overview

Pendleton is a city of 17,000 people (2019) in Eastern Oregon. The city is set in a pleasant valley set among hilly cropland on the I-84 several hours east of Portland. It is the location of one of the manufacturing plants of Pendleton Woolen Mills.

5 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Pendleton

Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

Exhibits & videos detailing the impact of the Oregon Trail & pioneer settlement on Native tribes.

Pendleton Center for the Arts

Pendleton Center for the Arts

Wildhorse Resort and Casino

Wildhorse Resort and Casino

McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Pendleton Underground Tours

Knowledgable and enthusiastic guides. A definite must, if you're into underground tours.

Plan your trip

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • PDT Eastern Oregon Regional Airport at Pendleton, Pendleton — 3 mi away. Directions
  • ALW Walla Walla Regional Airport, Walla Walla — 38 mi away. Directions
  • GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 147 mi away (major hub). Directions

More distant airport options include:

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

  • Places to stay listed here: about $75–$75 a night (typical $105), from 2 listed prices.
  • Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$240.

Options are grouped as Bed and breakfasts, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Pendleton Underground Tours, Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon, Heritage Station Museum
  • Lunch Great Pacific
  • Afternoon Pendleton Center for the Arts, Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame
  • Dinner Roosters
  • Evening The Prodigal Son Brewery and Pub

Day 2

  • Morning Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
  • Afternoon Wildhorse Resort and Casino

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    The Hamley Building is one of the many historic buildings in PendletonPendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of FameTamástslikt Cultural InstitutePendleton Center for the ArtsWildhorse Resort and CasinoMcKay Creek National Wildlife RefugeEmigrant Springs State Heritage AreaPendleton Woolen MillsPendleton

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Understand

    The town is the cultural center of Eastern Oregon. Pendleton's "Old town" is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

    The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have their property nearby. They have established the Wildhorse Resort & Casino and golf course on the reservation to generate revenue for development and welfare. They have also built the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, for education and interpretation of their cultures.

    History

    A European-American commercial center began to develop here in 1851, when Dr. William C. McKay established a trading post at the mouth of McKay Creek. The city was named Pendleton, after politician and diplomat George H. Pendleton (1825–1889), who served as a U.S. representative and senator from Ohio.

    By 1900, Pendleton had a population of 4,400 and was the fourth-largest city in Oregon. The Pendleton Woolen Mills and Pendleton Round Up became features of the city captured in early paintings by Walter S. Bowman. Like many cities in Eastern Oregon, where thousands of Chinese immigrant workers built the transcontinental railroad, it had a flourishing Chinatown that developed as the workers settled here. The sector is supposed to have been underlain by a network of tunnels, which are now a tourist attraction. The authenticity as a Chinese tunnel system has been questioned.

    Climate

    Pendleton has a semi-arid climate with short, cool winters and hot summers.

    Get in

    By plane

    Eastern Oregon Regional Airport

    Go Eastern Oregon Regional Airport (PDT)

    Located 4 mi northwest of town in Pendair Heights neighborhood via Airport Rd. From I-84 it accessible through Exit #207. It is a general aviation airport with limited commercial service by Boutique Air to and from Portland.

    ☎ +1 541 276-7754
    MapsWebsite

    More distant airport options include:

    • Walla Walla (ALW) (40 miles away on OR-Hwy 11/WA-Hwy 125) with Alaska/Horizon service to Seattle
    • Pasco's Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) (70 miles away via divided Interstate highways) with multiple connections on Alaska, Allegiant, Delta, and/or United Express.

    By bus

    Go Kayak Public Transit (operated by Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation (CTUIR))

    Connections to Walla Walla, Hermiston, La Grande and Mission (on Umatilla Indian Reservation). They also operate a local shuttle in town as public transportation.

    📍 (bus stops) Wal-Mart @ SW 20th; Pendleton City Hall @ SW Dorian & 4th; and Til Taylor Park @ SE 8th & EmigranteMajor stops are Arrowhead Travel Plaza, Wildhorse Casino and SW 20th St next to Walmart. Check schedules for specific locations and additional stops☎ +1 541 429-7519
    MapsWebsite

    Place Grant County (Oregon) People Mover

    Connects Walla Walla, WA to Monument, OR through Milton-Freewater, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Ukiah, Dale and Long Creek. Passengers transfer in Monument to reach John Day and Bend in Central and Eastern Oregon. Schedules are limited so check schedules closely before using this option. Additional stop at the airport by prearranged reservation only.

    📍 (bus stop) Wal-Mart @ 2203 SW Court Ave☎ +1 541 575-2370⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Distances

    See

    See Pendleton Underground Tours

    Knowledgable and enthusiastic guides. A definite must, if you're into underground tours.

    📍 37 SW Emigrant Ave🕒 9:30AM-3PM💲 $15
    MapsWebsite
    Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

    See Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame

    📍 1114 SW Court Ave🕒 Mon–Sat 10AM – 4PM☎ +1 541-278-0815⚠ Last checked Oct 2016 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite
    Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

    See Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

    Exhibits & videos detailing the impact of the Oregon Trail & pioneer settlement on Native tribes.

    📍 47106 Wildhorse Blvd🕒 Tue-Sat 10AM-5 PM; Cafeː Tue-Sat 11AM-2PM💲 Adults $12, Age 55+ ̩$10, Students $5, Age 5 and under free☎ +1 541-429-7700Checked Apr 2025
    MapsWebsite

    See Heritage Station Museum (Umatilla County Historical Society)

    Museum complex featuring an old schoolhouse, barn, caboose & more, with exhibits on local history.

    📍 108 SW FrazerOld train station building along Frazier between 4th & Main in downtown🕒 Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM💲 Adults $5, seniors (62+) $4, students $2☎ +1 541 276-0012⚠ Last checked Jun 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite
    Pendleton Center for the Arts

    See Pendleton Center for the Arts

    📍 214 N Main St☎ +1 541 278-9201⚠ Last checked Oct 2018 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Wildhorse Resort and Casino

    Do Wildhorse Resort and Casino

    📍 46510 Wildhorse Blvd.I-84, Exit 216⚠ Last checked Feb 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Pendleton Family Aquatic Center

    Two tower water slides with open and closed tubes and 3 pools- a zero-depth pool, 50-meter pool, and dive well, plus children`s water features and a picnic area.

    📍 1901 NW CardenNext to Pendleton High School🕒 Summer only: noon-8PM💲 Adults $6, youth (3-17) $4☎ +1 541-276-0104 (answered during open hours), +1 541-276-8100 (parks office)⚠ Last checked Jan 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon

    📍 400 S. Main St🕒 Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM💲 $5 per person, free under age 1☎ +1 541 276-1066⚠ Last checked Jun 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite
    McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

    Do McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

    🕒 Sunrise to sunset (Except for hunting- access is 1.5 hr. before, to 1.5 hr after, legal hunting hours)☎ +1 509 546-8300⚠ Last checked Jul 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Pendleton Woolen Mills

    Shop Pendleton Woolen Mills

    📍 1307 SE Court Pl☎ +1 541 276-6911⚠ Last checked Jul 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Eat Roosters

    Breakfast / Brunch

    Good breakfast menu served until 3PM.

    📍 1515 Southgate PlSouthbound 395 from exit 209 on the I-84🕒 7AM- 8PM (Fri Sat until 8:30PM)
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Great Pacific

    Great and friendly atmosphere. Several beers on tap, and quite the wine selection. Not open Sunday.

    📍 403 South MainS Main & SW Emigrate🕒 Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri Sat 10AM-10PM☎ +1 541 276-1350
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink

    Sleep

    A number of hotels presented are clustered around SE Nye St & 3rd off of Exit #210 of I-84 and in the downtown area along Court, Dorian or Emigrant Ave (the main east west streets through town).

    Stay The Hotel Pendleton, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

    📍 105 SE Court AveSE Court Ave & SE 1st St☎ +1 541-429-4342⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Oxford Suites Pendleton

    📍 2400 S.W. Court Plwest end of town at SW Court & 23rd. It can be accessed from I-84 at Southgate (US Hwy 395), at Exit #209Check-in 4PM · out 11AM☎ +1 541 276-6000
    MapsWebsite

    Stay MotoLodge Pendleton

    📍 310 SE Dorian StSE Dorian & SE 3rd☎ +1 541-612-0790⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Red Lion Pendleton

    📍 304 SE Nye Ave☎ +1 541 276-6111⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Travelodge by Wyndham

    📍 411 SW DorianSW Dorian & SW 4thCheck-in 2PM · out 11AM☎ +1 541 276-7531⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Working Girls Hotel

    An operating bordello until the 1950s, this intimate hotel sits in the center of historic Pendleton, a 5-minute walk from shops, restaurants and the Umatilla River walkway. The hotel is owned & operated by the Pendleton Underground Tours.

    📍 17 SW Emigrant AveNext to the Pendleton Underground Tours on Main & SW Emigrant Ave💲 $75-95 depending on season & room☎ +1 541 276-0730⚠ Last checked Sep 2019 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Bed and breakfasts

    Stay Pendleton House Historic Inn

    This charming 1910s pink mansion is a delight on many levels. The building combines original drapes and wall coverings with period-appropriate furniture and a collection of spectacular rugs. The five rooms range from luxury suite to comfortable bed with shared bath — where you can choose between a 1930s wrap-around spray shower and a period bathtub. Breakfasts are delicious. The capstone is Tracy, your endlessly friendly and helpful host. His partner Kevin can brief you on the restoration they did, and Kevin's dad might bring produce fresh from his garden.

    📍 311 North Maintwo blocks uphill from the Umatilla River💲 $135-349, plus tax, includes breakfast☎ +1 541 276-8581⚠ Last checked Aug 2017 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Camping

    Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

    Stay Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

    ☎ +1 541-983-2277⚠ Last checked Mar 2018 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

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