Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

Eastern Oregon has remnants of the Old West – gold dredges and ghost towns spread across the high desert – but Pendleton is the only town where the Old West still feels alive. Home of one of the biggest and best rodeos in the west, and a place where cowboy boots are always in fashion, the whole town is steeped in country and western culture, from the boardwalk-styled sidewalks to the bustling saloons. Unlike other tourist towns in the Pacific Northwest, Pendleton seems to make little effort to cater to out-of-town interests. This is not a town for fussy foodies but for burger and steak eaters. It's a place where wine sippers are overshadowed by whiskey drinkers. You can either adapt to that local culture or you can find somewhere else to spend your time. Still, several businesses in town that have their feet planted in the present and moving forward. Places like the Prodigal Son Brewery, Great Pacific restaurant and Pendleton Woolen Mills not only stay current with modern tastes, but in some cases actively shape them. Oregon might be better known for the urban preferences found in Portland and the rest of the Willamette Valley, but towns like Pendleton keep our state's Old West heritage alive. When in town, let 'er buck, and embrace all that Pendleton has to offer.

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ATTRACTIONS

1. Pendleton Round-Up Oregon's premier rodeo takes over Pendleton every September and marks the liveliest time of year for the town. The 2019 Pendleton Round-Up will take place Sept. 7-14, with events going on all around town, including the traditional Happy Canyon Night Show.

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2. Pendleton Woolen Mill

When people hear "Pendleton" they often think of Pendleton Woolen Mills, which has popularized its line of trade blankets emblazoned with patterns inspired by the art of local and southwest Native American tribes. Visitors to the mill in Pendleton can take a free tour or peruse the store in search of blankets, clothing and accessories made in the trademark Pendleton style. Free mill tours are available Monday through Friday at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.; mill store is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; located at 1307 S.E. Court Pl.

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3. Downtown aesthetic

Pendleton has one of the best downtowns to stroll through, thanks to a few artistic touches that jibe with its Old West aesthetic. Sidewalks in some parts of town are made to look like wooden boardwalks, passing by bronze statues of horses, cowboys and local heroes. The iconic "Let 'er Buck" statue is displayed in front of the Round-Up arena.

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4. Antiques and Art on Main

Pendleton is home to many antique and curio shops, filled with old furniture, artifacts, clothing and oddities. The best of the bunch might be Antiques and Art on Main, known for its Old West mannequins and three-story layout. Pick up a piece of that Pendleton aesthetic or just enjoy browsing the antiques and local wares. The store is open Wednesday through Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; located at 221 S. Main St.

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5. Western accessories

If you're going to spend time in Pendleton (especially if you're there for the Round-Up) you're going to need proper attire. Head to Hamley & Co. to complete your western look, or head to ReRide if you're on a budget. If you really want to impress, order a pair of custom boots from Staplemans before you hit the town.

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6. Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute contains what might be the most important museum in Oregon. Run by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and located at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino, the museum lays bare the history of the tribes who for generations have lived on the Columbia Plateau. Exhibits run from past to present, from their rich cultural heritage to their decimation at the hands of white settlers. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; located at 47106 Wildhorse Blvd.; admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for kids and students.

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7. Wildhorse Resort & Casino

Aside from gambling, the Wildhorse Resort & Casino features a golf course, hotel, RV park and tipi village, making it a good place to stay or play near Pendleton. The business is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

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8. Heritage Station Museum

You can learn more about white settlement of the Columbia Plateau at the Heritage Station Museum, run by the Umatilla County Historical Society. Exhibits highlight the history of farming, local culture and, of course, the Round-Up. The museum includes a recreated homestead, schoolhouse and vintage train caboose. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; located at 108 S.W. Frazer Ave.; admission $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students.

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9. Pendleton Underground Tours

Get a look at the seedier side of Pendleton's history on one of the Pendleton Underground Tours, which takes visitors to historic properties that were once a part of the town's red light district. The buildings on the tour have been maintained to show sidewalks and tunnels as they were in the 19th century.

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FOOD AND DRINK

10. Prodigal Son Brewing Eastern Oregon has a surprisingly robust craft beer scene, and that's thanks in part to The Prodigal Son Brewery in Pendleton. The brew pub is one of the best restaurants in town and pours a variety of good beers. Try the seasonal Huckleberry Wheat, Bruce/Lee Porter and A Beer Named Sue. The pub is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.; located at 230 S.E. Court Ave.

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11. Oregon Grain Grower’s Brand Distillery

Pendleton Whisky might be better known, but if you're in town you might as well drink booze that's actually made locally. The Oregon Grain Grower's Brand Distillery has been up and running since 2016, with a sizable footprint in downtown Pendleton where they make whiskey, vodka and gin. The distillery also serves a full food menu. The distillery is open from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday and Wedsnesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday; 511 S.E. Court Ave.

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12. Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon

Step into Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon and you may feel like you've stepped back in time. But while it sports an Old West look, the local restaurant and watering hole is barely more than a decade old. If you don't go for dinner, it's worth it to stop by for a drink at the beautiful antique wooden bar that is the showpiece of the establishment. Open daily for dinner, hours vary; located at 8 S.E. Court Ave.

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13. Great Pacific

Coffee by morning and wine by night, Great Pacific is a great place to hang out in downtown Pendleton, especially when the restaurant hosts live music. The food menu is simple, consisting almost entirely of pizza and sandwiches. And lest you think they only do wine, Great Pacific also has a strong tap list of Oregon beer. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; located at 403 S. Main St.

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14. Hal’s Hamburgers

A Pendleton institution, Hal's Hamburgers has been serving drive-through and walk-in customers since 1952, easy to spot with its red neon sign and tiny turquoise building. Order one of their nearly two dozen delicious burger options and wash it down with a milkshake.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, hours vary; located at 2001 S.E. Court Ave.

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15. Rainbow Cafe

The Rainbow Cafe is a beloved bar in downtown Pendleton bar that never seems to close. Late-night drinking practically bleeds into daily breakfast service, and the kitchen continues to whip up food throughout the day. Owners say the Rainbow Café has been open since 1884 and claim that it's the oldest continually operating saloon in the West. Open Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 6 a.m. to midnight; located at 209 S. Main St.

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16. Diners

If you're looking for breakfast in Pendleton, you'd do well to eat a diner. You can find Main Street Diner downtown or head over to Rooster's Country Kitchen, which remains one of the best-loved restaurants in Pendleton.

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OUTDOORS

17. Pendleton River Parkway Almost three miles of paved pathway along the Umatilla River make up the Pendleton River Parkway, a beautiful place to walk or bike. The trail runs from a park near the Round-Up stadium, past the downtown core to the baseball fields on the east side of town.

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18. McKay Reservoir

McKay Reservoir is a sizable human-created lake just south of Pendleton, popular among fishers, boaters and sunbathers. Created by the McKay Dam for irrigation storage, the reservoir also supports a wildlife habitat, federally protected as the McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

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19. Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are the mountain range visible just east of town, a series of rolling hills that cross the border into Washington and run north past Walla Walla. There are several ways to dip into and explore the mountains, with hiking trails, campgrounds and parks found throughout the Umatilla National Forest.

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20. Jubilee Lake

Found in the Blue Mountains equidistant from both Pendleton and Walla Walla, Jubilee Lake is a popular campground and day-use area for locals of both towns. It's a good spot for fishing and swimming in warmer months, while hikers can tackle the 2.6-mile loop trail around the lake.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB