<b>Population:</b> 32,535
<b>At a glance:</b> Portland may hog the spotlight, but McMinnville deserves its share of attention as a culinary destination in Oregon. Located in the middle of Willamette Valley, Oregon's celebrated wine country renowned for its pinot noir, McMinnville was named by Bon Appetit magazine as one of America's "foodiest towns" in 2010. The city is located in the agricultural heart of Oregon, and its local food production goes far beyond its grapes. Downtown McMinnville is filled with restored turn-of-the-century buildings that are now exquisite farm-to-table restaurants, wine bars, art galleries and owner-operated shops.
<b>What to do:</b> Visitors should spend a good amount of time exploring the offerings of local wineries. Check out the tasting rooms of R. Stuart & Co., Willamette Valley Vineyards, Terra Vina, Westrey Wines, Remy Wines, Woodard Wines, Elizabeth Chambers Cellar and many more. For dining, head to Nick's Italian Café, a local institution, and its sister salumeria Fino in Fondo, the rustic French Bistro Maison, the Spanish-inspired La Rambla and the hyper-local Thistle. Hit up Golden Valley Brewery for local brews served with burgers made from beef raised on their own cattle ranch. Shop the day away at independent stores like Third Street Books, Ranch Records, Mes Amies, Found Objects and Currents Gallery. For annual celebrations, the McMinnville Turkey Rama held every July is over 50 years old and is a much-loved local tradition. The International Pinot Noir Celebration is also held in July and is a hugely respected international wine event. And it may be a long way from Roswell, but McMinnville is still home to the second-largest UFO Festival every May. (McMinnville Downtown Association)