Top 10 Attractions on the Columbia River

Just half an hour away from downtown Portland, the Columbia River is a must-see! It’s an accessible and spectacular destination with sceneries everyone will love. In Columbia River Gorge, you’ll get to experience all of the most famous waterfalls, lookout points, and adventurous trails. 

Because of how big the Columbia River can get, it may leave you wondering where to go and what to do when here. When you’re heading to Oregon soon, check out these top 10 attractions on the Columbia River!

Top 10 Attractions on the Columbia River

From fishing charters to numerous trails, there’s always something to do around the Columbia River. Try any of these activities and visit these unique attractions:

Historic Columbia River Highway

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View the gorge by driving by the Historic Columbia River Highway. It is a 70-mile drive beginning from Troutdale, ending in The Dalles. From here, you’ll enjoy the scenic roadway where you can see the Bridge of the Gods, Multnomah Falls, and the Bonneville Lock and Dam!

Crown Point and Vista House

The Crown Point and Vista House offer unique views of the Columbia River. 

Many flock to the area to see natural beauty, but you should also stop and view the hexagonal Vista House, which dons the domed tile roof and stained-glass windows. This area was originally a rest stop for those driving along the Historic Columbia River Highway but now features a gift shop, museum, and restrooms.

Hood River

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Hood River is a popular stopover for many tourists. It’s a small town that offers a ton of shopping and dining opportunities so you can take a full day break from exploring the outdoors. 

Check out the Historic Downtown District, where you can find outdoor gear, books, wine, and many other things for sale. Or, head to Riverside for a lovely dinner with a spectacular view. This restaurant features a large outdoor patio with many local seafood dishes.

Multnomah Falls 

You can’t go to Columbia River Gorge without heading to the Multnomah Falls! This is a 620-foot two-tier waterfall that offers a breathtaking view when you take the short trail towards the Benson Bridge. We highly recommend hiking to Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint, where you’ll feel refreshed feeling the most from the falls.

Bonneville Hatchery

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Check out the Bonneville Hatchery to watch the salmon swim upstream. Even when you’re not in the area during the salmon run, you can head to the display pond to view the white sturgeon and rainbow trout. Children can even feed the fish for fun!

Hood River Fruit Loop

The Hood River Fruit Loop is another must-see! It’s a place to be when you want to sample wine and fresh produce around the area.

The Fruit Loop is a 35-mile drive where you can visit and stopover for wineries, fruit stands, farms, and country stores. You’ll even get to see various festivals and events the locals celebrate.

Check the Local Breweries

Top 10 Attractions on the Columbia River

Portland is known to be the epicenter of craft beer, which is why you can also find it in the Columbia River Gorge.

Visit Thunder Island Brewing Co. and enjoy amazing views of the Columbia River with good beer. You can also try the Full Sail Brewery, which is an older brewery and former fruit cannery. They have a delicious black lager and fruity amber for your tastebuds to explore.

For a combination of good craft beer and food, the Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery offers mouthwatering pizza with refreshing India red ale.

Hike to Waterfalls

Locals head to Columbia River Gorge just for hiking to waterfalls. And there are so many trails that will get you there. Columbia River Gorge is known to have the highest number of waterfalls across the United States.

You can head to the Latourell Falls, where the views are seen from the parking lot. But take the 2.4-mile hike and genuinely enjoy the view from the Upper Latourell Falls.

If you want to visit three waterfalls in just one hike, choose the Triple Falls Trail. It’s a 3.2-mile hike that has an elevation gain of about 610 feet, well-used by locals but not crowded at all.

The Pacific Crest Trail and Dry Creek Falls Trail are also excellent choices, which have you pass through forests and lesser-known waterfalls.

Cascade Locks and Bridge of the Gods

This is another place worth stopping over in, and we consider this a secret gem because it’s actually easy to miss. Cascade Locks is a small town with only around 1,200 people, but you can stay for an entire day!

You can head to the old Bridge of the Gods, which connects the Oregon and Washington states. From here, you get stellar views, either through walking or driving over it.

You can also go under the bridge, where you can find a small market where the locals sell fresh and smoked salmon, along with seasonal fruits. Around the town, you can visit lovely parks or local breweries and restaurants, all while enjoying the river views.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

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When you’re on a road trip with kids or just love to learn about the history of places you visit, you’ll love the museum. It’s not just for children, but all ages as well!

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum cover the history of Dallas and its surrounding area. Each level has different exhibits you can learn a lot from. From here, you get to know about history since Lewis and Clark, watch shows, go birdwatching, watch shows, and even walk outside and appreciate the scenic trails.

Wrapping It Up

If you’re heading to Columbia River, don’t forget to plan and head to all those attractions from the list above! It may take some time to visit all of the attractions but do allot at least one weekend for you and your family to experience as much as you can! And don’t forget to try your hand at fishing in the Columbia River; there are many fishing charters you can hire to have a memorable time.

Hopefully, this article helped you with your itinerary to Columbia River. Check them out, and let us know what you think of some of these places!