Things to do Along the Columbia River Gorge
About 30 miles from Portland, you can visit the largest national science area in America—the Columbia River Gorge! For more than 80 miles, this gorge is home to countless water and nature activities, scenic viewpoints off the sides of the road, and the starting place to a day full of adventures (wine trail, anyone?). The Columbia River is a very popular spot for city folk in Portland is to head to when they need a nature break, and it is the perfect spot for a spring or fall vacation. American Queen VoyageTM has multiple cruises that will take you through this way as you also visit cities like Portland, Richland, and Spokane. Join in on included excursions to see what life is like alongside the Columbia River and participate in additional activities that take you further into the gorge.
Here are some of the best activities you can do while visiting the Columbia River Gorge on your next visit with American Queen Voyages:
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum
Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum on your American Queen Voyages trip in Dalles, Oregon. The Center was built around the natural ecosystem and is meant to preserve the area. You will learn about the geographical evolution of the area and more than 11,000 years of history. There is a daily raptor show, where you can learn about the native birds of prey too!
Maryhill Museum
Join in on this additional excursion on your American Queen Voyages sailing. You can visit the house of eccentric man Samuel Hill. The Maryhill House overlooks the Columbia River near Dalles, Oregon, and is full of quirky artifacts from the local indigenous people and international art. Samuel Hill created a recreation of Stonehenge on his property that guests are welcome to tour. American Queen Voyages guides will then take you to the Jacob Williams Winery, for a tasting of local wines and plenty of opportunities for amazing photographs.
Multnomah Falls
One of the most iconic spots along the Columbia River Gorge is Multnomah Falls. This 620-foot waterfall comes down in two tiers, with the Benson Bridge crossing over the smaller portion. It is an easy hike up to the Bridge, which has become a backdrop in many photos of the area. If you want a more challenging hike, you can go up to the Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint. You can’t swim in the waterfall, but the mist coming off of it is very refreshing.
Bonneville Hatchery
The Columbia River is known for its salmon runs, which is when salmon make their way up the river from the oceans to spawn. The Bonneville Hatchery makes sure that the spawning works and that new salmon are hatched every year to maintain the ecosystem of the river. In September and October, guests can see the spawning occur, and year-round you can visit the rainbow trout and white sturgeon also being hatched in the hatchery—you can even feed the trout!
REACH Museum
Established by President Clinton in 2000 in Richland, Washington as The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center and National Monument, this museum tells the story of the ecological, historical, and scientific importance of the free-flowing section of the Columbia River. You will learn about the World War II Manhattan Project, its impact on the Columbia River region, and the nuclear legacy of the Hanford Site on this included excursion on your American Queen Voyages trip. You will also learn about the lava flows and different ice age floods that ultimately created the Columbia River. The museum is 14,000 square feet and covers everything you may be curious about, like native plants and animals, gardening in the area, and it has an outdoor theater for interactive shows.
Franklin County Historical Society and Museum
You will get the chance to visit the Franklin County Historical Society and Museum as an included excursion on your trip through Richland, Washington on an American Queen Voyages cruise. You can join a tour to learn about the artifacts shown in the museum or go through the exhibits at your own pace. The museum is housed in the 1911 Carnegie Library, and the stunning original architecture remains. See how the Northern Pacific Railroad helped shape this part of Washington and how World War II impacted the local community.
Red Mountain Wine Tour
The Red Mountain Wine Tour is an optional excursion you can join on your American Queen Voyages cruise through Richland, Washington. The grapes grown in the Red Mountain, near the Columbia River, are of the highest quality thanks to the water, dirt, and sunshine that this region receives. The two vineyards that you can visit on this tour are owned by families and friends that love this area of the world and want to share that love with people who will appreciate good stories, homegrown foods, and great wine.
FAQs – Things to do Along the Columbia River Gorge
How long of a visit should you plan to see the Columbia River?
There is so much to do and see at the Columbia River Gorge that you can spend a week there and still have more to do. If you know you want to get in some hiking, water activities, and scenic spots, three days should be a good starting point for any trip.
What can you do at the Columbia River Gorge?
The Columbia River Gorge is the perfect vacation spot for any nature lover. You can go fishing, see the salmon swimming, do water sports, or go hiking. There are so many different options, the possibilities are endless.
When is the best time of year to see the Columbia River?
The best time to visit the Columbia River Gorge is from late spring to early summer, and then again in the early fall. In April, there are wildflowers all over the Gorge and the fall foliage is truly something special and should be seen by everyone.
Spend some time reconnecting with nature and your loved ones on a trip to the Columbia River Gorge. Experience a trip full of luxuries and excitement as you travel with American Queen Voyages on your next trip through the Columbia River Gorge.
New Orleans