Need a sunny Columbia River getaway packed with history and adventure? Head to The Dalles, Oregon! One of the oldest settlements in the Pacific Northwest, The Dalles offers hiking, wine tasting, and rich Native American and pioneer history. Whether you're biking the riverfront, exploring museums, or chasing waterfalls, The Dalles is a perfect mix of culture and outdoors.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit The Dalles is from late spring to early fall (May–October). Enjoy warm, dry weather for hiking, wine tasting, and river adventures. Wildflowers bloom in spring, and summer brings long days perfect for exploring the Columbia Gorge.
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: The Dalles is located on I-84, about 1.5 hours east of Portland and 45 minutes east of Hood River.
- By Air: Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), then drive east along the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder stops in The Dalles, connecting from Portland and beyond.
Where to Stay
- The Dalles Inn – Downtown stay with modern amenities, walkable to shops, museums, and restaurants.
- Cousins Country Inn – Comfortable and friendly with rustic charm and an on-site restaurant known for homestyle meals.
- R&R Guesthouse – Stylish boutique B&B with vintage decor, a pool, and mountain views.
Top Attractions
1. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
The museum's mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge and Wasco County. The 48200 square foot Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum building, which was honored by the American Institute of Architects, is set on 54 acres of land, adjacent to the river and the Historic Columbia River Highway. The natural garden is in the transition zone between the forests of the Cascade Mountains and the arid areas to the east. There are walking trails with scenic views of the gorge. Exhibits explain how volcanic activity and floods shaped the gorge. The Columbia River Trading Company sells handcrafts from the region as well as books, art, jewelry and toys.
5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon 97058, Phone: 541-296-8600
2. Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead
The Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead is situated in what remains of the 1856 Fort Dalles military complex. A barn, shed and two homes, including the surgeon's quarters, have been restored and depict life in Oregon in the 1800s. Tools and personal items from the complex are among the articles on display. The Anderson Homestead which was built in Pleasant Ridge in 1895, was moved to the museum in 1971. It comprises a log house, granary and barn. Entry is included in the museum entrance fee. The museum also has a collection of wagons, antique vehicles and vintage cars, including a stage coach, covered wagons and horse-drawn hearses.
500 West 15th & Garrison St., The Dalles, Oregon 97058, Phone: 541-296-4547
Romantic Activities and Attractions:
3. Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery
Wheat was milled in the Sunshine Mill for 130 years. It was the first building in The Dalles to use electricity, by virtue of its Thomas Edison motor, which can still be seen in the mill. The Sunshine Biscuit Company was started on the premises which used the flour that was milled. The Quenett winery began operation in the disused mill in 2002, followed by the Copa di Vino winery in 2009. Wine tasting and antipasto platters are offered on the premises, which are also available for hire for functions such as weddings. The massive silos make an interesting backdrop for photo shoots.
Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery, 901 East Second Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058, Phone: 541-298-8900 ext. 1
4. The Dalles Dam
The Dalles Dam spans the Columbia River about two miles east of the town and links Wasco County, Oregon to Klickitat County, Washington. The dam was built between 1952 and 1957 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It generates hydroelectricity and is managed by the Corps. The reservoir has been named Lake Celilo and stretches back 24 miles. Celilo was the name of the Native American trading and fishing village that was submerged, along with several waterfalls, when the dam flooded. Forty panels of rock carvings were removed and installed in the Columbia Hills State Park on the Washington side of the river.
5. The Dalles Murals
The Dalles Murals initiative began in 1993 in order to pictorially preserve the historical events in the area. Sixteen murals were painted around The Dalles' downtown area by various artists, native to the north west. Thirteen of the murals have 'voice boxes' which elaborate on the illustrations. In 2013, a project to light up all the murals was begun. The murals cover topics such as Native American history, the exploration of the area by Lewis and Clark, the pioneers on the Oregon Trail and the Celilo Falls and village. Postcards of the murals, as well as limited edition wines, are sold to raise funds for the project.
6. Old St. Peter's Landmark
St Peter's Catholic Church was built in 1897. By the 1970s, there were plans afoot to replace it with a bigger church with easier access for senior citizens. The incumbent Monsignor wished to demolish the original church and sell the bricks. Concerned citizens formed the Old St Peter's Landmark and raised the $25000 needed to buy the church and all its contents, including the pipe organ and stained glass windows. They offered a membership subscription and sold $1 postcard 'bricks' and copies of a Rooster book written for the occasion. Admission is free though donations are welcome. The church is hired out for weddings, music concerts and other events.
Old St. Peter's Landmark, 405 Lincoln St. (3rd & Lincoln Streets), The Dalles, OR 97058, Phone: 541-296-5686
If you are traveling with kids:
7. Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
The historic highway was built between 1913 and 1922, as the first scenic highway in the USA. By 1960, a section, about 50 miles from The Dalles, had been replaced by the I-84. The twelve-mile section was abandoned and the tunnels filled with rocks. In the 1980s, an initiative was undertaken to restore and preserve the section of the historic highway as a series of three hiking trails and a bike path. During the restoration, graffiti that had been written by snowbound motorists in 1921, was discovered. In 2000, the historic highway was designated a National Historic Landmark and in 2002, the trail was listed as a National Recreation Trail.
8. National Neon Sign Museum
As a result of his work in the electrical advertising field, David Benko not only gained knowledge but amassed a collection of samples of the industry. When he was looking for a venue to house his collection, The Dalles' councilors offered him the historic three story Elk Lodge building for $1 if he could stimulate tourism in the town. In 2018 the National Neon Sign Museum opened with 20000 foot of pre-electric and electric signage, gold leaf and plastic advertising, signage and ephemera on display. The museum chronicles the role advertising played in the culture, history and economy of the country.
200 East 3rd Street, The Dalles, OR 97058, Phone: 541-370-2242
9. Wonderworks Children's Museum of the Gorge
The Wonderworks Children's Museum of the Gorge was started by two mothers who wanted their children to learn by doing. The first five exhibits were housed in the Carnegie Library and made use of all five senses. The museum suffered mixed fortunes until 2009 when it acquired a 5000 square foot facility with the option to purchase. Since then the building has been bought and 2000 square feet of activities developed. These include a creativity zone, a dinosaur corner, a quiet area to read and learn and various themed play areas. Visitors can practice being magicians, actors, puppet masters and musicians. All ages are welcome, including infants.
206 Madison Street, The Dalles, OR 97058, Phone: 541-980-5922
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