Jessica & Brian
Things To Do
Take a kiteboarding or windsurfing lesson
Kiteboarding and windsurfing are two of the most popular outdoor activities in Hood River and ideal wind conditions draw people from all over the world. It’s by no means an easy sport to pick up so you’ll definitely need to take a lesson. Cascade Kiteboarding and Gorge Kiteboard School are just two of the many options to choose from.
Stand up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking
If kitesurfing is too aggressive for your taste, you might prefer to rent a stand-up paddleboard (“SUPing”) or kayaking. Both activities are great for even inexperienced beginners and neither requires a lesson to try. Hood River SUP and Kayak is located right on the river and offers hourly or daily rentals as well as scenic guided tours! It’s a great way to get some exercise and enjoy a lovely view of the gorge from a new vantage point!
Take a hike!
There are countless hikes throughout the Columbia River Gorge to choose from, as well as a few right around Hood River. Wahclella Falls is a 2-mile out-and-back hike that is fairly flat with a 350-foot waterfall as a reward at the end. Angel’s Rest is a 4.5-mile out-and-back that is quite a bit more difficult but offers stunning views of the gorge from the top. And Beacon Rock is actually on the Washington side of the river, but it’s a very short and steep hike with views the entire way to the top. If you want a relatively easy hike that is easily accessible from Hood River, then check out the Indian Creek Trail. It’s a 3-mile out-and-back that is dog and mountain bike-friendly. It’s a good way to enjoy the surrounding nature and stretch your legs without committing to anything too strenuous. And the Hood River Waterfront Trail is a paved trail that is ideal for walkers, runners, and cyclists offering great views of the river along the way.
Stop at Multnomah Falls on the drive to Hood River
Multnomah Falls is actually located on the way to Hood River, about 30 minutes outside of Portland along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway. There are countless amazing waterfalls in the gorge, but with a 620-foot drop, Multnomah Falls is the second tallest in the entire US and a must-see during your trip! Plus the waterfall is easily accessible from the parking lot. It’s just a short walk to the base of the falls and then you can choose to hike the paved switchback trail to get a view from several other vantage points. The most popular walk is up to the iconic Benson Bridge where you’ll have lovely views of the falls above and below you. There are a few parking lots that fill up, especially during the summer months and on weekends so be sure to visit early!
Wine Tasting
Wine lovers rejoice! Oregon is a mecca for delicious full-bodied wines and Hood River has some darling little wine cellars where you can sample to your heart’s content. Stave & Stone: With a spacious tasting room, jaw-dropping views of both Mt Hood and Mt Adams and a serene outdoor area with lawn games, Stave & Stone is a treasured local hangout, especially in the summer months. Oh, and there’s even a lavender farm next door, as if you needed yet another reason to visit. Marchesi Vineyards: The next best thing to being in Tuscany, the Italian-inspired tasting room is surrounded by vineyards and there’s fresh-baked focaccia bread and olive oil at the bar. Sip on their flavour-forward Sangiovese or Primitivo, which pair beautifully with Marchesi’s charcuterie boards and are best enjoyed al fresco. Hood Crest Winery: Along with the fantastic, award-winning wine, Hood Crest also serves up wood-fired pizzas and has an on-site distillery that makes cherry vodka and Sangiovese brandy.
Brewery Hopping
If wine isn’t exactly your forte, don’t worry, Hood River also has some amazing breweries for you to try. Oregonians tend to love hoppy IPAs and dry ciders so don’t be afraid to sample a few brews that you’re not used to. pFriem Family Brewers is an industrial-looking tasting room located right on the river with lovely views from the patio. The beers are great and the food is definitely worth sampling as well. In stark contrast, Double Mountain Brewery has a warm, cozy ambiance and really tasty pizzas. It’s the perfect spot to spend a drizzly fall afternoon.
Shop Till you Drop
If you want to pick up a few unique, locally made gifts during your trip to Oregon, then the downtown area of Hood River is the perfect place to shop! Here you’ll find cute boutiques, fine jewelers, outdoor gear stores, art galleries, and antique shops.
hit some balls
If golfing is your outdoor activity of choice, then Hood River has some great courses to choose from. Indian Creek Golf Course was named after one of the creeks that runs through the course creating a challenge on several holes. Views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams provide a scenic backdrop for this beautiful course. And Hood River Golf Course and Country Club is the oldest golf course in Hood River, having opened in 1923. The front nine provides views of Mt. Hood, while the back nine offers views of the surrounding vineyards.
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum
Located next to the Ken Jernstedt Memorial Airport, the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum is dedicated to the preservation of aviation, automobile, and other historic transportation-related relics. The museum features the most extensive collection of three-cylinder, radial-powered airplanes in the country that focuses on aircraft from the early 1900s, along with army, air corps, and naval aircraft from the Second World War. The museum also boasts an outstanding collection of OX-5-powered airplanes and hosts the annual Hood River Fly-In show every year that features antique aircraft and automobiles from around the country.
Mt. Hood Railroad
The Mount Hood Railroad is a heritage and shortline freight railroad that provides exciting excursions through the beautiful Hood River Valley to Mount Hood. The historic century-old railroad was once an essential connection between the valley’s fruit farmers and foresters with the significant markets in the area; however, today, its primary function is simply to provide visitors with an unforgettable train ride through the magnificent Hood River Valley to Mount Hood. The excursion takes place aboard original historic cars dating from the early 1900s and begins at the northern depot in downtown Hood River and travels through the Hood River Valley which is filled with orchards of fruit trees and fields of blooming flowers and boasts breathtaking views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams and the majestic Cascade Range. The journey ends at the southern terminus at the base of Mount Hood in picturesque Parkdale, which is home to several fascinating museums and restaurants.
Check out the farmers market
If you happen to visit Hood River from May until November, you’ll definitely want to check out the Hood River Farmers Market. It takes place every Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm on Columbia Street in downtown Hood River and is the perfect place to pick up some local crafts or fresh produce. They also offer live music and fun for the whole family!
Catch a fish
Fish for sturgeon, steelhead, salmon, and kokanee on the beautiful Columbia River. https://columbiariverfishingguide.com/
Go out to eat
Some of the best places to eat in Hood River are: Celilo Restaurant & Bar: For an upscale dining experience, head to Celilo along Oak Street. The menu features the likes of house made beef and pork meatballs, Cascade Farm braised pork shoulder and pasta with Mt Adams chanterelle mushrooms, all sourced from area producers. Solstice Wood Fire Cafe & Bar: Thanks to creative cuisine like their Country Girl Cherry Pizza and Siragusa Pear, Solstice is the best pizza place in town. There’s plenty of room inside as well as an outdoor patio with water views, and you can also grab a pie to go and enjoy out in the park. Riverside: With a fantastic location right on the water with a huge outdoor patio, this great restaurant that’s part of the Best Western Hood River gets packed during the summer months. The adjoining Cebu lounge is great for a happy hour drink, and be sure to keep an eye out for their pasta specials.
Drive the Fruit Loop
One of the most popular tourist drives in the area, after the Historic Columbia River Highway, is the Fruit Loop. Running for 35 miles through rolling hills of orchards and forest, this route takes you to stops in small towns at local establishments selling locally produced goods, from fruits and vegetables to jams, syrups, and crafts. This area is an important pear growing area in the US, but you'll also find berries, apples, apricots, lavender, tomatoes, corn, squash, and more, depending on the time of year. The visitor centers offer trail maps of the Fruit Loop, with 29 numbered stops.