Portland Sightseeing Tour Including Columbia Gorge Waterfalls

The nation’s second National Scenic Area, the Columbia River Gorge is also the largest and most densely populated, offering the amenities of urban centers close to the wild beauty of the outdoors. And that beauty is matched only by the stories that can be told here: of tribal people fishing, trading and thriving along its banks; of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery epochal 1805-06 journey; of pioneers launching their worldly possessions down its rapids; of Samuel Hill championing the nation’s first scenic highway and enticing generations of visitors to this heady, handsome place. It’s fitting that the Columbia River Gorge is known as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. We will drive through this area as we explore the Gorge.

Constructed from 1913 to 1922, the seventy-four-mile Columbia River Highway extended east from the Sandy River near Troutdale to The Dalles. With its pioneering advances in road design, the road is an outstanding example of modern highway development in twentieth-century America. We will drive along this highway as we explore the Gorge.

Perched atop one of the most panoramic overlooks in the Columbia River Gorge, Vista House provides the most majestic view of the Gorge. Often referred to as “The Crown Jewel of the Columbia River Gorge,” Vista House was built between 1916 and 1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers, a scenic viewpoint, and a comfort station for those traveling on the newly constructed Historic Columbia River Highway. The Vista House and the view it offers are sure to amaze and inspire you.

This dazzling waterfall plunges 249 feet (76 m) over a massive wall of basalt and then rushes through the forest into the Columbia River. The falling water of Latourell is framed by some of the most perfect columnar basalt formations in the Pacific Northwest that are adorned with a large florescent patch of yellow lichen and shrouded in brilliant green flora. We’ll venture down to the punch-bowl pool below the falls, where you’ll hear the tremendous rush of water and feel the cool mist that it creates. You’ll easily realize why this special place is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon.

Fed by underground streams that originate miles above on Larch Mountain, this ancient 620 foot (189 m) waterfall is divided into two sections; the upper falls plummets an impressive 542 feet into a pool and again drops 69 feet to form a creek that runs into the Columbia River. Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States and the highest in Oregon, and is Oregon’s number one natural attraction, drawing over 2.5 million visitors a year from around the world. At the base of the waterfall sits the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, a full-service day lodge complete with restaurant, gift shop, snack and espresso bar and interpretative center. You will have time to walk to Benson Bridge and explore the lodge.

In the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is the urban park at the center of events, community, and all things Portland. We will drive around this amazing location and your guide will tell you about the history here so you can come back later and explore!

Let the fragrance of our Rose Garden embrace you with over 550 different varieties of roses, and delight your senses with the lush and beautiful Washington Park, featuring some of the most amazing cascade mountain views around. You will have time to explore this garden and stop to smell the roses!

Washington Park is a special place. It's an unusual place. Filled with gardens and museums; a zoo and a forest. Right in the heart of the city. The opportunities for exploration in the park can feel endless. We will drive through part of the park so that you can come back and explore more!

Easily one of Portland’s most desirable neighborhoods, the Pearl District is home to some of the city’s best-known chefs and restaurants, world-class art galleries, and vibrant shops and boutiques. Formerly a neglected corridor of abandoned warehouses and railways, the Pearl District has earned a worldwide reputation for urban renaissance.

The PSU Farmers Market is a world-class farmers market that contributes to the success of local food growers and producers, and creates a vibrant community gathering space. The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State is large, spanning almost three blocks throughout the Portland State University campus. This means there is no shortage of vendors for the whole family to love. The options of where to buy and eat are truly endless at this market. They even have a Veggie Valet for shoppers to leave their bulk purchases while they finish up shopping! The market also has musicians and a Chef in the Market series which is a showcasing of cooking with seasonal marketing ingredients from local chefs. The PSU Farmers Market will only be visited on our Morning Portland City Tour and you will have time to walk around and explore the market. This will be the last stop of the tour so feel free to stay here, have lunch, and explore as long as you want!

This hidden gem promotes visual arts in the diverse communities of our region, with educational opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment. While here, we will visit the OSA Gallery which changes exhibits every month, learn about the amazing history of the OSA (which started in 1926), and view rarely seen works of art by master painters who are part of the amazing history of this important part of the Portland Community. We will visit the OSA from mid-October through the end of April on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

You can explore forests around the world through two floors of unique hands-on exhibits. Suitable for all ages, the Discovery Museum’s colorful and thoughtful exhibits include information about tree planting, wildlife, the benefits of wood, outdoor recreation, and forest careers. The first floor focuses on the many roles that forests play in our lives. View the forest as a habitat, a place for recreation and reflection, a critical resource, and more. Much of the second floor takes a global perspective, exploring how people around the world are connected to and dependent on their local forests. We will visit the World Forestry Center from mid-October through the end of April on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.