Portland and Vancouver - Nearly half of all of Oregon’s inhabitants live within the Portland metropolitan area, making it one of the top-25 most inhabited cities in the United States. Parks like the Japanese Garden, Washington Park, and the International Rose Test Garden are popular destinations for tourists.
Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 and now serves as a museum with beautiful old architecture, trails, and sweeping views.
Downtown Portland also has many things to do, such as touring the famous Deschutes Breweries and countless other breweries and restaurants, where the local flavor bursts. Across the Columbia River, you’ll find Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, home to exhibits about the culture and history of the area as well as trails for hiking.
Astoria- The port city of Astoria sits at the mouth of the Columbia River and is the oldest city in the state of Oregon - named after John Astor, an investor in the American Fur company which founded the city. One of the most popular tourist sites to visit is the Astoria Column, covered with beautiful art and surrounded by panoramic views of the city, the Columbia River, Washington State, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Dalles- The Dalles is the second largest port city on the Columbia River following Portland. It is also an important historical and archeological site since Native American tribes traded here. One of the favorite pastimes for locals and tourists is the Columbia Gorge Center & Museum which features exhibits of the local history and also many walking trails and scenic overlooks.
Stevenson- The small port city of Stevenson, east of Portland, is home to just 1,400 residents. Popular activities include driving up to the Cape Horn Lookout to take in the gorgeous views of the river basin and the mountains surrounding it.
Richland- In Washington state at the confluence of the Yakima River and the Columbia River is the city of Richland. There are many things to see and do here, including visiting Howard Amon Park, Hanford Nuclear Reservation - featuring the old buildings used for the nuclear arms race against Germany- and the REACH Museum, known for its top-notch geological and natural history exhibits.
