Columbia River Gorge & WA Wine Country Self Drive Tour
Get Out & Explore!
Gorge Loop Highlights Day 1: Seattle to Portland - Mt St. Helens is infamous for its May 18th, 1980 eruption and today there are three visitor centers that help tell the story of this Cascade Volcano as well as offer great vantage points to see the mountain directly off of interstate 5.
- Portland’s distinct personality simmers in the array of hip coffeehouses, museums, art galleries, and bookstores. Take a leisurely stroll through the shops and boutiques of downtown for some tax-free shopping or experience true Northwest cuisine at one of the exquisite restaurants. Visit the world-class 107 year-old Portland Art Museum, check out The International Rose Garden which also offers view of the city and Mt. Hood take a Portland Spirit dinner cruise along the downtown waterways. Be sure to stop in one of the more than 40 local breweries - the nation's largest variety of microbrews.
- Overnight Downtown Portland
Day 2: Portland to Skamania - Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway (Route 30) - A national historic landmark, this highway was built in the early 1900s and features hand-hewn stone walls and bridges, the Highway connects with interstate 84 at Multnomah Falls.
- Portland Woman’s Forum State Park – Located on Route 30, this vista provides the most photographed view of the gorge in all its majesty.
- Vista House – Located near the Woman’s Forum, this historic building, built in 1918, features restrooms, a gift shop and interpretive display as well as another vantage point, 733 feet above the Columbia River.
- Multnomah Falls Lodge is a “must see” Trails take you to the top of the fourth highest waterfall in the United States—620 feet. The historic lodge houses a restaurant, gift shop, snack bar and restrooms.
- Bonneville Locks and Dam is a national historic landmark and includes a fish hatchery and a gift shop as well as a viewing area of the working and locks and a visitor center.
- Beacon rock is located on the Washington side and can be accessed by crossing the Bridge of the Gods toll bridge by the Bonneville Dam. The rock is the core of an ancient volcano. The ice-age floods through the Columbia River Gorge eroded the softer material away, leaving this unique geological structure standing by itself on the banks of the Columbia River which is now a State Park. It is the largest monolith in the US.
- Skamania Lodge - the perfect place to unwind and relax after a day of exploring. Skamania Lodge was designed from old time lodges of the early 1900s, giving it charm and appeal that still provides all the modern guest conveniences. Nestled on 175 wooded acres, the Resort offers 254 nicely appointed guest rooms, and 18-hole par 70 golf course, full service spa and fitness center which included an indoor heated swimming pool, dry saunas, and indoor and outdoor whirpools, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and hiking trails.
- Overnight at Skamania Lodge
Day 3: Skamania to Yakima - Hood River - After continuing down the historic HWY 14 on the Washington side, cross the river and visit Hood River, the windsurfing capital of the Northwest. Continue east to the Dalles where you can once again cross the Columbia River.
- Mary Hill Museum's collections are housed in a castle-like chateau overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in 26 acres of park-like gardens on 6,000 acres of ranch land. The collection includes sculptures and watercolors by French master Rodin, as well as collections from Native Americans, Theatre de la Mode, American Classical Realism, European paintings, and much more.
- Stonehenge memorial was built as a tribute to the soldiers of Klickitat County who lost their lives in World War I, and was the nation's first to do so. The structure is a full-scale replica of England's famous neolithic Stonehenge and lies at the original Maryhill townsite, four miles east of the museum, just off of Washington Scenic Route 14.
- Goldendale Observatory Interpretive Center is located on a hilltop North of Goldendale, Washington, It is a unique facility because it caters to the general public with programs designed to educate the novice as well as the experienced star gazer. They have a number of telescoptes including a 24.5 inch that is used in the evenings for public viewing sessions.
- Yakima is located in central Washington at the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The Yakima Valley's culture and heritage ranges from the military crispness of restored Fort Simcoe, and the proud history reflected by the Yakima Nation, to the "historic" Teapot Dome and an abundance of specialized museums featuring aspects of this region's past. Plus, the beauty of Washington wine country draws visitors far and wide.
- Overnight Yakima
Day 4: Yakima to Seattle - The Yakima Valley wineries here are small family operations where unpretentious hospitality is the norm. Many are located within a rural countryside with unparalleled beauty. You can enjoy a glass of wine while gazing at the beautiful snow capped Mt. Adams or overlook the diverse agricultural abundance of the Yakima Valley. Spend the early afternoon touring some of the area wineries.
- Roslyn is a quaint and charming former logging and coal mining town in the Cascade Mountain range , just off interstate 90. In 1990, the sleepy little town exploded into view when featured as the fictional "Cicely, Alaska" in the popular CBS/Universal television series, Northern Exposure in the early 90’s. Roslyn is the scene of many festivals and events and is a nice stop en route back to Seattle
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Package Summary
Columbia River Gorge & WA Wine Country Self Drive Tour
Price:
2008
Season:
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Inclusions:
- Overnight in Downtown Portland
- Overnight Skamania Lodge
- Overnight in Yakima
Package Notes:
*Extra nights may be added
Package Terms:
Pricing in USD
Subject To Change.
*Fuel surcharge will be added to all Victoria Fares
more information
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