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Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Downhill and Cross
Country Skiing at Mt. Hood, Snowboarding, Fly Fishing on 4 rivers,
Horseback Riding, ATV's, Hiking, Hang gliding,
Boating, Mountain Biking, Riverfront Trails, and Wine Tasting.

The following are yearly events and more information can be found on The Dalles Chamber web site:

VAN GOGH DAYS August
Rasmussen Farms, Hood River - Celebrate sunflowers! Some 50 varieties of the bright blooms are growing in the garden at the farm. Paint or photograph them or cut some to take home. During the weekend, enjoy quilt and art shows and wine tastings.

The Dufur Threshing Bee is held the second weekend of August. Each year since 1971, the citizens of Dufur have staged a threshing bee, to honor their history, celebrate the crop just harvested, and share with their neighbors the pleasures and rewards of working together as a community. Visitors can see horse-drawn antique harvesting equipment being used in the fields. This is the only threshing event in the country that uses horse-drawn machinery, and demonstrates every step of the process from cutting standing wheat to sewing up bags for shipping. The Threshing Bee offers working demonstrations of authentic horse-powered and steam-driven combines and other farming equipment. In the late 1800s, harvesting a wheat crop was no small matter. It took teams of 32 horses to move some of the harvesting equipment. Farmers would hire in harvest crews, and everyone worked long hours to get the job done. Farmers' wives' labored to feed the crews, sometimes spending all day in portable cook shacks preparing meals for as many as 30 men. The Dufur Threshing Bee recreates this community wide event, with fun, races, contests, an antique tractor pull, and more.

MARYHILL FESTIVAL OF SPEED September
This IGSA sanctioned event is a 5-day, multi-discipline gravity sports competition. 200 of the top international gravity sports competitors will compete in downhill skateboarding, street luge, inline skating and more.

HISTORIC DALLES DAYS September
Downtown street fest, side walk sales, territorial Express Experience, Wagon rides and exhibits of old time daily life.
541-298-1906

STARLIGHT PARADE November - Watch The Dalles transform into a
magical place Christmas lights, music, and of course a visit from
Santa Claus! Also enjoy the traditional Chili Feed after the parade.

Set on a basalt cliff overlooking the Columbia River, The Celilo Inn offers sweeping views of the Mid-Columbia region. Rising from the river's edge, striated cliffs stand as reminders of a time before the ice-age floods, when a series of the lava flows covered eastern Washington and Oregon.

To the east, Horsethief Butte, a popular hiking and rock climbing spot in Washington's Columbia Hills State Park, towers like an ancient fortress over the Native petroglyphs and pictographs at Horsethief Lake. Each spring, lupine and balsamroot blanket the flanks of nearby Stacker Butter and Klickitat Hills in gold and purple.

The Celilo Inn provides the ideal location to explore the Northwest, conveniently located an hour and a half drive from Portland. Mt. Hood draws skiers, hikers, mountain climbers and nature lovers year round. Visitors can enjoy white water rafting on the Deschutes River or salmon fishing at the north of any of the tributaries that spill into the Columbia. Cyclists whiz through wheat fields, cherry orchards and along historic highways while kiteboarders and windsurfers ride the wind on the river. For those who enjoy a taste of the grape, the region's growing wine industry offers "the world of wines in 40 miles."

Vineyards & Wineries
The Columbia Gorge is the rising star of new Wine Appellations. With Over 40 wineries in 40 miles, you can taste everything from Chardonnay, Reisling, Sauvingon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Roses and Pear Wine to Organic Pinot Noir, Cab's, Syrahs, Barberas, Nebbilos, Zinfandel and Ports.

Wine Tours provided daily by: www.columbiawinetours.com

Just across the river, you'll find Maryhill Winery, named "Washington Winery of the Year for 2009" by Winepress magazine. With views of the Gorge and Mt. Hood, their tasting room offers a cozy atmosphere to wind-down from your day of biking, hiking, or museum hopping. Their expansive grounds host concerts on warm summer evenings attracting such artists as the Counting Crows, John Legend, and Jackson Browne.

Just down the hill at Maryhill park, stop and visit Terrance and his family run wine tasting at Waving Tree Winery. A small production winery, with great wine and great prices!

Cascade Cliffs Winery is a family-owned winery, set in the scenic and stunningly beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Specializing in and crafting red wines focused on the Piedmont varietals Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo, our wines begin in our estate vineyard.

Dry Hollow is surrounded by the Hi-Valley Cherry Orchard in The Dalles, Oregon. The Vineyard is planted on a south-facing slope in rocky stone laden soil. These soils and the hot, dry climate in this part of the Columbia River Gorge combine to create optimum growing conditions for the wines we make. Our new scenic Tasting Room, nestled among cherry orchards, is located next to the Hi-Valley Vineyard. Come enjoy the view and our beautiful surroundings with a picnic and some wine!

Bolton Cellars is another winery of note producing one hundred percent estate wines from local vineyards. The volunteer staff at the Bolton Cellars tasting room produces hand made jewelry, wallets, sunglass cases, note cards, and wine bags. It's a truly local experience!
Erin Glenn winery, located in the Old Mint Building on 2nd Street downtown, offers excellent Reds. Try some Tantrum , Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Bordeaux, Cab Sauv, Barbera, Syrah, all grown in the Columbia Valley!

Heading West on Hwy 14, and up Old Hwy 8, you will also find Jacob Williams Winery, Domaine Pierre Noir, Cor Cellars, and Klickitat Organic Winery. Heading 20 miles West on Hwy 84 in Hood River you will find Cathedral Ridge Winery, Pheasant Valley Winery, Phelps Creek, Marched, Mt. Hood Winery, WY East Winery, The Gorge White House, Hood River Winery, The Pines, Naked Winery, Vaunt Winery, and Springhouse Cellars.

Or Book a Room and Tour Package for a great discount! Call us today at 541-769-0001

The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway follows a route around Mt. Hood that has been traveled for hundreds of years first by the Native Americans of the area and then by the pioneers finishing the last leg of the Oregon Trail. The drive offers spectacular views with recreational stops along they way. Whether it be skiing at Mt. Hood, windsurfing, or hiking-all can be found along this historic route, a great source for day trips, hikes and history!

The historic Mt. Hood Railroad takes travelers through the picturesque foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Soak up the scenery through a domed glass roof as you travel along rivers, through forests and orchards while a guide leads through the history of the area and points of interests.

Old St. Peter's Landmark is a Catholic church built in 1897 that was saved from demolition by the tenacity of local citizens keen on historical preservation. A Gothic brick church with brilliant stained-glass windows, St. Peters is free to the public and is a treasure The Dalles loves to share.

The Maryhill museum houses a collection of old and new-world art rarely seen west of the Mississippi. Just up I-84, overlooking the Columbia River and Gorge, is a world-class museum featuring an eclectic mix of art including paintings from Romania, an outdoor sculpture garden, an exhibit highlighting the fashions of post-WWII France, and a large collection of art and artifacts from the indigenous people of North America. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits and has a museum store and cafe.

A 2,700 square foot glass-blowing studio founded in 2001. Nichols Art Glass is full of unique blown glass pieces from small tokens like glass pumpkins and cherries, to larger installments. The artists who work here have contributed pieces in galleries across the Northwest and supply larger installations for regional hotels and lodges.

Day Spas
Columbia Laser Skin Center offers full spa services at their downtown location. Massage, facials, instant tan, skin treatments and relaxation therapies.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Its over 25,000 square feet exhibit details and brings to life the all the natural phenomenon that formed the Columbia River Gorge, from volcanic eruptions to floods. Highlights and features include supplies and equipment on the Lewis and Clark expedition, theories about the Ice Age, and a wing devoted to the history of the inhabitants, past and present, of Wasco County, in which The Dalles is located.

Oregon's oldest history museum, Fort Dalles Museum, is filled with pioneer and military artifacts dating back to 1800's. Set atop a hill, Fort Dalles was the first military outpost in the area and the central building from which the town of The Dalles grew.

Maryhill Museum - WE INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE A REAL LIFE FAIRY TALE.

Come explore Maryhill Museum's world-class collection of art ranging from early 20th century European works to an extensive Native American collection. Set in a castle-like chateau on a stunning 6,000-acre site overlooking the scenic Columbia River Gorge,

Maryhill Museum is one of the Pacific Northwest's most fascinating cultural destinations and located just 100 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The museum's permanent collection includes more than 80 sculptures and watercolors by the French master Auguste Rodin, including the only pedestal-sized plaster version of his famous The Thinker, and much more.

Local Pub's include The Rivertap Pub, The ClockTower Pub, Zimm's, and Romul's. Enjoy Live Music in the Park Thursday nights in summer, and find local goods at The Farmer's Market on Saturday's.

Golfing
Husum Hills Country Club is a 9-hole regulation length golf course in nearby White Salmon, Washington.

Located just up the river, outside of White Salmon, you will find a unique horseback riding experience. Northwestern Lake Riding Stables lie in a beautiful valley surrounded by the majestic Cascade Mountains of Washington State.

Northwest mountain bikers know The Dalles is the Gorge's best-kept secret, as its dry climate lends the area to early spring riding. The course of the Cherry Festival Mountain Bike Race is open to riders most of the year. The trailhead is located in Sorosis Park in The Dalles. The network of trails on the course will keep riders pumping, turning and skidding for hours. Specific directions and a map can be found at Life Cycles, 418 East 2nd Street, Downtown The Dalles. The professionals at Bicycle Adventures have done their homework and offer the best guided bike tours in the region.

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail follow the path where U.S Highway 30 once crept around curves high along the cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge. Cyclists love the paved pathway and leisurely turns which showcase the view of the mighty Columbia. The trail, two disconnected paved ribbons along abandoned stretches of the historic highway, give cyclist more than 10 miles of sightseeing thrills.

Local and experienced fishermen head out on the Columbia, The John Day, and The Deschutes to cast for salmon, sturgeon, walleye, trout, and steelhead, but for the novice or traveling angler there is Young's Fishing Service. Young's offers guided eight hour fishing trips, overnight camping trips, and all the amenities of a top-notch guide service at reasonable rates.

The Tom McCall Preserve, a nature and wildlife preserve atop a plateau over looking the Columbia Gorge is a transitional zone between the moist, heavily forested areas of Western Oregon and the drier grasslands of the East making its landscape, flora, and fauna diverse. Enjoy the preserves several trails, which offer a look at rare plants and animals.

Horsethief State Park across the Columbia River in Washington, was formerly a Native American village and camp to Lewis and Clark on their journey across the American West. During the building of The Dalles Dam, the village was flooded, which resulted in the creation of the 90-acre lake that today offers many boating and water-sport options. With its 7,500 feet of shoreline on the Columbia, the park is the prime picnicking spot. Keep an eye out for ancient Native American pictographs!

Just up I-84 in Hood River, Hood River Waterplay offers lessons in windsurfing and kite surfing for every age and skill level. Lessons start on land and quickly move to the waters of the Columbia expert staff guides surfers through the ins and outs of this exciting water sport!

Take advantage of the crystal clear water and stunning scenery of the Pacific Northwest. River Drifters (Deschutes and White Salmon) Zollers& Wet Planet offers whitewater rafting trips for all skill levels of rafters. From the remote wilderness stretches of the class III Klickitat River and Tieton River, to the classic glacier waters and basalt canyons of the White Salmon River, to the challenges of class V whitewater rapids on the Wind River they have designed a variety of day-trips that are certain to meet the expectations of any whitewater rafter.

For those looking to develop the skills necessary to run rivers on their own, or experienced paddlers looking to improve their technique, the Wet Planet Kayak School offers kayak instruction for beginning to advanced paddlers. The Wet Planet Rafting and Kayaking Center is located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, on the Washington state side, along the banks of the White Salmon River.