Having personal experience as a restaurant and bar owner, I'm aware of the difficulties associated…read morewith reviews. The food industry is undoubtedly demanding. Nevertheless, upon meeting the owner, who successfully fulfills multiple roles, it's evident she deserves a good review! Our meal was prepared efficiently, and the presentation was excellent. So the back of house gets 5 gold stars! We enjoyed our conversations with the owner and felt welcomed as if we were lifelong residents of the town. The local diner's ambiance is unmistakable, with the regulars clearing their own tables and saying "see you tomorrow". I love that! We extend our best wishes to the owner for future success and hope she accomplishes her goal of traveling to Texas with her grandmother. CHEERS!

We decided to come here because of free appetizer card at our hotel at Portland Oregon…read more The appetizer choice was large we chose the calamari with chili sauce it was great We each got a different entree I got the salmon on a tasty salad

Awesome day with a picnic lunch and great friends. Wonderful way to spend the day. We visited after…read morestopping at Vista House.

With sailing, fishing, camping, picnicking, and where the Sternwheeler cruises begin and end, the…read moreCascade Locks Marine Park is the perfect place to enjoy the more beautiful views of the Columbia River. Park amenities include a children's playground, open lawns, picnic tables, clean public restrooms, a gravelly beach, boat launch ramp, and marina. We often drive out to just sit and watch the windsurfers, various birds and boats go in and out. Unique views of the Bridge of the Gods is just downriver too. The Marine Park offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues for special events for groups of 5 to 500. Such a nice place for a birthday party, baby shower, family reunion or even a wedding. Make sure to tour the Historical Museum while you're there and see the first steam locomotive of the Oregon Territory, the Oregon Pony. The Marine Park also serves as the meeting and launching point for the Columbia Gorge Racing Association's sailing events, and racing takes place in the waters upriver from the beach at the east end of the Park. Check their webpage for next year's Regatta in July. This is world-class sailboat racing in a world-famous big wind venue and not to be missed. Many professional sailors say it's "the best place in the world to sail."

Love this town! The ice cream shop and the restaurant next to the bridge of the gods.... and of…read morecourse the gateway to hikes. Nice to see the area SLOWLY opening back up for hiking. I guess the fire damage will leave its marks for far too many years. I wish there was away I could live here and drive to my work

Wow. Best fish and chips I've ever had. Cod and halibut. Moist, flaky fish. Perfectly seasoned and…read morebreaded. Not greasy. The grilled halibut was equally perfect. Onion rings were also exceptional and not greasy. The ceviche was mid and served with bland tortilla chips. But omg that fish - would def make the hour drive from PDX to have it again!!

Beautiful views of the river, plenty of outdoor seating options and fresh fish. Overall, it's a…read morerestaurant that is much better than it needs to be. Friendly service, if maybe a little weary of tourists. Tasty chowders and poor boys, good options for the whole family and it should be on your list of places to check out if you're in the area.

I can't say enough good things about the food and service here! We initially sat indoors because…read morethere weren't any tables available on the patio, but as soon as one opened up, we moved outside to enjoy the gorgeous view of the Columbia River. It was stunning and made the experience even better. I had the Jamaica hard cider, and it was so good that I had to buy a crowler to take home, i brought it back to California! The Blackened Chicken Sando was amazing!! It was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. I paired it with a side salad, which was also great. My kids ordered burgers and fries, and husband Bacon Jam Burger. Between the breathtaking views, outstanding service, delicious drinks, and incredible food, this place exceeded all of our expectations. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

This is our go-to spot in Cascade Locks…read more The space is huge and there's a patio upstairs with a killer view of the bridge. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the weather and grab a bite after a hike. The menu is mostly burgers with some salads and rice bowls. My daughter and I split a salad and the Deluxe Burger. The burger was good, pretty solid, nothing special to note. The fries were really good and it seems like their sweet potato waffle fries are really popular, we saw them on almost every table. The Caesar was a very large portion, but a little too heavily dressed. It was also not a super flavorful dressing. Overall, this is a solid option if you are in town!

Gotta use this bridge to get across from Oregon to Washington…read more It's a toll bridge There are other ways over but they're farther East or west. This place has a pretty mural under the bridge. Current price to cross is $3 It's a 2 way bridge, one lane each way. Gated bridge. Ya know... I don't really like bridges

The Bridge of the Gods... now that's a name that carries some weight…read more And it should because long before this steel beauty ever stretched across the Columbia River Gorge, there was something else here. A real, honest-to-God land bridge. A massive landslide hundreds of years ago choked the river and let people cross on foot until the river fought back and tore it apart. The Native legends say the gods themselves had a hand in building it... and destroying it. Fast forward, and now you've got this 1926 cantilever bridge about 1,800 feet of steel hanging out over the Columbia, standing roughly 140 feet above the water like it's got something to prove. Now here's where it gets personal. Years back little younger, little dumber, definitely more ambitious I ran a marathon. And by "ran," I mean I survived it with forward motion and questionable decision-making. But the moment I remember? Crossing this bridge. No crazy wind that day. Just... calm. Which is rare out there. You're up high enough to feel it, but not fighting it. Just steady. You look out, and it's cliffs, rock, river, and sky all layered together like somebody took their time building the view. And that's the thing about this bridge it sneaks up on you. From a distance, it's all structure. Steel, angles, purpose. But when you're on it? It's exposure. You feel the height. You feel the space. You realize real quick this isn't just a crossing it's a moment suspended out over something much bigger than you. There's history under your feet. Legends in the rocks. And yeah... maybe a little bit of your own story tied into it too. It's not flashy. It's not trying to be

We just stopped by to check out the park while driving around the area. It was a cold, rainy…read morewinter afternoon, and the whole port was apparently closed. It's a pretty area, seemed to be plenty of parking, green space, and a play area. I roamed around Thunder Island a bit too...a wedding venue, the island is lovely with gorgeous 360 views of the river and bridge. It's hard to really judge the Port from our first stop, as it seems that a lot goes on here throughout the year, but our stop-by was simply a quiet spot to stretch our legs for a bit and enjoy some gorgeous views. And for that purpose alone, it was appreciated!

Two times I have been to the Port of Cascade Locks/Cascade Locks Marine Park. Both times were with…read moregroups in mid to late August 2017 to look at the geology of the area. The park has a beautiful view out over the Columbia River of some of the rocks on the Washington State side of the river that have been displaced over time. Both times I stopped here, additional stops along the Columbia River towards The Dalles and towards Portland helped piece together the geologic history of the area especially in regards to the formation and evolution of the Columbia River Flood Basalts. The first visit was the quieter of the two. The second visit abutted the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Days event in 2017 and a bunch of tents were set up both for that and for watching the Total Solar Eclipse on the 21st of August 2017. Depending on how busy the park is and the size of one's vehicle (for example tour bus versus 10-12 passenger van) parking may be difficult to find. There are expansive grassy areas to enjoy if you want to be active or have a picnic. A restroom building with running water is available on-site.

Great service, great drinks, and the best pizza I've had in decades!…read more The beers Backwoods makes are all delicious and smooth-drinking. The service staff was all exceptional. But the pizza! Off the charts!, FULL REVIEW of all Services: If anyone who enjoys hiking, river fishing, or just a general outdoor-focused vacation wants a good, simple getaway with their spouse/loved one, check out the Backwoods brand in Carson, Washington (just north-northeast of Bridge of the Gods/Cascades Locks). Backwoods Cabins offers a really great overnight stay option. The 8 cabins there are all basic "two-room" designs (bedroom and attached bathroom, and a living room / mini-kitchen room). The cabins sport king-sized beds, a gas fireplace and outdoor fire, a mini kitchen with refrigerator/freezer and microwave (no stove/range). I think 3 of the 8 cabins welcome dogs. The Backwoods brand also owns Backwoods Brewery, which is just across the road from the cabin property. They have great microbrew beers (from light lagers to GREAT stouts!). The brewery also has a smokehouse, with fantastic smoked brisket, pulled pork, and house-made sausage/brats. But even better, the Backwoods Brewery offers the BEST PIZZA I've had in decades. The pizza dough is a perfect balance of flavor and texture. It's not too thin and not too thick. The crust is chewy in the middle, with a great crusty edge and base. The red sauce (they also have a white sauce we didn't try) is thick and rich, with a few tomato chunks. It's got a slight spicy bite with a sweet finish. They also have some unique house pizzas. We tried the Whistle Punk - Red sauce, bacon, smoked brisket, peppadew peppers, sweet onions, fresh mozzarella rounds - and the Pepperoni Express - Red sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms, tomatoes, banana peppers, smoked mozzarella. Both were outstanding. I'd go so far as to say both Donna and I deemed these the best pizzas we've had in 35+ years (noting that our first date was at a pizza joint in Fife we both thought was the best-ever pizza). If you stay in the Backwoods Cabins, you get two coupons for free drinks at the brewery (beer/wine/cider/cocktails) as well as an assortment of snacks for your hiking adventures, and a full S'mores kit to use over the gas fire pit. And if you are in a dog-friendly cabin, you get complimentary treats, and water/food bowls for your canines.

Gluten free review:…read more Came here after a hike because I believe in balance, climb a hill, eat a pizza. Thrilled they had gluten-free options. Tried the Tree Hugger 10" GF pizza and it was genuinely tasty. The crust? So good. The staff? Kind. The price? About $20, which felt a little "ouch," but the pizza did not, and that's what matters. The place was fun and great ambiance. Take a fun trip and go try this place out.

Heads up! The ramp down to the boat is very, very steep. I'm able bodied and it hurts my knees…read more They have a solution if you're unable to walk the ramp, but it's a real adventure. It's so steep that they offer a wheelchair tied to a rolling machine with a rope. The special machine slowly pulls the chair on the ramp because it's not safe for a human to push or pull or even navigate your own wheels. Steeeep. Super steep. The first floor has a bathroom; the second floor and the rooftop do not. If you can't navigate stairs, you are stuck on the first floor. There really isn't a bad seat on the boat. Even if you aren't sitting right at the window, there is a perfectly awesome view from the middle. The second level is fully enclosed, except for a small patio in the front. Level three is the partially covered open air roof rooftop. There's a small gift shop up top towards the front that leads to the navigation quarters. You can talk to the navigation crew and the captain. Very cool. Overall, it's super fun to be on a boat. I'm grateful for what we have and the name does fit: The Portland Spirit. This one has the aesthetic of a good old Portland dive bar. It's not fancy; it's apparent that it hasn't been renovated or updated in ages. The tables have peeling laminate and the chairs have that familiar Portland grime. Looks like It was built in 1986 (it was). HAPPY HOUR CRUISE EXPERIENCE Our group was not able to navigate stairs, but they allowed us to stay on the first floor even though it was not open for happy hour (on our cruise) and made special trips to serve us since the bar was only open on the second floor. There is an ongoing narration about history and sites to see along the way, so if you are hoping to have a conversation, keep that in mind. Happy cruising!

We booked the big foot cruise. 2 adults and 2 teens. We were the last on the boat. The headphones…read morewere scattered about and 2 of us didn't get them. The boat was really crowded. People sit sideways on the small bench so there is little room in order to see out. Without headphones you can't hear the narration so it just becomes a boat ride. I wouldn't do this again.

I want to start by saying I haven't eaten here in years because of their burgers and pizza, which…read moreare mediocre at best. Too many really good burgers out there. Today the server was nice and the menu has been updated, so I tried it again. We ordered the corn dogs, large fries with garlic and herbs, and two side salads. The corn dogs were rocking. The fries a little hit and miss, some crispy and others limp, but ok. The salad was fresh and good, but could have used some croutons. I will be back again, for the corn dogs.

Gluten free review: we stopped in here to try the gluten-free pizza. They have dairy free cheese…read more My daughter loved it. We had some fries as well and skip the drinks this time. We definitely wanna try going back getting a drink and doing some of the fun things. The poor gal was alone and a little busy, but she handled it like a rockstar. Looks like they have some outdoor seating for the summer definitely going back this summer.