Crown point is the highest spot in the Columbia scenic driveway. There are plenty of parking lots…read moreall around the Vista house building. From the lot, you get to see a stunning view of the Columbia River and its surrounding landscape. The Vista house is a dome like structure, mostly made of stone like material. It is closed during middle of the week. The interior is a small space. To me, the view of the landscape much superior than the building itself.

Amazing views and the building itself is fun to go through. The espresso shop is generous in drink…read moresize but the gift shop is crowded and lacks a lot if its own identity. Bummed the top floor isn't always open but the outside still gives great vantage points.

Dougan Falls is so incredibly beautiful. My wife and I go there at least once in each season. This…read moreFall the water was so powerful and it was pouring outside which was a lot of fun because we like outings in the rain! We were the only ones there but there is plenty of parking even when it's busy. Just make sure you have a "Discover Pass". You can swim there in the summer too. It's just a peaceful beautiful place to be and the drive up the Washougal River is beautiful too.

East to access (not wheelchair accessible tho for going down into the water). There is a restroom…read moreand a garbage bin. I enjoyed my visit but do bring a spare trash bag and help keep it clean. Few bad apples leaving food to rot on the rocks and cans/bottles and doggie bags left behind. Could use more visits for the trash service as the bin was overflowing and folks were not packing out their trash as they should have.

Stop by on a Saturday morning after Gresham Farmers market. A very lovely lady greeted me at the…read moredoor. A lot of historical maps of Gresham in the early 1990s. There was an old historical cash register and a piano. A lot of historical information regarding Gresham. Lots of old costumes dating back. It was a nice adventure. Makes you proud to look at old artifacts from Gresham.

I felt uncomfortable there on June 29th during the Voices of Gresham podcast The lady who works…read morethere and in charge of displaying things was very unfriendly and stand offish. She wrote the wrong information without checking facts about Taliban coming into power in Afghanistan in "1984". I told her Taliban didn't exist then. They came more than a decade later. She looked at me in a very irate manner "Well I just wrote what she said (the woman who gave her info about Afghanistan). I told her well it's wrong, explaining about when Taliban came into power. The museum lady said "I'll research it" and walked away talking to others. I've never been felt unwelcomed and felt horrible vibes from somebody who supposedly cares about the museum or cares about facts. I'm Afghan, and I told her I was. She didn't care. She wasn't rude. She was just very stand offish and annoyed that I was even talking to her.

It's a park. Gotta park for the park and walk. Great views, lots o people…read more Watch airport landings, StZ Helen's blow up in the future, and Mt Hood turn green. Oh and the sunset if you are patient enough to wait. Only downside is the volume of the traffic on 84 in the background.

The best location in NE Portland for watching sunsets, taking in panoramic views of the city,…read moregazing at stars (and other astronomical events, even despite the light pollution), and watching planes take off and land at nearby PDX. On a clear day, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams can be seen by those with good eyesight. An old, decommissioned aviation beacon still blinks away at all hours of the day and night like a lighthouse, and the rustic lanterns around the perimeter make the park feel as if it were time-shifted from an earlier era. For a real treat, visit the park when the city below lies under a blanket of fog.

Ah! The last free viewpoint on the historic hiway 30 going east.As of yet still no parking fee…read moreunlike Vista House and others. Been coming here for decades and the view never disappoints. Plenty of hikes nearby. No amenities. And the viewfinder is gone. Needs a lil TLC but a lovely stop on Larch.

The state park website says, "No trip to Vista House is complete without a stop at the Portland…read moreWomen's Forum for stunning view of the historic landmark framed by the Columbia River Gorge." And I would tend to agree. I have always stopped here before heading over to the Vista House or Multnomah Falls, whether it was just by myself on a trip to the gorge or when I was showing visitors the area. It's not much more than a parking lot and lookout point, but it makes for a great view and great photos. It's a neat bit of history that women raised funds for this land. Their names are inscribed on a plaque here. You go girls!

Cute little museum with some cool artifacts located in one of Fairview's lovely pocket parks. The…read moreoriginal Fairview jail is also located on the grounds. It's free to visit (check website in case this changes) and well worth popping by if you're in the area.

It's Portland Heritage and History!!! We should always seek out knowledge and what a great place to…read moregain a little history and knowledge. The house is a time capsule it's a little eerie, it's staged as if they went on Holiday and never returned. From the authentic period clothing on mannequins that can also be found in photos, to their Knick-knacks and memorabilia. It's like stepping back to the early 1900's. The house isn't Pittock Mansion Status, but it shows the working family farm life and the docets are very informative and point out little tidbits of history to watch for as you wander the property on a self guided tour. Total time in the house was about 30minutes and another 15 exploring the gardens and farm area. Pretty good activity on a cloudy day we took 2 teens and they found everything interesting. 4 stars because the building is in dire need of repairs.

We visited the house for the Winterville holiday festival. Based on the website, it seems like 2016…read morewas the first year this took place, so it's a new event. Essentially, the event is only for two weekends in December. The house was decorated for the holidays a la Pittock Mansion. In one of the rooms they had amateur string players playing holiday music, and there were a few docents around the house providing historic information on the home. The house itself was decorated with Christmas lights, and they also had a sort of Christmas light garden out front. Outdoors next to the house they had a cute wooden sleigh with a decent Santa. Pictures with Santa (with your personal camera or phone) were included in the admission price. Next to that was a tent with concessions and live holiday music. They had alcoholic beverages for purchase as well as hot chocolate and non alcoholic cider for the kids. While we were there we heard choral music from what looked to be a high school choir. There was a vendor fair as well, but, frankly, it was terrible. Not sure if they normally have more vendors and no one showed up due to concerns over road conditions, but there were like three booths, and the tent was mostly empty. Parking was at the business center across the street, and there were volunteers to safely walk you across the road. Overall, this was a cute little event. The price was a little high for a winter event, in my opinion, but it was pretty reasonable considering the fact that it also included the tour of the historic home as well as all of the Christmas displays.

Hands down, best view of the Columbia River Gorge! Expansive and breathtaking views of the Columbia…read moreRiver and the Vista House perched on Crown Point. It's truly spectacular! Also known as The Women's Forum for the women who raised finds to purchase than donate the land to Oregon Park & Recreation Department, I wrote a similar view under that heading. The drive along Scenic Highway 30 to get there is just as gorgeous! It's absolutely worth an intentional stop here, then continue on to the Vista House to take in more of this gorgeous scenery As you visit the waterfalls, hiking trails, Hood River, and all that the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. There is a huge parking lot and while most people drive to the end where it's closer to the River, the best views are as soon as you enter. So park immediately to the right and take it all in. Then walk down to the end of the parking lot for additional vistas. There are informational placards that provide the history of this magical spot, including the history of the women who raised money to purchase this piece of land and then gifted it to the Oregon Park and Recreation Department. This is why this area is also named The Women's Forum With the name of the women memorialized on a placard. There are coin operated telescopes (coins required, cost 50 cents) at the end nearer to the river so you can get an up close view of the landscape, birds and wildlife. There are a few benches to relax and breathe in the beauty of this incredible area. Chanticleer Point is a place I visit often on my way through the Gorge. On a blue sky day, a day filled with clouds or even fog, a spectacular view is there to enjoy! It sometimes gets windy so be prepared; this is the Gorge!. When friends come to Portland for a visit, Chanticleer Point is always on the agenda. They are awe struck by the incredible beauty of this gorgeous vantage point. Plus it's the epic spot for a photo!

This is another good view point to see the Columbia river banks. The parking lot is adjacent. But…read morethe area is severely under maintained. The trees and bushes are high and all over, that blocks the view a lot. Other than the natural site and some historical plaques, there's not much to see or do here.