We came in for Halloweentown for the weekend. The chamber of commerce was turned into the museum of…read moreoddities for the events. While I know what I saw of it was just for the tourists, the people working there were nice and helpful and it's great to see the whole town come together like they do for spirit of halloweentown. That being said. The museum of oddities was just that. Odd. The taxidermy was interesting, the stories to go with them were a bit far fetched. But a deer in a business suit?! Yes, please!

From the owner: Itinerary planning while visiting South Columbia County can be difficult, whether it's Columbia…read moreCity, St. Helens, Vernonia or Scappoose there are so many things to do and see here. From the World's Largest Candle in Scappoose, to Scaponia Park in Vernonia, and the Spirit of Halloweentown all of October in St. Helens. Come on in to the South County Visitors Center at the Chamber of Commerce building and let us help you find all of the amazing attractions to make your visit unforgettable!

This is the Old Town district of St. Helens and if you know anything about this small town is home…read moreto the 1998 Disney TV movie Halloweentown. The film starred veteran actress (mom to Carrie Fisher) Debbie Reynolds and Kimberly J. Brown. Filming locations, were of course in St. Helens and Scappoose, Washington. This film spawned 2 more sequels after. Around the courthouse, within this small town, are other landmarks and historical buildings and sites as well, so explore. This town celebrates Halloween the entire month once October starts until its very last day. Having activities, live music, food and sometimes the cast from the film drop by (but that's rare I think now) and crazy costumes are also welcomed, so be wild.

You need to be quite careful if you move to St. Helens Or. or Columbia County. Do NOT mess with the…read morelocals who have been there a long time. They are all inter related and the Judges , City Police , County Police , and court employee's will do their best to cause you a problem if you go against one of their BUDDIES. Trust me I know. I moved back there after leaving as a youngster and they haven't changed at all in their small town mentality. I'm not saying their all bad, but do your research of who you are moving by before you relocate there. And DO NOT try to stand your GROUND against any who is a friend or relative of Judge Ted E. Grove, cause he'll make it his job to make you pay for messing with one of his. Of coarse this is just the opinion of a OLD 67 year male who became a JAIL BIRD after moving back the after 50 years while trying to protect himself from physical harm the harassment of his neighbors. And instead got more from their buddies at the Courthouse, Sheriffs Department, and City Police who were their friends. And lol the people who I was trying to protect myself from even bragged in Court to the fact that THEY were friends with the Columbia County Sheriffs And after the treatment I received in my 30 day stay in jail I believe that to be VERY true. AND do NOT expect any true LEGAL help once they start with YOU. Well just my opinion, but I'm usually pretty right on about folks. LOL My Dad owned a business there a long time ago and he taught me well about these SMALL TOWN FOLKS. So BEWARE!! Check the neighbors out before you relocate there and do your do research well, it may not be the DEAL you want. OH and I met a lot of young fellas there that got involved with the local gals there and guess where that got them LOL in jail.

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.

The gardens are beautiful. I was able to use my rollator throughout the garden and there were…read moreseveral seating options for people to just sit and chat. Very nice. The downside is the nearby train track and machinery going nearby. You can't do much about it but next time I'll know to bring my noise canceling earphones. I went towards the end of the season during a warm year so I got less than half the blooms. It was still very worthwhile. I'll come again during an early bloom season to catch them all.

Fantastic event!! Haven't been in many years! So enchanting! Gorgeous plants everywhere- love that…read morethey are labeled so you can pick your favorite and purchase a plant to take home for your yard!! Prices were reasonable and we left with two plants!! And, wonderful memories!!

5 stars yes! Could I give/leave any less? This Beautiful old Bridge built in 1940 when this part of…read morethe Lewis River meanderings was turned into Horse-shoe lake which remains as such to this day!'' A beautiful calm serene scene when going north to your right is worth a glance? The scene going south while is not as breath taking is worth a glance? the place where the Bridge is now! And originally was a ferry stop called Pekins ferry? Now these days when traveling North or South on I-5 one will cross this Bridge? Although there is another route around coming out a little bit south in the township of La Center Washington!'' 5 stars*****! ''Thank you Woodland Washington''

What a beautiful building, perfect location for wedding photos as we saw several shoots happening…read morewhen we arrived. They hold community events like apple cider making in the fall and pancake feeds in the spring. Has a small lot with a restroom and picnic bench. Great place to learn history and take in some views . Not a lot of parking and the bridge is one lane.

Even if your timing isn't perfect enough to coincide with the handful of hours each week where the…read moremill is "open" for business, this volunteer-run "living museum" is worth a visit alone for its rustic exterior and picturesque surroundings. It's one of the best places in the greater Portland area to experience the full spectrum of autumn arborea, from late September through November, including the scenic drive when approaching from either direction. It is, perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the most photographed structures in the Pacific Northwest. If you do happen to luck out and arrive in the early afternoon hours on Saturday (and maybe Sundays again, in the future), you're treated to a handful of volunteers demonstrating the operation of the milling machines, and providing inexpensive bags of fresh flour and other milled materials for purchase by "donation", the proceeds contributing to the maintenance and operation of this historic site. There are also hands-on opportunities for kids (and adults!) as well as informative posters and infographics that give a glimpse into the history and operation of the mill during its heyday. Private tours are available, as well as booking options for weddings, rehearsals, and similar events, with information available on-site, and on their website.

Part of the exhibit…read more The Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St.Helens, is one of North Cowlitz County's featured attractions for visitors. Operated by the nonprofit Castle Rock Exhibit Hall Society, the facility has three galleries of exhibits, displays and photographs portraying the area's history and culture. Those exhibits include Cowlitz Indian artifacts, logging carvings, sawmilling, logging displays, a Smithsonian Institution exhibit depicting the Mt. St. Helens blast zone, pre-eruption and post eruption pictures of the mountain and Spirit Lake, and other exhibits. The Exhibit Hall also includes a demonstration area that hosts annual quilt shows, holiday wreathmaking and other events, and a small store featuring books by several local residents among its merchandise. In the front of the building is a Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center that provides tourists brochures, maps and information about Mt. St. Helens and other Washington and Oregon tourist attractions. A historic city jail built in 1907 is located on city property behind the Exhibit Hall. Murals featuring Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake, a logging train and a Sternwheeler water vessel grace exterior walls of three buildings near the Exhibit Hall. Visitors may tour the historic city jail, which has been unused since the mid 1940's.

Haystack Rock is spectacular and something you'd see on National Geographic. I couldn't believe…read morehow easily accessible it was from Canon Beach. There are tons of access points to the beach, but the easiest is to park in the parking lot and walk across the street, past the public bathrooms and homes, and you're immediately in front of Haystack Rock. The rock is impressive, jutting out of sea of crashing waves, dotted with greenery. The best part was watching all the pufffins flying round and round. At low tide, you can get pretty close up to bird watch or take photos. The puffins come to nest here in spring, and we saw a tons of them at the end of May. The history is just as interesting. The rock was created by ancient lava flow. People used to climb the rock back in the day and get stranded when high tide came in, requiring many rescues. To prevent this, they dynamited the bottom, creating the monolith shape we see today. The rock is now a protected marine garden and wildlife refuge. It was even featured in The Goonies movie. The beach stretches for miles, so you can also continue on for a nice walk. They were also dog friendly. We saw several remnants of fire pits, so guessing they are ok.

Neat! It's a big big rock in the water. The weather was gloomy when we went and the water was not…read moresafe to swim, but the rock was impressively large. In hindsight I wouldn't have driven out from Portland just to see this rock, but it is famous so I'm told.

I have plans to climb Ranier 7/2026, but I've never had exposure to snow trekking. My friend…read moregraciously offered to give me a 101 crash course on MSH. Of course, I took the opportunity and flew to Portland and drove out to MSH. The day was perfect and the hike was incredible. I learned so many new skills. MSH is just beautiful and we caught the sunrise on a clear day. Get your parking before hand. I grabbed mine at REI in Portland. Please come and create your own adventure.

Mount Saint Helens is a must see. The beauty and history is unmatched. It's a great place to…read morespend the day.