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.

Easy to find, friendly people, not crazy crowds, for the most part people picked up after…read morethemselves. Beautiful spot to beat the heat, just make sure you purchase your discovery pass before you go. Water is cold but not terrible, you get used to it after a few minutes. Definitely wear good water shoes with decent tread, rocks are very slippery. We will definitely be back (with tubes next time!) btw we are 67 & 58 and climbed down and out no problem

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.

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.

Not real easy to get to, but worth the trip especially if you're into history and/or how things…read morework. A little under an hour north of Portland is a working grist mill. Very scenic setting with a rushing stream, covered bridge and old-timey doohickeys set in a fixed up mill. Kudos to the all volunteer staff who operate this site (note: a few hours weekend only). They have one special event each month so checkout 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.

My friend and I both dabble in photography, so stopping at Haystack Rock during our scenic drive…read morefrom Portland to Seattle was basically a must. I will say, was not prepared for how cold and breezy the Oregon coast would be in late June, but once we got down to the beach, I understood why this place is such an iconic stop. Haystack Rock itself is absolutely massive in person, rising about 235 feet above the shoreline, and it makes an incredible backdrop for photos. We had a great time walking around, taking pictures of each other, and trying to capture just how impressive it actually is. Apparently, it's also been featured in The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, which made seeing it in person even cooler. Beautiful scenery, great photo opportunities, and easily one of the highlights of our drive through the Pacific Northwest. Just bring a sweatshirt or hoodie even if your calendar says summer.

It's an amazing viewpoint and hangout spot…read more The silky, smooth sand is different here than anywhere else. Definitely recommend bringing a beach towel for sand viewing or shares and some activities to pass time by. I truly find it rejuvenating and reinvigorating to spend time here. View the magnificent and majestic Haystack rock. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that we feel so blessed in granted to have this moment in time finally. Relax and watch the gentle waves collapse and cascade by towards you gracefully. As the waves turned back against the ever fading tide, reminders that life worries will always reset, and there was always another day. Geez, upon the Pacific Ocean for endless miles. Let the heart sore and feel what else is out there, let adventure be at sea. Anyways, it's a great perspective in viewpoint hang out spot. And I'm starting to get hungry. Is there any food nearby? Well let's find out. Thanks :)

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.

The cost was $299 for a Guided Summit Climb through the Mount St. Helens Institute. You have a…read moregroup maximum of 10 and typically have to sign up months in advance to secure a spot. We signed up ~4 months in advance and trained every weekend for the September '26 Summit hike. We signed up for Sept 13 as the weather was supposed to be promising and we were taking the "Summer Route" roughly 8.5 miles RT. For the Sunday hike we received a message from our Guide Chris on Thursday, September 10th with the meet up information which was 6am at the trailhead. He left a phone number and email for questions before the hike. The weather turned for the worse on Saturday morning, which said Sunday morning to early afternoon would be "active snow, 30+ mph winds, near-freezing temps, and whiteout conditions, near zero visibility." We did not have the equipment to hike in snow/ice, neither did REI in early September. At least six members of our group left voice mails, and emails for Chris from Saturday early through evening. No responses at all to anyone in the group, and the concerns were all around safety. Literally 10+ message left for the guide we all paid $299 for to ensure a fun safe adventure. Even through Monday, still no responses, as I believe it's likely no one showed up, I know for a fact 6 of 10 didn't show.