While Hood River may seem like a sleepy mountain resort town from the outside, we promise there’s more than meets the eye! Jam packed with culture and unforgettable experiences, Hood River is the perfect place to plan your next once in a lifetime vacation! Sound good? Then you better start planning now, and here are a few things things to do in Hood River for an amusing week:
Take a Hike up Majestic Mount Hood
Rising 11,249 feet above the horizon (making it the tallest mountain in all of Oregon), Mount Hood is home to some of the best views and hiking in all of the Pacific Northwest. Mount Hood is a mostly dormant stratovolcano located right in the heart of the Cascades and is surrounded by an amazing array of beautiful forests, lakes, streams, wildlife, and much more! There are plenty of hiking options all around Mount Hood, ranging from easy to some trails that will push even the heartiest of outdoorsman to their limits! Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or just want to take in the beautiful sights and sounds of nature, Mount Hood is one locale that you need to make sure to visit.
Enjoy World Class Wines at One of the Many Vineyards
There are many different ways to take advantage of the incredible weather we are fortunate to experience here in Hood River, but arguably the ones who benefit the most are those who run some of our amazing wineries! There are a number of incredible local establishments all throughout Hood River creating delectable reds and whites just waiting for you to sample them for yourself. So when you’re crafting your next itinerary involving things to do in Hood River, make sure that local stops such as Phelps Creek Vineyards or Wy’East Vineyards are on the list!
Things to Do in Hood River: Discover the Grand History of the Hood River Area for Yourself
The history of the Hood River area is just as unique and diverse as the people who live here, and if you’re looking to find out what makes our humble town so great there’s one place to go: The History Museum of Hood River County! Featuring exhibits on the cultures of those who came before us, one-of-a-kind heirlooms and more, the History Museum of Hood River County serves to both educate about the past and keep our traditions alive for generations to come. This is truly one Hood River attraction that cannot be missed.
No matter how you organize that itinerary of yours, one thing is for certain: You’re guaranteed to have a once in a lifetime vacation when you decide to stay in Hood River! Just make sure to let Hood River Vacation Rentals do our part in helping out, as we are the premier property rental company in all of Hood River and are ready to assist you today with finding the perfect home or condo.
There’s always something to do during your Hood River vacation, but periodically there are extra special events that make your trip that much more exciting. Of course, hiking along the Columbia River is something special, and exploring the International Museum of Carousel Art is a fascinating and colorful way to spend a few hours of your vacation, but how often do you have the opportunity to listen to live music under the stars at a beautiful Oregon winery? Check these Hood River events that make our town one of the more beloved vacation destinations in all the state.
Marty O’ Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra
Taking place on August 31st, this talented band offers a new twist on the old blues without losing any of the soul that accompanies it. Performing at Springhouse Cellar, the combination of great music and even better wine makes your vacation date night out a magical and memorable one. Ticket prices range from free to kids 7 & under all the way up to $15 for reserved single seats.
Labor Day Weekend BBQ and Wine Release
Your Labor Day Weekend adventures will be that much more tasteful when you join Ani Che Cellars for their annual BBQ. Offering tasty lamb burgers and their latest 7 Gables release and taking place on September 1st and 2nd, this event is fun for people of all ages, but if you really want to enjoy the $5 pours, you may want to make this a date night happening as well.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
The only thing we don’t like about fall is that it ends too soon for our happiness, but this fun festival celebrates the beginning of all that is wonderful about the season. Featuring food, arts, crafts, and beer and wine tastings and occurring on October 12-14th, ticket prices range from free for kids 12 and under and top out at $6 per person per day.
Hood River Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, and Other Hood River Events
Small town Christmases generally offer a warmer and merrier feel than those of their larger city counterparts and the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is just another fantastic example of Hood River events! Held on December 1st and featuring activities that will be enjoyed by family members of all ages, the festivities start at 4 PM with the chance to start some early holiday shopping, followed by a parade at 6 PM and the tree lighting at 7 PM.
Everything is an Event in Your Hood River Vacations Oregon Escape
Designed for families, our homes turn the most mundane activities into magical events: sipping coffee at the breakfast table with a suddenly talkative teen, enjoying a glass of wine by moonlight with your favorite traveling partner, even a nap on the couch in front of a roaring fire. All these activities and so many more are made more special with a stay in our homes. Reserve yours today!
If you are traveling to Hood River, you are likely doing it for amazing hikes, towering waterfalls, all the watersports you can handle, and countless other outdoor pursuits. But occasionally, Mother Nature rears her head and surprises everyone with some rain. You can still get after it outside if you do not mind getting wet, but there are also many great activities indoors that are sure to provide a memorable day. Here are the most awesome things to do in Hood River on a rainy day.
Visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Just because it is raining does not mean you cannot enjoy the beauty and wonder of this area. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center provides an opportunity to do this without getting wet. They provide fun and educational exhibits delving into the history and the incredible natural qualities that make this such an amazing place to visit. Delve into the Gorge at 5000 Discovery Dr.
Hit the Mosier Twin Tunnels Trail
This hike may involve getting a bit wet, but tunnels that were once used as a roadway along the Columbia River will provide plenty of shelter from the storm. Walk along the river and through these fascinating historic features to find some of the most beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge that you will find anywhere. And the rain makes for an even more beautiful viewing experience.
Indoor Things to Do In Hood River
Indoor recreation comes in many forms in Hood River. One of the most fun is certainly the best bowling in town found at Orchard Lanes at 1141 Tucker Road. Enjoy the best lanes in town at a great price, or take advantage of a full restaurant, arcade section, pool tables, and much more. You will find fun for the whole family at Orchard Lanes.
Spend Some Time in a Beautiful Home
This is the easiest thing to do on a rainy day in Hood River, especially when you trust the professionals at Hood River Vacation Rentals to provide the home for you. There are few things to do in Hood River better than curling up with a blanket by a window or on the patio and enjoying the storm in a beautiful place. To call these homes beautiful places would be an understatement. You will find all of the comforts of home here, with some luxurious twists that will make you feel like you are staying in a world class resort. Our homes feature open spaces throughout many rooms, high-end furniture for relaxing, cozy beds, gourmet kitchens, flat screen TVs, and much more. Many of these homes even come with special features like fireplaces, hot tubs, and game rooms. Find the Hood River vacation home of your dreams today!
Hood River, Oregon is a place of endless recreation. While it is not a place where you think of overwhelmingly hot days, it can get a bit toasty during the summer months when you can count on sunshine throughout the day. Do not worry though, as there are plenty of amazing activities that are perfect for staying cool while having fun. The following are some of the top Hood River activities for staying cool in Hood River.
Visit Hood River Waterplay
Located on the shores of the Colombia River just to the east of the Hood River Bridge is this premiere water sports centre. They offer endless ways to cool off by getting in the water and having a fun time while doing it. They provide lessons on countless water sports activities like wind surfing, sailing, and more. If taking lessons does not sound right for you, you can always just rent stand up paddle boards, jet skis, kayaks, and almost anything else you can imagine.
Relax by a Waterfall
Nothing will cool you off quite like spending the day by a towering waterfall. Falling water impacting the pool below creates a constant mist that will keep you comfortably cool even on the hottest days. There are many options, but few are better than that provided by the Tamanawas Falls Hike that loops you 3.6 miles, with an amazing 150-foot waterfall along the way. Find the Elk Meadows Trailhead after traveling south of Hood River along Highway 35 for about 30 miles.
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum
Even if you are not a plane or automobile enthusiast, the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum will likely be one of the things that you remember most about your vacation here. This collection of still operational planes and automobiles is the largest in the country and features some of the most amazing vehicles ever made. From beautiful works of art to incredible innovations, the pieces of this museum will leave you amazed.
Hood River Vacation Rentals
After long days of adventuring through this beautiful area, you will need a beautiful and cozy place to call home so you can be ready for the adventures that the next day will surely bring. There are many options, but none surpass the quality of vacation homes and condos provided by Hood River Vacation Rentals. We offer something for everyone, including everything from a cozy condo in the downtown area for romantic getaways to a luxurious mansion tucked away in the woods for the largest of groups. Explore our property offerings for yourself or contact us today for more information!
Cold rainy winter nights. Don’t we mostly want to be inside–cozy and entertained after stimuli-overload during holidays? The remedy: I can’t think of one much better than to hit the flicks for some fun evening entertainment with these Hood River movies suggestions. Our little Hood River offers 2 great venues for your movie-viewing pleasure.
Hood River Cinemas offers the more traditional movie theater set up complete with 5 screens, stadium seating & classic concessions (buckets of popcorn, candy enticingly displayed, cookies, soda pop, also a good selection of beers). This is the spot for first run features and kid films. Always fun to run into friends and kids of friends out in the main lobby. Post-film debriefing is just the ticket in the spacious lobby. It also the place to check out the posters for the films coming soon. For more debriefing or just plain visiting with your movie date, Double Mountain Brewpub is just around the corner and Full Sail Brewing is down the street…
Skylight Theatre & Pub is the place to go to sink into big comfy chairs (think pedicure style) or couches to enjoy a movie in a more laid back, less traditional arena. Order up some fine New York style pizza and a microbrew, soda or vino of choice and settle in for a great Hood River movies night.
Skylight offers some specialty films and fun promos like those from Teton Gravity Research, Warren Miller, Inspired Media and other such ski films and inspiring sports flicks on huge variety of cool activities. The Columbia Center for the Arts hooks up with the Skylight to roll some always interesting films when the Mt Hood Independent Film Festival comes to town.
It’s nearly impossible to go the movies with out running into friends. That’s half the fun, especially in this social mecca on the Columbia. If, however, a quiet non-engaged movie sesh is more to your liking, the muted lighting of both theaters allow for slinking into the comfort of a theater seat to escape social encounters and just enjoy Hollywood’s latest.
After Enjoying the Best Hood River Movies…
Head over to your comfortable vacation rental for a good night’s sleep in cozy beds!