Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Hood River (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: WAAAM, Starvation Creek Falls, and Martin and Carrie Hill House. Also, be sure to include Hole-in-the-Wall Falls in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Hood River (Oregon).
Table of Contents
WAAAM
The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum is located in Hood River, Oregon, United States, adjacent to the Ken Jernstedt Memorial Airport. WAAAM is a nonprofit 501 organization committed to the preservation of, and education about aviation, automobile, and other historic transportation-related relics.
WAAAM is open to the public every day 9:00-5:00 except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. WAAAM has special activities the second Saturday of every month. The museum features flying demonstrations, auto demonstrations, and restoration demonstrations, though events vary month to month. The museum's biggest event is the annual Hood River Fly-In held the first weekend after Labor Day every year, and features antique aircraft and automobiles from throughout North America.[1]
Address: 1600 Air Museum Rd, 97031-9800 Hood River
Starvation Creek Falls
Waterfall in Oregon. Starvation Creek Falls, is a two tier waterfall located in the Starvation Creek State Park at the north skirt of the Columbia River Gorge, in Hood River County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in a privileged area along the Historic Columbia River Highway, where four waterfalls are located in the Starvation Creek State Park: Cabin Creek Falls, Hole In the Wall Falls, Lancaster Falls, and Starvation Creek Falls—all within 2 miles from each other.
The cascade and its river trail are surrounded by forests in the heart of the Columbia Plateau, off the western skirt of Viento Ridge.[2]
Martin and Carrie Hill House
The Martin and Carrie Hill House, also known as The Gorge White House, is a historic residence located on rural orchard land near Hood River, Oregon, United States. It may be the finest and most ornate example of the Dutch Colonial Revival architectural style in the vicinity of Hood River, incorporating a large array of the distinctive features of the style. Characteristic elements include a gambrel roof, symmetric, rectilinear form, fanlights, dormers, dentils, balconies, window keystones, fluted columns, and others. The house also displays a very high degree of historic integrity on both the exterior and interior, with only minor alterations since its construction in 1910. Martin Hill and his orchard property surrounding the house were prominent in the development of the apple industry in the Hood River Valley. He was active in business and community affairs, including service as a Hood River County Commissioner and Oregon state legislator. He built this elaborate house in 1910, several years after purchasing his orchard land in 1901, in order to reconcile his wife Carrie to their relocation from Iowa.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It was opened to the public as an agricultural tourism business that same year.[3]
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Waterfall in Oregon. Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, also known as Warren Falls, is a 96-foot man-made waterfall on Warren Creek in Starvation Creek State Park, Hood River County, Oregon, United States. Its main drop is 60 feet. It was created in 1938 when Warren Creek was diverted through a tunnel to prevent washouts of the Columbia River Highway. The creation of the falls shut off a natural cascade known as Warren Creek Falls named after the creek that formed it.[4]
Hood River Bridge
Truss bridge in Hood River County, Oregon. The Hood River Bridge is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that spans the Columbia River between Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington. It connects Interstate 84/U.S. Route 30 on the Oregon side with Washington State Route 14.
The bridge is currently the second oldest road bridge across the Columbia between Washington and Oregon. It was built by the Oregon-Washington Bridge Company and opened on December 9, 1924. The original name was the Waucoma Interstate Bridge.
Construction of the Bonneville Dam 23 miles (37 km) downstream forced the bridge to be altered in 1938 to accommodate the resulting elevated river levels. On December 12, 1950, the Port of Hood River purchased the bridge from the Oregon-Washington Bridge Co. for $800,000.
The bridge is operated as a toll bridge by the Port of Hood River. Currently the tolls are set to $2.00 for a passenger car, with $1.00 for each additional axle, and $1.00 for motorcycles. Bicycles and pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the bridge.
20 piers are used to support the total length of 4,418 ft (1347 m). When closed the vertical waterway clearance is 67 ft (20m). This increases to 148 ft (45 m) when the bridge is open at a river level of 75', which typically happens once or twice a month. The horizontal waterway clearance of the lift span is 246 ft (75 m).
The bridge has weight restrictions: Total Gross Weight Limit: 80,000 lbs, each single axle: 20,000 lbs, tandem axles: 34,000 lbs. Vehicles higher than 14′ 7″ are restricted to travel on the bridge.
It is located at river mile 169, between Bridge of the Gods at RM 148 and The Dalles Bridge at RM 191.[5]
Gorge Paddling Center
Nature, Natural attraction, Gear rental, Kayaking, Tours, Outdoor activities, Canyon
Address: 100 1st St, 97031 Hood River
Wah Gwin Gwin Falls
Waterfall in Oregon. Wah Gwin Gwin Falls, also known as Lullaby Falls, is a waterfall of Phelps Creek located in the property of the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel, in Hood River County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. The waterfall is notable for its main drop of 207 feet that plunges through steep cascades into the Columbia River, south of the city of Hood River, Oregon.
The waterfall runs next to a terrace built along the edge of the back side of the hotel. The terrace is flanked by a wall built with the same masonry ashlar technique of the entry way of the hotel.[6]
Waucoma Hotel
Hotel. The Waucoma Hotel is a historic hotel building in Hood River, Oregon, United States.
The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The Waucoma Hotel was remodeled and reopened in 1910 as the Hotel Oregon. The hotel closed in 1973.[7]
The History Museum of Hood River County
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Address: 300 E Port Marina Dr, 97031-1198 Hood River
Simpson Copple House
The Simpson Copple House is a historic residence in Hood River, Oregon, United States. Built in 1906 on a rise overlooking the Columbia River, it is one of the best preserved examples of the vernacular, late Queen Anne architectural style in Hood River. Its size, state of preservation, and fine detail work on its gables especially stand out from similar houses in the area. Simpson Copple was a Civil War veteran and pioneer orchardist who was important in the growth of the apple industry in the Hood River Valley. He purchased the house shortly after its construction and lived there until his death.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[8]
Roe–Parker House
Building in Hood River. The Roe–Parker House is a historic house in Hood River, Oregon, United States.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It was relocated from its original site adjacent to the Hood River Library in 2002, to make way for expansion of the library building. It was removed from the National Register in 2018.[9]