We were making a point to see the tourist stuff for Hood River and this was our first stop along…read morethe way. I didn't expect it to be huge because it had a reasonable price that was pretty affordable. Still, they had a lot of different stuff to check out inside. The woman working was super friendly. It was just fun to see a little bit more about the area since we're usually just passing through. There were a few things outside as well and although not a huge lot I would think it would pretty mush always be easy to find parking. Glad I stopped by to check it out.

We love going to the small museums that dot the landscape across the country. Sometimes they're…read moreweird, but they're always fun and informative. This museum is definitely small, but the entrance payment of $5 each was well worth it. It took a little over an hour to go through it but it was a dive back in time to the present. A reminder of life well lived. The Indians, the farmers, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Mexicans all played a part in what Hood River county has become and all had a little representation in this small gem of a museum. The staff was friendly and informative and helped make this trip down memory lane a pleasure.

This was such a fun stop! We tried to go here a while back but it was out of season and the…read moreObservatory was closed but we reattempted earlier this summer and it was a success. Many astronomical obsevatories are research based and don't alow tourists or casual visitors to them. But this observatory is open to the public. It is free and a Washington State Park. The only fee involved is the paid parking or State Park Fee. There are two presentations here. There is a day presentation where you look at the sun with the telescope (with filters so it's safe) and a night presentation where you look at the stars. The night presentation runs pretty late like past midnight so that is something to know but I am sure the stargazing is amazing. To do either presentation you will need to make reservations on the Goldendale Observatory website to secure a visit. When we did the day presentation we looked through the telescope. It may look anticlimactic looking at a white circle but the staff will tell you that is how it will be. If you see black spots on the white circle you are looking are sunspots. After we looked through the telescope we heard a lecture by the park staff going into great detail about the sun which was fascinating! They have souvenirs here so you can get things like refrigerator magnets and such. Definitely a worthy stop!

Five stars ++! The Goldendale Observatory is an experience…read morethat's not to be missed! While this is a place for everyone; older children, particularly teens will truly benefit from visiting. The Rangers are passionate about the Observatory and it shows! Troy is a font of information, he delivers his wisdom with enthusiasm and a bit humor. He and Laura work in tandem to ensure a positive and fulfilling experience. NOTE: You will be walking and climbing ladders to use the telescopes = wear sensible shoes. Bring a water bottle, a snack and a warm jacket, as it can get cold. Enjoy, enjoy!

impressive place. transited through on an American Cruise Lines ship (American Jazz). love the…read moreextensive fish accommodations. very cool.

We came here because it was so close to the falls. Could not…read morebe more boring. Not much to look at but the fish swimming to spawn seemed mildly interesting. The windows to view the fish were so dirty you could hardly see anything. Not interesting in any way.

This gallery showcases local artists who create on a variety of mediums. Ceramics, linens, metal…read morework, paintings, jewelry, pottery, glass, bronze sculptures, watercolors and more. Many of the pieces reflect the nature and beauty of the Columbia Gorge and Hood River. So much to take in! The shop is also run by artists so they are super knowledgeable and helpful. Enjoyed seeing the cotton tea towels with handmade prints of Hood River flowers, fruit and even beers! Made by Crisp & Tart, I highly recommend these for your own use or for gifts. I have several and I've gifted even more! Recipients are always delighted. Stop in often as the art changes. In the hallway they showcase larger paintings and rotate those artists. Located right on Oak, as the name implies, make it part of your routine! Support local. Support local artisans.

This is by far the best gallery in Hood River. I am a writer and a poet and I found exactly what I…read morewas looking for. A leather bound journal! Beautifully made, excellent craftsmanship with an eye for detail. I actually bought two, one for myself and one for my nephew for graduation. They also offer very beautiful paintings, blacksmith and metal work, pottery and much more. All made by local artists.

I set my GPS for the Wasco County Historical Society and it took me to the Columbia Gorge Discovery…read moreCenter & Museum. We learned that the Wasco County Historical Museum is contained the the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum. Well worth the time spent there.

We were just walking by during our wandering about mainly looking for wine tasting rooms in Hood…read moreRiver, and stumbled on this little art gallery that apparently doesn't have a yelp page created for it yet, so I'm happy to be the one to get to create it! I'm not sure if it's a permanent gallery? It sounded like their eventual goal was to make it a gallery-and-restaurant, which apparently according to yelp, it once was, back in 2013, though I have no idea if it was the same owner or not. In any case, at the moment, it is just an art gallery and nothing else, and I have to say, there is some really freaking good art in there as of right now. Extra neat, one of my favorite artists in the display, I believe her name was Christine, was also the one running the gallery at the time, so we got to chat with her a bit about her art, which was also surprisingly affordable for such good art (I mean, it was still expensive, but in the hundreds of dollars, where it could easily have been in the thousands somewhere more expensive). The same was true of quite possibly now my favorite art-photographer ever, Brian Chambers, whose art was so gorgeous I actually took a business card in case I feel like spending money on original art in the future, which I don't do often, because, seriously, just wow (wow at how amazingly pretty it all is, and also at how reasonably priced it is, relatively speaking.)

Spacious gallery with a diverse collection of art from local artists using a variety of materials…read more The space is very open with lots of room to walk around and view the various pieces. Evidently this building used to house a bank and the huge safe is still there against the back right wall. The day I was there, they had several pieces of wood furniture with a live edge, which I love. There was the most amazing high top table - if only I had that kind of money! Also some console tables and a coffee table. All spectacular. Bright glassware, dishes, vases and sculptures also caught my eye as did the pretty pieces of pottery, all displayed in lucite cases and in tables allowing it to be seen. Lots of paintings on the wall and on the partitions. And some enlarged photographs, too, by Brian Chambers. His pictures of the wildflowers with the Gorge in the background are breathtaking! And very affordable for the artistry. Definitely fun to browse and see if something catches your eye that you just have to have! The gentleman working that day was friendly, helpful and in no way pressuring. He let me browse at my leisure and provided answers to my questions. I will check back from time to time as I am seeking a piece of art and have something in mind. I'll know it when I see it!

Visited today. Wow so impressive! The fish, the flowers, the paper weights. Beautiful show room…read morewith the work studio open to view.

I love this amazing Gallery up the Columbia River in The Dalles Oregon. The drive alone is worth it…read moreyou passed by Multnomah Falls off the Columbia River Gorge which is a National Treasure. When you come up on to the gallery there's always plenty of items letter in the gallery that are for sale so you can actually walk in and buy right off the shelf. Or you can come in with your own idea and have them create it and bring it to fruition. Andy Nichols is a very thoughtful caring individual that brings his craft as high up as he can to make it something that is a memorable moment. He wants people to embrace the glass culture. In his early years it was a little bit of sacrifice to get into the point is that now but in his own words he says it was all worth it. If you look around as Gallery you'll understand that his heart is completely in this. Another great feature is that he has an incredible staff that teaches small to keep high quality in classes and you can go in and do your own glass projects under the supervision of the teachers. It's very safe they have several crucibles and kills that they use to produce the most incredible pieces you've ever seen. I highly recommend that you come in and arrange to have a glass blowing session with one of his instructors Britney was amazing. She assisted me and blowing up a 12 ounce drinking glass that had yellow bands running through it with blood red face. My girlfriend was able to create a special Christmas ornament for herself. Earlier one of the questions from the check in with is it a good place for kids. I would say no but then again it's a crazy kind of business where you see fire and glass and activity and things going on it could be interesting for kids to. I highly recommend it. Everything they do in the shop comes from their heart. And you can see it in the way that they treat people that come in through the door.

Nice little Festival in a tiny River town called Bingen, Washington. If you ever wanted everything…read moreHuckleberry this is a good place to go! Held every year in September. Picked up bunch of Huckleberry stuff here when we went, Pie, shakes, fudge..... Also got a couple other things as well. I would highly recommend this little Festival but that being said, not much else to do in this town!

Small. Not as advertised. Only one booth sold all products…read morehuckleberry plus one food truck. We walked the festival in ten minutes.