The Dalles is the largest city in Wasco County, Oregon. At the 2020 census, its population is 16,010. It is situated between Hermiston and the Portland Metropolitan Area. There are a number of places to visit while in The Dalles. This article discusses the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and the National Neon Sign Museum.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail connects Multnomah Falls, Crown Point, and Troutdale. It runs between the rivers and shady forests. In mid-April, yellow balsamroot was in bloom along the trail. It’s a great place to take a picnic or a family hike.
The byway skirts the base of five significant falls, including Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in the nation. Many of these falls have viewing areas and bridges to let visitors get a better look. There are also trails that lead to more hidden falls tucked into the forest. Latourell Falls is a family favorite that features two plunging waterfalls. Bicyclists are welcome on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
The HCRH State Trail will eventually extend through Mitchell Point, with a proposed tunnel. The Mitchell Point Tunnel was once an iconic highway tunnel, with windows carved in solid basalt. In 1966, the freeway needed to be widened and the tunnel was destroyed.
The trail is 1.2 miles long, with stone retaining walls along the way. The walls were built by CCC workers 80 years ago and are now covered in moss and licorice fern. The trail also features remnants of old mill penstock pipes. One of them is at the end of a switchback, and another is near the main trail.
If you’re traveling by car, consider a stop at the Dallas Museum of History. It has exhibits for every level of history buff. The museum has a scavenger hunt that can help visitors understand the town’s history.
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail starts a few miles east of Hood River and ends about a mile west of Mosier. While it’s mostly paved, there are some uphill sections. For those in good shape, this is the perfect trail to take with a bike.
Several decades ago, the Civilian Conservation Corps worked to reconstruct a section of the historic highway. Eventually, the HCRH will connect Troutdale and The Dalles. In 2012, construction was underway for the HCRH trail. The new bridge on McCord Creek rivals the original highway bridges in design.
National Neon Sign Museum
The National Neon Sign Museum is an exhibit capturing the history, craftsmanship, and culture of the American advertising industry. It connects the past to the present and features the lives of some of the world’s most influential artists and inventors. With its extensive collection of signs, you can learn about their history and discover how they influenced the modern world. Whether you’re a history buff or an ad enthusiast, the National Neon Sign Museum will leave you awed.
The National Neon Sign Museum is housed in a historic three-story colonial-style brick building that was previously used as the Elks Temple. Benko purchased the building from the city for $1 and promised to make it a tourist destination. Opened in late 2018, the museum houses more than 300 neon signs and is filled with interactive exhibits. The museum’s collection includes unique, one-of-a-kind signs, vintage pieces of documentation, and even classic automobiles for sale.
Visitors can see a variety of neon signs, including a 19-foot-long female diver that will promote Jantzen swimwear. The museum also has a neon sign-making shop and three classrooms for apprentices. The museum will be located on the first floor of a three-story building.
The National Neon Sign Museum is one of the most unique places to visit in The Dalles. Its exhibits explore the history of advertising using neon and capture the art and craftsmanship behind the signs. It also showcases the lives of some of the world’s most important inventors and artists.
The National Neon Sign Museum is located in the downtown historic district of The Dalles. It captures the culture and history of the U.S. The Museum is also home to one of the world’s largest collections of neon signs. This exhibit will make you feel like you’re in the middle of an era from another time.
Located on a beautiful piece of property, the National Neon Sign Museum is an excellent day trip to The Dalles. The museum has a large collection of historic signs from The Dalles. Its displays include a Coca-Cola sign from the 1930s. Its second floor is set up to resemble a 1950s street. A few of its signs inspired the set designers of the popular sitcom, “Happy Days.”
Horsethief Lake State Park
If you’re planning a family vacation, you may want to consider visiting Horsethief Lake State Park in The Dalles, Oregon. This scenic park offers camping, hiking, and fishing in a scenic setting. You can stay in an RV or a tent in the campground or rent a Teepee if you prefer. There’s also an accessible trail that provides views of Mount Hood and snow-capped cliffs depending on the time of year.
The park is open every day from the last Saturday in April until the last Friday of October. You can fish here from April to October. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and is connected to the Columbia River, which provides a steady supply of warmwater fish. However, be prepared for hot weather and windy conditions as the lake can get extremely windy in mid-summer.
The park is a great place to go hiking, especially in the spring and summer. The trails will take you through a beautiful grove of trees that will provide you with shade on a hot day. The Dalles Mountain Ranch trail is another great place to hike, and you’ll find stunning views year-round. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll appreciate the petroglyphs and the ancient ring of lava on Horsethief Butte.
Horsethief Lake State Park was the location of a Native American village for centuries. The site was visited by the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early nineteenth century. After the construction of the Dalles Dam in 1957, a small lake formed here. Workers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers named the park Horsethief Lake because the terrain reminded them of a western. The abundant horses also provided the park workers with inspiration. In 2003, the park was combined with Dalles Mountain Ranch to create Columbia Hills State Park.
Columbia Hills State Park is another great place to visit in The Dalles. This park is situated on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It features 3,637 acres of natural beauty. This park offers a variety of experiences, including hiking and rock climbing. There’s also swimming and picnicking.
Historic Elk Lodge
Historic Elk Lodge is one of the most popular places to visit in The Dalles, Oregon. Its two-story building boasts murals, which are sure to make your visit memorable. It is also the site of the Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour. If you love art and history, you’ll also love the lodge’s two-story art center.
The Dalles is located on the sunny side of the Columbia River Gorge, 84 miles east of Portland. Known as the end of the Oregon Trail, it has been a center for trade and commerce for thousands of years. Located at the end of the trail, the town is considered to be one of the oldest communities in North America. Because of its historic significance, many of the locals are descendants of the pioneers who settled the area. The town is filled with interesting history that is worth exploring.
The second floor of the Elks Lodge was once used as a ballroom for Elks meetings. Today, it is filled with false storefront facades lit by neon. It also features a full-size replica of the Town Pride Frozen Custard stand.
While the area is known for its museums and attractions, you’ll want to make time to visit the historic Anderson Homestead, which was part of a Swedish settlement in the late 1800s. This beautifully constructed building is now home to a winery and artisan shops. Tours of the beautiful building are led by a docent who can show you the lifestyle of a late nineteenth century Swedish immigrant. Besides historical artifacts, the museum also has a fun and interactive exhibits. There are many vintage cars and wagons for sale, as well as a giant bell where children can ring.
The Dalles Civic Auditorium is another important site to visit. It is a historic landmark built by Portland architects Chester Houghtaling and Leigh Dougan, who worked together for the city’s downtown area from 1914 to 1925. The building has a Moorish architectural style and is an excellent example of early twentieth century architecture.
