What is there to do in The Dalles?
-There is a lot to discover in The Dalles!
Here are a few suggestions to get you started. All routes and distances begin from the Herbring House courtyard steps at 314 W 3rd st. Like Dorothy starting out on the yellow brick road, explore away. We are right next to Old St. Peters Landmark downtown with the tall steeple and rooster weather vane. If you need to find your way back just follow the rooster home.
Hungry?
The Dalles Thai Cuisine is about one block to the north. 1 min walk- 302 W 2nd- Ph: 541.769.0500
Burgerville- Northwest fast food that does a good job with locally sourced ingredients. 2 blocks east on 3rd. 2 min walk.
Bombas Indian- a short walk down 3rd street in the Historic Commodore II brick building. 4 min walk.
Pho Saigon- Opening soon on 4th and Union 3 blocks east on 4th street.
Farm Stand- Grocery store with deli items. 4 blocks east on 3rd.
The Baldwin Saloon- reopened recently with late hours. Beautiful historic building on 1st and court st. 5 block walk.
The Last Stop Saloon- Pub food and live music most nights. 209E 2nd. Ph 541.296.3070
Lilo's Hawaiian BBQ- 400 E 2nd. Ph: 541.296.3404
Petite Provence- Good breakfast and lunch spot. Nice pastries and desserts. 408 E 2nd Ph: 541.506.0037
Enza Cafe- 418 E 2nd 8 min walk. Pizza and sandwiches
Freebridge Brewing- 710 E 2nd. Pub food and local craft brews. Incredible historic building. US Mint building commissioned by Abraham Lincoln. 11 min walk. Ph: 541.769.1234
Mama Jane's- W 6th street. 8 min walk
Shannon's Ice Cream- Home made ice cream. about 6 blocks 318 E 4th street. Ph: 541.769.0355
Bargeway Pub- Waterfront dining and events. Walk or bike to Union street, head north to river. Take left on riverfront trail. 20 min walk.
1535 Bargeway Drive Ph: 541.370.2345
Casa El Mirador- Mexican food with small cantina. Locally family owned institution. 15 min walk going west on 1424 W 2nd. Ph: 541.298.7388
Spooky's Pizza- Hometown favorite for generations. Pizza, sandwiches, salads, game room. Apx 2 miles away at 3320 W. 6th Ph: 541-298-1300
Top breakfast spots- Petite Provence, Mama Janes, Zims and Cousins.
Wine and beer-
Farmstand- Selection of bottles of wine to purchase
Wines on 2nd- 316 E 2nd. Tasting room with occasional music. 6 minute walk. Open Tues-Sat 3-8pm Ph: (541) 769-0825
Zims- 604 E 2nd. 10 min walk. Ph: 541.296.2368
15 Mile winery- 623 E 2nd. 10 min walk. Ph: 541.965.1445
River Tap- E 2nd across from Freebridge. Specialty cocktails, micro brews. 10.5 min walk
Freebridge Brewing- Locally owned craft brewery. 11 minute walk
Sunshine Mill- Repurposed flour mill turned winery. Well curated unique space and lovely grounds. Small events and occasional tours given.
901 E 2nd. 1 mile walk. Ph: 541.298.8900
Live Music-
Depending on the time of year there are several places to hear live music.
Bargeway pub- regular music year round. They have a nice outdoor area with a large stage and lots of music in the summer.
Zims- local bar on 3rd street with regular music
The Last Stop Saloon- nightly music usually solo acts. New outside space being built with large stage currently.
Wines on 2nd- weekly music including jazz and bluegrass.
Granada Theater on 2nd street has ticketed concerts and events several times a month. 5 min walk
Mid-Columbia Community Concerts has several ticketed performances during the year at the Historic Civic Auditorium on 4th.
Museums and Historic Landmarks-
Fort Dalles Museum- One of the oldest museums in Oregon. Former surgeon's quarters from 1800s.
Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center- Sits at the west end of the riverfront trail.
Old St. Peter's Landmark- Right next door to Herbring House. Incredible stained glass, marble and pipe organ.
Rorick House-
St. Paul's Church- The oldest church in The Dalles. Beautiful stained glass windows. Limited days and hours to view. Union St/5th
Murals- There are many murals dedicated to historical people and places throughout The Dalles. We'll find a map to link to soon.
Neon Sign Museum- Repurposed Elks lodge is now an downtown attraction at 3rd and Court streets. They recently scored the historic Jantzen Beach Carousel which is being restored and reassembled to display when done. OPB story here
The Dalles Art Center-
Maryhill Museum- About a 30 min drive east of The Dalles but worth it
Timberline Lodge- An hour plus drive but an amazing place if you have an extra day on your visit and love lodges.
Cycling-
The riverfront trail is nine miles of dedicated walking/biking trail along the Columbia river. Gentle and rolling.
The Dalles is the east end of the Columbia River scenic bike route traveling 73 miles through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
This website says The Dalles has the best cycling roads in Oregon. Check out these 25 great rides in the area at TheDallesRoads.com
More road biking ideas in the Gorge here
There are two official trails in Oregon that span the entire state bottom to top and they both end up close to The Dalles. The Outback trail ends at the mouth of the Deschutes river to the east and the Timber Trail to the west in Hood River.
Mountain Biking trails in the Gorge with updates here
We have a small bike self repair station in the Herbring House Courtyard with a repair stand, air and basic tools.
SPR bike shop about 5 blocks from us on Washington between 3rd and 4th. Open M-Fr 10-6ish Sat 12-4 Phone 541-980-8418
There is also a pump track close by for the little riders in your group. It's part of the public pool facility next to the skate park.
Parks-
Lewis and Clark Festival Park- about 7 blocks away at Union and 1st. It sits between I-84 and the railroad tracks but is nice and has bathrooms. It's right next to the Riverfrong trail and where the cruise ships dock.
City Park- about 5 blocks away at Union and 5th. Nice little park with play structure and bathrooms. There is also a stage with power. The Farmer's market happens here on Saturdays 9-noon about June through mid October.
Sorosis Park- Vast park that overlooks the city, river and Klickitat Mountains. Frisbee Golf course, running/walking path, tennis, pickleball, softball fields and soon a new play structure. They also have a shelter with power and picnic tables.
Swimming and skate park.- 1 block from Herbring House across the Mill Creek foot bridge is the community pool with a splash pad, play structure, skate park and pump track. Picnic tables and areas.
Antiques & Thrift stores-
Red Wagon antiques
Breezeway antiques
St. Vincent DePaul thrift store
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Goodwill
Annual city events-
Cherry Festival- April. Parade, carnival,
Cherry Festival Quilt show- @ Herbring House Courtyard and Old St. Peter's Landmark.
Starlight parade- November
EV Charging stations-
The Dalles Chamber of Commerce is one block away and has a charging station
Lewis and Clark Festival park
Cousins Country Inn and Restaurant has several
Across from fire station has a few.
Public transportation-
The Link bus- Various routes around The Dalles and to Hood River to connect to the Cat Bus
The CAT bus- You can take this bus around the Gorge, Portland and even up to Mt. Hood Meadows for skiing in the winter.
Weather-
Will it be windy? Will it be hot?
We find this is the best place to know what the wind is doing. Wind finder TD they also give temps.