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You’re welcome to stay on the boat for the return trip or get off and wander around, catching the next boat (provided you don’t miss the last boat back to Cascade Locks). The most popular cruise aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is the Sightseeing Gorge, which is offered daily from May – October. As you travel, the captain will narrate the history and point out a variety of attractions and natural landmarks. Snacks and beverages from the bar are available for purchase.
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler in the Tri-Cities Archives nbcrightnow.com - NBC Right Now
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler in the Tri-Cities Archives nbcrightnow.com.
Posted: Sun, 19 Apr 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Spend the Day on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler!
The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler can hold up to 232 passengers and offers an onboard galley and two full-service bars for those not taking part in a plated meal-service cruise. As the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler makes its way down the river, you’ll pass by famous sights like The Bridge of the Gods, Wind Mountain, the Bonneville Dam, and more. Over the last five years, the sternwheeler has seen an average 35,000 passengers from Marine Park in Cascade Locks.
What to expect from a Brunch Cruise aboard the Sternwheeler
For a truly romantic experience aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, take the Gorge-ous Dinner Cruise. You’ll enjoy the same narrated history and sights as the other cruises, but you’ll be treated to a sensational chef-created menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients. The Sternwheeler’s historic-looking interior and exterior along with its historic setting in the scenic Columbia Gorge makes it a wonderful experience for tourists and history enthusiasts. It has seating for 232 passengers for plated meals, an on-board galley, two full-service bars and is licensed to carry 599 people. The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler was built in Hood River, Oregon by Nichols Boat Works and was launched in 1983. On April 19, 2006, the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler became the first and only paddle-boat leased by American Waterways, Inc.
Expedition Cruises

On Sundays between May and October, join the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler for a delicious brunch cruise up the Columbia River. This cruise lasts two hours and features an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch with hosted Champagne and mimosas. Spending an afternoon or evening aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is a beautiful way to enjoy your time in the Columbia River Gorge. Riding this incredible boat is all about relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Columbia River Gorge. Escape to the Columbia Gorge on this 2-hour cruise through the heart of the Columbia Gorge. Enjoy a delicious plated Northwest brunch with complimentary Champagne/mimosas.
Dockside Bar
#1 | Are you using Skamania County, Washington as your base camp for adventures in the Gorge? The Columbia Gorge operates on the Columbia River May through October. The captains are well versed in the history of the region including Native American stories, Lewis & Clark tales and the geologic formations and narrate throughout the one and two-hour trips.
Ply the waters of the Columbia River and listen to stories of history and legend. Unfortunately, we were not able to come to a timely agreement with the Port to renew our long term contract that would allow us to complete a repower of the vessel by 2024. Cascade Locks sits right at the spectacular Bridge of the Gods on the banks of the Columbia River.
Eat local in beautiful Cascade Locks.
Umatilla tribal member Kim Brigham built the Brigham Fish Market with her family. The family cashed out their 401ks and built the Brigham Fish Market. Cruise through the Columbia Gorge Historic Scenic Area while enjoying a freshly prepared three-course dinner with your choice of entrĂ©e. There aren’t currently cruises being offered while the Sternwheeler undergoes maintenance projects. The Cascade Locks Marine Park is the home port for the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge. The Sternwheeler is owned by the Port of Cascade Locks and now operated by JettyLight.
But day-to-day operations are run by American Waterways Inc., better known as Portland Spirit, the company that runs a fleet of tourist boats in Oregon. We have loved operating the Port’s historic vessel for the past 17 years. Our final public cruise in the Columbia River Gorge was on October 30, 2022. Cruise line captains don’t want to deal with such delicate issues.
Enjoy our Magical Secret Season Lodging
Today, thanks to its beautiful location on the river, there are plenty of great things to do in Cascade Locks, Oregon. In Portland Spirit’s last contract proposal, it included a payment increase of more than 50%. But so far, the two parties have been unable to reach and agreement.
Indeed, during the years of the great recession, the nearby Eagle Creek wildfire and during the pandemic, ridership was so low the sternwheeler did not turn a profit. It kept paying the port however, as busy years supplement slower years. “Our previous contract with (Portland Spirit) has certainly limited the revenue to the port, and the port believes that it could be operated for an increased revenue,” she said.
These dinner events will allow these local culinary artists to provide a unique dining experience especially made for each cruise. The price for these unique dinner adventures will vary depending on the menu and time of year, but typically range from between $65.00 to $100.00, plus tax. Just as in days of old, join us aboard the replica sternwheeler Columbia Gorge for a truly impressive cruise along the picturesque Columbia River. We will carefully select partner caterers and restaurants, pairing their fares with local craft beers and locally grown wines. Every Sunday during the season, you can board the vessel at Cascade Locks and leave your worries behind for a fun-filled and unforgettable brunch cruise.
It’s best known for the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, which offers daily and nightly cruises from May – October – but it’s also home to popular attractions like Thunder Island. If you’re looking for something unique and fun to do this summer, we have the perfect thing! Head down to the charming town of Cascade Locks, Oregon, and take a cruise with the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is one of the most popular things to do in Cascade Locks, Oregon, which itself is a charming town worth visiting. The restaurant gets a few diners from the local Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. But Brigham thinks they’d get more if a larger cruise liner docked in town.
East highlights Wind Mountain and Skamania Lodge, while west features the Bridge of the Gods and Bonneville Dam. Stay on board to do both loops for free (not available on last cruise of the day). Experience the history, and the legends, of the Columbia River Gorge and learn about the Native Americans and the Lewis and Clark Expedition on a cruise aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. Boarding is at Marine Park in Cascade Locks, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Built in Hood River, Oregon by Nichols Boat Works and launched in 1983, our authentic triple-decker paddle wheeler provides 360 degrees of breathtaking vistas. These cruises leave on the hour from Cascade Locks and travel for an hour in one direction.
For example, maneuvering an old-tech sternwheeler is tricky. Another sticking point in negotiations revolves around which sternwheeler improvements Portland Spirit should cover, and which the port would pay for. No decision has been made and, meanwhile, it can take two years to fulfill a marine parts order. “We approached them about four years ago to start that conversation for repowering and doing some cosmetic updates, and the process has really taken a long time,” said Corwin. For example, the sternwheeler needs $3 million in restoration work to its engines and interior. Cascade Locks city administrator Gordon Zimmerman said the town was more widely discovered in the 2000s after developers bought land in anticipation of a casino being built.
In town, you can stop at little tents on the side of the road to buy it. Given the nature of our operation and limited seating for each sailing, all tickets are non-refundable. However, they are transferable if transferred at least one week (seven calendar days) prior to the schedule sailing. If an online purchase included food and beverage, it may not be possible to credit for the exact menu selection. In these cases, the refunded will receive a credit of a similar value to the food item originally purchased.
Experience the natural and scenic wonders of the Columbia River Gorge and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition by taking a boat cruise aboard an authentic triple deck sternwheeler. Watch Native American tribes fish from their legendary platforms as they have for centuries. Scenic rides, brunch and dinner cruises and interpretive tours provide 360-degree breathtaking vistas.
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