There are a wide variety of activities in the Hood River area, from visiting the many waterfalls, to hiking, biking, golfing and most famously windsurfing and kiteboarding. Here is a quick summary of fun things to do based on your interests.

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Low intensity

• Drive up Mt Hood to historic Timberline Lodge(~1hr drive). From its 6000ft elevation, you can gaze at the splendor of the mountain, ski (winter & summer) or just play in the snow. You can even take a chairlift up to 7000ft elevation for an even better view of the mountain. In the lodge, enjoy a relaxing drink or meal...we especially recommend the Sunday Brunch. Just keep in mind that this is the lodge used for the classic 1980 Jack Nicholson movie "The Shining".

• Go to historic Vista House at Crown Point (~45min drive) for a spectacular view of the Columbia River and then nearby Multnomah Falls to witness the most famous waterfall in Oregon.  

• Visit the local fruit orchards and fruit stands. Depending on the season, you can pick your own berries, apples or pears.

• Enjoy some of the Northwest's best wines by touring the local wineries.

• Learn about beer making at Full Sail Brewery, one of the four breweries in town.   

• On the road toward Portland is Bonneville Dam (~20min drive). See the gigantic turbine room which can generate over 17,000 megawatts and 65% of the electricity consumed by the entire Northwest (including Portland & Seattle). In the same complex, watch salmon and lamprey up-close swimming through the fish ladders. Next door is the fish hatchery where the kids can feed steelhead trout and see Herman the Sturgeon (10 ft, 500lbs) swim past a glass viewing window. 

• For the antique airplane and car enthusiasts, the Western Antique Aeroplane and Antique Automobile Museum located in Hood River has many examples of still operational biplanes and antique automobiles.

• Ride the historic Mt Hood Railroad from Hood River to Parkdale, through the beautiful woods, orchards and wineries of the area.

• Take a Columbia River cruise on an old fashioned paddle boat departing from Cascade Locks (~20min drive)

• Visit a working glassblowing studio at Glassometry, where you can watch art being created or purchase your next showpiece.

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Medium intensity

• Walk or bike the 4.5 mile Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail (9 mile round trip). This is a paved trail between Hood River and Mosier that overlooks the Columbia River and passes through two abandoned tunnels that were part of the original "highway". The trailhead is on the East side of town. 

• Find the perfect hike through old growth forests or to a remote waterfall. There's something for everyone. 

• Play a round of golf at the Hood River Golf & Country Club, Indian Creek Golf Course or Skamania Lodge Golf Resort (30 min away).

• Take the kids to the Skibowl Adventure Park (~1hr drive) where they can go down the half mile long alpine slide, bungee jump, mountain bike, play miniature golf, jump on a trampoline or drive a go-kart. 

• Go horseback riding at the Double Mountain Horse Ranch or Northwestern Lake Riding Stables. 

• Swim in the Columbia River at the Hood River Waterfront Park.  

• Rent a paddleboard and kayak at the Hood River Event Site through Brian's, Gorge Paddling Center or WhatSUP Kayaking.

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High intensity

• Whether road cycling or mountain biking, there are a myriad of options in the Hood River area. 

• White water raft the White Salmon river and get the thrill of riding down a waterfall (~20min drive). 

• Windsurf or kiteboard in Hood River...one of the worldwide meccas for the sports. If you want to learn, just go the Hood River Event Site and sign up for a lesson at Cascade Kiteboarding or Brian's Windsurfing. 

• Ski at one of the four Mt Hood ski resorts...Timberline (the only summer skiing in the U.S.), Mt Hood Meadows, Skibowl or Cooper Spur (beginners only).