Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum - The Dalles, Oregon

Les H.

We visited the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum yesterday, and both my husband and I absolutely loved it! The exhibits are fascinating and beautifully curated, offering a perfect blend of history, nature, and culture. The interactive displays and detailed information kept us engaged the entire time. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, which made our visit even more enjoyable. The views of the Gorge from the museum are breathtaking—a perfect backdrop to an already amazing experience. We can’t recommend this place enough!

Wendie K.

We were so pleasantly surprised by the displays and information. The staff were lovely and kind. We didn't have time to take the outdoor tour, but look forward to returning and adding that!

Oleksandra S.

This museum has a spectacular view😍 not many people know about this place, but it is definitely worth visiting. Many interesting exhibits and historical facts about this area. From the territory of the museum there is an amazing view of the Columbia River gorge👍🏼 Price - 12$.

Swap

I like museums in general, so take my excitement with a grain of salt!

This museum was super fun! The sections were mainly dedicated to the PNW and history (geological and human) of the Gorge. I really loved it! These sections covered Ice Age & how it shaped the current day Columbia Gorge, native American history of the Gorge, Lewis and Clark expedition, recreation of little pieces like camera, car, boats, etc. that were once used in this gorgeous Gorge. I easily spent close to two hours here.

They also have a kids section which I didn’t really checkout. I loved the small owl enclosure! There are 3 enclosures, but I could see only one owl. The museum gift shop has some interesting trinkets, many of which seem to be made locally. Do checkout the walkways surrounding the center! There are some great views out at the back!

There is a fee of 9$ for adults. Also, there is plenty of parking at the center!

Cassy T.

This place is amazing! My son is 3 and wasn't at the age of appreciation of the exhibits but he definitely enjoyed running around. We loved the exhibits. But I definitely have a deep appreciation of the staff, especially Tiffany Bates who went above and beyond for me and my family to celebrate my Mother's life! She and all the staff was so helpful to us, and really just amazing to give us such a proper celebration! We will definitely be visiting again on our travels! Thank you definitely rate 10+ ❤️

Seymore C.

Can't say enough about this Center, they've done such a great job of bringing not only the history of the Lewis & Clark Expedition which opened up the West for America, but Indigenous Peoples and their tribe culture.

Their museum shop is outstanding, bought some unique gifts there and am hoping they put their store online -big undertaking, but they deserve it for the quality of the items there. Could've spent a lot more, but do take the time to go thru the exhibits. Fascinating. Thanks for a memorable experience, next I'm up there I will go back. It was that awesome!

R R.

This spot is STUNNING. The scenery and discovery center are absolutely beautiful. I loved learning about the raptors and watching the demonstrations with the animals.

The proximity to the bike path was fantastic for exploring nearby restaurants and enjoying beautiful views of the gorge we just learned about. We found an awesome little brewery with amazing food just a few minutes down the path.

Sue L. S.

I so enjoyed my visit to this museum today! A must stop for anyone traveling through the area, as it encompasses information about the area from the Ice Age period, through the native peoples, past and present, and Lewis and Clark. I especially enjoyed the Wasco County Museum section. All of their exhibits are varied and informative, and they have worked very hard to make everything "Covid proof" during this period of time. The friendly lady at the desk was very helpful in helping me understand the voyage of the Chatham after Grey's exploration at the mouth of the Columbia. I did question two items though... the page about the size of the Nebraskan Camel in the Ice Age section, and the date of the painting by Eliza Barchus of Multnomah Falls... would love if the curator could look into these 🙂 As it appears my photos with descriptions did not post, let me elaborate... the Nebraskan Camel was stated to be 12 feet tall, yet the illustration comparing him to a camel of today makes it look like our camels are only 4 feet tall. If you didn't read the print, the illustration makes the Nebraskan Camel look 25 to 30 feet tall. Which is it? Then the painting is labeled "Multnomah Falls, 1898"... I don't believe this is correct because the bridge was not built until 1914. Ms. Barchus lived from 1857 to 1959 so residing in Portland, I'm sure she very well saw the bridge. Thank you.