Discover a Magical Attraction in Hood River: The International Museum of Carousel Art. If you’re traveling in northwest Oregon and you happen to be a fan of carousels, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to view the world’s largest collection of antique carousel animals and carousel art. Travel from Portland east on I-84 about 70 miles and you’ll come to Hood River. More than 150 carousel animals are exhibited at the International Museum of Carousel Art here.

The incredible collection of hand-carved, wooden carousel animals at the International Museum of Carousel Art includes works by many master carvers. Individual carousels usually include artwork created by only one artist. The Museum presents a unique opportunity to compare, contrast and enjoy many different styles of carousel animals. 

The majority of the antique carousel animals and artwork on display at the International Museum of Carousel Art is from the incredible collection owned by Duane and Carol Perron. The Perrons’ collection of carousel art began in the 1970s’ with just one carousel horse. Today the couple owns the largest and most comprehensive collection of carousel art in the world, including over a dozen complete carousels.

A large portion of the Perron Family Collection of carousel art is on permanent loan to the International Museum of Carousel Art. The Perrons and other volunteers have assisted in restoring a number of historic carousels throughout the United States. The proceeds from the operation of these restored carousels are used to fund restorations of additional carousels. An average of two additional carousels are restored each year as a result.

The International Museum of Carousel Art operates as a non-profit organization, as it has since its foundation in the early 1980s. The Perron family remains devoted to helping preserve and restore carousels throughout the world.

In addition to the many beautiful and intriguing carousel animals displayed at the International Museum of Carousel Art, you can also see (and hear) an operational 1917 Wurlitzer band organ as well as other rare artifacts. Exhibits focusing on European animals, American carvers, and the restoration process involved in preserving carousel art are some of the other highlights of the Museum.  

The Museum of Carousel Art was formerly located at 304 Oak Street in Hood River. It is presently closed temporarily while it moves to a different location (September 2008). You can find out more about carousel art and contact the Museum for more information on the grand re-opening of this fascinating attraction.

While visiting Hood River, you’ll most likely need to take a break during your day’s activities. There are several hotel options available and great rates can be found on HotelsCombined.com.

304 Oak Street,
Hood River, Oregon 97031

Rising 11,239 feet Mount Hood and its snow covered peak is home to twelve glaciers.  It is the highest mountain in Oregon and the fourth highest in the Cascade Range.  Mount Hood is considered to be the most likely to have volcanic activity, though based in its history, an explosive eruption is unlikely, but not impossible.  The mountain is sometimes informally described as “dormant”.

Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark and located on the southern flank of the mountain just below Palmer Glacier.

There are 6 ski areas, Timberline, Mount Hood Meadows, Ski Bowl, Cooper Spur, Snow Bunny and Summit on the mountain.  They total over 4,600 acres of skiable terrain.  Timberline offers the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America.

Mount Hood is part of the Mount Hood National Forest, which has 1.067 million acres, 4 designated wilderness areas totaling 189,200 acres and more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails.

The Columbia River George is one of the most beautiful sites for observing nature whether it is by hiking or driving or skiing. 

The run-off from Mt. Hood’s volcanic slopes makes the soil in the valley a perfect place for fruit-growing with apricots, apples, blueberries, pears and wine grapes. 

In the area are historical sites to visit, quaint shops and restaurants to enjoy, the smells and sights of the lushness of the territory and all that it has to offer.  The trip to the Mt. Hood area will be a memory of a lifetime and most likely draw you back time after time.

The Clackamas River flows down through the center of the Mt. Hood Territory and the Oak Grove Fork branches off and runs into Timothy Lake at the eastern edge of the Territory.  There are campgrounds, as remote as you would like, there is kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater paddlers for your entertainment.  If you want to fish, the fish often rise for ease of fishing and the nights are dreamy and quiet.  Pretty hard to beat that combination!

Location: Since the area is over 1,000,000 acres in size you can get there from a number of different locations.  One option is to take Highway 26 east from the Portland area.  Stop in at any one of the Visitor Information Centers from Sandy to Government Camp and talk with the area experts or pick up as much information as you could possibly want to take with you.  This route will take you to Mt. Hood through beautiful mountain territory.

You can also start your journey on I-5, exit at #283 and stop at the Visitor Information Center in Wilsonville for information about the area from this direction.

If you are a fan of waterfalls then you will be in love with Multnomah Falls with its 620 feet fall there are only three falls in the entire nation that are higher, and non are more beautiful!

There are 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge which gives you the opportunity to view power, beauty and wilderness at a number of different locations, but, Multnomah Falls will certainly be the most impressive.

A trail from the famous Multnomah Falls Lodge (which was built in 1925) climbs to the Simon Benson Bridge across the lower cascade, then zigzags to the top.  It is a 1.2 mile hike gaining about 600 ft. in elevation.  From this location you can take the 6 mile Wahkeena Loop Trail for a fabulous view or continue on to the top of Larch Mountain and extend your hike.

Where: Exit 31 off I-84 or Exit 17 Hwy 30.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum feature exhibit halls, an auditorium, meeting rooms, workrooms, a research library, museum store and a cafe. The Museum’s collection contains roughly 26,000 objects, including Native American baskets, farm tools, household furnishings and other items.

Interactive displays and impressive exhibits at the Discovery Center recount both the natural and cultural histories of the Gorge and the Columbia River. You’ll learn about ice ages and how the Gorge came to support a tremendous variety of wildlife and vegetation. You’ll also learn how the Gorge and the River have shaped the lives of people in the ancient past and how they continue to do so today.

The Wasco County Historical Museum focuses on the people who have lived here, from the ancient past through present times. Wasco County has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years, and it has a rich and fascinating cultural history.  Exhibits at the Museum explore Native American culture and history as well as the histories of a wide variety of people who have lived here. Explorers, settlers, pioneers, missionaries, traders, emigrants and military personnel are all part of Wasco County’s intriguing and diverse cultural history, and they are all featured in the Museums exhibits and displays.

In addition to touring the many fascinating exhibits at both museums, visitors can spend time viewing films in the theater located on site. You can talk with pioneers in the living history encampment that is available summers at the Discovery Center and Museum. Art demonstrations and daily talks are also regularly scheduled. If you plan to spend the day at the Discovery Center and Museum, you can relax during a lunch or coffee break at the Basalt Rock Cafe.

There is an interpretive trail you will want to explore on the grounds of the Discovery Center and Museum. The interpretive trail focuses on the variety of vegetation and wildlife supported by the habitat along the banks of the Columbia River. You’ll see willows, cottonwoods, sedges and cattails. Songbirds, water fowl, turtles and raccoons are some examples of the wildlife that lives here. You will walk along areas of restored vegetation featuring grasses, wildflowers and other plants native to the eastern Gorge. Throughout the walk, you’ll enjoy incredible views of the scenic Columbia River Gorge.

Do a quick search for train trips on the web and you’ll get plenty of specials shoved in your face. Train companies are offering the public, vacation deals. You can spend around 1000 dollars and receive an eight day trip to all sorts of fun locations. These getaway deals typically include the train ride, your lodging, and some of your meals. Not too shabby, but maybe not as classy as you expect either. The first time I decided to take a train ride was about five years ago. I traveled on Amtrak from Oregon to Iowa. This was a train trip quite different from what I assumed. To be completely frank, it was nothing special. I had always wanted to make this trip by train, as opposed to the routine commercial flights I was used to. Well, all I have to say now is NEVER again. Naturally the train ride was longer than I would have spent on an airplane. Furthermore, it was too crowded to enjoy. I thought it was pathetic to see how filthy the train windows were as well. There’s no doubt that some great scenery is a plus to train trips, but who can see through nasty, clouded windows? If you can’t tell, I won’t be taking anymore Amtrak train trips.

You may have to save for a while if you want the dream. I imagine the ideal train trip is one where you have your own personal room/car to lounge in with your loved one. This would make a world of difference in my opinion. Sadly it’s not so easy to come by these days. So the next time you’re considering a train trip, be sure to investigate the process fully before forking out the dough.