Location: Oregon City
Top Things to do in Oregon City
What to do and see in Oregon City, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Oregon City is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon, United States, located on the Willamette River near the southern limits of the Portland metropolitan area. Established in 1829 by the Hudson's Bay Company, in 1844 it became the first U.S. city west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 31,859.
Restaurants in Oregon City
1. Oregon City Municipal Elevator
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
The Oregon City Municipal Elevator has been in operation for over 100 years. The original elevator was constructed in 1915. It was powered by hydrolics and took about three minutes to reach the top of the bluff. In 1925 it was converted to electric power that was being generated by the water flowing from the Willamette river. The current elevator was completed in May of 1955. It was included on the National Register of Historic places in May of 2014. The elevator is owned by Oregon City and staffed by the Downtown Oregon City Association. Current hours are Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm and Sunday 10am-7pm.
Reviewed By MouseDance - Frederick
This elevator gives Oregon City something unique to brag about, and it's definitely work a few minutes to stop in and see it. But it's really odd. It overlooks the town below and contains panels that flip from old to new as you walk past. They're a bit hard to see, but kind of interesting.
2. Lake Oswego Farmers' Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Patricia G - Ajijic, Mexico
We wandered through the Farmers market one Saturday morning in July, sampling the many flavors of Oregon (cherries, peaches, honey, coffee, breakfast tacos...) enjoying live music, smelling the fresh flowers and lavender, and of course people watching. It is a great place for brunch with cafe tables in the back. I liked talking with the vendors, all passionate about their food .
3. Camassia Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Ed T - West Linn, Oregon
Camassia Natural Area is directly behind West Linn High School's football and baseball fields. It extends to the east of Wilderness Park and south to nearly Sunset Avenue. Camassia can be accessed from the high school, Walnut St., Wilderness Park, and other less traveled streets. Dogs are not allowed - even on a leash. This restriction is purported to save local flora and fauna that might be otherwise compromised by canines ( though I have witnessed coyotes, deer, raccoons, skunks, and other free roaming mammals in the area from time to time). The preserve is an ecological wonder sometimes visited by high school science classes, but other than school, I have rarely witnessed very many visitors to the park. The geographic history is fascinating as the area was once a quarry for the nearby Willamette Falls Locks (another very interesting nearby feature) where the basalt columns were mined for the Locks construction more than a hundred years ago. But predating the quarry, the area was wiped clean of top-soil and vegetation by the Bretz (or Missoula) floods many millennia ago. These floods account for the unusual shallow soil, many rock formations, several year-round ponds, and an oak savannah surrounded by meadows of camas lilies (where the area draws it's name) and woods of ferns, douglas fir, fawn lilies, trillium and many other plant species not found anywhere else so saturated by urban sprawl. Yes , there is quite a bit of poison oak - but the old adage should keep you safe. Stay on the paths and "leaves of three - leave it be"
As almost no one goes there, Camassia Natural Area is a great place to have a quiet exploration without ever really straying far from home.
4. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 140 reviews
Official End of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City, Oregon. The visitor center is a state welcome center with free travel information, itineraries, and brochures. Also find the country store gift shop and visitor lounge with complimentary coffee and tea. The interpretive center offers the "Bound for Oregon" featured film, genealogy assistance for descendants of pioneers, and exciting and interactive exhibits that include period games and crafts like candle dipping and making a rag doll or journal. Outside the Interpretive Center, enjoy the heritage garden, a guided walk of one-thousandth of the trail, and Abernethy Green with pioneer lawn games and 24/7 signage implementing smart phone technology.
Reviewed By margaretcov - Portland, Oregon
We took out of town guests from California to Oregon City and decided to give the Center a visit. Earlier friends said that it was not much. That was not true. It turns out that they had gone somewhere else. I enjoyed the entire exhibit and think I read every sign. It would have been more fun with children given that they could make candles and churn butter. The movie is outstanding, based on letters and diaries of travelers who had been on the Oregon Trail. We plan to take more visitors. Oh, and the gift shop - wonderful selection especially of toys from that era.
5. Willamette Falls
Overall Ratings
4 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By drrkbrnng - Oregon
Willamette Falls is a very large waterfall, and close up pictures make it look stunning. That's the catch, though-close up. Currently there are no good places to see the waterall from unless you are on the water. We barely saw anything besides the general shape, and we tried looking from a couple of different places, including on the Arch Bridge. I did think the nearby abandoned paper mill was haunting and actually quite pretty, but I cannot factor that into my rating of the Falls themselves.
6. Oregon City Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Like2pray - Oregon
We often visit here to pick up fresh produce or a bundle of flowers. It is a clean market area and the vendors are very friendly. Things are priced reasonably also. If you are looking for a larger farmers' market though with a wider variety of vendors, you might try the Milwaukie Farmers' Market. The Canby Farmers' market is much smaller venue.
7. McLean House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By half-Brit - Oregon Coast
We were just driving around and stumbled on to this old house set in park-like grounds right on the Willamette River. There is a small parking lot - no room for RVs.
The grounds are open and there is a very informative sign telling the history of the house. It was built in 1927 by Dr. Edward McLean and had all the modern conveniences available at the time. The rose garden planted by Mrs McLean is still there.
The interior of the house is usually closed to visitors and is not set up for tours. It is used primarily as a wedding venue. The outside is a pleasant place for a short visit.
8. Museum of the Oregon Territory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Museum with exhibits on the local history of Clackamas County, from Native American tribes, through settlement in the 19th & 20th centuries to the present. Special exhibits including the Kaegi Pharmacy - a complete pharmacy straight from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Open 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
Reviewed By DMUH - Honolulu, Hawaii
The museum is unimpressive from the outside. But it really provides a keen insight in the history of Oregon. My wife and I recently relocated to Portland and decided to visit this museum. It traces the history of Oregon, with displays and pictures of the founders, etc. Unlike most museums, this museum really provided an insightful education. Entrance fee is a mere $5.
9. McLoughlin House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
The luxurious mid 19th century home of entrepreneur and Oregon City founder John McLoughlin.
Reviewed By Theresa C - Allendale, New Jersey
This house and tour is operated by a history club jointly with the NPS as part of the Fort Vancouver unit. I'm really glad we took the tour here first before visiting Fort Vancouver because it really immersed us in the Oregonian history and the role played by McLoughlin in shaping the state. It made us appreciate the fort tour that much more.
This is an underfunded unit of the nps and tours only run Friday's and Saturday's. They need more folks to come take the tour to get a ranger assigned more than two days a week. We feel really lucky to have been there on one of their open days!
10. Clackamette Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Lewis E - Box Elder, South Dakota
In an area where commercial campgrounds are booked solid during July and charge between $50 and $70 per night, this RV campground and park is a bargain if you don't need public toilets, showers or laundry. We had a spacious, quiet, satellite-friendly, pull-through site with 30-amp electric and water for $20/night. Riverfront sites are $25. Maximum stay allowed was 10 nights. No reservations are accepted. There are pull-in sites overlooking the river and back-in sites at the rear of the campground. Pull-through sites are in the middle. Upon arrival, grab an empty site and pay the campground host with cash, MasterCard or VISA.
Several other restaurants and McDonald's are within a short walking distance. The entrance/exit gate is locked at 10:00 pm and unlocked at 5:00 am. A dump station is available just off the campground's exit road. If all you need are the basics and can arrive early enough to grab a campsite before they're all gone, this is a low-cost place to get a good night's sleep and possibly enjoy some river recreation.
We stayed here in a Class A Motorhome.
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