Rivers are key to Portland’s identity as the lively, beautiful city it is today. It sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, with the Willamette dividing the city into west and east, and the Columbia marking Oregon’s northern border. Portland’s portion of the Willamette is home to 12 bridges, earning Portland one of its nicknames, “Bridge City.”
It’s no wonder, then, that one of the best ways to check out Portland and the Columbia River Gorge is by boat. The Portland Spirit is a local and family-owned business, was founded in 1994 and runs around 2,000 river cruises per year. There are lots of cruises for different occasions, from adventure jet-boat rides to dinner cruises to happy hour.
Take a Speedy Jet-Boat Ride on the Columbia
Summer is the only time of year that the Portland Spirit offers adventure rides aboard the Explorer Jetboat, a 35-passenger open-air vessel that zips along at up to 45 miles per hour. These 3.5 hour sightseeing rides follow the Willamette River and then the Columbia River into the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
For visitors without a car, it’s an ideal way to pack in essential Gorge sights from an unusual vantage point. The 7 Wonders of the Gorge tour features sights like Crown Point, Rooster Rock and Multnomah Falls — one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Or choose a Bigfoot Adventure cruise, which offers the same route, but with Sasquatch-themed narration ideal for enthusiasts of local lore.
Snag a Floating Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Reservation on the Willamette
Portland Spirit offers year-round brunch, lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises on the Willamette River aboard the 150-foot flagship Portland Spirit vessel. These wheelchair-accessible cruises typically start in downtown Portland and head south on the Willamette before turning around, complete with narration about what you’ll see along the river.
Dinner cruises are particularly luxe, ideal for combining local cuisine with Portland sights. On these two-and-a-half-hour cruises, guests sit at private tables and enjoy a plated, multicourse, Northwest-inspired meal cooked fresh onboard. Choose from entrées like blackened rack of lamb, local steelhead with mango salsa or veggie pasta primavera. Gluten-free and vegan options are available with advance notice. The bar features Oregon wine and bubbles, local craft beer, mocktails and cocktails, including options made with locally distilled spirits. A jazz pianist plays classics on a baby grand, and requests are welcome.
During dinner, take in views of bald eagles on Ross Island and check out the rocky landscape of the volcanic-formed Elk Rock Island. Architecture fans will appreciate the floating homes and waterfront mansions.
Afterward, order a hot beverage like the Moroccan coffee — a twist on the Portland-favorite flaming Spanish coffee — and take it to the top-level, partially covered deck with couches. As the boat heads back into downtown Portland, you’ll get underbelly views of the bike, pedestrian and transit-only Tilikum Crossing bridge as well as the Hawthorne Bridge, the oldest operating vertical-lift bridge in the country.
Brunch and lunch cruises take a similar route but are more casual and kid-friendly, with a shorter run time of two hours. Brunch is served buffet-style and comes with complimentary mimosas and live piano music, while lunch is served plated and includes a choice of entrée and a house dessert. For guests who already have plans to eat elsewhere, you can also join meal cruises with a sightseeing-only ticket — no food or drink included, and no reserved seating — at a lower price.
All Aboard for Happy Hour
Only have a little time for a river adventure? Summer-only Happy Hour Sightseeing cruises offer excellent bang for your buck without taking too much time out of busy schedules. This family-friendly afternoon cruise follows a similar route to the meal cruises, trimmed down to 90 minutes. Appetizers and drinks are available for purchase.
Portland’s rivers really come alive in summer, and this is a great way for guests to join the festive atmosphere. You might spot swimmers, sunbathers and kayakers. Within a short period of time, guests pack in plenty of sights that visitors might otherwise miss out on — and with daily trips in summer, they’re easy to fit into any itinerary.
If You Go
Purchase tickets in advance online, or visit the ticket booth at Salmon Street Springs in downtown Portland, where most cruises board. Walk-on cruises may be available, but it’s recommended to call to check.
