Pendleton History Comes to Life: May 16-19, 2025
From
$2180.00
Duration
Tour Type
Overview
Pacific Northwest History come to life (literally!) in this fabulous Signature Excursion (limited to 10 guests) to Pendleton and the Columbia River Gorge. In Pendleton, guests will experience the past during the special once a year event in the Pendleton Underground where over 75 actors create a vivid living reenactment of its underground past. Explore the world-class Tamastslikt Cultural Institute (the only museum on the Oregon Trail that tells the story of western expansionism from a tribal point of view), the Pendleton Hall of Fame, the Heritage Station Museum of the Umatilla County Historical Society, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Museum, and the Maryhill Museum of Art. This tour will immerse travelers in the rich history of the Pacific Northwest.
Day One – Friday, May 16, 2025 – Off to Pendleton
After pickups in Salem, Woodburn, and Tualatin, guests will head out I-84 into the Columbia River Gorge. There will be a short view stop at the Vista House to walk about a bit and see views into the gorge, imagining what differences may have existed in the past. The group will continue on, stopping in The Dalles for lunch. In the afternoon, upon arriving in Pendleton, the first stop will be the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame, where over 100 years Round-Up history is on display. Guests will then check in at the hotel, the Pendleton Best Western, and have a chance to get settled before heading to the historic downtown for another slice of history, Hamley’s Steakhouse for dinner. Hamley’s serves more than just steak in their western-inspired dining room adjacent to Hamley & Co.’s original Pendleton storefront which dates back to 1905. Return satisfied to the hotel and have a great night’s sleep. (L, D)
After pickups in Salem, Woodburn, and Tualatin, guests will head out I-84 into the Columbia River Gorge. There will be a short view stop at the Vista House to walk about a bit and see views into the gorge, imagining what differences may have existed in the past. The group will continue on, stopping in The Dalles for lunch. In the afternoon, upon arriving in Pendleton, the first stop will be the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame, where over 100 years Round-Up history is on display. Guests will then check in at the hotel, the Pendleton Best Western, and have a chance to get settled before heading to the historic downtown for another slice of history, Hamley’s Steakhouse for dinner. Hamley’s serves more than just steak in their western-inspired dining room adjacent to Hamley & Co.’s original Pendleton storefront which dates back to 1905. Return satisfied to the hotel and have a great night’s sleep. (L, D)
Day Two – Saturday, May 17, 2025 – History Comes to Life
After breakfast at the hotel, the group will head a short distance to the Umatilla Reservation to visit the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute to see the story of western expansionism along the Oregon Trail from the tribal perspective. Exhibits will cover the history of the peoples that have lived in the Pendleton region for over 16,000 years. After a wonderful visit, the group will head back to Pendleton for lunch in downtown and then a tour of the Umatilla County Historical Society Museum, which has exhibits of a homestead, schoolhouse, caboose, and more. Next, guests will experience the once a year event at the Pendleton Underground where they will be greeted by card players, dancers, and merchants from the past. In the evening, guests can reflect on their day over dinner before returning to the hotel for another great rest. (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, the group will head a short distance to the Umatilla Reservation to visit the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute to see the story of western expansionism along the Oregon Trail from the tribal perspective. Exhibits will cover the history of the peoples that have lived in the Pendleton region for over 16,000 years. After a wonderful visit, the group will head back to Pendleton for lunch in downtown and then a tour of the Umatilla County Historical Society Museum, which has exhibits of a homestead, schoolhouse, caboose, and more. Next, guests will experience the once a year event at the Pendleton Underground where they will be greeted by card players, dancers, and merchants from the past. In the evening, guests can reflect on their day over dinner before returning to the hotel for another great rest. (B, L, D)
Day Three – Sunday, May 18 – The Columbia River Gorge
After breakfast, guests will travel west and cross over into Washington to visit the Maryhill Art Museum which was dedicated 99 years ago and contains more than 80 works by the father of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin. After ample time to take in the views and beauty of Maryhill, guests will cross back into Oregon and on to the official interpretive center and history museum of the gorge, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Here guests will find exhibits ranging from the Ice Age to Lewis & Clark and onto the future of Wasco County. A short distance down the road is Hood River and guests will check in and freshen up before going out to dinner as a group. Another amazing day. (B, L, D)
After breakfast, guests will travel west and cross over into Washington to visit the Maryhill Art Museum which was dedicated 99 years ago and contains more than 80 works by the father of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin. After ample time to take in the views and beauty of Maryhill, guests will cross back into Oregon and on to the official interpretive center and history museum of the gorge, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Here guests will find exhibits ranging from the Ice Age to Lewis & Clark and onto the future of Wasco County. A short distance down the road is Hood River and guests will check in and freshen up before going out to dinner as a group. Another amazing day. (B, L, D)
Day Four – Monday, May 19 – Back to the Willamette Valley
This is the last day of our wonderful dive into our region’s rich history. Guests will have time for breakfast and then a late-morning departure from Hood River; hopefully the pre-Memorial Day weather in the gorge will give guests a nice morning to walk a bit around downtown Hood River. On the drive back, a small detour will be taken for an end-of-trip treat at the Sugarpine Drive-In, a destination in its own right! Drop offs will occur early afternoon in Tualatin, Woodburn, and Salem. (B)
This is the last day of our wonderful dive into our region’s rich history. Guests will have time for breakfast and then a late-morning departure from Hood River; hopefully the pre-Memorial Day weather in the gorge will give guests a nice morning to walk a bit around downtown Hood River. On the drive back, a small detour will be taken for an end-of-trip treat at the Sugarpine Drive-In, a destination in its own right! Drop offs will occur early afternoon in Tualatin, Woodburn, and Salem. (B)