Things to Do — Fred's Picks
Curated by the Director of Domestic Operations
Saturday's an open day. Here's what we'll be up to (come along!), what's happening in town for the Fourth, and how to explore the Gorge on your own.
Our Saturday: Timberline & the Alpine Slides
Here's our loose plan: we'll head out of Hood River late morning — it's about an hour up the mountain — for lunch at Timberline Lodge, the grand old WPA lodge with the views to match, then down to Mt. Hood Skibowl for the alpine slides in the afternoon. It's not hosted and the timing is rough on purpose, but anyone who wants to make a mountain day of it with us is more than welcome — we'd love the company.
Either way, we'll all land back in Hood River for the fireworks that evening.
🎆 The Fourth of July in Hood River
If you're in town, the city celebrates all day. Here's how it runs, morning to night:
The Rocket Run 7 AM
A 1-mile, 3K, or 5K to start the day (register from 6:30 at Bargeway Pub). For the early risers. More ↗
Lions Club Parade 10 AM
A classic small-town Fourth — floats, classic cars, bikes, horses, and music down through downtown (starts 12th & Pacific). Free, and walkable from the hotels. More ↗
Waterfront Fireworks Gather from 8 PM
The whole waterfront is the viewing zone, and it's where we'll all meet up — gather from around 8, fireworks launch over the river at 10 (from the Hood River Event Site). More ↗
One reality of the day: parking downtown and at the waterfront gets tight on the Fourth — leave extra time, and walk from downtown if you can.
And any time you're free…
Kickstand Coffee
The best roast in town. Great food, great vibes, and a highly Fred-approved patio.
Ferment & pFriem
Hood River is famous for its beer. Grab a pint at Ferment or head next door to pFriem for incredible local ales.
Gorge Wine
For a tasting, cross the river into Washington — we love Cascade Cliffs and Syncline, two of the Gorge's best.
Classic Hikes & Views
Head west for Punch Bowl Falls (Eagle Creek), the Wahkeena Loop, or Angel's Rest — or drive east to Rowena Crest and the McCall Point trail for sweeping river views.
The Fruit Loop
Drive the 35-mile Hood River Fruit Loop past orchards and farm stands — and hit a u-pick for cherries or berries, ripe in July.
Mountain & Water
Do a day trip to Mt. Hood Skibowl for the alpine slides, or rent mountain bikes and water gear in town (we haven't tried it yet, but it's huge here!).
Getting Here
We recommend flying into Portland International (PDX). It was recently remodeled (fancy new roof!) and is honestly a delight to fly through. From there, it's about a 60-minute drive east to Hood River — though heads up for summer 2026: I-84 is down to one lane each way for bridge construction near Bonneville, so the drive can run much longer over the holiday weekend, especially Friday afternoon heading out and Sunday heading back. Allow extra time and check TripCheck before you go.
Renting a car is the best move. While there are buses to Hood River or Amtrak trains to White Salmon, having your own wheels gives you the peace of mind and flexibility to explore the Gorge.
Uber is less than a year old in Hood River. While it may mature by July, locals strongly advise that it is currently not dependable for hard timelines. Please don't assume you can rely on rideshares to get to key events — and on Sunday, the wedding shuttle is how everyone gets to the venue.
Take the Scenic Route
If you have extra time on the drive out, skip I-84 and take the Historic Columbia River Highway. It adds time, but it takes you past iconic waterfalls (Multnomah is the classic) and stunning viewpoints like the Portland Women's Forum (where our Save the Date photo was taken) and the Vista House.
A Day in Portland
We originally dreamt of hosting a gathering here, but realized the logistics were too crazy. But if you have a few hours (or a day) before heading to the Gorge, we highly recommend exploring the city we love. July in Portland is pure magic.
Get lost in the stacks. It's a city block of books and it is legendary for a reason.
Explore SE Hawthorne for vintage shops and great food, then walk up nearby Mt. Tabor (an extinct volcano!) for the best east-side views of the city.
The spot where our header photo was taken! A great hike (or drive) that gives you the best west-side view of downtown and Mt. Hood.
Hop on the bright orange Nike bikeshare bikes and cruise the waterfront loop. It's the best way to see the Willamette.
Where to Stay
Still sorting a room? Book ASAP — it's Fourth of July weekend, so the Gorge will be busy. We recommend staying near Downtown Hood River so you're walkable to the action (and close to the shuttle stops).
Hood River Hotel
We have a limited room block here! It's right in the heart of downtown, historic, charming, and where we'll be crashing.
Book Our BlockOther Local Hotels
If our room block is full or you're looking for different amenities, there are many other great hotels in the area. We've set up a search for Friday to Monday stays.
Search ExpediaLightwell & Best Western
We have parties staying at both of these popular spots, but they are currently sold out for the weekend.
Update: Spots may open in the coming weeks as people change plans, so it may be worth checking their websites!
Prefer a House?
For larger groups or those wanting more space, Caitlin curated a wishlist of spots around the region.
There are great stays across the river in White Salmon or Bingen, or further out in the valley. You'll want a car to explore the Gorge, and remember Uber isn't dependable out here. The one thing to know: on Sunday nobody drives to the venue — so park at one of the downtown shuttle stops and ride in with everyone else.