Vista House
Vista House
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
It's an odd structure, a stone octagon in "German art nouveau" style.
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  • kgilbert78
    Columbus, Ohio2,698 contributions
    Worth a Stop
    This is one of the first stops on the western end of the Columbia River Gorge. It was built as such slightly over 100 years ago as a rest area. The view is amazing--but so is the building. It's Art Deco and really cool. There's an small coffee shop and small gift shop along with a small museum. There is a bit of climbing stairs required to see everything
    Visited May 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 10, 2023
  • IrishRover
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,961 contributions
    Worth the stop
    Road side stop with a view to sue for. We worth the stop on scenic route 30. If you are head to see the Multinoma Falls it is worth making this a stop as well. Great vast views and a a perfect place to get views
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 15, 2023
  • minimize940314
    Los Angeles, California3,527 contributions
    Overlook
    I visited this place on my way back to Portland, as the final stop of my trip to River Gorge. Unlike my expectation, the weather was foggy when I got here. However, the glimpse of overlook was fantastic. Ample parking spaces.
    Visited February 2023
    Written August 28, 2023
  • Michael W
    17 contributions
    A great piece of US architectural and transport history
    A very interesting piece of architecture and history - the drive along the historic highway 30 is beautiful so go slow and savour each curve and vista point. Be sure to understand the history of Vista House before visiting and note the incredible details of the structure including the roof, rails and stairways. Building such a structure there in 1930 would have taken much planning and engineering. In particular note the gentle curve of the guardrails - the builders were very pleased with those. The interior has limited opening hours so check the website.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 2, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
678 reviews
Excellent
415
Very good
229
Average
33
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Jerri L
Johnston, IA2,146 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This historical location was where we chose to start our Columbia River Gorge drive. The views all around go for Miles and miles. We arrived around 10:05 AM and the building was open and staffed with rangers eager to answer questions. (I believe it opened at 10AM the day we visited). Check hours as the site said closed for covid but it was open (maybe the first day open again when we visited?) also closes for high winds. The interior was very cool - the shape of the building, the dome and the windows… beautiful and fun to walk through and downstairs to the museum or up to the second floor for overlook views. Lots of history and information on the area and time when it was built.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael W
17 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
A very interesting piece of architecture and history - the drive along the historic highway 30 is beautiful so go slow and savour each curve and vista point. Be sure to understand the history of Vista House before visiting and note the incredible details of the structure including the roof, rails and stairways. Building such a structure there in 1930 would have taken much planning and engineering. In particular note the gentle curve of the guardrails - the builders were very pleased with those. The interior has limited opening hours so check the website.
Written October 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

California_momofsix
Fairfield1,085 contributions
Aug 2020
During our visit the inside of Vista House was closed due to covid, but we still considered a stop worthwhile. The parking lot was open and from the parking lot visitors have the most beautiful view of the Columbia river valley. Perfect place for pictures. The 'vista' that gave the structure its name is remarkable. Don't miss it.
Written October 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David G
Santa Clarita, CA548 contributions
May 2021
We were visiting the Columbia River Gorge, camping in Troutdale. We came here first by car while on a long drive thru the gorge. The house was closed due to Covid but it sure looked interesting! The views from this vantage point are fantastic! So good in fact, I went for a bicycle ride from Troutdale again and rode to Vista House just to see it again. Lots of cyclists do that ride along the historic highway.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy D
Washington81 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Use Sasquatch Shuttle’s parking lot and hop-on/hop-off service so you can relax and don’t have to fight for parking. This is one of their stops! I wouldn’t have known it existed if not for the shuttle. And I’m so glad we took advantage of the stop.
The views on a sunny day are spectacular and the historical building is pretty amazing!
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kgilbert78
Columbus, OH2,698 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
This is one of the first stops on the western end of the Columbia River Gorge. It was built as such slightly over 100 years ago as a rest area. The view is amazing--but so is the building. It's Art Deco and really cool. There's an small coffee shop and small gift shop along with a small museum. There is a bit of climbing stairs required to see everything
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,233 contributions
Sep 2020
Normally when you go to Vista House, you can get really good views of the Columbia River Gorge. However, the day we went, Saturday 9/12, the area was covered in haze and smoke due to the wildfires.

There is also no entry into the building because of COVID. It was really quiet when we went, just a few other people.
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,527 contributions
Feb 2023
I visited this place on my way back to Portland, as the final stop of my trip to River Gorge. Unlike my expectation, the weather was foggy when I got here. However, the glimpse of overlook was fantastic. Ample parking spaces.
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dog-Friendly Travels
Vancouver, WA172 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
This was a great place to stop and see a birds eye view of the river and the gorge! It was very pretty and the drive was nice as well. A few good stops on the way up to the point too. Nice lavender farms and fruit stands.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rather_Nomadic
Panama City, FL1,912 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Great view overlooking the Columbia River valley with Oregon on one side and Washington on the other. Cool old building with viewing areas on the roof. It’s a good stop for bathrooms and snacks or coffee as you take the scenic route along the river, above I-84. No fee for entry or parking. Quick stop.
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Very Good Reviews

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