Oregon City

Although Portland is the main attraction in modern-day Oregon, those making the trek from the Midwest to Oregon along the Oregon Trail in the 1840s and 1850s came to their journey's end in Oregon City, near a camp called Abernethy Green. It was here that newly arrived settlers would camp while filing their land claims.
Dr. John McLoughlin founded Oregon City in 1829 as an outpost of the Hudson's Bay Company to take advantage of the power provided by nearby Willamette Falls. It became the capital of the Oregon Territory for its early years (1848 to 1851), and at the time competed with nearby Portland for influence.
Today, its downtown area retains the historic character thanks to preservation of the historic houses and buildings.

Visitor information

• Downtown Oregon City Association

  phone: +1 503-802-1640
  address: 814 Main St.

By bus

TriMet has buses connecting Portland's city center to Oregon City. Bus 33 goes along the east side of the Willamette River (while it does cross the Hawthorne Bridge, it mostly has views of car dealerships) and bus 35 goes along the west side (lots of trees).

By car

I-205 runs through Oregon City. From PDX, take 205 South to Oregon City. 205 also branches off of I-5.

By train

Oregon City is served by Amtrak via its Cascades line. There is no ticket machine here, so you will need to buy tickets at another station or online.

• Oregon City railway station

  address: 1757 Washington St

• John McLoughlin House

  phone: +1 503-656-5151
  address: 713 Center St
  John McLoughlin was the head of the British Hudson Bay Company in the Oregon Country. His house has been preserved as a museum of the fur trade and settlement of Oregon. Free tours at 15min past the hour.

• Willamette FallsNatural horseshoe shaped waterfall, 2nd largest by volume in the United States after Niagara Falls. A former paper mill overlooking the falls is being redeveloped. As of 2017, the best views of the falls are from a public viewpoint below the Museum of the Oregon Territory, or by taking the Municipal Elevator to the McLoughlin Promenade.

• Oregon City Elevator

  phone: +1 503-496-1197
  address: 605 High St
  Only municipal elevator in the United States. Observation deck has a view of city and the Willamette River. If you want a souvenir, ask the elevator operator (yes, it has one) for a "lifetime pass".

• End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

  phone: +1 503 657-9336
  address: 1726 Washington St
  Located at the actual end of the Oregon Trail, the museum features costumed historical interpreters.

• Museum of the Oregon Territory

  phone: +1 503- 655-5574
  address: 211 Tumwater Dr

• Stevens-Crawford Heritage House

  address: 603 6th St.
  This historic house has been mostly restored and furnished with items from 1908 to 1920.

• Francis Ermatinger House

  phone: +1 971-219-4881
  address: 619 6th St

• Hopkins Demonstration Forest

  phone: +1 503-632-2150
  address: 16750 S. Brockway Rd.

• Tony's Fish Market

  phone: +1 503 656-7512
  address: Washington and 14th
  Fish market that's been around for 50+ years.

• Mi Famiglia Wood Oven Pizzeria

  phone: +1 503-594-0601
  address: 701 Main St

• The Highland Stillhouse

  phone: +1 503 723-6789
  address: 201 S 2nd St
  Scottish pub with an impressive whiskey list and good views of the Willamette River.

• Oregon City Brewing Company

  address: 1401 Washington St
  40+ beers on tap, a few are their own. Light snacks are available but you can bring your own food or order in. All vinyl on the stereo.

• Arch Bridge Taphouse

  phone: +1 503-723-6162
  address: 207 7th St

• The Growler Run

  phone: +1 503 387-6987
  address: 19502 Molalla Ave Ste 117
  20+ rotating taps of craft beer, specializing in local Northwest beers. Wine, hard cider, and kombucha are also offered. TVs, shuffle board and board games. No food. Dog-friendly.

• Midway Historic Public House

  phone: +1 503 656-9501
  address: 1003 7th St
  Good place to play pool. Bar food.

• McMenamins Oregon City

  phone: +503 655-8032
  address: 102 9th St
  A church turned pub. Patio overlooks the Willamette River.

• Nebbiolo Wine Bar and Market

  phone: +1 503 344-6090
  address: 800 Main St
  Italian food made with local ingredients.

• Portland Cider Company

  address: 275 S Beavercreek Rd Ste 149
  Cider in the English tradition. Free snacks (popcorn and pretzels) with your drinks. You can bring your own food.

• Feckin Brewery

  phone: +1 503 880-5608
  address: 415 S Mcloughlin Blvd
  Traditional Irish beers with northwest influences. Taproom open on weekends. Live music.

• The Oregon City Ice House

  address: 1200 Main St.
  Sports bar

• Best Western Plus Rivershore Hotel

  phone: +1 503-655-7141
  address: 1900 Clackamette Drive

• Oregon City Library

  phone: +1 503 657-8269
  address: 606 John Adams St.
  A historic 1913 Carnegie Library Building remodeled and expanded in 2016. It offers free WiFi and public use computers (ask staff for a guest pass to use computers if you do not have a library card).

• Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

  phone: +1 503-656-1631
  address: 1500 Division St.