Visit The Dalles: A Cultural, Historical and Accessible Columbia River Stop

Named by French Canadian fur traders for the stone islands in the middle of the treacherous rapids in the Columbia River, The Dalles is steeped in history. That said, although the town name comes from the French word for flagstone, there’s far more to see than a few river stones in this Northwestern Oregon city. From the history of early explorers to the impressive dam and even a vibrant if not eclectic downtown area, there’s plenty to see and do in this thriving Columbia River community. And the good news is, much of it is wheelchair-accessible.

A Downtown Stroll

One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with the history and character of The Dalles is to explore some of the 30-plus murals in the downtown area (explorethedalles.com/murals/). A project of the Dalles Mural Society these pieces depict the people and places that shaped the area. And along the mural walk, there are also a few must-see historic stops.

At the top of the list is The Dalles City Hall, which is located at 313 Court Street. Accessible street parking is located on Court Street; and although the outside of City Hall offers is nice photo op, there’s also a noteworthy display inside. The Dalles Fire Museum is located on the ground floor and is open during City Hall business hours. It offers a historic look at the local fire companies and honors the lifesaving actions of local firefighters. It’s a fun look at some vintage equipment. Best of all, there’s barrier-free access to this historic display/

And for more ideas of things to do in the downtown area, visit explorethedalles.com.

A Slice of History

For a dive into the history of the area, make sure and stop at the Fort Dalles Museum (www.fortdallesmuseum.org). Despite the age of this historic structure, wheelchair-access was worked into the master plan, so today most folks can easily navigate the grounds.

One of Oregon’s oldest museum buildings, the main house dates back to 1856, when it served as the surgeon’s quarters at the original fort. There’s parallel parking on the street in front of the fort, and a nice accessible pathway to the front door. Inside, there’s good access on their first floor, which has a large living area, a kitchen and dining room and a music room. There’s also a narrow stairway to the two small upstairs bedrooms. Still the first floor houses the bulk of the exhibits, which include old photos, furniture, rifles, dishes, surgeon’s tools, and a nice collection of Native American artifacts. And if you have any questions, just ask the helpful docent.

Out back there’s a gravel pathway down to the the antique vehicle building which houses a gaggle of historic cars. They are in various states or restoration and include a 1908 Knox touring car, a 1925 Ford roadster, an 1884 Hansom cab, a milk wagon and a few vintage hearses. Next door there’s an outside display of carriages, and although there’s a wide pathway, some folks may need assistance with the slight uphill slope.

There are also a few picnic tables in a level area near the back of the house, with accessible restrooms just around the corner. And you can get a nice view of the historic Anderson House from the back of the property, so pack along a picnic lunch, take a break and enjoy the view.

Neon Lights, The Gorge & More!

Don’t leave the area without popping into the National Neon Sign Museum (emerginghorizons.com/walk-down-memory-lane-at-these-two-neon-sign-museums/). A fun and education stop, this museum traces the history of neon signage and has some cool vintage examples in the wings.

And for a deeper dig into the history of the area, a stop at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (emerginghorizons.com/columbia-river-gorge-discovery-center/) is certainly warranted. This excellent museum celebrates the cultural and natural resources of the Columbia Gorge; and as an added bonus it also offers a nice accessible riverside trail.

Don’t forget to stop at the Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center while you are in the area, as it offers a nice view of the dam. Just take exit 87 from Interstate 84 and follow the signs. There’s level access to the visitor center, but the hours are usually limited to summer and fall weekends. You can still get a good view of the dam from the accessible scope in the parking lot, and there are some covered accessible picnic tables next to the visitor center if you’d like to have lunch there.

Last by not least, don’t leave the area with exploring the Columbia River Highway Waterfall Corridor (emerginghorizons.com/explore-the-historic-columbia-river-highway-waterfall-corridor/). This scenic route parallels Interstate 84, and runs from Troutdale to The Dalles, with several accessible waterfall viewing areas along the route.

Spend the Night

Of course, with all the things to see and do in the area, it’s best to spend a night or two. And in that respect, Cousins’ Country Inn (cousinscountryinn.com) is a comfortable and accessible choice.

There’s an accessible drop-off area in front of the office, with level access to the front desk, and the adjacent restaurant. From there, it’s just a short drive to accessible room 149. There’s accessible parking in front, with level access over to the front door.

Access features in the room include wide doorways, lever handles, a lowered closet rod and low-pile carpet for easy rolling. It’s furnished with a 27-inch high king-sized platform bed with wheelchair access on both sides, two nightstands, a chest of drawers, an easy chair and a dining table with two chairs. And even with all that furniture, there’s still plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. The room also has a refrigerator and a microwave, and there’s a roll-under sink in the main room, next to the bathroom.

The bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. Top it off with a toilet with grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated) and you have a very functional and accessible bathroom.

Overnight guests also get a discount on breakfast at Cousins’ Restaurant, which is located off the lobby. All in all, Cousins’ Country Inn is an affordable and accessible lodging choice.

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