Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History

At a glance

Duration:: 8 Days
Start/End:: Portland to Clarkston or reverse
From:: $5,827
Time of Year:: March - April, September - October

or call us toll-free 1-888-815-5428

On this 8-day Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History cruise aboard 62-passenger expedition ships, delve deep into the history, harvests, and landscapes of the Columbia and Snake rivers, while indulging your senses with the region’s culinary splendors and world-class wines.

In 2024, Lindblad Expeditions and Food & Wine magazine are combining their expertise to deliver the most stimulating and satiating experience possible of the Pacific Northwest.

Nimble, intimately scaled ships will follow the storied waterways traveled by early explorers, settlers, and indigenous peoples as we take in spectacular scenery, tour museums and historic sites, and actively explore by foot, kayak, Zodiac, and jet boat. A top team—including naturalists, a historian, and a geologist—will illuminate all we see, and a food and wine expert will guide us through the wild bounty that thrives in this fertile corner of the country.

Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History Highlights

Indulge in gourmet menus guided by the rhythms of the season, featuring sustainable ingredients sourced exclusively within 250 miles of our route
Witness the region’s geological wonders—from the Columbia River Gorge to Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock—and explore up close and at water level while hiking, kayaking, or Zodiac cruising
Taste more than 40 of the region’s best wines, sampling bottles personally selected by Food & Wine magazine’s Executive Wine Editor Ray Isle
Explore places brimming with history and local charm, from the museums and vineyards of Walla Walla to historic Cape Disappointment and the offbeat seaside town of Astoria
Savor spectacular backdrops, enjoying canapes and cocktails as you transit towering locks by moonlight, taste local wines at a private museum gathering, and more
Voyage alongside a team of experts with deep knowledge of the Pacific Northwest’s history and geology, as well as a food and wine expert to guide you through the region’s various terroirs

Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History Details

Day 1: Portland, Oregon / Embark Ship

Arrive in the early afternoon in Portland, located on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. Embark in early evening and discover why Portland is nicknamed “Bridgetown” as we sail under eight of the city’s 12 eclectic bridges along the Willamette River, the first of five rivers we will encounter on this voyage.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Astoria

We begin our journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Cape Disappointment, take in the dramatic scenery where Meriwether Lewis saw the Pacific for the first time in 1805. In the afternoon, there are several options to explore the Astoria area, from learning its modern history at fascinating museums to sampling the local beer and oysters in this seaside town.