Portland Metro Area - The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City

http://www.historicoregoncity.org/

We visited the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center as a family shortly after my sister Maria took her summer camp there.

Between the two experiences there is a fairly wide range of options.

Maria's group was led by a tour guide and participated in different activities like packing a wagon and writing with a quill.

We wandered around looking at the exhibits by ourselves. We were able to do this without paying admission. Even though there is an admission price listed, that is for being guided and for some of the interactive exhibits. It is worthwhile, but you can learn things on your own, as there is some good documentation.

Even going with self-guided, we all had different experiences because I got hung up doing an old-fashioned puzzle and my family went ahead. (I have a hard time leaving things undone.)

If you have been near Oregon City on I-205 you have probably noticed the eye-catching giant wagon frames. (Well, they would be the frames for the wagon covers.)

As you get closer you see that the frames cover buildings, containing different exhibit areas and even an area for performances in Wagon III. There is also an Oregon Pioneer Garden and a store carrying Oregon items that reminds you of other good places to visit, like the Portland Rose Test Garden and Tillamook Cheese Factory.

You can really get as much or as little as you want from the attraction. They are good with children, and I think it is worth going for the tour with them.

There is a lot of history right in this area, so you may also want to visit http://www.orcity.org/.