Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour
Mukilteo, Washington
The Boeing Company has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, dating back to when William Boeing purchased a property on the Duwamish River that would become his first airplane factory. Since 1916, Boeing has used the expanses of Washington as its home base for creating some of the finest aircraft the world has ever seen.
The Boeing factory is now located in Everett, Washington, where it stands as the world’s largest building by volume, housing production lines for the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“Visitors come from all over the world to see the Boeing Everett factory, so we always try to make their tours special,” said Jody Hawkins, marketing and social media director for the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour.
The Future of Flight Aviation Center opened in 2005 with a mission to “ignite passion for the future of aerospace.” The center is roughly 25 minutes from Seattle and is the starting point for the Boeing Factory Tour, the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. Before beginning the 90-minute tour, groups can explore the Future of Aviation facility to enjoy its tasty treats in the cafe, the two gift shops and the on-site Aerospace Gallery
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge
Hood River, Oregon
Legend has it that Multnomah Falls was created by a love-struck Native American boy seeking to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. The romance and folklore surrounding the falls have secured the destination’s place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike, but it’s the sheer beauty that keeps people coming back to this 611-foot-high waterfall.
“I think what makes Multnomah Falls really special is that it has a really cool ambiance to it,” said Rachel Pawlitz, public affairs officer for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. “The height of the falls is special, but it’s the overall feel that captures people’s imaginations and attracts people of all walks of life.”
The falls have become an icon of the Pacific Northwest, proudly featured on postcards, prints and souvenir items around the state of Oregon. Unfortunately, a 48,000-acre wildfire east of Portland last year did some damage to the natural area around the falls. Thanks to the work of firefighters and volunteers, the park’s most iconic structures, including the Multnomah Falls Lodge and the famous Benson Bridge, remained unscathed. But many of the trails surrounding them are temporarily closed so workers can remove debris and make the trails safe again. The hike up to the Benson Bridge is open and offers gorgeous views of the upper and lower falls.
Visitors today can take a shuttle from the Portland Gateway Transit Center on the Columbia Gorge Express for a stress-free, scenic 30-minute ride. Depending on which schedule groups select for the shuttle, they could have the option of stopping at some of the other scenic sites in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, including Rooster Rock State Park, Cascade Locks and the Hood River.
www.oregon.com/attractions/multnomah_falls
