Portland offers wonderful river cruises so you can explore the city from the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Take a tour on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge (503/223-3928), which offers sternwheeler cruises through Portland on the Willamette River between October and June. During the summer, the boat operates out of Cascade Locks on the Columbia River. The summer trips beneath the towering cliffs of Columbia Gorge are breathtaking. Enjoy two-hour cruises - $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children - brunch, dinner, and dance cruises. A small sternwheeler, Sternwheeler Rose (503/286-7673) offers Portland harbor tours, as well as brunch and dinner cruises.

Board the Portland Spirit (800/224-3901 or 503/224-3900), a 75-foot yacht that offers romantic dinner cruises and seats 350 people on two decks. Lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises feature Northwest cuisine with views of the city skyline. On Saturday nights the Portland Spirit becomes a floating nightclub with live bands or a DJ, and there are also Friday afternoon cocktail cruises in the summer. For high-speed tours up the Willamette River, try Willamette Jetboat Excursions (888-JETBOAT or 503-231-1532). Jump on a high-powered open-air boats and blast your way from downtown Portland to the impressive Willamette Falls at Oregon City. The 2-hour tours starting from OMSI are offered May through October.