• The Willamette River and downtown Portland.Bridges image by photosfromoregon from Fotolia.com
  
  Portland is a river city laid out on the banks of the Willamette near its confluence downstream with the Columbia River. Once upon a time "Stumptown" was among the most dangerous ports in the world. These days the Willamette is no longer treacherous, and an afternoon or evening on the water is a great way to experience Portland.
  
  

Portland Spirit

• Portland Spirit River Cruise Dining and Columbia River Adventures runs a fleet of four boats up and down the Willamette River daily from the downtown Salmon Street Springs Fountain in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The signature Portland Spirit is a three-decker, 150-foot yacht with a marble dance floor, multiple bars, a grand piano and full meal service. It makes daily dinner cruises upriver and can be rented for private parties of up to 450 people. The Spirit, the Willamette Star, the Crystal Dolphin and the Outrageous Jetboat also offer several sightseeing voyages, from a tour of Portland bridges to a trip upriver to Willamette Falls.
  
  Portland Spirit River Cruises
  119 SE Caruthers St.
  Portland, OR 97214
  503-224-3900
  portlandspirit.com
  
  

Portland Kayak Co.

• Get intimate with the Willamette on a Portland Kayak Co. tour---no paddling experience necessary. Company guides lead paddlers on two- to three-hour trips around Ross Island, just south of downtown Portland. Its an up-close and quieter look at life on the river. Trips launch from Sellwood Riverfront Park and glide by Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge along the way. Tours depart at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, and sunset trips are offered in the evening from May to September.
  
  Portland Kayak Co.
  6600 SW Macadam Ave.
  Portland, OR 97239
  503-459-4050
  portlandkayak.com
  
  

Willamette Jetboats

• Let the wind blow back your hair on Willamette Jetboats. The fast, sleek boats run the river May to October, offering an open-air view of Portland's historic bridges, river wildlife and birds nesting along the river, Portland's downtown skyline, and beautiful homes along the way to Willamette Falls. Eagles, ospreys and herons all nest along the Willamette near Oaks Bottom, just south of downtown. The open-top jetboats launch from the Willamette's east bank out of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
  
  Willamette Jetboat Excursions
  1945 SE Water Ave.
  Portland, OR 97214
  503-231-1532
  willamettejet.com