Oregon Maritime Museum, Portland

The Portland has always been something of an anachronism – a steam-powered paddlewheel tugboat built in the late 1940s to wrangle commercial ships at the Port of Portland. It has amazingly served in that role into the 1980s but otherwise would have been right at home a century or more earlier. Restored in working order to house a collection of maritime artifacts, ship models, and other nautical memorabilia, it also regularly goes on 4-hour cruises down the river and back.

Even if you miss the opportunity for a cruise on your visit, you can still have a great time looking at the exhibits of Portland and Oregon maritime history – especially on the docent-guided tour from pilot house to engine room and just about everywhere in between. The staff are very friendly, and you should try swapping sea stories with them.

There is even a little gift shop where you can buy various trinkets, clothing, etc., as well as some interesting books on the region's maritime history. Overall, you can easily spend over an hour here (the tour itself last 45 minutes or so) – and don't forget to visit the USS Oregon main mast in the adjacent park as well.