Longview
Around Longview
Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Washington · 113k people
Longview
Locals say Cowlitz County · “Gateway to Mount St. Helens”
Longview · Kelso
Where the river meets the forest.
Deep evergreen greenColumbia River blue
Welcome to Cowlitz County, where the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers meet the timbered hills. Whether you're here for the salmon runs, the mountain views, or the small-town pace, you'll find a friendly wave and a good cup of coffee. Grab a spot by the river and enjoy the local rhythm.
Clubs for Longview
No clubs for Longview yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Longview. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Longview. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake Gateway to the volcano, with exhibits and lake views.
- Lake Sacajawea 3.5-mile loop trail, fountains, and birdlife in Longview.
- Lewis and Clark Bridge Historic span connecting Longview and Kelso across the Cowlitz.
- Columbia River Waterfront Marinas, boat launches, and walking paths along the river.
- Cowlitz River Famous for salmon and steelhead runs, with drift boat access.
- Tam O'Shanter Park Picnic and river access in Kelso, with a boat ramp.
- Outdoors Fish for salmon on the Cowlitz
- Outdoors Hike the Toutle River Trail
- With kids Picnic at Lake Sacajawea
- With kids Visit the Cowlitz County Historical Museum
- Evenings Catch a show at the Columbia Theatre
- Evenings Grab a drink at a downtown Longview bar
- Locals love River fishing spots
- Locals love Forest hiking trails
Through the year
- Cowlitz County Fair August Rodeo, 4-H exhibits, and carnival rides at the fairgrounds.
- Longview Go 4th July Fireworks, parade, and live music around Lake Sacajawea.
- Cowlitz River Salmon Derby September Anglers compete for the biggest Chinook along the river.
Marine west coast climate with mild, wet winters and dry, sunny summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September
Getaways
- Astoria, OR Historic waterfront, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Fort Clatsop.
- Portland, OR Food carts, Powell's Books, and the Pearl District.
- Centralia, WA Antique shops, the historic Fox Theatre, and the Borst Home.
- Olympia, WA State capitol, farmers market, and Capitol Lake trails.
Local flavour
Teams
- Cowlitz Black Bears West Coast League
Also rooting for Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Seattle Kraken (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Smoked Columbia River salmon A local staple, often caught in the river.
- Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries are abundant in the nearby forests.
- Dutch Bros coffee A Pacific Northwest chain popular throughout the region.
Where people go
- Riverfront parks and boat launches Along the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers.
- Evergreen hiking trails Dense forests with Douglas fir and cedar.
- Logging museums and historic mills Reminders of the timber industry that built the area.
- Small-town diners and drive-ins Classic American eateries with local character.
Heritage and traditions
Proud of its timber and river heritage, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and its close-knit communities along the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers.
This time of year in Longview
- Salmon fishing Fall Fall is peak season for salmon on the Cowlitz River.
Say it like a local: “Timber” — A nod to the logging industry, often used as an exclamation or reference.
Festivals
- Kelso Highland Games August A Scottish heritage festival with pipe bands, athletic competitions, and dancing.
- Woodland Planters Days June A community celebration with a parade, logging competitions, and local food.
- Kalama Harbor Days August A waterfront festival with live music, food vendors, and boat activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Cowlitz Tribal Cultural Center A museum and cultural center in Longview preserving the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's heritage.
- Historic downtown Longview A planned city from the 1920s with distinctive architecture, including Art Deco and mid-century buildings.
- Kelso Theatre A historic movie theater from the 1920s, still in operation.
Food traditions
- Smelt dipping In spring, families dip for smelt in the Cowlitz River, a tradition from Native American and early settler times.
- Salmon bakes Community salmon bakes at tribal events and local fundraisers, often using Columbia River salmon.
- Huckleberry picking A summer tradition of picking huckleberries in the foothills for pies and jams.
- Dutch Bros coffee A daily ritual for many, with drive-thru stands throughout the region.
Music and arts
- Cowlitz Indian traditional drumming and singing The tribe preserves its musical heritage through drum groups and ceremonial songs.
- Local bluegrass and country music Community events often feature live bluegrass and country bands.
- Chainsaw carving A folk art tied to the timber industry, with carvings of bears, eagles, and other motifs.
A little history
- 1805 Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the area.
- 1923 Longview was founded as a planned city by the Long-Bell Lumber Company.
- 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted, covering the region in ash.
- 2000 The Cowlitz Indian Tribe gained federal recognition.
Rivalries
- Longview vs Kelso high school football The 'Battle of the Bridge' draws big crowds every fall.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Cowlitz River Salmon Derby
- Outdoors Smelt dipping
- Outdoors Hiking to Mount St. Helens
- With kids Smelt dipping
- With kids Visiting the Cowlitz Tribal Center
People here speak with a Pacific Northwest accent, known for the 'Northwest vowel shift' (e.g., 'bag' sounds like 'beg'). They often say 'the' before freeway numbers, use 'pop' for soda, and pronounce 'Cowlitz' as 'COW-lits'.
Only here
- The smelt run on the Cowlitz River, a unique natural event that draws families to dip.
- Longview's planned city layout with its unique street grid and mid-century architecture.
- The Cowlitz Indian Tribe's cultural presence and history, with a strong community in the area.
- The Lewis and Clark Bridge, a historic span across the Columbia River.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for rain; bring a raincoat and waterproof shoes.
- Learn to say 'Cowlitz' as 'COW-lits' to sound like a local.
- Try the local salmon and huckleberry pie—both are regional favorites.
- Visit the Cowlitz Tribal Center to learn about the area's Native heritage.
- Know that the region is known for its friendly, small-town feel, so don't be shy to strike up a conversation.
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Part of Portland area
Nearby
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Longview-Kelso, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.