Perched dramatically above the Willamette River at the end of the famed Oregon Trail, Oregon City holds a unique and fascinating place in American history as the first incorporated city west of the Rockies. Today, visitors can ride the historic Municipal Elevator to sweeping hilltop views, explore the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, and wander through a charming downtown filled with independent shops and restaurants. With Willamette Falls — one of the largest waterfalls by volume in North America — at its heart and easy proximity to Portland, Oregon City is a rewarding destination for history lovers and day-trippers alike.