Things To Do In Portland Oregon.
Things To See and Places To Visit.

While you’re planning your Portland vacation, you will find that there are far more attractions and things to do than you are likely to have time for - so plan wisely. You can choose to spend your time at the Oregon Coast or on the slopes of Mt. Hood. Or both. Imagine sunbathing one day and snowboarding the next! Summers in Portland let you do it all.

The city is large, hip, culturally diverse, and urban. You can spend your entire vacation touring the city and its galleries, museums, and gardens. While you’re here, don’t miss the following attractions.

Washington Park is the original City Park is a great place to entertain kids and was the home of Portland’s first zoo. Today you’ll find beautiful gardens, the fantastic Chiming Fountain, a Lewis and Clark memorial, and a wonderful Rose Garden Children’s Park. A recent addition is the Oregon Holocaust Memorial which pays homage to Oregon and southwest Washington Holocaust victims and survivors.

Within Washington Park you will find the International Rose Test Garden. Be sure to stop by between April and October for the spectacular blooming season. Here you’ll find nearly 7,000 rose plants boasting over five hundred different varieties of roses. The garden contains several gardens within it including the Shakespeare Garden and the Mini Rose Garden. Find out why Portland is affectionately called the “City of Roses”.

Get a taste of the orient by visiting the breathtaking Japanese Gardens and the Chinese Gardens. The Japanese Garden is set in the hills overlooking the city of Portland. Here you’ll see spectacular views of Mt. Hood, pretend it’s Mt. Fuji if you wish, along with tranquil paths, meandering streams, a delightful teahouse, cherry blossoms in spring, and Japanese styled gardens. This is a quiet, calm location offering five separate gardens: Strolling Pond, Tea, Natural, Flat, and Sand and Stone.

What’s lovelier than a garden of awakening orchids? The Portland Classical Chinese Garden is a charming, tranquil location that stretches out a full city block. Sip authentic Chinese tea in the beautiful teahouse and look out at the stunning display laid out before you. The garden is composed of several distinct features including courtyards, pavilions, and a lake. You’ll love the names too such as “Flowers Bathing in Spring Rain” and the “Hall of Brocade Clouds”. Awaken you spirit with a visit to this lovely garden.

The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, or The Grotto as it is affectionately called, is both a shrine and a botanical garden. Our Lady’s Grotto is actually carved into the cliff that soars overhead. It has a natural rock alter along with a marble replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta. Stop by the grotto and see how nature and church harmonize with each other.

You won’t want to miss the Oregon Zoo during your vacation in Portland. The zoo boasts a 100-year history and is well loved by residents and visitors alike. The zoo is conservation oriented and has fantastic exhibits that reflect the habitats found in the northwest. Don’t miss the Great Northwest exhibit or the Cascade Crest.

The Pearl District is the best known of Portland’s districts. It is home to art galleries, warehouses, breweries and superb restaurants. This vibrant, urban district has a life and style all its own. You’ll find funky shops, art galleries, cafes, microbreweries, markets, and shopping within its boundaries.

The Portland Saturday Market is held every weekend from March through December 24th. Here you’ll find crafts, art, food, live music, and activities. This open air marketplace takes place in the Old Town – Chinatown neighborhood under the Burnside Bridge between SW 1st Avenue and SW Naito Parkway.

Pittock Mansion is another terrific attraction. This huge home of pioneers Georgiana and Henry Pittock is open for tours and special events.

Pioneer Courthouse Square is often called “Portland’s Living Room”. This square is host to over 300 events per year including festivals and concerts. This is a truly urban park with a unique flavor.

Portland is the Playground of the Nation's Northwest. Make your Portland hotel reservations now directly online.

For the convenience of our users, we've included common misspellings and
abbreviations such as oragon, oregan, origon, or, ore, oreg, oregon and oregone.