Best things to do in Portland, Oregon

International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden is the foremost of the famous rose gardens of Portland, founded in 1917 during World War I. It began when hybridists sent roses from around the world to keep them safe from the bombing in Europe. Since then, the garden has served as a testing ground for new varieties. Fountains, paths, and statues enhance more than 7,000 rose bushes, representing some 550 varieties. Trained volunteers offer free tours. Highlights of the garden are the award-winning miniature roses planted along the centre aisle, the Shakespeare Garden in the southeast corner, and the Frank L Beach Memorial Fountain, designed and built by local artist Lee Kelly. The Rose Test Garden is the centrepiece of the Portland Rose Festival, held each spring in Portland.

Oregon Zoo

The award-winning Oregon Zoo is the oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi, founded in 1887. It covers 64 acres and is home to a vast variety of animals, including elephants, penguins, and polar bears. With the animals housed in their natural habitats, the zoo is an internationally recognised centre for wildlife preservation and research. Combined with a programme of summer concerts, a variety of seasonal events, and an old-fashioned railway ride connecting Washington Park, Oregon Zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Portland. It draws around a million visitors a year. Opening times vary depending on the season so it's best to check the official website listed below for details.

Website www.oregonzoo.org

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Named the 'Garden of Awakening Orchids', this walled classic garden in Portland's Chinatown is a replica of traditional gardens found in Suzhou, Portland's sister city in China. It combines the elements of water, stone, architecture, literature and plants to create balance and harmony. The garden is both a living museum of flora and fauna and a cultural heritage garden, containing interesting specimens like Chinese paper bush, water daphne, and Chinese plum. The classical teahouse is located in the evocatively named Tower of Cosmic Reflections. It offers a tactile experience of the art and culture of Chinese tea. This attraction adds variety to a garden tour of Portland and generally receives rave reviews. Opening times vary according to season.

Website www.lansugarden.org

Pearl District

The trendiest neighbourhood in downtown Portland, the Pearl District is the place to see and be seen. The district was once a decaying industrial area, but today the old buildings have come alive with new purposes. Old warehouses have been turned into desirable loft residences and the streets are lined with restaurants, cafes, wine bars, upmarket shops, and art galleries. Gallery walks occur on the first Thursday of each month. The Pearl is also home to Portland's iconic Powell's Bookstore, arguably one of the finest in the entire country. The Pearl District is well worth a visit, especially for those interested in urban renewal and sustainable redevelopment.

Website www.travelportland.com/neighborhoods/pearl-district/

Museum of Science and Industry

Affectionately known as OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a feast of fun for young and old. It includes fascinating permanent exhibits dealing with maths, science and technology, and laboratories where children can undertake science experiments. The complex contains one of the most technologically advanced planetariums in the country, as well as the Empirical Theater and the USS Blueback submarine. The museum also hosts a plethora of interesting temporary exhibitions, making it captivating for the whole family and a great Portland attraction for a rainy day.

Website www.omsi.edu

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach in Oregon is the most famous and popular stretch of coastline known to Portland tourists. The dominant Haystack Rock is a 235-foot (71m) steep formation that is reachable on foot when the tide is low. William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition first set foot on the sand in 1805. The same nine miles (14.5km) of beach, beautiful hiking trails, and tidal pools filled with sea life are there for new explorers to discover. A tourist-focused beach town gives present day travellers quaint hotels, cottages, and restaurants. Cannon Beach hosts a number of popular events in the summer, including a sandcastle building competition in June. The town's Fourth of July celebrations are also festive, including a parade and military flyover. Visiting the area during the events requires forward planning as accommodation is generally booked far in advance.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood, 67 miles (108km) east of Portland, is one of the most popular ski resort areas in Oregon. Dominating the Portland skyline, Mount Hood is a great place to get away from the city for a weekend ski break. The mountain is home to three resorts: Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline, and Skibowl, all allowing for both downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as night skiing. Mount Hood is also a much loved summer getaway from Portland. It has a wide range of activities on offer, such as horseback riding, mountain biking, and many good hiking trails. Several lakes, including Trillium Lake and Little Crater Lake, have camping facilities as well as water sports.

Website www.skihood.com

Eugene

As one would expect from a city with a memorial statue of the 'Merry Prankster' Ken Kesey, Eugene is an offbeat place. It has students from Oregon University a well as people seeking out alternative lifestyles, from old school hippies to new age hipsters. Despite its modest size, Eugene has a thriving arts community. There are also lots of outdoor sports opportunities available to visitors, with running, cycling, white-water rafting, and kayaking proving especially popular. There are plenty of art museums in Eugene, and the region is also famous for its wineries. Some of them are just a short scenic drive away. Visitors are strongly encouraged to walk the streets of the city and to chat to some of the locals before enjoying the vibrant nightlife that's on offer.

Website www.eugene-or.gov

Hoyt Arboretum

The Hoyt Arboretum is home to an outstanding collection of rare and exotic tree species. Located within Washington Park and about two miles west of downtown Portland, the 187-acre arboretum is nothing less than a living laboratory. It boasts more than 10,000 individual trees and shrubs from more than 1,100 different species. These include a few specimens of Dawn Redwood, a tree thought for many years to be extinct. The trees are arranged by taxonomy and geography, making them easy to identify. The arboretum consists of 12 miles (19km) of walking trails, a visitor's centre that is open six days a week, an enormous picnic shelter, and a meadow. Guided tours are available Saturdays between June and September, for a small fee. Visitors of all ages will enjoy spending time in this urban oasis on the banks of the Willamette River.

Website www.hoytarboretum.org

Portland, Oregon

Things to do in Portland, Oregon

International Rose Test Garden

Oregon Zoo

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Pearl District

Museum of Science and Industry

Cannon Beach

Mount Hood

Eugene

Hoyt Arboretum

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International Rose Test Garden

Oregon Zoo

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Pearl District

Museum of Science and Industry

Cannon Beach

Mount Hood

Eugene

Hoyt Arboretum