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.
International Rose Test Garden
Shubert Ciencia
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.
Asian Elephants at Oregon Zoo
Stuart Seeger
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.
Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland
Eleonora Corsi
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.
Pearl District, Portland
AtlasPDX82
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.
Oregon Museum of Science and
Industry
M.O. Stevens
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.
Hoyt Arboretum, Portland
Sean Fornelli
Portland has a temperate oceanic climate, with four distinct
seasons. Winters, between December and February, are mild and wet,
while summers, between June and August, are warm and comparatively
dry. Summer temperatures average between 53°F (12°C) and 81°F
(27°C), but temperatures can be substantially higher during
heatwaves.
Winter temperatures average between 35°F (2°C) and 51°F (11°C).
Spring and autumn are generally mild but unpredictable seasons.
Rain is less common between June and September, but the weather is
extremely wet between November and April.
The restaurants in Portland have developed a great
reputation over the past few years, with fresh local ingredients
being prepared in creative ways by ambitious young chefs. There is
no end to dining options in Portland, with many small neighbourhood
eateries proving to be hidden gems.
Portland cuisine tends towards organic,
locally-produced foods. In keeping with the city's eco-friendly
reputation, there's an abundance of venues that cater to
vegetarians and vegans. There isn't any real dining district, so
one of the main inconveniences may be simply finding the
establishments.
However, both the Pearl District and Nob Hill
neighbourhoods have a good selection of restaurants to please most
tastes. A fun and budget dining option for travellers on the go is
the army of food carts in the downtown area, with options including
Mexican tacos, Korean barbecue, Belgian fries, and American hot
dogs.
Portland International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (21km) from downtown
Portland.
Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
Portland's MAX Light Rail system serves the airport, connecting
to the heart of the city. There's a travel time of around 40
minutes and trains depart roughly every 15 minutes. Taxis,
shuttles, buses, and rental cars are also available. All
transportation pickups occur on the airport terminal's lower
roadway which is on the baggage claim and departure level.
Car Rental:
The Car Rental Center on the first floor of the parking garage
includes Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, National, and Hertz offices.
Alamo, Budget, and Thrifty have shuttles which take people to their
premises off site.
Airport Taxis:
There are a few taxi companies which serve the airport. They may
need to be ordered by telephone for late night arrivals. Reputable
providers include Broadway Cab Company and New Green Cab, amongst
many others.
Facilities:
The airport has several ATMs, a currency exchange bureau, and a
shopping mall which includes restaurants, coffee bars, and pubs.
There is also wifi, a postal service, an information desk, and a
state-of-the-art conference centre.
Parking
Portland International offers ample parking options, including
long-term and economy in close proximity to the terminal building.
Valet parking costs about $10 per hour or $35 per day. Short-term
parking starts at around $3 per hour and costs $27 per day.
Long-term parking costs about $24 per day and economy parking is
$12 per day.
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Getting around Portland is quick and easy on the city's
award-winning light rail system, nicknamed 'MAX' (Metropolitan Area
Express). It extends to the east and west of downtown, with a spur
to the Portland International Airport.
MAX also connects to the popular attractions at Washington Park
about 10 minutes from the city centre. Portland has a streetcar
system connecting the downtown cultural district to the Portland
State University, the Pearl District and Nob Hill.
The Tri-Met bus service covers the town centre and suburbs.
Taxis are readily available, with regulated rates, and those who
prefer to hire a car will find plentiful car rental companies.
Known as one of America's greenest cities, Portland is flush
with beautiful parks and gardens which grow alongside a river. On
its backdoor sits mountains, ocean seascapes, and arid desert,
making it the ideal base for those looking to experience the
state's great outdoors.
The most celebrated scenic areas in the region include the
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Forest Park, Washington
Park and Oneonta Gorge. There are also famous gardens, with
favourites including the International Rose Test Garden, the
Portland Japanese Garden, the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Hoyt
Arboretum, and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
The city is a flouring centre for the arts and boasts one of the
best public transport systems in the country. There may be tourist
passes available, providing more affordable entry to some of the
city's most popular attractions.
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.
![Cannon Beach]()
Cannon Beach
Tobias Haase
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 Trillian Lake and Little Crater Lake, have camping
facilities as well as water sports.
![Mt Hood]()
Mt Hood
Tony Fischer
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.
![University of Oregon, Eugene]()
University of Oregon, Eugene
Adam850
International Rose Test Garden
Shubert Ciencia
Asian Elephants at Oregon Zoo
Stuart Seeger
Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland
Eleonora Corsi
Pearl District, Portland
AtlasPDX82
Oregon Museum of Science and
Industry
M.O. Stevens
Hoyt Arboretum, Portland
Sean Fornelli
Cannon Beach
Tobias Haase
Mt Hood
Tony Fischer
University of Oregon, Eugene
Adam850
