Portland’s Best Places to Visit:
The top rated Places to Visit in Portland, OR are:
- Washington Park – is one of the oldest parks in Portland
- Pittock Mansion – is a historic house museum in Portland, Oregon
- Lan Su Chinese Garden – is one of Portland’s greatest and most interesting sites
- Portland Japanese Garden – one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens in the world
- Portland Art Museum – is the seventh oldest museum in the United States
Washington Park
Washington Park the city paid $32,634 to Amos King, an early entrepreneur who bought over 500 acres of land west of the city, for the original forty acres of land in 1871. Despite its remoteness from the city center at the time, the city classified this site as “City Park.”
Today, Washington Park features nearly 15 miles of trails, some of which are part of the north-south 40-Mile Loop between Pittock Mansion, Forest Park, and Council Crest. Washington Park is 410 acres in size. Washington Park has changed over time to fit the requirements of Portlanders. It is a place for anyone to study, contemplate life, enjoy nature, smell the roses, and have fun and play, thanks to its varied attractions.
Products/Services:
Archery Range, Hoyt Arboretum Museum, International Rose Garden, Memorials & Statues
LOCATION:
Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
Phone: (503) 319-0999
Website: www.explorewashingtonpark.org
REVIEWS:
“Loved visiting this park. The rose garden is out of this world! I have never seen so many varieties of roses. The smell of the roses was intoxicating. Nice place to take a walk or run. I felt very safe. good job Portland.” – Mike J.
Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion operates a historic house museum in Portland, Oregon. The mansion sat abandoned for four years until being destroyed by the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. Roof tiles and window panes were shattered by hurricane-force gusts, allowing water to infiltrate the Mansion. The Mansion was in such bad shape by 1964 that developers indicated an interest in demolishing it and turning the estate into a subdivision.
It took 15 months to renovate the Mansion and convert it from private property to a public place. Pittock Mansion was first opened to the public in 1965 as a historic home museum. The nonprofit Pittock Mansion Society was established in 1968 to take on the task of furnishing the Mansion, caring for the collection, and delivering educational events.
Products/Services:
House Museum
LOCATION:
Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: (503) 823-3623
Website: www.pittockmansion.org
REVIEWS:
“Great way to see the luxurious life of wealthy American family during 1914. Also, get a glimpse of the history of Portland. The view of Portland city from this mansion is amazing, with Mt Hood in the background.” – Rahul H.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of Portland’s most valuable assets and one of the most intriguing places to see while in town. Lan Su was developed by Chinese artisans from Suzhou and is one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. It’s the outcome of a partnership between Portland and Suzhou, a sister city in China’s Jiangsu province known for its beautiful Ming Dynasty gardens.
The name of the garden reflects this relationship: Lan Su combines sounds from both Portland and Suzhou. The Chinese term “Lan” also means “Orchid,” and “Su” means “Arise” or “Awaken,” therefore the garden’s name might be translated poetically as “Garden of Awakening Orchids.”
Products/Services:
Botanical Garden
LOCATION:
Address: 239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (503) 228-8131
Website: www.lansugarden.org
REVIEWS:
“Wow. This garden is stunning. Very well kept and beautiful. It’s very cool seeing the contemporary city surrounding it and poking through at times. We also ate the veggie dumplings and steamed buns from the tea house. Both were delicious and great snacks while we sat in the shade and enjoyed the garden. We also had both mango and guava juice. What a treat on a hot sunny day. Would highly highly recommend.” – Michelle H.
Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden is located in the hills of Portland, Oregon’s famed Washington Park, offering a calm, urban respite to locals and visitors alike. An authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, quiet walkways, and a stunning vista of Mt. Hood may all be found here. It was designed in 1963 and spans 12 acres with eight different garden designs. This is a location where one can let go of worldly problems and recognize oneself as a small yet important component of the universe.
The Portland Japanese Garden promotes diversity, anti-racism, and cultural awareness. They have a responsibility to provide a place where everyone in their community is welcome and where anybody may come to center themselves, reflect, and replenish their spirit as an organization dedicated to cultivating inner peace as well as peace between peoples and cultures.
Products/Services:
Japanese Garden
LOCATION:
Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 223-1321
Website: www.japanesegarden.org
REVIEWS:
“So peaceful. Very rare to find somewhere so serene in Portland. Every part of the park is manicured and maintained constantly. Everything you see is the way it is on purpose.” – Margaret D.
Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum opened in late 1892, is the country’s seventh oldest museum and the first in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum’s permanent collection and ambitious special exhibitions, which are taken from the Museum’s holdings as well as the world’s best public and private collections, have earned it international acclaim.
The Museum’s collection of almost 50,000 pieces, which are presented in 112,000 square feet of galleries, spans the history of art from antiquity to the present. The collection is notable for its holdings of Native American art, English silver, and graphic arts. The Museum devotes 90% of its gallery space to its permanent collection, which is an active collecting institution dedicated to preserving great work for future generations’ enrichment.
Products/Services:
Art Museum
LOCATION:
Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 226-2811
Website: www.portlandartmuseum.org
REVIEWS:
“Good collection for a city of Portland’s size. We particularly liked the pacific northwest Indian art and Asian art sections. There is also modern, U.S, European art sections.” – Scott L.
Mark has lived in Detroit, MI his whole life. He has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and True Dakotan. As a journalist for Kev’s Best, Mark covers national and local businesses.