There’s no shortage of things to do in Portland, Oregon. Located right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean with a population of 652,000 people, Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon. With beautiful forests, parks and dining, Portland is a dream destination for those who enjoy the outdoors. The following are some great things to do when visiting Portland:
This park in Portland boasts a number of attractions, some of which are the International Rose Test Garden, museums, and a zoo. The Rose Test Garden hosts varieties of new roses, grown on the grounds of the Garden. Another well-known attraction in the park is the Portland Japanese Garden, which is the largest of its kind outside Japan. The Rose Garden Children’s Playground is located within the park. It is a large-scale play structure Portland Oregon full of lively components. It is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes the Pacific Northwest is known for. It features the natural playground equipment Oregon often implements in public parks.
This nature-inspired play space just got a makeover and it is more enriching than ever before. Playground equipment Portland Oregon uses is often developmentally beneficial and aesthetically pleasing. The Westmoreland Park uses wood and artificial stone to create an inviting playground that does not obscure the view or disrupt the natural environment. There is also a sand pit for sensory and water play. This is a great place for locals and tourists to visit with their little ones.
Forest Park is one the largest urban parks in the country, sprawling 5,000 acres in the northwestern edge of Portland. In addition to the 70+ miles of biking and hiking trails, the park is also home to over 100 species of birds, as well as 62 different mammal species. It’s also home to the Witch’s Castle - a spooky, abandoned stone building covered in overgrown, leafy plants.
Looking for a remote and beautiful get-away outside of Portland? If you’re up for the four hour drive, you can start taking I-5 south and eventually make your way southeast until you reach the park past Diamond Peak. Enjoy spectacular views and serene hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest, and witness the iconic sleeping volcano, which embeds the deepest lake in the whole United States in its enormous crater. In order to access the park, an admission fee is required to enter the park. You can either purchase a pass at the park entrance, or visit USGS’s website to purchase an annual pass. There are a variety of passes to choose from if you so decide, and provides access to over 2,000 recreational areas across the nation, including national parks.
Built in the early 19th century, this renaissance-style mansion is situated on the west side of Portland. You can explore the grounds by yourself or take a guided tour of the premises. The house has 46 rooms, and is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The Pittock Mansion was named after the wealthy couple from England who originally owned the place.
Portland is a city known, among other things, for its donuts. Even a cursory Google search of the city will turn up several great donut spots. Some good donut shops include Voodoo Doughnut, who put Portland on the map with wacky combinations of ingredients such as maple bacon and Cap’n Crunch cereal, as well as Blue Star, another solid donut location with a wide array of donuts to choose from. Options there include Mexican Hot Chocolate, Blueberry Bourbon Basil, and Orange Olive Oil.
Portland’s Chinese Garden is a staple of the city, and comes as a result of the city’s relationship with their sister city of Suzhou, China. Features of the Chinese Garden include native Chinese plants, a tea house, and both self-guided and guided tours. The Chinese Garden is a wonderful celebration of Chinese culture and the relationship between Portland and its history with China.
