Portland attractions

Washington Park is a sprawling woodland in Southwest Portland, home to the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, and a series of gardens including the International Rose Test Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, and the Portland Japanese Garden. Cycling paths and walking trails wind throughout the park, providing a convenient nature escape.

Oneonta Gorge, located within the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia River Gorge area, contains four massive waterfalls. Due to the wet climate, its walls are covered in ferns, mosses, and lichens endemic to the region. Once one of the most popular destinations in the Columbia River Gorge, access has been limited since the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017. However, hiking is still available in the surrounding area, with views of the gorge.

South Park Blocks offers respite from Portland's bustling city energy. The verdant green space in the heart of Downtown Portland covers 12 blocks, and runs through Portland State University. You can walk along SW Park Avenue—between Jackson and Salmon Streets—to enjoy a leisurely stroll on this public art-adorned, tree-covered arcade.

Encompassing over a million acres of forest and mountains east of Portland, Mt. Hood National Forest is known for its year-round recreation opportunities. The winters are ideal for snow sports, and Mount Hood is among the most popular ski destinations in the region. Summers are equally fantastic, especially for hiking.

A short drive east of Portland will take you to one of the best places for views of the Columbia River Gorge: the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor. At the top of this 693-foot (211-meter) promontory stands the Vista House, which features interpretive displays about the Gorge, gift shops, and fantastic views.

Planted across 12.5 acres (5 hectares) of the expansive Washington Park, the Portland Japanese Garden is one of the best spots in town to bask in tranquility. Meditate by a waterfall and walk the paths that lead to eight themed garden areas, from a tea garden and bonsai terrace to a pavilion overlooking Mt. Hood. Don't miss daily demonstrations in the cultural village, designed by contemporary architect Kengo Kuma.

Just a jaunt from Downtown Portland, the Alphabet District in the Inner Northwest area draws visitors for its shopping, dining, and easy access to Forest Park. The main stretch is between 21st and 23rd Streets. Many Portlanders call this largely residential area home, residing in the area's condos, Victorians, and Craftsman-style houses.

Constructed during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal, Bonneville Dam provides electric power to homes and businesses across the Northwest. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed complex is also an integral player in Columbia River water management, as well as fish and wildlife protection.

Mt. St. Helens’ infamous 1980 eruption blew the top off the mighty volcano, sending fire and ash raining down the mountainside, and causing one of the largest landslides on record. Two years later, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was established to monitor and research the blast zone, preserving the area for adventurers to hike, climb, and camp against a backdrop of the ominous peak.

Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum is home to one of the most varied collections of tree species in the United States. This sprawling nature preserve serves as a research center, but with miles of trails easily accessible to downtown Portland, the arboretum is open to anyone who wants to spend time in nature.

Find your zen at downtown Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden, an oasis of Chinese art, design, and architecture. Modeled after the ancient gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the garden has carefully landscaped elements that invite you to relax, reflect, and engage with Chinese culture through tea ceremonies, workshops, and performances.

In the early 20th century, the Oregon side of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge was opened up to vehicular traffic, turning this famously gorgeous expanse into a popular attraction. Although a major interstate freeway has since upstaged this road, it’s still the best to take if you want to slow down and soak in the scenery.

Dating back to the 1880s, downtown Portland's compact Chinatown isn't as big as what you might find in San Francisco or New York. However, it's still worth a visit for its restaurants, bars, photogenic entry gate, and its star attraction, the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

From Asian elephants to California condors, the Oregon Zoo is full of exhibits dedicated to conservation and education. Just steps from downtown Portland, the zoo takes you a world away as you travel through exhibits resembling Africa, Asia, and other far-flung destinations. Pacific Northwest exhibits ensure the local wildlife isn’t left out.

Forest Park’s name is no exaggeration—this verdant space, which spans more than 5,200 acres (2,100 hectares), is one of the largest urban forested areas in the country. Set along the Willamette River on the northwestern edge of Portland, the park is known for its tranquil scenery, wealth of wildlife, and many hiking trails.

A spiritual enclave tucked into Northeast Portland, the Grotto is a Catholic sanctuary offering visitors 62 acres (25 hectares of peaceful gardens to explore. Replete with statues and reflection pools, chapels and shrines, this space offers respite from a busy world. Attend a concert, visit to pray, or marvel at the rose garden blossoms.

At the gateway to Northeast Portland you can find one of the funky-chic shopping districts that Portland is famous for. North Mississippi Avenue offers a hipster-friendly assortment of trendy boutiques and restaurants. Find plentiful cheap eats, satisfy your sweet tooth with artisan ice cream, and sip cocktails at a local pub.

For a scenic ride through Northern Oregon with a dash of centuries-old charm, the Mt. Hood Railroad is truly in a league of its own. Situated just outside of Portland, travelers can enjoy a round-trip train adventure to Parkdale, complete with views of vineyards, lush forests, and the unbeatable backdrop of snowy Mt. Hood in the distance.

Railfans visiting Portland find refuge at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC. Constructed on the site of a since-demolished roundhouse, ORHC showcases three steam locomotives and vintage rail cars, hosts seasonal events, and lets visitors peek into an operating machine shop. ORHC celebrates the heyday of Portland's industrial past.