Portland is the largest city in Oregon and is documented as “green” or an environmentally conscious city. There are numerous places to walk, ride your bicycle and acres upon acres of public parks lending way to an ample outdoor activities. Portland is known for many things and their liberal political values, coffee and beer are a few of them. At one point, Portland was home to the most microbreweries in any city in the world. The downtown area has theaters, museums and open land making it an entertainment haven and all within walking distance of each other. This is just a taste of what makes Portland so unique. Ultimate Excursions invites you to come with us as we take a closer look at 5 of the best places you won’t want to miss on your next vacation to Portland.
- Washington Park
The International Rose Test Garden is one of the many popular attractions at Washington Park
Washington Park, acquired in 1871, offers a plethora of tourist attractions, including the renown International Rose Test Garden, museums, a zoo, archery range, picnic areas, playgrounds, various sporting fields, many acres of wild forest with miles of trails and it is near the center of the city. Visitors and residents could spend days exploring the park and all it has to offer on the 410 acres. Location: 1715 SW Skyline Blvd, Portland, OR 97221 http://washingtonparkpdx.org/
- The Pittock Mansion
Image Credit: pittockmansion.org
The Pittock Mansion, built in 1909, is a French Renaissance style chateau originally the private home of Henry and Georgiana Pittock located in the West Hills of Portland. The city of Portland purchased the mansion in 1964 restored and opened it to the public in 1965 as a community landmark overlooking downtown Portland. The property is situated on 46 acres of land and has 23 rooms offering a breathtaking view or glimpse of Portland’s past. Location: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210 http://pittockmansion.org/
- Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books opened in 1971, now a Portland landmark, is the headquarters to the Powell Books chain and is located in the Pearl District of downtown Portland encompassing about 1.6 acres of retail floor space occupying a full city block. It is rated as one of the “coolest” bookstores in the world by CNN with retail and online sales of over four million in new, used, rare and out-of-print books. The store has over a million books in 3,500 sections within nine color-coded rooms. Locations: 1005 W. Burnside,Portland, OR 97209 http://www.powells.com/
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
Image Credit: www.lansugarden.org
Lan Su Chinese Garden is an authentic built Ming Dynasty style garden open year-round since its grand opening in 2000. The donated land allowed Kuang Zhen Yan to bring his vision to life with the help of 65 artisans from Portland’s sister city of Suzhou. The walled city block garden influenced by many famous classical gardens in Suzhou formerly named Portland Classical Chinese Garden (until 2010) and titled the Garden of Awakening Orchids. The garden offers public and audio tours as well as concerts and a two-week Chinese New Year celebration. Location: 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 http://www.lansugarden.org/
- Portland Saturday Market
Image Credit: www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com
Portland Saturday Market is the nation’s largest weekly open-air arts and crafts market located in Waterfront Park, at the Skidmore Fountain MAX station since 2009 offering unique crafts, live music and international snacks. The market was the hobbyhorse of two women, Sheri Teasdale and Andrea Scharf, both artists from the area who sold at markets themselves. The ladies were offered a location next to Bill Naito’s family business in the “Butterfly” parking lot in 1973, then moved to Burnside Bridge in 1976 but eventually moved to Waterfront Park in 2009 where it over 350 members and generates $8 million in sales annually. The market attracts about a million visitors annually and is the central economic engine for the area. Location: 2 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97204 http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
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