Destination Guide
Portland, Oregon Destination Guide
Portland is one of the nation’s most livable, enjoyable cities, and its wealth of attractions and activities make it easy to understand why. The city has a lively arts and culture scene, with several large museums, a dozen or more performing arts organizations, and several interesting districts, each with their own distinct character and shopping and dining offerings. Portland’s Cultural District is home to many cultural and historical attractions including Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Portland Art Museum, Oregon History Center, Central Library and Old Church. A light-rail system makes it easy to navigate the city, from downtown to the various districts to outlying parks and attractions.
Among the city’s many festivals, the Rose Festival is by far the best known, filling the month of June with parades, a rose show, an arts festival and many family events. There’s a lot to celebrate here, from the region’s microbreweries and wineries to its inspired cuisine, diverse cultural traditions, arts and music. Sports enthusiasts will always find an event going on, whether at the Rose Garden or the Portland International Raceway, and they can get into the game at one of the city’s many parks and golf courses. Walkers will enjoy downtown’s many historical landmarks and pedestrian-friendly streets, and nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers great city views and access to the new Eastbank Esplanade.
If you’re yearning for the great outdoors, you need not venture far, for Portland sits in the midst of splendid natural beauty and offers easy access to rivers, mountains, forests and coastline. It’s also not far from Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley wine country, where you can sample some of the world’s finest pinot noir vintages.
ENTERTAINMENT –
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111 SW Broadway, Portland; 503-248-4335
Distance to Attraction: 7.5 miles
| This top-notch venue in downtown Portland’s Cultural District hosts over 900 live music, theater, dance and other cultural events each year. PCPA is home to the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, Oregon Children’s Theatre and many other performance companies. |
Theater
| Artists Repertory Theatre (1516 SW Alder St, 503-241-1278) presents seven new plays per year, primarily regional premieres, commissioned works and selected classics. The Oregon Children’s Theatre (600 SW 10th Ave, 503-228-9571) presents plays and stage adaptations of classic books for children of all ages at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. Other Portland theater groups include CoHo Productions (2257 NW Raleigh St, 503-220-2646), Miracle Theatre Group (425 SE 6th Ave, 503-236-7253), Portland Center Stage (1111 SW Broadway, 503-274-6588), Profile Theatre Project (3430 SE Belmont St, 503-242-0080) and Stark Raving Theatre (CoHo Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh St, 503-232-7072). |
Classical Music
| Portland Opera (Keller Auditorium, SW 3rd Ave at Market St, 503-241-1802) appeals to a broad audience with its full productions of classic operas, touring Broadway musicals, and premieres of cutting-edge contemporary operas. Founded in 1896, the Oregon Symphony (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 503-228-1353) features a full season of classical and pops performances as well as family and children’s concerts. Other classical music performing organizations include Chamber Music Northwest (522 SW 5th Ave, 503-294-6400), Portland Baroque Orchestra (1020 SW Taylor, 503-222-6000) and Portland Symphonic Choir (various venues, 503-223-1217). |
Contemporary Music
| Portland’s lively arts scene includes contemporary music, and many downtown and neighborhood clubs and bars offer live rock, acoustic, jazz, blues and world music. Portland has become a major stop on many musicians’ tours, so a few larger venues feature big names regularly. The Aladdin Theater (3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, 503-233-1994) hosts such headline musicians as Lucinda Williams, Brian Wilson, Chick Corea and Dar Williams in an intimate setting. The acoustics are extraordinary at the Roseland Theater (8 NW 6th Ave, 503-219-9929), which presents an eclectic mix of musicians with shows just about every night of the week. For more information on Portland’s night life, click here. |
Dance
| The Oregon Ballet Theatre (818 SE 6th Ave, 503-222-5538) presents four professional productions each year, focusing primarily on the classical ballet repertoire, at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. In an entirely different vein, BodyVox (1300 NW Northrup Ave, 503-229-0627) offers original, often multimedia contemporary dance compositions for audiences in Portland and beyond. Do Jump! (Echo Theatre, 1515 SE 37th Ave, 503-231-1232) presents contemporary dance performances ranging from minimalist to extravagant.
For more information and a complete list of performing arts organizations, click here. |
SHOPPING –
Jantzen Beach Supercenter
1405 Jantzen Beach Center; 503-286-9103
Distance to Attraction: 0.5 miles
| This shopping center features many fine retail and specialty stores, along with a sizable food court and outdoor spaces. It’s also home to the C.W. Parker Carousel, which dates back to 1921 and was one of many attractions at the old Jantzen Beach Amusement Park. |
Niketown
930 SW 6th Ave; 503-221-6453
Distance to Attraction: 7.5 miles
| Perhaps it’s the proximity to Nike’s corporate home in Beaverton – something makes this Niketown bigger and better than the one back home. With its futuristic black décor, edgy music and interactive displays, the store feels almost like a museum, and indeed its “exhibits” seem to pay tribute to both the extraordinary and the everyday athlete. You’ll find the full Nike product line here, from running shoes to clothing to equipment. |
Shopping Districts
| Portland has several great shopping districts, each with its own character. Downtown Portland has several top-tier department stores, as well as Pioneer Place (700 SW 5th Ave, 503-228-5800) and many independent shops and boutiques. Just north of downtown, the Pearl District (W Burnside at NW Broadway) features excellent shopping and dining. Visit Powell’s City of Books (1005 W Burnside, 800-291-9676), the city’s (and reportedly the world’s) largest independent bookstore, or any of the district’s many fine galleries, which stay open late on the first Thursday of the month. Nob Hill/Northwest Portland (W Burnside at 21st Ave) offers great shopping, dining and people-watching on its tree-lined sidewalks, along with several galleries and theaters. |
Shopping Centers
| Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets (450 NW 257th Way, Troutdale, 503-669-8060) features big savings at Eddie Bauer, London Fog, Mikasa, Harry & David and many other name-brand stores. Other area shopping centers include Lloyd Center (2201 Lloyd Center, 503-282-2511), a few miles northeast of downtown, and Washington Square (9585 SW Washington Sq Rd, Tigard, 503-639-8860) in Tigard. |
Farmers Markets
| The Portland Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays (SW Main at SW Park), Thursdays (Ecotrust, on NW 10th at Johnson) and Saturdays (Portland State Univ, SW Broadway at SW Mill), and offers fresh produce, cheeses, seafood and specialty foods along with cooking and garden demonstrations. |
OUTDOORS -
Multnomah Falls
Historic Columbia River Hwy; 503-695-2372
Distance to Attraction: 34 miles
| Located in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, this spectacular two-tiered waterfall cascades 620 feet down Larch Mountain and is a popular destination for locals and visitors. Cross Benson Bridge to see it up close, then dine at Multnomah Falls Lodge, just at the waterfall’s base, or hike to the waterfall’s top, along the creek or into the woods on one of the park’s quiet forest trails. |
Mount Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way, Sandy; 503-668-1700
Distance to Attraction: 30 miles
| This vast national preserve extends more than 60 miles along the Cascade Mountains, from the Columbia River Gorge to Mt. Jefferson. Visitors can hike, bicycle, fish, canoe and more during the summer, and winter brings excellent alpine and Nordic skiing and other winter sports. Among the park’s many attractions are Bagby Hot Springs, Olallie Lake and Rock Creek Reservoir. |
Portland Parks and Natural Areas
| The City of Portland maintains hundreds of parks, including several dozen “natural areas” that preserve the area’s natural beauty and offer a quick escape from city life. Forest Park (NW 29th Ave at Upshur, 503-823-PLAY) has more than 70 miles of hiking, bicycling and horse trails over 5,000 acres, and these link to other trails along the Columbia River and Willamette Greenway. For information on other city parks, click here. |
Scenic State Parks
| Even with Portland’s rapid growth, you’ll find some beautiful recreation and scenic areas nearby, even within city limits. Tryon Creek State Natural Area (11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, 503-636-9886), located in the city, is a favorite spot for walkers, bicyclists and wildlife watchers, as is the Mary Young State Recreation Area (Willamette Dr, West Linn, 503-557-4700). Nearby Willamette Stone State Heritage Site (NW Skyline Blvd, 800-551-6949) marks the starting point for all Oregon and Washington land surveys west of the Cascades. Head west on a clear day to Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint (Bald Peak Rd, Newberg, 800-551-6949), which offers stunning views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and even Washington’s Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Ranier and Mt. Adams. If you’re looking for a peaceful fishing spot, try Molalla River State Park (Canby Ferry Rd, 800-551-6949) on the Willamette, about 25 miles south of Portland, or Milo McIver State Park (Springwater Rd, Estacada, 503-630-7150), 30 miles southeast along the Clackamas River, where you’ll also find rafting and kayaking and plenty of walking, bicycling and horse trails. |
Coastal Day Trip
| To explore Oregon’s spectacular Northern Coast, about 75 miles west on Highway 26, start in the village of Cannon Beach, for tidepools and nesting shorebirds along the meandering nine-mile beach. Just north on Highway 101/26 you’ll find Oregon’s oldest coastal resort, Seaside, offering hiking, fishing, beachcombing and much more. |
ATTRACTIONS -
Portland’s Districts
| This big city is really a collection of neighborhoods, each with its own character and history. At the heart of the city is the Cultural District, packed with major museums, performing arts centers, galleries and classic department stores. The Pearl District has emerged from its industrial/warehousing roots to become a hotbed of hip boutiques, bistros and entertainment, and nearby Nob Hill/Northwest offers a similarly eclectic, longer-established mix of attractions. Hawthorne/Southeast has a decidedly more casual, bohemian feel, and the culinary choices here range from Lebanese to Vietnamese to good old American hot dogs and pizza. Many galleries are clustered in the North/Northeast part of town, particularly around Broadway and Northeast Alberta Street.
For more information, click here. |
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland; 503-226-1561
Distance to Attraction: 9 miles
| Though best known for having the largest breeding herd of elephants in captivity, this zoo’s many other exhibits show a wide range of animals in naturalistic settings, such as an African savanna, an arctic tundra and a Pacific cove. The zoo also hosts outdoor concerts during the summer, featuring some of the top names in pop, acoustic, folk and world music. |
Portland Spirit
110 SE Caruthers St; 800-224-3901
Distance to Attraction: 8.5 miles
| Cruise the Columbia or Willamette River on this comfortable vessel (or one of its sister ships), and enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner with stunning views of the city and mountains. The fresh Northwest cuisine is prepared on board, and live entertainment accompanies your meal. |
Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave; 503-223-1321
Distance to Attraction: 8.5 miles
| Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, this garden blends traditional Japanese principles and elements — plants, stones, water — with the surrounding environment and vistas. The five garden spaces each offer a different experience, from the spacious Strolling Pond Garden to the more formal Tea Garden, and offer a tranquil place for reflection and enjoyment. |
The Grotto- The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
NE 85th Ave and Sandy Blvd; 503-254-7371
Distance to Attraction: 12 miles
| This Catholic shrine houses a monastery, convent, chapel and outdoor cathedral on 62 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. In addition to daily Mass, the Grotto also hosts seminars, study groups, retreats and concerts. |
Museums and Galleries –
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Ave; 503-226-2811
Distance to Attraction: 7.5 miles
| The oldest art museum in the Northwest, opened in 1895, has been renovated and expanded several times, and has collected more than 33,000 works of art. These include American, European, Asian, African and pre-Columbian works. Newer facilities include the Center for Native American Art, the Center for Northwest Art and outdoor public sculpture gardens. |
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
1945 SW Water Ave; 800-955-6674
Distance to Attraction: 7.5 miles
| One of the nation’s top ten science museums, OMSI features five exhibit halls and eight science labs brimming with interactive displays and hands-on demonstrations, as well as a planetarium and OMNIMAX theater. |
Oregon History
| The Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park Ave, 503-222-1741) houses a substantial collection of artifacts, documents, maps, books and film recording the formation and development of Oregon State. Its online Oregon History Project leaves these diverse sources together to illustrate important themes and topics in Oregon history. The Washington County Historical Museum (17677 NW Springville Rd, 503-645-5353) preserves and displays documents, artifacts and photographs of area communities dating back to the early 1800s. |
Museums
| Portland Children’s Museum (4015 SW Canyon Rd, 503-223-6500) has fun interactive exhibits ranging from Zounds, which lets kids make music using everyday and unique objects, to the Clay Studio, which lets make their own ceramic creations. With more than 10,000 classic and contemporary toys, including many rare collectibles, Kidd’s Toy Museum (1327 SE Grand Ave, 503-233-7807) will appeal to “kids” of all ages.
For more information on museums in the greater Portland area, click here. |
Visual Arts
| As one might expect, Portland’s flourishing art scene features traditional to contemporary art from widely diverse regions and genres. The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (224 NW 13th Ave, 503-242-1419) offers permanent and temporary exhibits of cutting-edge visual and performance artists. The city has many fine galleries; here’s a small sample. The Bullseye Connection Gallery (300 NW 13th Ave, 503-227-0222) exhibits contemporary glass works from local and nationally known glass artists. Red Eagle Gallery (1034 SW Taylor St, 503-827-8551) presents African stone sculptures, paintings, batiks and baskets from Shona artists of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery (206 NW 10th Ave, 503-227-3911) offers original Asian paintings, photography, bronzes, Raku pottery and more, along with antique Asian objects and furniture.
For more information on galleries and other visual arts organizations in Portland, click here. |
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