Washington Park Attractions: Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo and Hoyt Arboretum
There’s a lot or Portland attractions right in this one area in the West Hills.
I’ll just include their links here:
Lan Su Chinese Garden
We have actually never been here, but from all the pictures and recommendations we don’t know why. It looks like an little oasis in the city (and it IS in the city, it’s right in the middle of Old Town/Chinatown and downtown), and it also looks like it kicks the crap out of all the the other gardens in town. Just check out the site below.
239 Northwest Everett Street,
Portland, OR
Sauvie Island
Great place! About 30 miles north of Portland–enjoy picking your own fruit at farms like Kruger’s and The Pumpkin Patch, or go to the beach and swim in the Columbia River! Great way to spend a day.
At the Pumpkin Patch, the CORN MAZE should be in operation in September (you can get spooked here at night, too!):
http://www.thepumpkinpatch.com/
Swifts viewing
I feel SO lucky that this is going on while ya’ll are here.
“Join us on the lawn at Chapman School each evening in September for a spectacular display of Vaux’s Swifts as they gather to roost in the school’s chimney”
*Every dusk in September. This is seriously AWESOME.
(Free.)
http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch
Multnomah Falls
Oregon’s biggest attraction–a giant waterfall about 20-25 minutes from Portland right of I-84 East. Gets crowded but well worth it. Also there are lovely hikes that start here.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/recreation/waterfalls.shtml
Portland City Grill (for Happy Hour)
The best view in the city. Go early (like, 4:15) for their happy hour to get a seat so you don’t have to wait and circle like vultures around a table (there’s no waiting list).
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 4:30pm-6:30pm & 10pm-midnight, Sat 4:30-6:30pm & 10pm-1am, Sunday 4pm-11pm
30th Floor, 111 Southwest 5th Avenue, Portland, OR
Saturday Market (Saturdays & Sundays)
Portland’s weekend bazaar; crafts, food, gifts, music, you’ll find pretty much anything you want out here. Open SATURDAYS 10 – 5pm &
SUNDAYS 11 – 4:30pm.
http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
Located at SW Ankeny St + Naito Parkway