Crossing the Hawthorne Bridge isn't just getting across the river it's stepping into a whole different frequency. Coming off the downtown side, the vibe hits quick: weird, offbeat, unmistakably Hawthorne before you even touch the street. Built in 1910, this old steel workhorse has been carrying Portland's quirks for over a century and it shows in the best way. There's a laid-back, almost 70s ease to it. You choose this bridge, you already know: you're headed somewhere with personality. Roll off, hang that right, and now it's like you stumbled into a mini Woodstock. People posted up, camping, doing life their own way. A little gritty, a little chaotic but real. This bridge doesn't just take you across it drops you straight into the mood, ease in, and let Portland do its thing. read more

See all

You want a great scare this Halloween.... Drive over this bridge that has zero traction. It's even better when you get an idiot in a truck crawling up behind you trying to show off driving fast. It is such a lovely bridge but truly a frightening drive. And accidents really suck causing it to close since it does cause traffic around to halt! read more

See all

This bridge was one of my favorite touristy spot in Portland - it's iconic and super easy to get to. Walking or biking across gives you great city views as well as of the river and skyline. It has great views during daytime as well as nighttime, but driviing on it can be a little too much. I love bridges and the design/look of this bridge is just amazing! read more

Did you know you can review bridges on Yelp?! Hawthorne Bridge is a love/hate relationship for me. It was the closest bridge to me when I first moved to Portland, so I feel a nostalgia for the many times I would cross it on my way to work downtown. However, I don't like the experience of driving on the crosshatched metal of the bridge, nor down the center lanes facing one another. I love the way it looks but I am not a fan of waiting for it to raise and lower. It connects two great parts of town. Overall, I must admit it's a favorite bridge in this city of bridges. read more

See all

For panoramic views of Portland, walk across the Hawthorne Bridge! Looking south you see RiverPlace Marina and the harbor filled with boats with the buildings rising behind. There is the floating dock on the eastern shore where on a sunny day there are sunbathers, swimmers and people launching kayaks. And a plethora of boats of every size and purpose, some jet skis and kayaks. To the north, the a Moda Center and Convention Center stand out with the buildings in downtown and the myriad of shapes and colors making a stunning backdrop. The new, modern and graffiti art shaped buildings on the east side as a stark contrast. Then there is the bridge itself, the architecture, the multiple arches and greenish color. This is the oldest vertical lift bridge in operation in the US! While driving across this bridge often means traffic depending on the time of day, my review is focused on walking across the bridge and continuing along one of the many loops by choosing another bridge to cross back over. The Steel or Broadway Bridge to the North; the Tilikum to the South. The pedestrian / cycle path is wide but depending on the day and time it does get crowded. Many commuters use this bridge to get to work. On weekends there are a lot of people enjoying the view, especially on sunny days. Pay attention to your surroundings as some of the cyclists cruise fast and often don't alert the pedestrians. When I'm crossing this bridge, I don't listen to music; I stay alert. Add this bridge and loop to your list of things to do when you have out of town visitors to give them stunning view of our City and the Willamette. It's also a place for locals to come out during all weather and seasons to enjoy the beauty of Portland. read more

See all

One of the most beautiful bridges in portland, but one of my least favorite to drive on. It's terrifying. I'd give it 0 stars if I could. read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Walk across Hawthorne Bridge for some great views of the city. Or conversely, bike across the bridge. I seen plenty of those cute tourist carriage bike things (which you cant rent nearby) pedaling away on the bridge. What's nice about Hawthorne is that there are huge pedestrian pathways, with lanes for walkers and bicyclists. While there are bus stops that stop along the bridge, it's best to take a leisurely stroll to take everything in. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to walk across Hawthorne Bridge. Bree B. and I started on the downtown side of the bridge by and walked until we were kaput, then hopped on the bus back home. YELP 100 CHALLENGE 2017: #34 read more

Hawthorne Bridge - View from the bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

One of the many, MANY cool bridges in Portland, and the best part is, there is a walking path that offers great views of the city and the river. If you're from the SF Bay Area, you will naturally associate bridges with tolls ($$$), but not this one! One of the many things I loved about Portland is that it is a community where people genuinely love their city and want to take care of it. It's really neat that you can just drive over these bridges as you please and enjoy the beautiful drive or walk over as you go. I also saw a lot of bicyclists as well, so I would imagine this would be a great spot to get some exercise in, as it is my understanding that it connects to the walkway along the river on the East Side. A bit narrow, but still gorgeous nonetheless! read more

I adore this bridge so much it drives me a little insane. Which is appropriate since it was named for the co-founder of Oregon's first mental hospital [1]. Did you know Hawthorne Blvd. was originally named Asylum Avenue? For me the bridge is bittersweet and every time I see it I smile and tear up a little bit. When I travel and am feeling homesick, it is the image I associate with Portland and my love of the city. This time of year, I'm downtown several times a week rowing on the Willamette River. We start by heading upriver to John's Landing. On our return trip to the Riverplace Marina, I eagerly look for the bridge on the horizon as the sun goes down and the lights come up in the city. My arms are burning, my chest is heaving, but it is there to welcome me back. It is the bridge I take to visit dear friends who live just off Hawthorne by some of my favorite bars and restaurants in the city. It is part of my favorite walk in town (start by crossing the Steel Bridge, walk along the Eastbank Esplanade, then return on the Hawthorne). I've biked across the span as part of the Bridge Pedal and run across it on various 5 and 10k races through downtown. Hawthorne was also the name of a beautiful and wonderful woman who passed far too early from this life. So the bridge is so much more than a bridge to me. It is a talisman. It brings me strength and protects me on my journeys as I discover Portland. It is a reminder to me to live your best life every day. Keep your eyes and heart open and sometimes magic happens. The best we can do is to live and ultimately die with humor, grace and letting your unique spirit fly. It is Portland's bridge. It is my bridge. It is home. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_Bridge read more

Hawthorne Bridge - One of my favorite sights in the city. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Rain, rain, rain, and lightning it's always fun going over a bridge and there are many to choose from in Portland. read more

See all

The Hawthorne Bridge: It's beautiful architecture and critical function as the southern-most bike/pedestrian bridge linking the East and Westside waterfront esplanades make it an iconic stalwart in countless paintings and photos of the Bridge City waterfront. As an east-bound driver be very careful with the bike/pedestrian lanes as the cross the right lane of traffic at on/off-ramps!!! read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you ever need help, call 503-988-4888 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

One of the many cool bridges of downtown Portland. Walking and biking friendly. Driving is ok, when it's not wet or icy ;-) The grates when driving can be slick and it feels like your car is sliding in spots. Not my favorite bridge to drive on since the lanes seem narrow. The outer lanes have the outside bridge on the left and sidewalk on the right. The middle lanes can feel a little tight when bigger vehicles pass you. Can't really take in the view too much while crossing because you need to watch where you're going. When the bridge goes up for ships, it can cause quite a delay. It doesn't go up often, so that's never been an issue for me. This is a vertical lift bridge and is fun to watch in action! The thing I like most about this bridge is the historic quality, built in the early 1900s. read more

Hawthorne Bridge is one of the numerous bridges connecting to downtown Portland. In this case, it connects downtown with Hawthorne Boulevard and the Central Eastside Industrial District which is one of the hot spots for breweries in town. The bridge is a historical landmark and architectural marvel. It has got great views towards the south and the north along with a view of the downtown Portland waterfront. Buses and cars cross the bridge while on the sidewalk you will see lanes for pedestrians and bikers. It is a popular bridge to cross (busiest bicycle and transit bridge in Oregon), so pay attention to your surroundings when doing so. If you are new to Portland or visiting for the first time, walking across the Hawthorne Bridge makes for a nice stroll particularly in the evening at around sunset with the many lights surrounding the structure and in the distance. read more

See all

I love this bridge. Whether it is the rumbly feeling of the grates under the four tires of your automobile, or the addition of the vibrations on your bicycle or the sway when you are walking across, this is a great bridge. This bridge is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, joining Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street. It is the oldest vertical-lift bridge in operation in the United States and the oldest highway bridge in Portland. It is also the busiest bicycle and transit bridge in Oregon, with over 8,000 cyclists and 800 TriMet buses (carrying about 17,400 riders) daily. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 2012. read more

Hawthorne Bridge - View from the east bank. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It's free to walk over and it's pretty cool. It's a bit open and you can really feel the wind and the vehicles driving next to you. Also there's bicyclists traversing the same path. Wouldn't recommend to people with kids for safety reasons. read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Pedestrian walkway of bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Usually the results of those "What Would Two People's Baby Look Like" programs are pretty horrific, especially some of the celebrity ones. This is not the case with the Hawth, the aesthetically pleasing asymmetrical green love child of the Steel and Broadway bridges. Easy to access. Easy to cross (on no wheels, one wheel, two wheels, or four). Easy to look at. That's all I got, because Jen K.'s way more profound review has this bridge covered (and I'm lazy). http://www.yelp.com/biz/hawthorne-bridge-portland#hrid:6Cy0cOejFaYIk-EGg9ujUA Visuals: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/o1e9ZjINiDJ7J3EBGkUICg?select=3Ci8U-pwx5pEvbNy0M96-Q read more

Hawthorne Bridge - I took the landscape pic, the rest are by my little brother - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

In Portland it's easy to take a bridge walk and I've taken 4 over my several trips to the Rose City. Here are my stories....(Cue the Law and Order Clang). The Hawthorne Bridge (built in 1910) is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that spans the Willamette River. It joins Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street and is the oldest vertical-lift bridge in operation in the United States and the oldest highway bridge in Portland. It is also the busiest bicycle and transit bridge in Oregon, with over 4,800 cyclists and 800 TriMet buses daily. The bridge consists of five fixed spans and one 244 ft long vertical-lift span. It is 1,382 feet in total length. The 880,000 pound counterweights are suspended from the two 165 ft tall towers. While the river is at low level the bridge is 49 feet above the water, causing it to be raised an average of 200 times per month. The bridge was designed by John Waddell, inventor of the vertical-lift bridge and also designer of the Steel and Interstate bridges. The current bridge was built to replace Madison Bridge No. 1 (1891) and Madison Bridge No. 2 (1900), which was destroyed by a fire in 1902. Hawthorne Boulevard (and thus the bridge) was named after Dr. J.C. Hawthorne, the cofounder of Oregon's first mental hospital and early proponent for the first Morrison Bridge. This was the Bridge that I ran across last week during a Convention-sponsored fun run. But when you consider my "advanced" age and the fact that I haven't run in years, my legs were having even more "fun" later. Yet it was a great morning, I loved the sights on the Bridge and on both sides and I hope to do it again. read more

Hawthorne Bridge (1910) Since the Hawthorne Bridge was upgraded a few years back, It has become an old school looking new touches bridge that has not lost it's charm. So many things get taken down for a couple parking spots. (Yes i am referring to the "Gate" of the Gateway Area. Still kinda peeved about that one!) It has wider Sidewalks and was Repaved, Earthquake proofed, New Paint. The works. I like how she stands out amongst some of the other "modern" bridges. Early morning is a good time to walk her wide sidewalk. On July 4th they close her down so All Of Portlandia can enjoy her beauty while we enjoy a Grand Fireworks Display. One of the best in the United States. read more

Portland is kinda like a bag of M&M's. Reach into the bag and you never know what colour you're gonna get. Might be red (the Broadway bridge) or dark brown (the Steel Bridge - it's kinda dark brown), or yellow (Tilikum Crossing - I know it's white) or green - The Hawthorne Bridge or any of our other number of bridges and their various shades of concrete. The Hawthorne has always been my favorite since back in the day I rode my bike to work across it or walked across it from ancient times of free parking in Portland. The best move Portland ever made was to widen the pedestrian/cycling lanes and make it more user friendly. The bridge is NOT up every single day - just during fleet week - get a grip people. That happens like four times every single year and it's not like it's a secret either. Portland is lot of things - weird, eclectic, trendy, hipster but it's also accommodating, flexible and thoughtful. The Hawthorne Bridge is truly a gateway into the heart of our beloved city, a landmark and welcome ride whether you're on a bus, in a car, on your bike or just using your two feet to transport you around. read more

See all

Of the four bridges we crossed while visiting Portland, whether on foot or vehicle, the Hawthorne Bridge was certainly the most beautiful. This green-hued steel bridge has raised, wide lanes for shared bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the outer bridge, with two westbound and two eastbound lanes in the center. The steel truss only encompasses the innermost two lanes. It is also a vertical lift bridge, and apparently a frequently used one at that. Starting off a pedestrian ramp from Tom McCall Waterfront Park, we first encountered a bike counter at the west end. Hawthorne was a nice walk, the walkway spacious and open. In the early afternoon, it was also uncrowded. Once over to the East side, one can get off the highway via stairs that drop down to SE Madison St, or a bus stop, or walking a few blocks until the highway merges to street level at SE Grand Ave. Easily walkable and very pretty, Hawthorne is a great pedestrian bridge. read more

See all

The Hawthorne Bridge (est. December 19, 1910) is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that crosses over the Willamette River. The Hawthorne Bridge is one of the many bridges in Portland, OR! According to Wiki, the term "truss" is a structure of connected elements forming triangular units. (Thanks Wiki for the definition!) HISTORY The Hawthorne Bridge wasn't really the "Hawthorne Bridge" as we now know it. This bridge actually replaced Madison Bridge No. 1 (1890) & Madison Bridge No. 2 (1900) due to a fire. Later, the bridge was named after Dr. J.C. Hawthorne (who happens to be the co-founder of Portland's first mental hospital and mentor for the Morrison Bridge; a neighboring bridge to the Hawthorne Bridge) Since it's debut, the Hawthorne Bridge has undergone many, extensive renovations! * 1945: added steel grating * 1985: replaced the lift's cables * 1988-1989: steel grating was replaced, sidewalks widened, streetcar rails were removed (old lightrail system stopped passing through here in 1956) * 2001: linked sidewalk to Eastbank Esplanade DIRTS = - Since it's a vertical lift, they gotta stop traffic to let the ships/boats pass through for a couple of minutes you can be chillaxing in your car for approximately 10 minutes - Busiest transit bridge in PDX (bicyclists, cars, and busses) FYI = * Oldest vertical lift that is still working in the U.S. * Nov 2012: also added to the National Register of Historic Places * Bridge designed by Waddel & Harrington (also designed Interstate & Steel bridges in Portland) * Lift designed by Waddel * Movie: "The Hunted" was filmed here (2003) I'm usually crossing the Hawthorne Bridge if I'm headed home from SE Portland to Hillsburrito. Sometimes its nice to drive over the steel grating, but sometimes I can feel a bit paranoid since it's right near the edge! There have been times where I sat sitting on the steel grating waiting for the lift to come down so I can cross. But that gives me time to "check-in" to the bridge *hehe*. Nonetheless, this is a busy bridge and glad that it's been staying strong since 1910! PDX 30 Day Yelp Challenge #28 of 30 read more

Great spot for the Fourth of July fireworks!! I will totally be returning next year to this cool bridge with its see-thru metal flooring, which is trippin' to be able to walk over and see all the boats below your feet. Because the entire bridge is closed during the Fourth of July fireworks, you can sit in the middle, take in the sights from both sides, and we got to hear the blues festival from either end! We arrived early (9:00 PMish), but not early enough to get the best view of the fireworks (on the right side when you arrive from the West side, i.e. not the OMSI end, then choose the left). Note to self: get there by 8 next year. Bring your own chairs (and a little something to enjoy while you wait and people-watch) for a supercomfy evening! We ran into Darth Vader and Chewbacca! And do bring a good camera to catch all of the gorgeous fireworks display: it lasted over a half an hour, yeah! read more

I really like this bridge.It is the most southern of downtown's many bridges. It enjoy the nice views especially when you cross it on foot (warning watch out for the bike riders), It is part of Portland's great river loop where you walk Tom McCall park on one side and the Vera Katz esplanade on the other crossing this bride and the Steel (I love this walk with its informative signs)! The bridge is a historic one, with a lift section where the entire middle lifts up to let boats pass underneath.. Check out the fire station down from the east side it has not only trucks but also boats. read more

It's as good as a bridge of its type gets, and it leads to interesting places. But I don't understand the open grate on the west side with people constantly walking and riding under it at Tom McCall park. Surely something has already fallen off vehicles onto people's heads? One loose bolt landing on a skull, or some nasty liquid raining down, and you'd have a major problem. It makes no sense to allow that risk. I move quickly through that section and never look up. The doped masses apparently give it no more thought than they do AGW (signs on the bridge have to tell them idling is bad). Party now, sue later! It's the American way. read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Looking up from the park walkway (via GMaps). They should put a fine mesh or solid surface under the grating. Common sense. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The Hawthorne Bridge is an icon that I've run across many times. It's pleasing to look at, the sides are sectioned off for both cyclists and pedestrians, and you have easy access to the eastbank, the waterfront park, Hawthorne, MLK and a variety of other locations. It's lovely to run across for the most part, but it is not without its annoyances. Honestly, Hawthorne would be a 5 star running bridge if it allowed me to easily connect onto Hawthorne Blvd when heading east. Unfortunately it forces me to run all the way down to MLK, cut up a side street, and back over to Hawthorne. While it may be a safety hazard, this design flaw makes it incredibly annoying for pedestrians to easily access some of the awesome businesses just off the east side of the bridge. You're almost a runners dream, Hawthorne, but you still have a bit of work to do. read more

As a cyclist, I love that there are designated areas for cyclists and pedestrians, yet some people ignore that. Although, compared to a bridge like Golden Gate, more people follow the signs that not. Keep to the water if you have legs. Keep to the road if you have wheels. Or just pay attention to the traffic on the bridge... Anyways, this is a beautifully maintained bridge. Gotta walk it or ride it if you are in the area! read more

A couple of days ago, I was headed southbound on I-5 and just getting ready to go up and over the Marquam Bridge when I looked to the left. A pile of rubble stood where I used to park my car for really cheap back in the olden days and walk over the Hawthorne Bridge to work in downtown Portland. All of this brought back memories of it being an awesome experience walking over the bridge and getting the eye-level vision of the city and the river, but it was always a white knuckler as well because I'm not all that crazy about crossing bridges (as I have mentioned in other reviews of bridges). However, I saved so much money parking and walking over that it helped me take a deep breath and get hoofing. I've never liked driving over or walking near the grated portion of the Hawthorne Bridge, but the worst part of all was the morning I had to stop to wait for the bridge to raise for a tall sail boat passing underneath. This was the stuff of childhood nightmares, but awesome to watch close up as well. I had to hold very tight to the bridge railing and take a lot of deep breaths. These really are the only two reasons I'm taking one star off for this bridge. Otherwise, I love that it's another part of my own Portland history, and that I know it's home every time I see the good old Hawthorne Bridge. read more

After reading the review by Jen K. what more could be added. Oh yeah, the color scheme is so much appealing to the eye. It sure beats that faded color of years past. As a kid, and having moved here from Hawaii, this is the bridge we crossed everyday to drop my mom off at work, to pick her up at work. It was always such a cool bridge...the grating making that unique sound, having to drive carefully when wet because you might slide. With the new paint job and the much, much, much wider sidewalks, makes it a very nice bridge!!! read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Contrary to Jeffery's review.....I wouldn't call the bridge's steel grate "singing" so much as "sucking." I'm not sure if I was going too fast or what, but as I drove from the pavement, onto the metal grating my car just spun round and round until finally it crashed into the side of the bridge and stopped. No warning signs or speed limit posted, so what gives you infernal bridge!? Is there something native Portlanders know about this bridge that I don't? Thankfully I drive a tank-like Volvo so I'm OK, but the car, um, not so much. Which brings me to my next review.... read more

One of my favorite bridges in Portland. I love (but also sort of hate) driving here because it's just so pretty. The architecture is gorgeous and nice views of the Willamette River ain't bad either. Sort of hate driving there because the lanes are so narrow (still trying to get used to the narrow roads here in Portland after years of driving in wide roads in Vegas) and the grinding sounds still kinda scares me a bit, although I am slowly getting used to it. But not the narrowness though. It's also a nice bridge to walk on since the pedestrian lanes are wider (although you do have to share with the bicyclists). Again, you get the gorgeous views, and it's especially great when you're trying to watch the fireworks display during 4th of July. I honestly don't mind taking a longer route sometimes if it means I get to drive on (and admire) the Hawthorne Bridge. read more

As far as bridges go, this one's pretty good... pedestrian-friendly, industrial-chic. I would have given 4 stars, but had to take a couple off for the terribly loud, horribly annoying warning beeps that the bridge pumps out when the central section is elevated for a passing boat. Bridge party foul. read more

So some awesome pictures. Got lucky and had the chance for a tour due to an Engineering class I'm in. Pretty cool man, those red concrete blocks are 2 million pounds EACH.. read more

See all

Beautiful bridge...do I drive on the inside or do I drive on the outside? I hate waiting on the bridge to raise and lower...especially for a single sail boat...oh well...kill the engine and just chill.enjoy that Portland air... read more

Hawthrone is by far one of the nicest streets to drive up to/from downtown, coming from the inner east side. Starting around 50th or so, Hawthrone is the mecca of portland-hipsters. Driving west on Hawthrone will remind you of what portland is starting to become, a social presence amongst many other things, that many cities lack. Pubs, bars, eateries, restaurants, vintage shopping, antique stores, recycled fashion -- its all there. All the way into town its there. We see something new anytime we go into town. read more

The Hawthorn Bridge exists in a reality all it's own. As I travel across it I feel I am transitioning between worlds and suspended in time. The murky water of the Willamette flows below me, the sky arches above me and Mt. Hood gazes from far away while the neighborhoods murmur at my back and the downtown beckons. Surrounding me with its song, smell and gentle swaying, the Hawthorn Bridge makes me want to forget my hearing aide and stare forever at the stream of time. (read the rest at http://wayday.blogspot.com/2010/08/hawthorn-bridge-adrift-in-time.html read more

I jogged across this bridge and was freaked out because I felt it moving lol. Great architecture and technology. read more

See all

I once thought I was going to die on this bridge. It was the 100th anniversary party. People came from all over to get on the bridge, dance, awe at its wonder. The bridge was dressed to the nines with fancy equipment ready to dazzle us with photos from its youth. A marching band was even playing..and really that was the final straw. As they played people danced and kids jumped, it was just a full blown shit show. The bridge was in full swing, I mean this as literal as possible. An official of sort actually came over the loud speaker to advise people that for their safety, they should stop dancing. Did the wonderful people or Portland stop dancing? You bet your ass they didn't. So there I stood in the middle of the bridge scared out of my mind. I had visions of television broadcasting telling America how hundreds of Portlanders drowned in the Willamette. So as you might've gathered by now, I made it and the bridge still stands in all of its glory. Hawthorne is my favorite bridge to bike over. I feel it's the best equipped for foot /bike traffic. Despite my story above I think it's the safest for pedestrians, just don't dance. As far as driving goes the commute in the morning on this bridge trumps in terms of congestion Morrison so I tend to avoid it. Otherwise...It has stood the test of time and weight. read more

Great separate bike and foot lanes. Makes it easy to commute downtown. I wish people would understand that each side of the bridge is meant to be one way. read more

''I have not crossed this bridge in a car for quite a while!'' However as I remember the peculiar sound my tires make on the grated steel is very recognizable to me anytime.'' But I have crossed the Willamette in a trimet bus most recently!'' and noticed the many Bicycles using this Bridge? It is a lift span type similar to the Broadway Bridge before it's redesign? even though a different color it is the same bridge?" 4 stars****! ''Thank you'' read more

Like old truss bridges. My favourite in Portland. I still have yet to learn the names of all the bridges in Portland. I am drawn to the old vertical lift bridges. read more

Hawthorne Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Portland, Oregon