Pittock Mansion viewpoint is absolutely stunning and a place that makes you just stop and stare for…read morea second (or ten). Perched above Portland, it gives you that sweeping city + mountain view that feels almost unreal on a clear day. Fun fact: the mansion was built in 1914 for Henry and Georgiana Pittock, and it played a big role in Portland's early publishing history. Another fun one... it was nearly destroyed in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm but was fully restored, which feels very fitting for something this iconic. Gorgeous, peaceful, and 100 percent worth the stop.

This place is a MUST SEE when visiting Portland! I was shocked by how special and beautiful the…read moremansion and grounds were. If you are interested in interior decor/architecture/history the self guided tour of the mansion is a must! The spaces were beautiful and I learned so much about Portland. The organization who runs the house has done an amazing job maintaining and displaying this magical home. The grounds are also incredible (and free, although parking is paid), and worth seeing just for the view. The gardens are maintained by UofO gardening students and they have done a great job. All together I think we spent about $60 to see the tour and the gardens and it was well worth it. The staff was knowledgeable and loved talking about the homes and the residents! I also appreciate the tour being self guided so we could go at our pace.

The Wishing Tree was such a neat little find on one of our adventures around Portland! Someone has…read moreturned the tree outside their home into this sweet little spot, complete with a cute sitting area and wishes hanging all over the tree from people near and far. It's such a simple idea, but there's something really special about stopping to read everyone's wishes and adding a little hope of your own. Such a cute and thoughtful thing to create for the neighborhood and for random wanderers like us who happen to find it. Definitely one of those little bits of everyday magic that makes exploring a city fun.

Super nice that the owners of this house allow thus to be in front of their house and I assume…read morefoster the idea by supplying gthr gift tags and markers. It's simple: make a wish, read someone else wish and hope theirs comes true. We left wishes. We read wishes. Thank you for allowing us to experience the Wishing Tree. Only question, what are people leaving in those bags? They look too funky...

The Portland Puppet Museum is not to be missed! It's one of those quirky, local flavor kind of…read moreattractions that make Portland the wonderful and creative place it is. Don't get me wrong, just because it's quirky doesn't mean the collection isn't impressive. The team here has taken great care in curating a magnificent collection that gives an overview of the history of puppeteering. The one hour presentation, if you take the guided tour, is both informative and highly entertaining. John deserves an award for best museum docent if that exists! Be sure to check out the workshops and presentations on the schedule here, these events are not to be missed!

Visiting Portland amd had to make a stop for this little gem. John was an incredible guide and was…read moresuper knowledgeable about all the puppets on display. I've been to a couple of puppet related museums but this one is by far the most charming and well rounded. Nothing beats hearing some antidotes of our childhood favorite puppets. Would recommend anyone to pay a visit if they're in the area. Puppetry is such a beautiful artistry!

I already knew the Portland Japanese Garden was a must-see, and it definitely didn't disappoint!…read moreThis place is beautiful, peaceful, and full of gorgeous scenery. When you first enter, you make your way up a pretty steep hill surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery. Along the way, you cross a glass bridge and climb some stairs that take you past the Umami Café, Japanese Arts Learning Center, gift shop, and a few other buildings before you enter the actual garden. The garden opened to the public in 1967 and covers 12.5 acres, so there's plenty to explore. Be prepared for some winding paths, a few super narrow walkways, and some steep inclines and descents. Some of my favorite spots were the Sand and Stone Garden, Zigzag Bridge, koi pond, Moon Bridge, and Natural Garden. Everywhere you turn, there's something beautiful to see. I highly recommend you put the Japanese Garden on your 'must see' list. It's well worth the visit!

Hubs & I love visiting Japanese Gardens whenever we get the chance. Portland Japanese Garden is…read morequite unique in that it can take advantage of its location within Washington Park and all its trees add to its beauty. I also love looking at bonsai trees, and the collection here did not disappoint. Loved the sand garden. The entire layout was a bit smaller than I imagined from the guide. There are a few steeper / hilly climbs, so I would recommend wearing good walking shoes. I wouldn't say this is the most handicap/wheelchair friendly, though they do have a shuttle that can take you up from the ticketing area to the main garden entrance...but inside the garden there are some spots that have a lot of stairs and some paths & walkways are quite narrow. They have their own designated parking lot that seems to fill up fast. We found parking near the Rose Garden and walked over. It's incredible to think that this garden is just a mile or so away from the city! They also have a tea house and a cute gift shop. A couple of restrooms available located throughout the garden.

We had some time between breakfast and when we had to get to the airport, and had decided to go to…read morethe Chinese Gardens which are located right in downtown. These gardens were an unexpected surprise, beautiful and peaceful. Loved the story of how Chinese artists/landscapers came here to build the gardens. Lots of hidden little areas, loss of koi, and bonsai trees. Beautiful setting. Only downside is that it is in Chinatown/Old Town which has more unhoused than other DT areas. We had gone first thing in the morning, after we ate breakfast. The gardens weren't quite open yet, but the employees saw us standing there and directed us to a coffee shop half a block down. Maybe if you go later in the day, there might be less unhoused. I definitely recommend making this a stop if you're in Portland, and you love gardens!

Lansu Chinese Garden is a Portland treasure. I try to visit for each of their celebrations to take…read morein its beauty and culture. I was just able to visit last week to celebrate Lotus Festival on the final day of guzheng performances by the amazing Lu Wen. I managed to get a Lotus seed bracelet in the gift shop before going in. Seeing the water covered in Lotus and waterlilly blooms as coy are swimming around and dragonflies are dancing through the air was the reset I needed. I was so sad to hear that the teahouse no longer carries the Lotus mooncakes, as I'm that one person who isn't a fan of red bean. I did get a Lotus pie which, the delicious is not quite the same. I am ordering anyone who reads this to get an almond cookie because they're incredible! Unless, of course you have nut allergy... though they are good enough that it might be worth the hospital visit... just saying.... If you are new to this space - make sure you have time to spend. Take a lot of breaks to just sit and look up and around you... there are hidden treasures everywhere from tiny plants to carvings. Soak it all in. There are a lot of activities throughout every year. They're very welcoming to everyone, including those of us who qualify for Arts for All (I just discovered from their staff that AFA folks can get an annual membership for $20!) but entrance is $5 for you. Many times you can bring a friend, sometimes more for very discounted rate - special events are more and sometimes not. Their website usually has really great information or make a phone call. But they are also very accommodating for ADA and are happy to assist with questions or helping out.

Visit this nice little attraction on the water front of the river next to downtown Portland for…read moresomething different. It is really worth the visit and gives you a good glimpse into the history of Oregon's riverboat days. This is a good activity to do just about any time, but we went first thing when they opened and got our own private tour by one of the very knowledgeable docents. He really went into great detail about all aspects of the boat, the things that happened back in the day and current facts as it was related to why they were there and how they existed. It won't take up much of your time, but will fill an hour or more. This attraction is great for both adults and kids of all ages. Don't forget to ask for AAA discount if you are a card member.

A fantastic way to learn about transportation from past years. Upon entrance we were greeted by…read moreJerry who welcomed us to look around while we wait for our tour. Our guide, Michael Ryan, was fantastic. We went over the ship in detail, talking about improvements and the technology used. I highly recommend this tour.

Such a cool historical building!…read more The firehouse is open to the public Wednesdays and every second Saturday of the month. I believe you can schedule tours and private events at other times, and they do some special events (like photos with Santa). If you're local or enjoy Portland history, I think it's worth a visit. It won't take you all that long. The official tour takes an hour but we walked through in about 15 minutes. It's a great indoor activity for the fireman-loving kid or to assist in a fire safety talk with your children. Things inside the firehouse include: -An emergency response simulator -A fire pole that kids can slide down (!) -A dispatch board exhibit -An exhibit about the destructive power of fire -Antique equipment like hoses, carts, water tanks, etc -Info about the building's history including chew marks from the horses that used to be stabled here

They are only open every Wednesday and the second Saturday of each month. In September 2024, that…read morefell on the same day as the Belmont Street fair. This museum was quite amazing. I did not get a chance to really talk to any of the people working. There was just so much to look at. My favorite was the cab of the firetruck that is a simulator of what it is like to be in the truck when called out for an emergency. Free admission, I recommend this for anyone in the area.

So many fantastic options with unique and interesting stores, restaurants, food cart pods,…read morepubs/bars & entertainment along Mississippi Avenue in Portland! It's nice to spend a day or afternoon just walking the area and checking things out.

This street has it all! Vibrant shops, unique bars, several music venues, and lots of restaurants…read morespanning a variety of cuisines and price ranges. Thai, Italian, Sushi, Burgers, Southern comfort food, Korean, Mexican, ice cream - it's all there! The shops are small business - no chains - and range from eclectic little boutiques perfect to browse and shop for treasures, to gourmet food shops with a plethora of local items, and a store that has every lightbulb known to exist - Sunlan - that truly is worth a visit. I really like Ink & Peat gift shop. So many fun items like warm and comfy throws, jewelry, chocolates, garden items, perfume. Hard to visit without a purchase! For those looking for adult beverages day and night, there are lots of pubs, bars and music venues. This street really comes alive in the summer with the Mississippi Street Festival, typically held on a Saturday, mid July. Definitely do a search and put the date in your calendar. The street is lined with vendors selling food, jewelry, handmade items and crafts. At different points along Mississippi, there are stages set up with several bands performing throughout the day and evening. All for free! N. Mississippi is definitely a Portland vibe and gem!