Gardens & Parks
Portland Parks
If you can believe it, there are 16 parks in and around downtown Portland! Forget the ‘burbs! And stuff happens at them often. Check out exactly where at www.portlandonline.com.
There are also well known parks and gardens that serve as official area ‘attractions’ rooted in nature. Portland boasts several of them too. Awesome ones at that. And all are so easily accessible from Hotel Fifty’s address – where downtown meets the river!
The closest park is located immediately across the street from Hotel Fifty… Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A 30-acre lush green expanse, along the west bank of the Willamette River, it parallels Naito Parkway between SW Harrison & NW Glisan Streets. Among its amenities are a boat dock, fountain, historical site, paved paths, statue and public art and biking trails. It is the favored site for almost 100% of Portland’s seasonal festivals and special events.
Occupying an entire city block near Chinatown (two minutes and less than one mile from Hotel Fifty) is the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. This walled garden was designed by landscape architects from Suzhou, Portland’s sister city. A microcosm of the natural world, the garden offers a series of composed vistas and symbolic positionings of rock, water and vegetation. Courtyards, pavilions, gateways, bridges and walkways add structure, while a two-story tea house contributes height and focus. Naturalistic plantings indicate how studied, yet beautiful the created environment can be. The garden’s official name, Lan Su Yuan, means “Garden of Awakening Orchids.” Sounds compelling, doesn’t it?
The seven-acre Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden features 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plants and is located only twelve minutes and four miles from Hotel Fifty. Though beautiful year ’round, it is during April and May when shrubs begin to flower and fill the landscape with incredible color and delicate blooms. Crystal Springs Lake adds a refreshing element to the already-relaxing environment.
Portland is known at the Rose City, so it should come as no surprise that it is home to the oldest official continuously operated public rose test gardens in the United States… the International Rose Test Garden. One of Portland’s most notable signature landmarks, it features fountain, paved paths, public garden, rose garden, public art, guided tours and vista point. And more than 8,000 roses. IRTG is only ten minutes and three miles from Hotel Fifty!
Located adjacent to Washington Park, The Japanese Garden includes five traditional gardens, an authentic pavilion and teahouse. It encompasses 5.5 acres and offers a magnificent view of Portland and the surrounding mountains. It resides a mere ten minutes and three miles from Hotel Fifty.
In a protected area near Johnson Creek (16 minutes and 12 miles from Hotel Fifty), visitors will discover Leach Botanical Garden. Botanists Lilla and John Leach personally developed and planted this plot with some 1,500 species of wildflowers, shrubs, ferns and irises. 2,000 hybrid species now flourish. Native plants and specimens from their own collection combined to create a naturalized area that’s been beautifully maintained for visitors. In the couple’s 1930s-era manor house, children’s nature study classes are held and their legacy and love of botany and landscape design live on.
The Oregon Garden, the Northwest’s premier display garden, is a place through which you may stroll or ride the tram. It is an 80-acre botanical wonder, showcasing thousands of plants in more than 20 colorful specialty gardens. Amazing water features, garden art, a 400-year-old Signature Oak tree, wetlands, wildlife and a garden just for children await visitors. The Gordon House, designed by legendary architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is also located on the grounds. In Silverton, OR, The Oregon Garden is less than one hour (43 miles) from Hotel Fifty.
Whether you seek excitement or tranquility, Washington Park is the place for you and your family. With over 400 acres of trees, gardens, attractions and playgrounds and 15 miles of trails, this is an oasis of green space just nine minutes and three miles from Hotel Fifty. The park is home to the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Gardens, Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center Discovery Museum and the Portland Children’s Museum. Additional park amenities include ball fields, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, historical public statuary and fountains and a fully accessible children’s playground.
The fact is, you may not decide to visit Portland ‘just’ to see its magnificent gardens and parks. But if you did, Hotel Fifty would be an optimal place from which to enjoy their beauty and wonder. Whatever your reason for visiting Portland… make your guestroom reservations today.
