• locale
  • fifty fun things
  • attractions
  • events
  • weather
• gallery
  • sleep
  • eat & drink
  • play
  • meet
  • cater
  • marry
• video
• ink
  • stories
  • comments
• directions
• eMail sign-up
• employment
• contact us
• home
  • sustainability

Locale – Attractions

Downtown Portland Attractions

Gardens/Parks

Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Occupying an entire city block near Chinatown, this walled garden was designed by landscape architects from Suzhou, Portland's sister city. Conceived of as 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."

239 NW Everett
Portland, OR 97209
503-228-8131
2 minutes; less than 1 mile

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Begun in 1950, this lovely garden is planted with hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas. The seven-acre haven is a beautiful spot throughout the year but truly comes into its own in April and May, when shrubs begin to flower and fill the landscape with incredible color and delicate blooms. Crystal Springs Lake adds the sound of water to the already-relaxing environment, and visitors often come to walk, lounge or partake of the beauty.

SE 28th Ave and Woodstock St
Portland, OR 97214
12 minutes; 4 miles
503-771-8386

International Rose Test Garden

Portland is home to the oldest official continuously operated public rose test gardens in the United States . . . and features spectacular views and more than 8,000 roses. It is one of Portland's most notable signature landmarks.

400 SW Kingston
Portland, OR 97201
503-823-3636
10 minutes; 3 miles

The Japanese Garden

Located adjacent to Washington Park, the Japanese Garden includes five traditional gardens, an authentic pavilion and teahouse. It encompasses 5.5 acres and has a magnificent view of Portland and the surrounding mountains.

611 SW Kingston
Portland, OR 97201
503-223-1321
10 minutes; 3 miles

Leach Botanical Garden

In a protected area near Johnson Creek, botanists Lilla and John Leach personally developed and planted this plot with some 1500 species of wildflowers, shrubs, ferns and irises. 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.

6704 SE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97236-5037
503-823-9503
16 minutes; 12 miles

The Oregon Garden

The Northwest's premier display garden, you may stroll or ride the tram through this 80-acre botanical wonder. It showcases 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 the interested visitor. The Gordon House, designed by legendary architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is also on the grounds.

879 West Main St.
Silverton, OR 97381
877-674-2733
56 minutes; 43 miles

Washington Park

This park offers residents and visitors 130 acres of lawns and gardens, with trails that connect to Forest Park and the Pittock Mansion. The park is also home to the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, International Rose Test Gardens, Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center and the Children's Museum. Additional park amenities include ball fields, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, historical public statuary and fountains, a fully accessible children's playground, the Rose Garden Store and public restrooms.

4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97205
503-823-7529
9 minutes; 3 miles

[Return to Locale - Attractions]