Courtesy of Photo by Matt Payne of Durango, Colorado/Getty Images
1-day Itinerary in Portland, OR
Explore the best things to do in Paris in 1 day based on recommendations from local experts.
Day 1
- 1#5
View all Photos#5 in Portland, ORShopping, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDShopping, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »Whether or not you're an avid reader, Powell's City of Books is worth checking out. It occupies a square city block and rises three stories high; in fact, this bookstore is so large that exploring it actually requires a map.
While you wander through the stacks, keep in mind that you are tracing the footsteps of great writers, many of which have scrawled their signatures on one of the building's pillars. You might also schedule your visit to coincide with a reading, as the book shop hosts events nearly every day totaling more than 500 author visits a year.
Book lovers who visit Portland say the unique store is part of what makes the city so special. And they say the knowledgeable and polite staff is the icing on the cake of this great book shop.
Although there are several locations, the main Powell's City of Books is located in the Pearl District on West Burnside Street and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you're interested in taking a tour of the hallowed bookshop, visit on a summer weekday and schedule a tour in advance by emailing the store. For more information about the store and the books housed there, check out Powell's City of Books' website.
10 minutes by car - 2#1
View all PhotosfreeWashington Park#1 in Portland, ORParks and Gardens, Recreation, FreeTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPENDParks and Gardens, Recreation, FreeTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPEND...Read More »Many critics, travelers and locals agree that of all of Portland's parks (and they are numerous), Washington Park is perhaps the best. Home to such notable landscaping feats as the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, as well as the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum and several memorials dedicated to pivotal points in Oregon's history.
There are also family-friendly attractions like the Oregon Zoo and Portland Children's Museum along with a large playground, soccer fields, tennis courts and an archery range. Just make sure you save plenty of time for a leisurely stroll down one of the many shady paths, which are often decorated with flower displays and fountains.
Recent visitors said even with all the attractions, the park never feels crowded and gives visitors the perfect opportunity to experience nature in the middle of the city.
Washington Park is located in the Southwest Portland, between West Burnside Street and U.S. Highway 26. You can pay to park or take advantage of several public transit options. TriMet's Blue and Red MAX Light Rail lines serve the Washington Park MAX station. From May to September, the park offers a seasonal free shuttle that stops at all of the park's major attractions. If you're coming to the park via light rail or bus, you can catch the shuttle on the plaza level of the Washington Park station.
Washington Park is open every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and while entry is free, specific attractions within the park may charge admission. For more information check out the Explore Washington Park website, the nonprofit that maintains the park.
5-20 minute walk - 3#2
View all Photos#2 in Portland, ORParks and Gardens, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »Not until you visit these sprawling gardens will you fully understand the reasoning behind one of Portland's nicknames, the City of Roses. Established in 1917 by the American Rose Society, it began as a sanctuary for European grown hybrid roses during World War I and is now the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.
Home to more than 10,000 roses, the site also offers the special Shakespeare Garden, which is filled with roses that are named after the characters in William Shakespeare's plays. To get a peek at smaller versions of your favorite roses, check out the Miniature Rose Garden. The award-winning roses are found in the aptly named Gold Award garden. If you have your heart set on seeing the roses in full bloom, plan an early summer visit.
If navigating the nearly 5-acre park seems overwhelming, volunteers lead daily free tours at 1 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Meet the guide at the Rose Garden store 10 minutes prior. Recent visitors were awed at the beauty of the gardens and at the price for enjoying the gardens (free!).
The garden is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. You can drive to Washington Park, though parking can be tricky (especially in the summer) and expensive. You can view the parking availability within the park online. TriMet bus No. 63 offers service to the garden and connects to the MAX stations at Oregon Zoo and Providence Park. You can also take the Red or Blue line MAX train to the Washington Park stop (the zoo) and then take a free Explore Washington Park shuttle to the garden. For more information, visit the Portland Parks and Recreation website.
5-10 minute walk - 4#3
View all Photos#3 in Portland, ORParks and GardensTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »When the hustle and bustle of Portland start to get the best of you, you can seek out the Zen-like tranquility at the Japanese Garden within Washington Park.
The 12-acre Portland Japanese Garden is made up of eight separate gardens that represent different styles of traditional Japanese gardening techniques. All of the gardens feature essential elements like stone, water and plants that come from influences of the Shinto, Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, creating a unique, serene environment where visitors feel they are becoming a part of nature. The garden also features the Kashintei Tea House, where visitors can take part in a traditional tea ceremony. If you're visiting in late March, don't miss the chance to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Recent visitors described the garden as tranquil, serene and beautiful. They also suggested pairing a trip to the International Rose Test Garden with a visit here as both gardens are within walking distance of each other in Washington Park. Though reviewers raved about the Japanese Garden's peaceful atmosphere, they did gripe about the entrance fee.
You can learn more specifics about the eight gardens located here during the free guided tours. The Japanese Garden is located in the northern section of Washington Park, west of downtown Portland. You can drive to the park, though parking can be tricky (especially in the summer) and expensive. You can view the parking availability within the park online. TriMet bus No. 63 offers service to the garden and connects to the MAX stations at Oregon Zoo and Providence Park. You can also take the Red or Blue line MAX train to the Washington Park stop (the zoo) and then take a free Explore Washington Park shuttle to the garden.
Unlike other gardens within Washington Park, there is an admission fee. Admission costs $16.95 for adults, $11.50 for youths ages 6 to 17 and is free for kids ages 5 and younger. (If you don't want to pay to see a garden, the International Rose Test Garden next door offers a free alternative). Hours vary by season, but generally, the garden is open Monday from noon to 4 or 7 p.m. and Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 or 7 p.m. For more information, check out the Japanese Garden website.
5-10 minutes by car - 5#8
View all Photos#8 in Portland, ORHistoric Homes/Mansions, SightseeingTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDHistoric Homes/Mansions, SightseeingTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND...Read More »The 16,000-square-foot Pittock Mansion is one of Portland's few historic attractions and definitely one of the most unique. Commissioned in 1912 by Henry Pittock – the owner of The Oregonian newspaper – and designed after the French Renaissance style, this 23-room mansion contains a Turkish smoking room, a library, a music room, and two sleeping porches, among other features.
Guided tours of the mansion are included in the price of admission, allowing you to learn how the wealthy lived here in Portland. But you'll need to call the mansion to check on the availability of the volunteer tour guides. Also, stop by the gift shop, which sells handcrafted items made by local vendors. You can also take a self-guided tour during visiting hours; maps are available at the front entrance and interpretive panels are stationed throughout the mansion.
Even if you're not interested in exploring the house (or paying the entrance fee), consider taking a stroll around the spectacular grounds for free. Recent visitors said the mansion sits on a steep hill above downtown Portland and offers some of the best views of the city. What's more, the grounds surrounding Pittock Mansion are a public park open daily through 9 p.m. The woods behind the mansion are a part of Forest Park, offering a variety of hiking trails.
You'll find the mansion west of downtown, just north of Washington Park. Parking is free. The mansion is also serviced by TriMet bus No. 20 Burnside/Stark to Beaverton TC. From the bus stop, you'll have to a walk a half-mile uphill to the mansion. The Pittock Mansion is open every day, but hours vary by season. Generally, the mansion is open from 10 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. daily. Note that the mansion is closed the entire month of January. Admission costs $11 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6 to 18 and is free for children 5 and younger; discounts are also available for senior citizens and students. For more information on hours and special events at the mansion, visit the attraction's website.
15-20 minutes by car - 6#9
View all PhotosfreeForest Park#9 in Portland, ORHiking, Parks and Gardens, FreeTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPENDHiking, Parks and Gardens, FreeTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPEND...Read More »If you're looking to spend some time outside but aren't willing to make the trek to Mount Hood, Forest Park is the place to go. With more than 5,000 acres, it's one of the largest urban parks in America.
Among the park's features is the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, which is part of the region's 40-mile Loop system connecting pedestrian and trail routes along the Columbia River to Gresham, through southeast Portland, along the Willamette Greenway, and back to the Marquam Trail in southwest Portland. To find a trailhead, check out Forest Park Conservancy's online maps. And if you're an avid bird-watcher, make sure to spend stop at the Portland Audubon Society, which offers a variety of activities especially for birders, including the Wildlife Care Center, which houses educational birds of prey. Recent travelers remarked on how close Forest Park was to the city, but how far into the wilderness it felt. They also remarked on the variety of hikes for all levels.
Forest Park is located north of the Washington Park area and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; access is free. Visit the Portland Parks & Recreation website for more details.
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