Top Ten Attractions in Portland Portland is a hip and trendy city with a vibrant, artistic vibe and plenty to see and do. Here are just ten of the top attractions:
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
This Portland museum of science and industry holds a fascinating range of events and exhibitions. There are shows, tours, a planetarium, and a cram-packed series of events. There is even a submarine. This museum is constantly evolving but was founded in 1944.
Washington Park
This huge park of over 400 acres holds a varied selection of different attractions, including a zoo, many different gardens, museums, an amphitheatre, many trails for walking or cycling and lots, lots more. This large open area of greenery contains parklands, old reservoirs and some stretches of natural forest and is a great place for nature lovers to spend some time.
Forest Park
This huge area of forestry and municipal park is located in the Tualatin Mountains, to the west of downtown Portland. This is a place of outstanding natural beauty with hiking trails, including a thirty mile route and plenty of good places for picnics or for bird watching.
Pittock Mansion
This historic house was constructed in 1914 to house London-born publisher Henry Pittock, who lived here with his wife, Georgiana. You can tour the grounds and the house and enjoy the architecture of and views from this French-Renaissance style chateau.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
This tranquil and beautiful walled garden features rare plants native to China. Covering an entire city block in the heart of the city, this is a lovely place to escape from the frenetic pace of the city and perhaps to have a drink in the tea rooms.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Nicknamed 'Portland's living room', this city centre square is a public space that opened in 1984. It takes its name from the courthouse next to it, which was built in 1875 and hosts a series of events throughout the year. This is a great spot for sitting and watching the world go by.
Portland Japanese Garden
This is one of the sections of the large Washington Park. It is a traditional Japanese garden covering an area of around five and a half acres. The koi pond and the water fountain are just one of the attractions of this charming spot, which deserves a special mention because of its wonderful selection of trees and other plants.
World Forestry Center
Also at Washington Park, the World Forestry Center is a not-for-profit museum with a variety of interesting hands-on exhibits to encourage sustainable care for forestry and teach people about environmentally-conscious forestry management and forest conservation.
Oregon Historical Society Museum
This fascinating historical museum can give you an insight into the history of the city. This museum was founded in 1898 and still enthrals visitors to this day. This is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Oregon's past.
Portland Art Museum
Housing a broad collection of Asian, North American and Native American art, this gallery and museum is the oldest art museum on the west coast and seventh oldest in the United States, having been founded in 1892. TraveleZe