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  • Attractions
    • women dances with large fans outside on a city street surrounded by people in colorful dragon costumesView All Attractions
    • Museums
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • people dining at picnic tables in front of a food cartView All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
    • Food
    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Weird
    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • RegionView All Region
    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
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    • Portland Maps
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You can’t top the view from the Mt. Tabor. It’s nice up here. #ThisIsPortland
Attractions

Parks & Gardens

Portland’s green spaces range from flower-filled parks to polished gardens, urban forests to waterfront venues.

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You can’t top the view from the Mt. Tabor. It’s nice up here. #ThisIsPortland

In a city as green as Portland, it’s only fitting that some of the top things to do are outdoor spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike.

There are more than 200 parks and gardens within city limits, from forests to marshlands, trails to skateboarding rails. Home to the sprawling urban wilderness of Forest Park along with the world’s smallest dedicated park, Mill Ends Park, Portland offers visitors a breath of fresh air wherever they are.

Downtown

Director Park

This former parking lot in the Downtown neighborhood was converted into a public square in 2009. Located just a block from Pioneer Courthouse Square, Director Park features a café, ample outdoor seating and a fountain and plays host to occasional events in the summer.

Mill Ends Park

At 24 inches (61 centimeters) in diameter, Mill Ends Park is the world’s smallest dedicated park. Located in the median of Southwest Naito Parkway at Taylor Street, its story began when a journalist for the Oregon Journal, Dick Fagan, got tired of looking at the ugly pothole below his office window. He decided to plant flowers in the hole and name it Mill Ends Park. To generate interest in this tiny green space, Fagan centered many newspaper stories around the capers of a fictitious park resident, a leprechaun named Patrick O’Toole.

Mill Ends Park

Located in downtown Portland, the world’s smallest park is kind of a big deal. The stories of how Mill Ends Park came to be hold a big surprise for 452 square inches.

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Pioneer Courthouse Square

Located in the heart of downtown Portland Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as the city’s “living room.” Once a grim parking structure, the square is now a thriving urban park and the single most-visited site in Oregon, attracting more than 9.5 million visitors annually. The square’s on-site resources include TriMet’s bus and light rail ticket office. The square is also one of Portland’s leading outdoor venues, hosting 300 events each year, from large-scale concerts to cultural festivals.

Directors Park
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Directors Park is right in the middle of downtown Portland. Also, there you can visit Travel Portlands new visiting center.
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Pioneer Square is the center of downtown Portland and is surround by great shopping and places to eat. It’s also has movies playing on the big screen during the summer months and plenty of festivals during the year.
sunrise through trees with grassy field on waterfront park
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Waterfront, Portland, Oregon
man sits facing Fremont Bridge next to pink roses in front of a big grassy field
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The Fields Park is located right in the Pearl District. There are plenty of shopping and great restaurants to eat at.
person sitting on the ground in front of a pond with a bicycle with cityscape in front and a blue sky with white clouds overhead
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Tanner Springs Park is located in the Pearl District. There are plenty of good spots to eat, drink, and shop by the park

Waterfront Park

Once the site of a freeway, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a downtown riverfront park popular for jogging, in-line skating and cooling off in Salmon Street Springs, a fountain whose water patterns change with the city’s mood. The park bears the name of former Oregon Governor Tom McCall, a staunch advocate of recycling, environmental preservation and urban planning. This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) stretch of green along the Willamette River is home to many annual events, including the Portland Rose Festival, and the Waterfront Blues Festival. The Japanese American Historical Plaza is located at the north end of the park.

Pearl District

Jamison Square

On summer days, Jamison Square becomes a no-holds-barred kids’ park featuring a gentle fountain and generous space for wading. Adults will appreciate the convenience of the Pearl District park’s location on the Portland Streetcar line and the impressive public art — modern “totem poles” designed by Kenny Scharf.

Parks with Playgrounds

Portland has over 100 playgrounds — check out our favorite places for little ones to play.

Let's Play

Tanner Springs Park

Tanner Springs Park is a living example of Portland’s eco-consciousness: a thriving wetland in the heart of the urban Pearl District neighborhood.

West Hills

Forest Park

Located northwest of downtown, this 8-mile-long (13 km) “forest in the city” covers 5,156 acres (2,086 ha). In addition to providing a respite from urban life, Forest Park supports more than 112 birds and 62 mammal species and acts as a natural air purifier. Forest Park’s 70 miles (113 km) of trails are popular with runners, equestrians, hikers and cyclists alike. Dogs on leashes are allowed. The 30-mile (48 km) Wildwood Trail connects Forest Park, the Audubon Society Sanctuary, Pittock Mansion and Washington Park.

Audubon Society of Portland Nature Sanctuary

This 150-acre refuge offers tranquility, trails and — naturally! — bird-watching only minutes from downtown.

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Hoyt Arboretum

Nearly 2,000 species of trees and shrubs are showcased on 185 acres (75 ha) of hilly terrain within Washington Park. An interpretive center offers restrooms, maps and brochures and a gift shop. The 21 trails of Hoyt Arboretum cover 12 miles (19 km); two miles of trail are suitable for wheelchairs, baby strollers and visitors who appreciate firm footing. See a map of the trails.

Washington Park

Located atop the hills west of downtown, 410-acre (166 ha) Washington Park offers up a zoo, two museums, a spectacular rose garden, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world and more, all bordered by Forest Park –its grounds include 5,100 acres (2,064 ha), one of the country’s premier urban wildernesses. Washington Park is one of the oldest, best-loved and most well-used parks in Portland.

Gardens Galore

Dig into these perfectly planted gardens across the Rose City.

roses bushes, climbing roses in large lush rose garden

Portland Rose Gardens and Where to Find Them

Portland has a long-standing reputation as the City of Roses — so we dive into the city’s history with the fragrant flower, share the lowdown on rose gardens around town and offer tips for visiting the Portland Rose Festival in late spring.

tall bridge with circular bracing above a pond with ducks amid a forested park

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Round out your floral explorations of the Rose City with a visit to Southeast Portland’s lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The park boasts more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, with blooms from late February -June.

stairs up a hillside covered in bright blooms of flowers and fresh spring growth on trees

Leach Botanical Garden

Walk through verdant treetops and breathe in the scent of a four-season pollinator garden in this urban oasis in SE Portland.

women pose in front of a wall of white roses

Peninsula Park & Rose Garden

Discover outdoor fun for the whole family — plus thousands of blooms — at Oregon’s oldest public rose garden.

people visiting a blooming Rose Garden in Washington Park

Portland International Rose Test Garden

The oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, the Portland International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park features more than 10,000 roses, great views of the skyline and the Cascades.

a couple with a dog and another person sit on a park bench

Laurelhurst Park

Just north of Portland's Belmont neighborhood sits Laurelhurst Park, one of the city's most scenic escapes with over 300 trees, a duck pond and an array of free public events.

people look at koi in pond at garden

Portland Japanese Garden

A haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

A woman holds a camera to her eyes in a traditional Chinese garden with a pond, pavilion and trees.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

This year-round wonder houses an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden built by Suzhou artisans, offering a peaceful escape in Portland's historic Chinatown.

Someone stands in front of a rock wall.

The Grotto

This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens. No matter what time of year you visit, the Grotto offers calm, peace and introspection, transcending boundaries.

cherry blossoms burst from the trees with a bridge, blue sky and wisps of clouds above

Where to Find Portland Cherry Blossoms

Sakura blooms take over the waterfront each spring; here’s how to enjoy the best of Portland’s cherry blossom season.

Tryon Creek State Park

Located 15 minutes south of downtown, Tryon Creek Park and Natural Area is Portland’s only state park and features miles of trails under a mixed forest canopy. The 645-acre (261 ha) park’s namesake Tryon Creek is home to a run of steelhead trout. In addition to 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of horse trails and a 3-mile (5 km) paved bicycle path, the park has 8 miles of hiking trails, including the .35-mile (.6 km), fully accessible Trillium Trail, with paved pathways, drinking fountains, resting benches and viewing decks. The Nature Center provides interpretive displays and restrooms. Dogs are allowed on leashes.

Portland Picnic Guide

Nothing beats spreading out a picnic blanket on a sunny day, and Portland has no shortage of delicious grab-and-go eats and scenic spots for a feast.

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Eastside

The Grotto

A peaceful oasis in the midst of the city, The Grotto is set among 62 acres (25 ha) of botanical gardens. As an internationally renowned Catholic sanctuary, The Grotto offers a place of quiet reflection for all people. More than 100 beautiful statues and shrines are nestled among flower-lined pathways winding under towering firs. Peaceful ponds, spectacular cliffside vistas and award-winning architecture offer inspiration for all who visit this natural gallery in the woods. Gardens and gift shop are open daily; group tours and daily Mass are also offered.

Open year-round; hours vary. There is no charge to see the lower-level gardens and structures. To access the upper gardens, each visitor must purchase an elevator token.

Kickstand Comedy Brings Laughs to Portland’s Laurelhurst Park

Friday evenings in the summer grab a picnic and head to Portland's Laurelhurst Park for Kickstand Comedy in the Park, a series of free outdoor shows featuring local and national standup comics.

Laugh along

Laurelhurst Park

Just north of Portland’s Belmont neighborhood sits Laurelhurst Park, one of the city’s most scenic escapes. This 31-acre (12.5 ha) park really does have something for everybody to enjoy. The central lawn is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic, there is a duck pond, and the park hosts an array of free public events.

Leach Botanical Gardens

The nine-acre (3.6 ha) Leach Botanical Gardens boasts more than 2,000 species, hybrids and cultivars, including Northwest native plants, as well as viburnums, camellias and azaleas of the southeastern United States.

The garden has an interpretive center, restrooms, trails and wildlife viewing areas. Limited wheelchair accessibility; pets not allowed; closed Mondays and some holidays.

5 to Try

Urban Nature Walks

Explore these verdant outdoor destinations sprinkled throughout Portland neighborhoods.

  • Willamette Park

    Waterfront, 26-acre park featuring tennis courts, soccer fields and opportunities to tandem kayak, stand-up paddleboard and canoe.

  • Laurelhurst Park

    Surrounding a scenic lake, Laurelhurst Park was the first city park named to the National Register of Historic Places. It offers picnic and play areas, a dog off-leash area and a horseshoe pit, plus basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

  • Grant Park & Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden

    This park features a playground, an off-leash dog area, a fountain, paths, a picnic area, sports fields and tennis courts. It is also home to the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden.

  • Fernhill Park

    A kid-friendly park with dedicated spaces for baseball, volleyball, soccer and tennis, Fernhill Park also offers paved walking paths, picnic tables, a playground and a splash pad for children to play in during the summer months.

  • Alberta Park

    Alberta Park offers an accessible play area, an accessible restroom, a basketball court, an off-leash dog area, sports fields, and paved and unpaid paths.

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

The 140-acre (56.7-hectare) Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a wetland just east of the Willamette River in Sellwood and a birdwatchers’ paradise. Many species are attracted to the marshes of Portland’s first wildlife refuge, including the city’s official bird, the great blue heron.

birds on logs in water on a cloudy day
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Waterfowl at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
people standing on a bridge among trees and Oregon native plants near a building
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Leach Botanical Garden is located in SE Portland on 16-acre of land. It has a diverse collection of over 2,000 hybrids, cultivars, native and non-native plants, including alpines, medicinal herbs, rock gardens plants, camellias, and 40 genera and over 125 species of ferns.
person with child standing in the middle of a field at the edge of a forest with Oregon native plants in the foreground
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Leach Botanical Garden is located in SE Portland on 16-acre of land. It has a diverse collection of over 2,000 hybrids, cultivars, native and non-native plants, including alpines, medicinal herbs, rock gardens plants, camellias, and 40 genera and over 125 species of ferns.
people walking over a bridge above water with trees and shrubs in the background
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Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located in Southeast Portland. Its a botanical garden.
tall bridge with circular bracing above a pond with ducks amid a forested park
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Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located in Southeast Portland. Its a botanical garden.
three people doing yoga surrounded by trees
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Take a peaceful outdoor yoga class at the crest of Mt. Tabor Park with local yoga instructor Mary Wagstaff (marywagstaffcoach.com).
Credit: Catalina Gaitan

Mt. Tabor Park

Mount Tabor makes Portland one of only three cities in the continental United States to contain an extinct volcano within its boundaries (the others are Bend, Ore., and Jackson, Miss.). Established in 1909 Mt. Tabor Park was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Three municipal reservoirs are at the heart of the 196-acre (79 ha)) park, which also features trails popular with both bicyclists and pedestrians. The cinder cone’s 630-foot (192 m) elevation affords views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood.

Attractions, Outdoors, Parks & Gardens

Explore the Outdoors

Portland is the perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure.

More Outdoors
a couple walks their dog in Forest Park

Hikes in and Near Portland

With easy access to the great outdoors, Portland is a perfect destination for hikers — explore the city’s urban walks, verdant parks and lush gardens, or escape to the nearby gorge and mountains.

mother and child walking through a field of wildflowers

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

families gathered at Willamette River beach

Make a Splash in the Willamette River

When summertime heats up in Portland, cooling off is as easy as heading to one of the city's many riverfront beaches or docks for a refreshing dip or getting the gear for water sports such as kayaking, or SUP.

Pet-Friendly Portland

Discover the most pet-friendly places to bring your favorite companion.

Learn More

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