In Portland, options range from trails through old-growth forest to museums, cultivated gardens and a year-round farmers market. So when planning your trip, it is worth first asking what kind of discovery you want to focus on: nature, culture or both. These interests can also help guide your search for a hotel in Portland.
Forests, City Parks and Bird Migration
The trails of Forest Park lead from the city center into more than 5,200 hectares of old-growth Pacific Northwest forest. The Wildwood Trail is a 30-mile hiking trail with a natural surface that runs through the entire park. If you prefer to get around by bicycle, the park has more than 25 miles of roads, fire lanes and trails open to cyclists. Since access rules can change, it is a good idea to check the current guidelines before a bike ride.
Mt. Tabor Park offers a different kind of landscape: the 176-hectare park is situated on an extinct volcanic cinder cone. In spring, it also becomes a place to watch bird migration. Many species of warblers, vireos and flycatchers pass through the park then. Those interested in plants will find an extensive collection at Hoyt Arboretum: it includes 6,000 individual trees and shrubs from 2,000 different species around the world.
Trails and Riverside Views
The 1.5-mile Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade combines a route through the city with insights into the development of its east side. Along the esplanade, 22 signs provide information about the river, Portland’s bridges and the development of the neighborhood. It is also a demonstration project to improve habitats for fish and wildlife and restore the riverbank. Here, a walking route, city history and habitat design come together.
Gardens, History and Museums
The Portland Japanese Garden was established in 1963 as a place for healing, intercultural exchange and community recreation. Its eight distinct, carefully designed garden styles honor Japanese architectural, cultural and artistic traditions. Regular programming includes guided tours, changing exhibitions, traditional tea ceremonies, cultural festivals, artistic performances, interactive workshops and conversations with curators. If you are visiting for a specific program, check the current schedule.
The museums also have different areas of focus. The Oregon Historical Society museum presents permanent and changing exhibitions on three floors about the people, stories and events that have shaped Oregon and the nation. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, or OMSI, focuses on science, industry and technology. Its offerings include hands-on exhibits, planetarium laser shows, events and a real submarine.
The Portland Art Museum offers a broad view across time and geography: its collections span from antiquity to the present and include, among other things, Indigenous North American, Asian, African, European, pre-Columbian and American art. The permanent collection comprises more than 42,000 objects. This makes it possible to tailor museum days to different periods and artistic traditions, depending on your interests.
Market and Travel Planning
The PSU Farmers Market takes place year-round on the Portland State University campus beneath the leafy canopy of large elm trees and is considered a flagship market. Since schedules can change, it is worth checking the current market dates before your visit. There is separate transit information for getting around Washington Park: the MAX Light Rail Red and Blue lines serve the park, and trains arrive at Washington Park station every 15 minutes. Frequencies can change, so checking the current timetable is a good idea when planning your trip.
The options range from forest trails and bird migration to garden art, exhibitions and market visits. If you are looking for a hotel in Portland, you can first decide what you want to focus on, then choose the right accommodation for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Troutdale, Gresham.
Go to the main travel overview: Multnomah.
