The air has an aroma of blooming azaleas, rhododendrons, and roses. "Portland is what San Francisco was 25 years ago," says jazz musician Leroy Vinnegar. He's referring to the mixture of artists, musicians and culture that thrives in this wooded setting. Portland has the largest forested wilderness in the nation (Forest Park) and the smallest dedicated greenspace, 24-inch Mill Ends Park. Books and bikes, Portland has a bookstore with the largest number of volumes in the United States (Powell's City of Books with nearly one million volumes) and is the bike-friendliest city in the nation. Statues and fountains are everywhere. Buildings are designed with modern architecture. Portland is heaven for walkers. There are miles of nature trails, parks and 200-foot city blocks. There are 1.6 million people in the metro area (471,325 within city limits, with 100 neighborhoods). 78 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Average temperatures: 33.5 degrees (January), 79.5 degrees in (July). Average Precipitation: 37 inches. Parks Galore in the Metro Area: 37,000, including the 5,000-acre Forest Park.
Portland Oregon's largest city is encircled by vast forests, volcanoes and situated between - the Columbia and the Willamette. Portland, Oregon is near the top of the USA's `most livable cities' list, Portland is known nationally for its progressive politics, relaxed pace and its love of the outdoors and the environment. Downtown Portland is busy yet beautiful; full of trees. There is a height limit on buildings. There is plenty of boutiques, galleries, coffeehouses, and pubs. Portland's highlights include the Old Town, an area of 1890s architectural designs. Portland has a China Town which has been thriving since the 1880s; the carnival atmosphere at the huge weekend Saturday market near the lovely Skidmore Fountain; the Oregon Maritime Center and Museum which charts Portland's long history as a seaport and shipbuilding center; the Portland Art Museum's exhibit of Northwest Native Indian carvings; and the country's only showcase devoted to the art of promotion - the American Advertising Museum.
- Places of Interest -
Oaks Amusement Park - Portland - 503-233-5777 General Park Questions Go down the hill on S.E. Spokane and over the railroad tracks. Take the first right. Follow the winding road to Oaks Park Oak Park Web Site
Metro's Open Spaces, Treasured Places Calendar of Events
(503) 797-1728
Just minutes from your door, gems of green, breathtaking views, rushing rivers and quiet
meandering streams await. Meadows, forests, stream banks and butte-tops provide lasting
opportunities for people to connect with nature in their neighborhoods
American Advertising Museum - 50 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 420, Portland, OR 97204-3528. (503)226-0000. Discover the power and influence of the nation's advertising industry at this newly redesigned museum. Wed-Sun, 11AM-5PM. Admission Charged.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Cnt. & Wasco Cnty Historical Museum - 5000 Discovery Drive The Dalles, OR 97058. Phone: (541) 296-8600
Destination Wilderness - 49701 McKenzie Hwy, Vida OR., 97488. 800-423-8868/541-549-1336 or
Fax: 541-549-1297...Wilderness Web Site
Email Wilderness
The Grotto - NE. Sandy Boulevard and N.E. 85th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97294-0008. (503)254-7371, Fax: (503)254-7948. Stroll through this natural 62-acre Catholic sanctuary and take an elevator to the top of the property's bluff for the panoramic view of the area's highlights, including the Columbia River Valley, the Cascade Mountains and Mount St. Helens.
International Test Rose Garden - 400 S.W. Kingston Ave., Portland, OR 97201. (503)823-3636.
Japanese Garden Society of Oregon (SW) - P.O. Box 3847, Portland, OR 97208-3847. (503)223-4070.
5.5 acres encompassing a tea house and five garden styles. Sept: daily, 10AM-6PM. Oct-March daily, 10AM-4PM.
April-May: daily, 10AM-6PM. June-Aug:daily, 9AM-8PM.
Admission Charged.
Laserport/Eclipse Technologies - 10975 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97005-1818. (503)526-9501.
Metro Washington Park Zoo - 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221. (503)226-1561.
More than 800 animals, including a baby elephant and baby giraffe, and travel through a mist-filled tropical rain forest.
Daily, 9:30AM. Admission Charged.
North Clackamas Aquatic Park - 7300 S.E. Harmony Rd., Milwaukie, OR 97222. (503)557-7873.
Year-round, daily. M,V.
Oaks Amusement Park and Rollerskating Rink - Oaks Park Association, Portland, OR 97202.
(503)236-9143. Go rollerskating, get your kicks on some thrilling amusement rides and then enjoy a picnic at this historic park.
Located on the banks of Williamette River. Hours vary.
No admission, pay as you go.
OMSI - 1945 S.E. Water Ave., Portland, OR 97214-3354. (503)233-5777.
Spend the day in the six exhibit halls
filled with hands-on activities; The Murdock SkyTheater, offering astronomy and laser light shows; a science store;
the USS Blueback submarine; a restaurant; and the world's most advanced film projection system in its OMNIMAX THEATRE.
Hours vary. Admission Charged.
Pearson Air Museum - 1105 E. Fifth St. Vancouver, Washington 98661-3802
(360)694-7026.
Pittock Mansion - 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive., Portland, Oregon 97210. (505)823-3624. Tour the historic Pittock Mansion, which has remarkable antique furnishings and fine arts. Browse through the gift shop, and enjoy a picnic with a view of the city and surrounding mountains. Hours vary. Admission Charged.
Pioneer Courthouse Square - 701 S. W. Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204-1430. (503)223-1613. You'll find year-round fun at Portland's "living room." Located in the heart of downtown, it is the site of numerous special events. Daily, 24 hours. FREE ADMISSION.
Portland Audubon Society - 5151 N. W. Cornell Rd., Portland, OR 97210.
(503)292-6855. Get close-up look at the resident wildlife at this center's animal care facility,
walking trails and natural history area. Mon-Sat, 10AM-6PM; Sun, 10AM-5PM.
FREE ADMISSION.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden - NW 3rd and Everett, Portland, OR 97209 503-228-8131
Portland Spirit Dining Cruises - 842 S.W. First St., Portland, OR 97204-3308.
(503)224-3900 or 1-800-224-3901. Leave the steering to Portland Spirit aboard a meal cruise, featuring
a talented wait staff. Daily, noon-2PM, 7-9:30PM;Sun, 10AM-noon, 2-4PM.
Admission Charged.
Portland Children's Museum - 3037 S.W. Second, Portland, OR 97201-4715.(503)823-2227.
Unleash your kids to create a masterpiece in "Clayshop" serve up an international feast in "Bistro," or perform an imaginary
operation in "Kid City Medical Center." Daily, 9AM-5PM. Admission Charged.
The Berry Botanic Garden (SW) - 11505 S.W. Summerville Ave., Portland, OR 97219-8309.
(503)636-4112.
SternWheeler Cruises - Two locations on the Beautiful Columbia Gorge.
World Forestry Center - 4033 S.W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221-2760. (503)228-1367.
Come face to face with a pygmy family in a rain forest, explore old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest,
or step back millions of years to a petrified wood exhibit. Summer: daily, 9AM-5PM. Winter: daily, 10AM-5PM.
Admission Charged.
Champoeg Wine Cellars 10375 Champoeg Rd NE Aurora, OR, 97002 (503) 678-2144 Fax: (503) 678-1024 Toll Free: (800) 987-WINE
Chateau Benoit 6580 NE Mineral Springs Rd Carlton, OR, 97111-9529 (503) 864-2991 Fax: (503) 864-2203 Toll Free: (800) 248-4835
Hood River Vineyards 4693 Westwood Drive Hood River, OR, 97031-9741 (541) 386-3772 Fax: (541) 386-5880
Champoeg Wine Cellars 10375 Champoeg Rd NE Aurora, OR, 97002 (503) 678-2144 Fax: (503) 678-1024 Toll Free: (800) 987-WINE
Yamhill County Wineries Association PO Box 25162 Portland, OR, 97298 (503) 646-2985 Fax: (503) 292-0713 E-Mail: Sue Horstmann
Portland Oregon Visitors Association 503 275-9758, 800 962-3700, ext. 758
Washington County Visitors Association
503 644-5555, 800 537-3149
Yamhill County Wineries Association 503 434-5814.
Crater Lake National Park
- 90 Miles East of Grants Pass. (541)594-2211
Fantastic Arial view of Crater Lake (222K)
- Parks -
Oaks Amusement Park - Portland - 503-233-5777 General Park Questions Go down the hill on S.E. Spokane and over the railroad tracks. Take the first right. Follow the winding road to Oaks Park Oak Park Web Site
Metro Parks and Green Spaces - 600 N.E. Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232. (503)797-1846.
Oregon Parks and Recreation - 2501 S.W. First Ave., Ste 100, Portland OR 97201. (503)731-3293 E 5290.
Portland Parks and Recreation - 1120 S.W. Fifth Ave., Ste. 1302, Portland, OR 97204-1933. (503) 823-2223.
- Visitor Contact Information -
