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Portland’s Essential Sights

10 placesPortland

A citywide sampler of Portland’s defining gardens, viewpoints, cultural landmarks, riverfront spaces, and famously independent downtown stops. Begin in Washington Park, descend through the central city, and finish amid Old Town and the waterfront.

  • Pop culture
  • Music
  • Art
  • Architecture
  • Science & Tech
  • Nature
  • Folklore
  • Local culture
  • History
  • Social Justice
  • Food traditions
  • Religion

Places in this guide

  1. 1
    Pittock MansionHome of the "human carwash" shower 🚿
  2. 2
    Hoyt ArboretumDawn redwood's 6-million-year first 🌳
  3. 3
    International Rose Test GardenNorth America's only city rose award 🌹
  4. 4
    Portland Japanese GardenProclaimed most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside Japan
  5. 5
    Oregon ZooOldest zoo west of the Mississippi River 🦁
  6. 6
    Crystal BallroomPossibly America's last floating dance floor ☁️
  7. 7
    Portland Art MuseumHome to "an explosion in a shingle factory" 🎨
  8. 8
    Pioneer Courthouse Square🏨 The grand hotel that hosted presidents
  9. 9
    Old Town ChinatownCast-iron palaces on Portland's original Skid Road
  10. 10
    Oregon Museum of Science and IndustryHome to a Hollywood submarine 🚢
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