Oregon’s city of Portland and the surrounding towns have much to offer both the active and passive nature lovers. Within walking distance from the city center is Washington Park. Washington Park includes the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. To experience even more of natural Portland within driving distance is Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Vista House on Crown Point.
Washington Park
By car Washington Park is a ten-minute drive from the Downtown district of Portland. It is a thirty-minute walk from the center of Portland to the section of Washington Park that leads to the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. The walk is uphill and a great workout, and if you’ve walked the hills in San Francisco before the walk won’t be a challenge. The walk is an opportunity to see quaint residential homes along the way. After walking through the nice neighborhoods at the top of the hills you’ll find yourself at the intersection of SW Park Place and SW Lewis Clark Way. The entrance found here into Washington Park will lead you into the midst of sprawling trees and a playground. Washington Park has plenty of attractions such as the Oregon Zoo, an arboretum, children’s museum, memorials, and gardens.
International Rose Test Garden
One of the main attractions of Washington Park is the International Rose Test Garden. This is the oldest public garden of its kind in the United States. The garden has over 500 varieties of roses and more than 7,000 plantings. This section of the park is free for visitors so you can spend whatever time you want during the garden’s open hours strolling through the various roses. Your experience of the roses will differ depending on the time of year you visit. Fall and winter months the garden does not offer much in the way of roses. Visit the garden during the spring and summer months and the roses will be in full bloom.
Portland Japanese Garden
Next to the International Rose Test Garden is the Portland Japanese Garden. To access this sight you will need to pay an entrance fee but what you pay is well worth the cost. The Japanese Gardens are well manicured and offer a different natural Portland experience depending on the season and weather. In the wintertime the frost and snow settles along the various rocks, plants, and statues. During the fall months the turning of the leaves creates a colorful landscape. Spring and summer the plants are green and vivid. Wander the various lanes past ponds full of koi, small waterfalls, and rock gardens. The Japanese Garden has a lookout point with a magnificent view of Portland’s city skyline and Mount Hood. Please note that according to their website the Japanese Garden is closed from September 8, 2015 until March 1, 2016 due to construction for their Cultural Crossing expansion project. While the Japanese Garden itself will re-open in March the Cultural Crossing expansion construction will continue with an estimated completion of Spring 2017.
Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls
Natural Portland wonders include beautiful waterfalls. Multnomah Falls is a forty-minute drive from either Downtown Portland or Portland International Airport (PDX). The drive is worthwhile especially since it’s one of the few places in the world where one can drive up to a waterfall. There is no need to hike any trails since the parking lot is a short walk to where you can see the waterfall in its glory. A short non-strenuous walk up to a bridge offers a closer view of the waterfall. In the wintertime you will need to be cautious walking as icy conditions may cause you to loose your footing. A mile away from Multnomah Falls is Wahkeena Falls. The easily accessible part of Wahkeena Falls isn’t as dramatic as Multnomah Falls, but is a more rambling waterfall. Although Wahkeena is not a plunging waterfall the water with the trees and plants is worth a photograph. For more spectacular views of Wahkeena Falls hikers may walk the mile round-trip on the Wahkeena Trail.
Vista House on Crown Point
On the way to Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls be sure to stop at Vista House on Crown Point. This spectacular lookout is located thirty-five minutes from Downtown Portland and offers stunning views of natural Portland. Part of the Oregon State Parks, the Vista House has existed since the early 1900s. This observatory is located over 700 feet above the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views. Regardless if the weather is over cast or sunny this location is ideal for photographs. Be advised that if the weather has been extreme, for example too much snow has fallen, Crown Point may be closed off to tourists. On such days call ahead or visit their website to find out if the lookout is open.
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Portland Building Portland: Keeping it Normal Portland Building, Portland, OR, United States | |
Pearl District Portland: Keeping it Normal Pearl District, Portland, OR, United States | |
Downtown, Portland Portland: Keeping it Normal Downtown, Portland, OR, United States | |
Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland: Keeping it Normal Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, OR, United States | |
Chinatown Gates Portland: Keeping it Normal Chinatown Gates Portland, Northwest 4th Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
Washington Park Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland Washington Park, Portland, OR, United States | |
International Rose Garden Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland International Rose Test Garden, Southwest Kingston Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
Portland Japanese Garden Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland Portland Japanese Garden, Southwest Kingston Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
Multnomah Falls Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland Multnomah Falls, Multnomah County, OR, United States | |
Wahkeena Falls Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah County, OR, United States | |
Vista House on Crown Point Portland: Keeping it Normal Natural Portland Vista House, Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett, OR, United States | |
Voodoo Doughnut ONE (original location) Eat Your Way Through Portland Voodoo Doughnut, Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
Caffe Vita Eat Your Way Through Portland Caffe Vita, Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
Pine State Biscuits Eat Your Way Through Portland Pine State Biscuits Alberta, Northeast Alberta Street, Portland, OR, United States | |
Gaufre Gourmet Eat Your Way Through Portland Gaufre Gourmet, Southwest 9th Avenue, Portland, OR, United States | |
KOi Fusion Eat Your Way Through Portland Washington Square, Southwest Washington Square Road, Portland, OR, United States | |
Lardo Eat Your Way Through Portland Lardo, Southwest Washington Street, Portland, OR, United States | |
Toro Bravo Eat Your Way Through Portland Toro Bravo, Northeast Russell Street, Portland, OR, United States | |
Pok Pok Eat Your Way Through Portland Pok Pok, Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR, United States | |
Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Eat Your Way Through Portland Hopworks Urban Brewery, Southeast Powell Boulevard, Portland, OR, United States | |
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