Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Portland is known for a lot of things, such as gorgeous mountain and forest-filled scenery, great coffee and downtown cafe vibes, and an amazing selection of public parks. On this 2 day tour, we will show you all the best and most iconic park spots, each and every one perfect for people watching, sightseeing, culture immersion, and, of course, picnics!
1
Pioneer Courthouse Square
What better way to start your big Portland adventure than at Portland’s living room, aka Pioneer Courthouse Square. This spot is the city’s premier public park, one of the most successful public spaces in the entire U.S. Known to be the world’s fourth-best public square, this beloved urban park hosts over 300 different programmed event days each year, both truly impressive feats. The square itself first opened in 1984, a living homage to the Portland courthouse from 1875. You and your group can spend your time here exploring the food carts, outdoor art, impressive fountains, and sidewalk vendors, as well as the Visitor Information Center, KGW HD Studio on the Square, Theater, Pink Trolley, or famous Spellbound Flower Dutch Cargo Bike. If you are lucky you may just be here during any of the several scheduled events, with choices such as the Holiday Ale Fest, Portland Artisan Festival, or the Lights at the Mall festival.
Oregon Zoo
Also within Washington Park is the Oregon Zoo, the 64-acre zoo that features several different award-winning exhibits, summer concerts, and special events. Inside this zoo you can see animals from all around the world as you explore each different section, the entire park holding over 2,000 animals. Renowned for its conservation work and elephant breeding program, this zoo aims to be a model of sustainable conservation, making it easy to see why over 1.6 million visitors visit per year. Take a special zoo tour, ride the fun scenic train through the park, or perhaps just stroll around the interactive exhibits such as the African Rainforest or Predators of the Serengeti yourself. There are beautiful (and educational) botanical gardens throughout, as well as trails, gift shops, and five totally different eateries! There will even be several season food trucks and carts throughout the park, the entire experience sure to satisfy both your hunger for food and for a wild adventure.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Another Portland downtown staple is the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is the perfect spot to people watch and catch a great view of the Willamette River, as well as take a rest and have a scenic picnic lunch. Named in honor of Governor Tom McCall, this gorgeous 36-acre park was created in hopes of making one really excellent public gathering spot, green space, and riverwalk, a feat that has successfully been done since 1978. At this park, you can walk the trails, bike, skate, picnic, fly kites, and partake in several other outdoor recreational activities, as well as explore the Esplanade, Bowl, Salmon Street Springs, and Central Lawn. Before you go make sure you go check out the historic Battleship Oregon Memorial, buried time capsule from 1976, or the sobering Japanese American Historical Plaza. The best part of this spot? The 185 water-jet fountain that sits as the park's centerpiece.
2
Portland Children’s Museum or Portland Art Museum
End your day with your choice of one of two things: either the Portland Children’s Museum or the Portland Art Museum. Both museums are truly great choices, it all just depends on how much time you have left and what age group you are traveling with. If you are traveling with younger kids we suggest the Children’s Museum, within Washington Park, the spectacular interactive museum that treasures ‘playful learning’. This spot will use familiar materials to craft priceless opportunities for children to learn through play. On the other hand, if you have a more mature or sophisticated group you may want to take them to the highly popular Portland Art Museum. This museum is the oldest art museum on the West Coast, as well as the seventh oldest in the U.S, and holds one of the most impressive permanent collections in the world. Enjoy exploring over 42,000 objects within the 112,000 square feet of gallery space, the entire experience one art lovers will never forget!