Portland’s location between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Coast means the city is surrounded by natural beauty and no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re visiting us for a consultation, combining your trip with a longer Pacific Northwest stay, or simply exploring the region, here are some of our favorite Portland spots, each listed with the approximate distance from Portland City Center.
International Rose Test Garden
4.8 stars / 9,400+ reviews
2.7 miles | 4.3 KM
Washington Park
Tourist attraction, Botanical garden, Park
Free public garden featuring over 10,000 rose plants across 650 varieties, with sweeping views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood. Peak bloom: June–September.
400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205
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Portland Japanese Garden
4.7 stars / 8,000+ reviews
3.0 miles | 4.8 KM
Washington Park
Tourist attraction, Garden, Botanical garden
One of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, featuring five traditional garden styles across 12 acres in the West Hills. Tranquil and restorative—especially during the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.
611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205
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Powell’s City of Books
4.7 stars / 38,000+ reviews
0.7 miles | 1.1 KM
Pearl District
Bookstore, Tourist attraction, Landmark
The largest independent bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block with over one million new and used books across nine color-coded rooms. A Portland institution.
1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
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Lan Su Chinese Garden
4.7 stars / 3,600+ reviews
0.4 miles | 0.6 KM
Old Town / Chinatown
Tourist attraction, Garden, Cultural center
A walled Ming Dynasty–style garden in the heart of Old Town—a rare urban sanctuary featuring a teahouse, koi pond, rockery, and seasonal plantings. Designed by craftsmen from Suzhou, China.
239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park
4.5 stars / 6,600+ reviews
0.2 miles | 0.3 KM
Downtown
Park, Tourist attraction, Recreational area
A 1.5-mile linear park along the west bank of the Willamette River, Portland’s front porch. Ideal for a morning walk, bike ride, or simply watching the river traffic. Home to the Saturday Market and Rose Festival events.
SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97201
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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
4.5 stars / 10,000+ reviews
1.5 miles | 2.4 KM
Southeast Portland
Tourist attraction, Museum, Science museum, Planetarium
Five exhibit halls covering science, technology, and natural history, plus an IMAX theater, planetarium, and a decommissioned submarine docked on the Willamette. Great for families and curious minds of all ages.
1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
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The Pittock Mansion
4.7 stars / 8,200+ reviews
3.5 miles | 5.6 KM
Northwest Portland / West Hills
Tourist attraction, Museum, Historical landmark
A 1914 French Renaissance château perched 1,000 feet above Portland in the West Hills, offering panoramic views of the city, the Willamette Valley, and five Cascade peaks on a clear day. The surrounding grounds are open year-round.
3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210
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Portland Art Museum
4.6 stars / 6,300+ reviews
0.4 miles | 0.6 KM
South Park Blocks
Tourist attraction, Art museum
The oldest and largest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, with a permanent collection spanning 42,000 works from ancient to contemporary. Free for Oregon and SW Washington residents on select days.
1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
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Forest Park
2.9 miles | 4.7 KM (main trailhead)
Northwest Portland
Tourist attraction, Park, Hiking area, Nature preserve
One of the largest urban forests in the United States—5,200 acres of temperate rainforest with over 80 miles of trails. The Wildwood Trail runs through the full length of the park and connects to the Washington Park trail system. A remarkable escape within city limits.
NW 29th Ave & Upshur St (Leif Erikson Dr main entrance), Portland, OR 97210
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Oregon Zoo
4.5 stars / 24,000+ reviews
3.1 miles | 5.0 KM
Washington Park
Tourist attraction, Zoo
The most-visited cultural institution in Oregon, home to over 200 species on 64 acres. Notable for its elephant, rhino, and polar bear habitats, plus summer concert series on the zoo’s outdoor stage.
4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
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Portland Saturday Market
4.5 stars / 4,800+ reviews
0.2 miles | 0.3 KM
Old Town / Waterfront
Tourist attraction, Market, Artisan fair
The largest continuously operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the United States, open every weekend March through December. Local food, handmade goods, live music, and street performers along the west bank of the Willamette.
2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
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Washington Park
4.7 stars / 16,000+ reviews
2.7 miles | 4.3 KM
West Hills
Tourist attraction, Park
A 410-acre urban park in Portland’s West Hills that serves as the gateway to the Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, and Hoyt Arboretum—making it one of the most visited green spaces in the Pacific Northwest. Free MAX Light Rail service available from downtown.
4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
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Hoyt Arboretum
4.7 stars / 2,200+ reviews
3.2 miles | 5.1 KM
Washington Park / West Hills
Tourist attraction, Arboretum, Park
A 190-acre living museum of trees featuring more than 6,000 specimens from around the world on 12 miles of trails. Free and open year-round. Adjacent to the Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden. Particularly stunning in fall.
4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221
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Multnomah Falls
4.7 stars / 5,800+ reviews
30 miles | 48 KM (Columbia River Gorge)
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Tourist attraction, Waterfall, Hiking area
Oregon’s most-visited natural attraction: a 620-foot waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the United States. The Benson Footbridge provides a breathtaking mid-falls vantage point. About 30 minutes east of Portland on I-84. Timed entry permits required seasonally, so plan ahead.
Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019
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Pearl District
4.5 stars / 3,900+ reviews
0.8 miles | 1.3 KM
Northwest Portland
Neighborhood, Shopping district, Dining district
Portland’s premier urban neighborhood for dining, shopping, and gallery-hopping. Home to Powell’s Books, dozens of independent restaurants and wine bars, First Thursday gallery walk (monthly), and a walkable grid of converted warehouses and new construction. Excellent hotel options for out-of-town patients.
NW Portland between Burnside St and the Willamette River
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Sauvie Island
4.6 stars / 450+ reviews
11 miles | 17.7 KM
North Portland / Columbia River
Tourist attraction, Park, Wildlife refuge, Farm
A 26,000-acre island at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, just 30 minutes from downtown Portland. Farmstands and u-pick orchards in summer and fall, wildlife refuge for migratory birds, quiet beaches, and cycling on flat rural roads. A Portland local favorite that few visitors discover.
Sauvie Island Rd NW, Portland, OR 97231
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