Portlandia...I actually think I have heard of the TV show of the same name before hearing the…read moreexistence of this statue. But the statue definitely came prior to the show. The trident wielding woman is enormous and is awe inspiring and beautiful and perhaps to a certain kind of man perhaps intimidating but that isn't necessarily a problem there. This statue is on the Portland Building and if you simply wall by or near it's nearly impossible to miss. This is also an attraction where there is no fee to take a look at it as it can literally be seen quite easily from the public sidewalk. Yet another iconic downtown Portland landmark that is not to missed!

Nice statue. I believe this is the second largest copper statue in the United States after the…read moreStatue of Liberty. I'm impressed by the vexillology that is also used here, since there's a flag of Cascadia along with the flag of the city of Portland, OR.

Fun family activity for a couple hours. Twelve mostly large scale or interactive exhibits that you…read morecan puruse at your leisure. Our family highlights included any dancing videos (of yourself). Unsurprisingly, the kids loved the ball pit and 'trampoline' room, we loved the music and ball light installation as well. As they will remind you of you but tickets ahead of time, remember to bring socks as they are required for a few rooms. Not quite the TeamLab experience, more refined than Meow Wolf, but still a lot of fun.

Super interesting place! While we did have fun, I was a bit underwhelmed. Honestly, I was thinking…read moreit was more a "Meow Wolf" type of place... so I guess I should've just entered the space without any expectations. The bar in the beginning was a nice touch. You can walk around with your drinks and explore the different rooms they had. You can even take a break and grab food- once you get in your time there is unlimited! One of the best rooms was the Secret Garden. This is where you stand under a cloud like dome and hear secrets from people who have recorded them from a month or two ago. They have a recording booth within the room and you sit there and confess things. Then it plays it back after a couple of months to make sure you remain anonymous. The secrets we heard were gnarly... Won't repeat any, just go there and see! That was probably the best room we went into. The other rooms were super cool, which included a ball pit, infinity room/light looking room as well as a semi-bouncy room. Really interactive and creative space. Entrance fee is not bad for the type of space it's in [Around $22ish?]. Just don't be a jerk and be respectful of peoples' spaces. Not that anyone was disrespectful to us, just saying!

Lovely place to visit. There's a little museum and gift shop too, very cute. My kids liked reading…read moreabout the Ole Bolle and the other similar works that the artist has. There's a lot of charming Nordic style decor in the area. We even found a cute bus stop that is very Swedish. There is a cafe but we went around closing time, or else I would enjoy some food and drinks during our visit.

Passing through Portland and I got the chance to meet Ole Bolle. Ole Bolle is located at the Nordic…read moreNorthwest Campus. Parking was a plenty and just a short walk to find Ole Bolle. Ole Bolle is peering into a cabin. The view from inside the cabin to see Ole Bolle is awesome. The cabins and grounds are serene and relaxing. Definitely glad I got to visit.

Finally got the chance to see and be where the stag sign is after many years! Street parking is…read moreavailable in the area and a quick walk towards the park where you have a better view of it. You can also go up the stairs and see it from a closer view. Tree branches do obscure the view a bit. Very satisfying experience!

Quick stop to see this iconic sign. Located next to the riverfront and a couple memorials.read more

I found this place on Atlas Obscura and I felt like visiting with my partner and our dog. To our…read moreluck, our well behaved dog got us 1 free admission! We spent about 15-30 minutes in here just taking it all in and reading as much information as we could. There are plenty of photo ops as well as interactive things to play with. We were lucky to find a parking spot a few steps away and paid about $1-$2 to park for almost an hour. The person behind the front desk was kind and welcoming. The merch selection was vast and interesting. I just wish they had a photo booth because it would tie into the place perfectly. Overall, highly recommend as it is a fun spot to hangout for under an hour.

This place is weird--in a fun way. The Peculiarium is a quick, quirky stop that totally leans into…read morePortland's "keep it weird" vibe. Lots of odd displays, creepy mannequins, aliens, Bigfoot stuff, and random photo ops. It doesn't take long to go through, but it's entertaining and definitely memorable. The gift shop is actually one of the best parts--tons of strange, funny, and unique items you won't see anywhere else. Staff was chill and friendly, and the whole place feels like it doesn't take itself too seriously. Not a full-on museum experience, but if you're killing time, visiting Portland, or just want something different, it's worth checking out. Great for pictures!!

Portland Japanese Garden Find Your Zen... Even If You Have to Sit on It…read more The Portland Japanese Garden is one of those places that looks small on the map, and you think, "Well, I'll be in and out in 20 minutes." Yeah... that's adorable. You could walk through it in 15-20 minutes, but you'd miss half the point. I spent about an hour to an hour and a half wandering around, sitting down, taking pictures and videos, and just soaking it all in. There are little plants tucked into every corner, waterfalls, ponds, bamboo, statues, staircases, temples, covered bridges, sand gardens, and all these little details that make you realize somebody has spent an unbelievable amount of time maintaining this place. It's less of a garden and more of a full-time job for Mother Nature with a landscaping crew. And speaking of Zen... I came across two couples literally sleeping on a bench, leaning on each other. At first I thought, "Are these people okay?" Then I figured, nope... they've achieved the highest level of Japanese Garden Zen. Everybody else is walking around taking pictures, and these folks are like, "Wake me when enlightenment is over." The location is fantastic, sitting above the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park and just below the Oregon Zoo. You can easily combine all three into a full Portland day. And apparently everybody else had the same idea because it was packed with tourists. I never really thought of the Japanese Garden as a tourist attraction, but if you're visiting Portland in the summer, trust me it is. Still, the crowds don't take away from the experience. The atmosphere is peaceful, the staff is friendly, and there's something around every corner worth stopping for. There are multiple ponds and waterfalls, bamboo groves, statues, temples, sand gardens, staircases, a beautiful covered bridge, and enough carefully placed greenery to make my own yard look like it was abandoned during the Clinton administration. The ambiance is incredible, the location is gorgeous, and for what you get to experience, I think the value is good. 100% recommend it if you're visiting Portland. Just don't rush through it. Sit down. Take some pictures. Watch the water. Find a quiet corner. And if you see somebody sleeping on a bench, leave them alone. They may have already found what the rest of us came there looking for.

Been a good few years since I visited the Japanese Gardens, and a lot has changed. But wow if they…read morearen't still worth a visit. The plants and water features are outstanding, and it is such a delight to just wander around and soak it all in. Really, what can I say that hasn't been said by many other visitors? If you aren't captivated by the running water, the intricate rock gardens, or the lovely koi fish, then there is something wrong with you. This is such a gorgeous gem, and a must-see attraction in Portland, especially if you are already wandering around the Washington Park area. Some of the changes in the years since I visited are a whole new entranceway, with an amazing water foundtain. Plus, a redesigned plaza with new gift shop, cafe, and a library. Oh, and speaking of the the cafe, do try out some of the excellent teas and Japanese snacks on offer here. Plus, all the staff and docents working here were very friendly and helpful. As for a few things to be aware of: First, the parking situation is a pain. There are pay-to-park spots, but not enough for the crowds. So you should really plan to either walk over to the gardens from somewhere else in the park, or take the park shuttle service. Also, as some have also noted, the number of people visiting can sort of harsh the serenity a bit. So do your part, and be a courteous visitor, and try to keep things mellow, chill, and quiet enough for others to also enjoy. In a city so full of other gorgeous gardens, I have to say these stand out. It's a city favorite for a reason.

My Grandma and I came here after my Grandpa passed. She found some respite and deep connection…read morewalking through the gardens. It's definitely a special place- we lit a candle in his honor. We have come during the Christmas lights too and that's pretty special.

I really wish I had more time here. This was one of the very last places to visited before I had to…read morefly home. I got here late about 30mins before closing so I only walked around for a little. It's so Beautiful, peaceful, & calm here. The Grotto is a 62-acres sanctuary founded in 1924. There are so many beautifully carved statues. All the statues are made from marble, granite, bronze, wood, polyester resin and fiberglass. On their webpage, The Grotto's Vision is To forever be a place where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation. The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother embraces and supports people of all cultures and all faiths who seek a place of prayer and meditation; The Grotto values the dignity of everyone. I'll definitely come back here the next time I'm in town so I can spend a bit more time exploring. There's a decent sized parking lot. It was empty as I got here close to closing but I'm sure it gets very busy here.

These are some cool modern takes on the northwest Totem Poles. They are located on one side of…read moreJamison Square. Brightly colored the full name is Tikitotmoniki Totems There are 4 of them in all. They are interesting and really fit into the area. Fun Fact: they hide poles for the trolley inside.

SSSSSS!!!!! Stellar! Sensational! Sensual! Scintillating! Stimulating! So-ssssss! Words can only…read moredescribe the beauty and profoundness viewing the mural by Faith47, South African artist! See it sizzle your emotions. Next-door is the new Stumptown coffee shop. Sit with coffee. Emotions sizzle sizzle with the kiss of ecstasy and wonderment - who is this mysterious lady and why are you here? You question - lost in your own muse!

The architect for the new building has been able to design the new building to preserve views of…read morethis mural! Thanks ZGF and developer! http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2017/07/eleven_west_tower.html and http://www.nextportland.com/2017/12/13/eleven-west/

Excellent cocktails and booze selection. Bar food is super mediocre. Stuff you can put together at…read morehome super quickly. I opted for the cheeseburger. Drinks are good though and super convenient in the hotel. I would add a few stars if they actually put a bit of effort into the food quality. Service was quick and efficient for one person working the bar late at night. Thankfully they ARE open late for travelers. Lovely table and bar layout. Super friendly staff.

A few friends and I went into WXYZ lounge to sit and get caught up…read more We started at the bar with a very well made margarita, then felt we wanted to order some appetizers so moved into the lounge area. The gal who made us our drink then served our food was very delightful. Food was decent and fair priced. Atmosphere was very relaxing. We were there from 5-6pm and there was a small crowd, but when we walked by later about it was very packed and pretty loud. Would stop in for a cocktail and appetizer again.