Clean walkway along the water. Great place to take your dog for a walk on a sunny day. Wonderful sweeping views of Portland skyline as well as the river. Was impressed how clean the walkway was. We went midday on a January Sunday. Felt very safe. We found parking nearby under the bridges. Close to the Tilikum Crossing bridge which is a great pedestrian only bridge. This location is part of my Portland dog friendly collection. Follow here for more suggestions. https://www.yelp.com/collection/-qX6l2H98FTB7Q7kH75mtw?utm_content=Collections&utm_source=ishare read more

Eastbank Esplanade - Walkway along the river - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I've been walking the Vera Katz Esplanade for years. Most of the time it's fine, but I've noticed a pattern -- the majority of times when someone is acting aggressively out here, it's a white person. I don't know who gave them the sense of authority over public space, but it's that white privilege attitude in full view. Today was the worst incident yet. I crossed over to walk closer to the river and saw a white, butch-built, short-haired woman with an older, heavy-set brown Doberman. As we passed, she made an aggressive comment, then turned back, pulled out a knife, and threatened me for no reason. She was clearly racist -- she doesn't like Black people, Brown people, Indians, Mexicans, or Asians -- and she decided to target me, a smaller Indian man, thinking she could intimidate me. I have video and a clear photo of her. I called the police, but if you're Black or Brown in Portland, you already know -- the police don't take it seriously when we report a white person. They focused more on questioning me than on finding her. Here is picture read more

Eastbank Esplanade - Her threatening me with knife in her right hand - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

What a nice solution for an area that was not so nice in the way back. I have only really walked around here lightly but it is so great for a walk or bike ride without the traffic issues. read more

Eastbank Esplanade - 3/26/2024 - I think I found the perfect time of day and perfect angle to really appreciate this art piece. - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The best view of any City skyline is from across a river and the East Esplanade does not disappoint! There are so many stunning vistas and photo ops along this 1.5 mile stretch that my walk always takes longer because I am constantly stopping to snap pics! There is a wide path for walking, biking or scooters all along the way with several options, Bridges, to cross over to the west side of the River and walk along Tom McCall Park. My personal preference is to cross the Hawthorne and head south past OMSI and then across back over via the Tilikum; there are less people in general on this route and far less homeless. It's also quieter. Don't get me wrong, walking north is also a gorgeous route! It's just noisier because of the Morrison abridge and street noise plus lots more people. If biking is your preference, you can rent from Biketown Bike Share on the east side north of OSMI or the Nike bike rentals in the west side by McCormacks Harborside. Weekends get super crowded, especially on a sunny day, so be forewarned. On Easter Sunday it felt like one of those organized "for a cause" walk there were so many people. The following day, peacefulness returned. Early mornings are definitely the times with the least amount of people. The East Esplanade is beautiful in all seasons, all weather. Because you are in nature, there is always some new flower, bush or tree new blooming or leaves turning colors or different boats in the river. It's the perfect backdrop for exercise, especially right now (Spring 2020) when gyms are closed due to the pandemic. There are plenty of benches along the way to take a rest and just be. There is also a floating dock just south other the Hawthorne where people sunbathe, swim (not me!) and launch kayaks. The East Esplanade should be on the "must do" list for out of town visitors to get a stunning view of the City. It's also a place for locals to enjoy all year round. Get out there and enjoy! read more

See all

Great and long summer walk. Bring the kiddos here with careful watch. Great way to tired your little one out and let them exert their energy. Let me run the long pathway. Beautiful with the sun hitting the waters. A long great pathway that loops via the steel bridge all the way to the Tom McCall waterfront. About 5 miles total. read more

See all

The Esplanade is a wonderful place to get a look at the ever evolving skyline, and to take a close look at bridges and some of the working waterfront that still exists north of the Steel Bridge. Starting a stroll near the Hawthorne Bridge makes for convenient parking if you're driving to the area. The folks who planned the walkways did a very nice job of making them wide enough to easily share with 2 way traffic, both pedestrian and cyclists. In the Covid era, it also makes it fairly easy to maintain a healthy distance from everyone else. A visit makes it easy to see what some of Portland's iconic bridges look like from underneath - which I personally find to be a fun viewpoint. If you are moving northward, walkers are also rewarded with delightful views of the Steel Bridge, both from a distance and from the walkway across the lower level. The floating section of the walkway adds yet another viewpoint to this unique part of the city. read more

See all

I love this walk along the river. So many places to sit and relax and read or contemplate the river. The view of the downtown skyline at night is fabulous. Lots of cool outdoor art. read more

My friend and I, had been cycling all day and it was awesome to stop here for this view. There are people who always seem to be working out, in some shape or form, all times of the day--I felt safe is where I'm getting at. Nevertheless, we went all the way south and then came back up north. By the time we stopped it was pretty chilly good thing we brought some layers just for this reason. We watched the sunset back a ways but we still had some remaining sunlight every so slightly. It was so nice and relatively quite. If working out/being active is your thing by all means hop on your bike and just ride. No one ever said they regretted working out :) read more

See all

In Portland, there are a few essential walks that every resident and visitor should take to really see the city. Near the top of my personal list is the waterfront loop that I start by parking downtown, then cross over the Steel Bridge, heading south down the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, and returning via the Hawthorne Bridge. Each place along the route has special meaning for me, but some of the best views of Portland are definitely from the east side looking back toward downtown. For years, this has been a family favorite by foot, bike and scooter, usually combined with a visit to the Portland Saturday Market. There is nothing finer than taking a walk, with a mug of coffee in hand (I recommend Floyd's), and experiencing those first sunny days of Spring. The trees are in bloom, a variety of boats are on the river and it is a great spot for people watching on both sides of the river. What is missing? An adequate number of drinking fountains and restrooms. A few high points for me along the Eastbank Esplanade are the floating walkway where you get close to the water's edge. At 1200' it is the longest of its kind in the U.S. The section of the path under the Morrison Bridge is ridiculously loud, but the Echo Gate always reminds my boys and I of the stone archway where Sirius meets his fate in Harry Potter, Book 5. There is public art along the way and markers indicating Portland's neighborhoods and a few facts about the river. My favorite spot is as you approach the Hawthorne Bridge. The Fire Department building is flanked (some may say dominated) by majestic willow trees. Seeing the bridge from that vantage point never ceases to make me smile. You can also take a break from your stroll by sitting on one of the benches or alongside the statue of former mayor, Vera Katz. On the dock below, you will regularly see dragon boat teams preparing for a paddle as well as firefighters doing rescue drills. If you are on your bike, you can continue south along with path which connects to the Springwater Corridor, past OMSI, for a longer outing. Some of the best things in life, and in Portland, are free. Whether you are visiting the city for the first time or have lived here for ages, treat yourself to walk on the Eastside. read more

So pretty :)) the scooter and bike rental options make it such a wonderful place to spend a sunny day. You can download the BIKETOWN app on your phone and there are always a bunch of bikes around you can very cheaply rent. I rode around a little less than an hour and ended up getting a totally free ride. I love the views of Portland. I stopped so many times to admire the beautiful scenery. If you're hungry, there's a bunch of restaurants and cafes to check out too. Must visit if you want to experience the city! read more

I am really into city skylines. After following an Instagram account on Portland, Oregon, I had to see some of the beautiful views of the city! I Yelped, "City skyline" and the Eastbank Esplanade popped up. I came here on my last day in Portland, when it was snowing. It was a pretty busy area for runners. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! I ideally wished I saw the city skyline at night, but it's still very breathtaking in the daytime. I would probably sit down and just enjoy the city skyline, but my friend and I were on a time crunch. Plus, I wasn't wearing enough layers to protect myself from the weather. I'm a California girl and it took awhile to adapt to the weather, heeeeey. I love the cold though! I just started to become numb and lost all feeling. COME HERE! If you are into city skylines. It's a beautiful scene of the city. Great place for all the photographers out there. read more

Eastbank Esplanade - It snowed!! - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

7-4-2014 Portlandia Fireworks Display. Been coming to this area every 4th of July for years now and I like it a lot. It can get a bit crowded but I know some good spots and have always had a great view. A Brass Band has been showing up for a few years now and they make it an even better night. The Display is and always has been awesome! read more

Lots of a great space to cycle or walk. Beautiful views of the city.I do wish the highway wasn't right there as that would add to the public space. read more

According to the website describing things to do in Portland, OR, the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade is 1.5 miles long, extending north from the Hawthorne Bridge, past the Morrison and Burnside Bridges, to the Steel Bridge with connections to eastside neighborhoods as well as across the river to Tom McCall Waterfront Park downtown. This is really an ideal alternative to walking, bike riding and running on the actual streets of Portland as you can travel quite a distance without the hindrance of traffic, lights, congestion and can provide relief from that and still get to where you are going. This is an awesome addition! I am impressed! On my most recent visit over Thanksgiving, I came in search of the statue of Vera Katz, and some sights as I used to live nearby. I am impressed with the upgrades done in this area. Truly, it is much improved from when I lived close-in SE Portland. I am amazed. This trail, where you can bike, walk, run, look at the views on the other side of the river, I imagine this is the perfect spot for viewing of fireworks on the 4th of July, New Years, and for the Rose Festival. Spectacular! read more

See all

I have long enjoyed walking the river walk. I usually cross the Hawthorne bridge then walk the other side to the Steele bridge then walk back on the west side, The Esplanade side especially has great views of downtown, some art. If you walk stop and read the signs they tell you about how this area used to be. Today the path is varied, some paved and some on metal mesh. Just off the north side of the Hawthorne bridge is a forestation that also has Portland's fire boats. After that on your left (heading north) you will see a bench with a statue of Vera Katz, the former mayor who the Esplanade is named after, Its formal name is the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. The walk is a bit noisy as it runs alongside the freeway not to mention the crowds. Still I have often taken out of town guests and they are always impressed, read more

See all

This can be a very enjoyable walk or a very aggravating walk, depending on when you go. If you are like me and you hate being buzzed by skateboarders and bicyclists, navigating around those God-awful double-wide strollers, and the worst of the worst those double-wide bicycle contraptions (there is a special place in hell for whoever invented that thing), avoid going on the weekend during mid-day. Weekends are when the Portland Saturday Market is in business and that only adds to the crowds and the mayhem. If you are not like me, then you should enjoy it very much on the weekend. I've found that weekdays and early mornings are the best time to do this walk. It affords lovely views of our beautiful city and you are more likely to find some serenity as you stroll along. You'll still encounter the occasional cyclist, jogger or other walkers but the environment is much more peaceful. Namaste. 2016 - Review # 35 read more

The bf and I walked across Tilikum bridge from the west side of Portland, then rented bikes via biketown bike share on the east side and biked along the East Bank Esplanade all the way back around to the west side via another bridge. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!! We also biked around a bit on the west side near downtown but the east bank esplanade side was my favorite! It is so beautiful and scenic. It provides such a nice view of the 'Portland skyline' and the path itself is ideal for bikers, runners, walkers, etc. There were plenty of stops along the way where I wanted to stop & take a photo. It's just breath-taking. We biked around on a Wednesday, early afternoon and there weren't too many ppl on the path which was super ideal for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of Portland! read more

See all

It took us more than 5 years in Portland to discover this beautiful place. We always went to the waterfront from the westside, but from the eastside, it's a totally different experience. It's a long walkway (extending from Hawthorne bridge on the south, crossing Morrison and Burnside bridges and ending at Steel bridge on the north). But I think the best part is between Morrison and Burnside. We parked in a shady lot close to Hawthorne bridge (just next to OMSI parking) and walked from there to some point beyond Burnside and then back. The initial parts around Hawthorne had some weirdness going on- won't be comfortable being there alone. But as soon as we hit Morrison, we started seeing the beautiful elements of the walkway, lots of pedestrians, bikers etc. Just around Burnside, there is a unique lovely floating walkway. This is just a wonderful place for a walk or a bike run. read more

See all

Sometimes, the best views of a downtown are from the outside looking in; thats one thing I love about the Eastbank Esplanade. Another fact, it's not as crowded as the waterfront can be sometimes. Can take your time, walk and bike the length of it. Easy connections to the bridges, (if you want to cross over into downtown, or get out for a break). Lighting along the Esplanade is good at nights. Moderate enough bike traffic to feel safe too. Glad this exists. read more

See all

What a view! You can see all of downtown Portland from here with such sweeping views. The colors make a stunning background, and there weren't really a ton of people, so we had free reign of the place. read more

See all

This is one of the greatest views of the city. You can walk along the entire east side of the Willamette River (with the soft white noise of the highway in the background). At one part the path becomes a floating bridge/path. Overall: great for walking, watching fireworks, and hardcore bikers read more

Eastbank Esplanade - From the Portland Parks and Recreation website - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I decided that I wanted to go for a nice leisurely walk along the river. I didn't really pick the best day because it started snowing and raining. Of course I would pick the first snow of the season to do an outdoor activity. I took the bus that lets you off on the Hawthorne bridge. I walked to where the boat docks/fire station are. Then I walked down to the dock, took in the sights and breathed in the nice crisp air. The river was flowing fast but it was so calm and relaxing just standing there. You get a lovely view of the Hawthorne bridge and some of the Portland skyline. It's a beautiful sight to take in. I walked across the Hawthorne bridge then had to call it a day because I couldn't feel my toes or fingers. I will have to come back on a day with nicer weather so I can actually walk all around. read more

See all

The Eastbank Esplanade is one of the best parts of downtown Portland. I can't imagine what the eastside was like without it. It really is a great multi-purpose "park" and another shining example of what makes Portland the town that it is. Stretching from the Steel Bridge south to OMSI, the Esplanade is a great spot for walking, biking, running, skateboarding, or people watching. It provides mostly unrestricted views of downtown and the Willamette river for almost the entire length. It's a great place to spend a quiet morning at sunrise, or a beautiful evening. Or, really, any time. The only real drawback is that it runs right next to the freeway, and can be awfully noisy. Especially south of the Burnside Bridge. But considering the alternatives, I can put up with the noise. The esplanade is THE place to see the firework show that Portland puts on throughout the summer. With the long open views, as long as you show up a little early there's no problem getting a front row seat. read more

Eastbank Esplanade - The Eastbank Esplanade provides the best views of Portland over the Willamette - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

There are 141 photos of Eastbank Esplanade but none of them, so far, have any photographs of people drumming, which is an activity promoted as being there. Too disorganized. A large reason for that is the large number of homeless people in the park. Locals, who pass through, are running, cycling, skateboarding, walking, going to the swimming areas, or riding a battery-driven conveyance. They don't really linger to listen to drums. Mostly, the drum circle entertains the homeless on Sundays, starting at least by nine PM. read more

TIME: Fourth of July SETTING: Eastbank Esplanade CHARACTERS: V Clan, including Pa V, Ma V, Me V, and Baby V BABY V: Remember when I was little? ME V: You mean yesterday? BABY V: Shut up! Guh! Anyway, I was gonna say do you remember when I was little and I hated fireworks? PA V: Yes, we would look for parking during all the holidays with fireworks. And they would start and then not a minute later, you would be crying and ready to go. That was fun. ME V: I remember that! MA V: You were worse! You and your asthma. We didn't get to leave the house on any Fourth of Julys with you. BABY V: And you never got a dog because they made you sick. ME V: Oh right. BABY V: Deep burn! If you can imagine being my parents, dealing with those types of dilemmas for two kids spaced out eleven years in age, then count how many pyrotechnic displays they've been deprived of as a result. Yeah, it's a big sum. There's no way I can make up for a lot of the stuff I pulled both willfully and without trying back in the day. So it was a very real source of pride to take the family, minus Kate V, here last July. It's already such a strong recipe to present to any visitor: Portland at one of its warmest points in the year, a big juxtaposition of manmade and natural landmarks, everyone oohing and ahhing at the colors in the sky with newly rejuvenated eyes. How can you look back on a moment like that with any feeling other than fondness? It totally made up for the lack of dog. read more

Ever want to hang out with famed former mayor Vera Katz? Well, you can. She spends her post-mayoral days sitting motionless down on the Eastbank Esplanade. It's a 1.5 mile long stretch of walkway down by the river in the core of the Eastside waterfront and a great place to walk, ride, commute or sleep under the bridge (if you're homeless). The esplanade offers commanding views of the downtown skyline across the river which are especially epic around sunset time. It's a great place to hang out. use caution at night, for there are some CHUD's that roam the area... Especially near the nexus of the esplanade and the Hawthorne bridge. But otherwise, a solid family-friendly active public space in the city. Brings your camera.you'll be glad you did. read more

I'm sunburnt. I'll repeat this for those who are reading in other cities...I live in Portland, and I have been burnt by the SUN. And it's all because we have this absolutely beautiful 1.5 mile pedestrian and bicycle path along the east bank of the Willamette river where you just can't help but stop and take in a few deep "Gosh, I just love this city" breaths. Whether day or night, this park provides picture perfect views of the city, (and from personal experience, late night wine and cheese dates on the dock are a divine way to enjoy it.) This is an absolute must do for out of town guests, exercise fiends, or kids. Start at the Steel bridge and work your way all the way down to OMSI...or if you're crazy like myself, continue on to a 30 mile bike ride along the Springwater Corridor. On a day like today, I could easily be convinced that there are more people on foot or bikes then in cars...yet somehow I never mind this kind of traffic. read more

Some might think that the Eastbank Esplanade is the poor sister to it's Willamette-side sister across the river. Others might not even know it's here to be enjoyed. And when you throw in a Steel and Hawthorne Bridge crossing, this is one fine loop to people watch, admire local arts, watch cherry trees in seasonal bloom, enjoy the views, and work off all those fine Portland meals. The floating walkway (and public dock) is pretty cool too. read more

My favorite spot in PDX to go what i'll loosely refer to here on out as "jogging" (really fast walking with frequent short sprints; i have large assets and bad knees and my frame really can't handle the normal person's version of jogging). It's close to the water, making for a peaceful setting. A peaceful setting scattered with bums, but that is okay. It's Portland. Beautiful up close shot of downtown, which is probably why there's always photographers here taking pictures of people and the like. It's less crowded than the westside waterfront. I've been "jogging" here for about a year now on and off, it's a great way to shock my body from it's normal gym routine. ALSO.....sprinting up and down the stairs at the end of the Esplanade, right by the Steel Bridge, is pretty fantastic. I bet you guys haven't sprinted bleachers since high school, right? This is what you've been missing since junior varsity track. LASTLY......i apologize for my bouncing tits when "jogging" down here. They are obnoxious, in need of a second sports bra, and i've offended a few "hot moms" with strollers on the Esplanade. Sorry. Go buy me a new sports bra at Ross/Target/whatever and we'll fix this. read more

I love this addition to Downtown Portland! This thoughtfully designed and well-maintained footpath runs along the East side of the Willamette River. The path runs from OMSI to the Steel Bridge. You will find interesting signs and statues along the way, but I'm sure what you'll love most are the breathtaking views of the city. Not once have I traveled the path and failed to see someone with a camera snapping photos because its so darn beautiful. You can cross over any of the bridges onto the West Side. This is a must-see for newcomers to Portland or visiting guests. Its great for walking or cycling but I love it for running!! This way I can run loops around the Willamette River and enjoy the stunning scenery the entire time! read more

I love our fair city. I love that we have hills and rivers and bridges and tall buildings and old houses, which makes Portland a delight to show off. To put it simply, Portland is oozing with charm. It's easy to take tourists around and pridefully show them all that is amazing about our Northwest gem. The Eastbank Esplanade truly captures what a beautiful city we live in. The Esplanade is readily accessible to me from my house making a bike ride/run/walk/bike ride really fast, convenient and highly enjoyable. The variety of the path, the easy connection to Waterfront Park, the view of multiple bridges, and the stretch of skyline makes this path thrilling all the way around. I love that the Esplanade leads to all Portland quadrants; you can even access the Springwater Corridor and bike to Sellwood (home of the amazing Sock Dreams). Our city mixes big city perks with small town magnetism and the Eastbank Esplanade is the perfect example of this blissful marriage. It's a lovely spot to walk around with a date, your significant other or your lifelong companion. With the floating walkway, bronze statues, art sculptures and vista points, the Esplanade will make you fall in love with Portland and possibly with your promenade partner, whether it's your first time or your hundredth. read more

What can I say, but WOW! Took the dogs (and ourselves) for a nice walk around the city and back across the East Bank Esplanade. It's quite a long walk to do the entire circle, but well worth it. The views of the city from that side of the river are phenomenal. It wasn't the warmest of days, so being right on the water made the need for a hat and gloves almost a requirement. I can't wait to return in the summer. BUT... I'm having a HUGE issue with the bikes. I know we're supposed to be this great bike friendly city and all, but come on. These "walk" ways were not created with enough room to have bikers zipping around, in and out of the pedestrians. More than one time did we nearly get hit by someone going WAY TOO FAST. What should have been a lovely stroll around the city turned into a constant battle to make sure we were out of the way, having to look both ways (on a "WALK" way) to make sure we weren't going to be hit from behind to just be able to cross over to read the signs or enjoy the art. Hopefully something can be done to fix this problem before someone gets hit and hurt, or even killed. I would be cautious taking children and pets. read more

For bicyclists and pedestrians, the Eastbank Esplanade is one of the most well-used and loved green spaces on the East Side. On any given day there are tons of cyclists and joggers making use of this spacewhich hugs the river between the Steel Bridge and OMSI, and it is the logical connector between the Springwater Corridor and downtown. At one point the trail extends onto a floating bridge where you can get a close look of the Willamette, but watch out for the bumps where the grates are connected--they're a little scary when you're on your bike. read more

I love the Esplanade, especially for biking. It provides convenient access all along the east side of the Willamette river, and affords stunning and romantic views of downtown Portland if you feel like taking a break and pausing at one of the floating docks, or sitting at one of the many benches stationed along the way. Portland did a nice job of taking a highly urban space, and making it appealing and livable. Go over the lower part of the Steel bridge to quickly and easily get over the river to downtown. Interesting sculptures and historical signs are posted along the 1.5 mile path. read more

Eastbank Esplanade - Bike path, Eastbank Esplanade - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is our favorite place to stroll with the kid in the evening, for the following reasons: 1) EXCELLENT people-watching! 2) Awesome public art projects and sculptures 3) Smooth, paved path is perf for the stroller 4) Amazing view of downtown and our lovely bridges 5) Abundant and free parking nearby 6) Beautiful cherry trees that blossom in the spring! Sometimes, you can even catch a festival or event in the parking lot under the Hawthorne Bridge, near the Fire Station. We love the Esplanade. Way to go, Vera! read more

Such a great spot to see Portland's skyline by the waterfront! I came at night time during my last trip to PDX and the reflection of the lights on the water was incredible! Highly recommend stopping by to see this view! read more

Eastbank Esplanade - Amazing view! - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I spent quite a few hours here. Wonderful to watch the sun set behind the buildings. It's a great place to go for a long walk past all the bridges of Portland. If you're into night photography, it's a great place for that too. I was able to get some pretty epic shots of the buildings, bridges and boats reflecting on the water. Great place to hang out! As a girl as well, I felt very safe hanging out there into the night. read more

Eastbank Esplanade - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Mayor Katz (do you still call people "Mayor" after they're out of office? Like "President"?), I just want to tell you that this Esplanade was such a great idea. For so long we on the east bank looked longingly across the river, to those cyclists and runners and roller skaters all playing in the west bank sun and thought: "Why does the west get all the good views?" Now, we're set. It's so very pretty. And engineering access to the bridges was a stroke of genius. Divided city? No more. Although I still hardly ever go downtown. And with the Esplanade fulfilling my need for inner-city splendor, I really don't need to. My only concern, Mayor Katz, is your statue. You don't look so good. Maybe you should talk it over with the umbrella guy in Pioneer Square. We could really use some better public art. read more

Took the fam to the esplanade today. Started near OMSI went up to Morrison Bridge and back. Also went down to dock near the fire station to watch the river go by. Lovely walk. Even have porta potties along the way (this was next to a homeless camp, so I'm not sure who the potties are there for exactly, but I had to go, so I don't care). Statue of Mayer Katz welcomed us as we wandered by. As a family with young children it is nice there are places you can pull out of the flow of jogging/bike traffic and let the kids bounce around a little. read more

Top of the list for visitors: no matter what the weather. Great to job and see the down-to-earth skyline of Portland shift in the mist or the sun, and the activity on the river. Nice paths that lead up and down to the riverfront, picturesque for the photographer! read more