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!

What a beautiful hidden gem in the middle of a neighborhood in Portland…read more This is a little sweet piece taken out of Scandinavian children's books in the heart of Portland. Great artwork made by the artist. You actually feel disconnected from the US and in another country. Cute short walk around the houses and the Troll sculpture made of recycled wood. The place also has a small coffeeshop and if you are interested in connecting with Scandinavian community there is a lot of information there.

We are huge fans of Thomas Dambo's trolls so whenever we're near one it's pretty much a guaranteed…read morestop. Ole Bolle definitely stands out for me as one of the more whimsical Dambo experiences. You follow a path into the woods and then all of a sudden you spot this giant troll lifting the roof off a tiny house like he's trying to sneak a peek inside. It's such a fun scene and you can't help but smile. You can actually go inside the Little House and look up at Ole Bolle from a completely different perspective. This it makes the sculpture feel more immersive than some others we have seen. The setting is also beautiful and the wooden trail makes you feel like you've wandered into a fairy tale. There are shaded picnic tables nearby if you want to sit and relax for a while. There is also a nice spot at the beginning of the trail to have a good lunch that I just reviewed as well. This place will make you feel like a kid again and I definitely recommend a visit.

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

One of the iconic things about Portland is the white stag sign that sits just across a bridge that…read morelights up the sky at night. It is used in so many shots to depict Portland that while in the area though raining, I had to get some up close photos. Thankfully, the bridge wasn't busy so Ben was able to drive pretty slow as I took picture after picture while we got closer. After a little while, I told him to just stop the car and let me out and I'd walk the rest of the way to avoid anything getting in the view of my pictures. There was a small little pull off (kinda) that I told him to wait for me at right at the end of the bridge. I love these types of things, unique and distinctly Portland.

IT'S A PORTLAND TREASURE! You could spend as few as 20 minutes or as long as an hour or more if you…read morewant to look at everything & read all the stuff. There's a greatmust-do selfie -- hanging off a building (spoiler: not really ) and lots of other peculiaria. I think they don't charge admission if you show up in costume, but that may no longer be true?

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.

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.

We had a lovely day to visit the Japanese Garden. There is a good amount of walking with stairs…read more(sometimes steep) so if that's not easy for you this might be a challenge. There was a shuttle available to get you up to the top if needed. We had an iced tea at the beautiful Umami Cafe - both the honey lavender spice and the Mugicha were absolutely delicious. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. Sitting out on the patio was lovely. We kind of wandered the gardens in a big circle. My favorite area was the natural garden. The view of Mt. Hood from the pavilion observation deck was a nice bonus. I think to make the most of your experience you should plan to just meander and enjoy nature, and take your time. It's not a huge property, so you can take time to really soak it all in and still cover it all. We also walked through the rose gardens before we left. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was very challenging to find parking - we parked about a 1/2 mile down the road past the playground, so it was a bit of a hike. By the end of our visit many spots had opened up closer to the garden entrance.

Serene and beautiful area to pray, meditate and leave your worries…read more Parking & entrance is free to grotto. If you want to experience the garden and statues that is located on the cliff above, there is a $12 fee for entrance. Very helpful and cheerful young man inside the visitors center where you can learn more about the grotto and purchase candles to leave at the grotto alter. #BayArea (lol he was very knowledgeable about the bay )

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.