Went to Oregon Zoo and yeah... casually one of the oldest zoos in the country (opened in 1888... no…read morebig deal) just out here being stunning. It's sooo green, like full forest energy, and somehow none of the enclosures give that weird sad vibe... the animals actually look well taken care of. The red panda?? I was fully prepared to leave with a new personality trait after that... soooo cute it was almost too much. Also fun fact: they've been running a turtle conservation program for years where they "head start" baby northwestern pond turtles... basically raise them in a protected setup until they're big enough to not get eaten, then release them back into the wild. Over 1,500 turtles have been sent back out there, which is wild considering the species was almost gone at one point. Overall ... beautiful zoo, snacks everywhere, accidental education happened, had a great time.

My friend and I stumbled upon the Oregon Zoo during one of their Adults Only 21+ nights, which…read morehappen on Wednesdays after the zoo normally closes. One thing to keep in mind: they absolutely check IDs, so make sure you have yours with you because they will not let you in without it. The zoo itself is cute and pretty easy to cover in a little over an hour, especially during the adults-only event. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and spots to practice photography throughout the zoo, and it was nice being able to walk around without it feeling too crowded. There were also several food stands open, although my friend and I weren't really interested in what was being offered. My only real critique was that quite a few of the animals weren't out by the time we arrived. But honestly, I can't be too mad about that since we were visiting after their normal operating hours. The animals are obviously on a routine too, and I'm sure some of them were ready to call it a night! Overall, I had a great time and would definitely visit again, especially during regular business hours so I can see more of the animals. Still, for my first visit, it was pretty nice experiencing the zoo kid-free... and I'm not talking about baby goats!

Washington Park (in Oregon) is way more than a park -- it's mini attractions with the park -…read moreresidential area. So, within the "park", there's Oregon Zoo, Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Garden, and Children's Museum -- all require admission feee. The park and trails are free. Washington Park is hands-down one of the most incredible urban parks but I only had time to check out Portland Japanese Garden (separate review). I did walk the perimeter of the Hoyt ArboretumFor hikers and nature lovers, this is a gem.Washington Park has a free shuttle that loops around all the major attractions (seasonal). Parking can be a little tricky during peak times, so plan ahead or take public transit. The cool thing is getting around Washington Park -- there's free shuttle that's takes you to all these places within the park so you don't have to stress about limiting parking spots. Yelp Tip:There are plenty of quiet spots with tables and open lawns to relax between visits -- so do a picnic. Highly recommend carving out time in your Portland trip to explore it properly.

Huge forested park on the west side of the city. It's near our hotel and always beautiful…read more Trails and rose garden make this special. Places for kids to Play and families to picnic. Also, the new water retention pond is nearly finished and will provide a unique place for people enjoy the sounds of water and all for practical purposes while being aesthetically pleasing. Rose garden was in full bloom and had to Take some pics as usual. Definitely a great place to visit regardless of time of year.

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.

What to say? Well let's just say I couldn't think of one bad thing to say even if I tried. Would…read moredefinitely recommend!! Super fun activity for kids, teens any animal lover.

Lovely property, and the owners were very nice. We got to pet and feed lots of goats, and pet a…read morefantastic kunekune pig and feed two others. It was a wonderful experience. Oh! Almost forgot the tiny horses. We got to pet and brush them too. Adorable!

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.

OMSI is a museum that is full of natural sciences, physics, and innovation. Though very large with…read morea theater and planetarium, I'd heed the warnings from other Yelp reviews: this museum is for kids!! Not adults!! I truly didn't look at Yelp before buying tickets to the museum and a showing of the planetarium. My fiancé and I finished walking the museum in 30 minutes because it was full of children from camp. We weren't going to play or interact with the museums when children were there and it was sciences we already knew. I was saddened thinking it was a museum for adults. In addition, we absolutely bought the wrong tickets for the planetarium. We ended up at a KPOP Delon Hunters Laser Show. We didn't know what to expect. Whoever made the show did an exceptional job, but we wanted to see something that completely encompasses the entire planetarium. Ultimately, perfect for children. Not adults. The 4 stars is that it is still a great museum.... For children.

I think for the value of the Family Membership, OMSI gets 5 stars. Hot tip, purchase the year-long…read moremembership during Black Friday when it's 20% off and stretch your dollar even further! My kids can spend the whole morning or afternoon here. There's something for everyone, from toddlers to high schoolers, adults and beyond. I always learn something new here too. Bonus, mention that you're a member in the gift shop and get 10% off your purchase.

Amazing park that makes you feel so secluded and in the middle of nowhere. Towering trees crowd out…read morethe sun, so that only small golden rays can filter through and dapple the ground. Some parts of the trail cross streams. Birdsong fills air, and you can see occasional robins hopping on the trail, trying to find a snack. Tiny songbirds flit through the air. There are some inclines and slopes on some of the trails here, but nothing too bad. Take it in at your own pace. You can elect to just sit and soak in nature. Parking can be difficult to find at times, as this area is so popular due to its proximity to downtown, as well as being a beautiful experience! I highly recommend experiencing everything this park has to offer if you have the time.

I love coming to Forest Park when visiting Portland! There are many trails to choose from, it's…read morewell maintained, and there's a lot of signage, making it fairly easy to navigate around. I've come here a handful of times and have done some easy walks, as well as the more strenuous trek all the way up to Pittock Mansion. The observation deck is always a favorite stop too since it's such a pretty area. The whole park is very lush and seems to stay that way no matter the time of year. Not sure if all of the trails are dog friendly, but we have brought a dog on some and see lots of them throughout the park.

I sincerely hope the City of Roses will always have some iteration of our beloved Belmont Goats…read more This Portland institution is one of the most wholesome, wonderfully wacky, and community-minded attractions to bless our city. If you've never heard of the Belmont Goats, read on! Their story began years ago on a vacant lot on SE Belmont where the goats were originally brought in to clear brush. (Goats are really great at that - 50 goats can clear roughly one acre in 3-5 days) But what started as a practical land management solution, quickly bloomed into something much bigger. The public fell in love with these friendly goats! Over the years the goats have faced their fair share of struggles, but the public has banded together to ensure they always have a safe and reliable home. Because of this community support, the goats have done a fair bit of travel within the city. They left Belmont for several locations in Lents, then moved north to University Park, then made their way to a permanent home in St Johns at Pier Park. I just want to say "thank you" to all the volunteers who have contributed their time, donated money, and advocated for these sweet creatures over the years. The community that has been built around the Belmont Goats says a lot for Portlanders, and our shared appreciation for making our city a friendly and loving place. For the most up-to-date info on the goats, head to TheBelmontGoats.org where you'll find directions, hours, volunteer info, donation opportunities, etc. Pier Park is a fairly large complex, so be sure to use the exact address on North Iris Way. There is parking to the north of the goats, along the side of the street, as well as the community garden parking lot across the way.

I randomly found this gem while looking for things to do in Portland. I found parking on the street…read moreright outside of the street that The Belmont Goats were on as per the website to not park on that specific street. It's free, but donations accepted to help out with the goats. The people running the place were friendly and informative. I was able to pet and brush the goats. The goats were cute, and I enjoyed getting to spend some time with them. :)

As the oldest continuously operated rose test garden in the US, this stunning landmark perfectly…read morecaptures why Portland rightfully earned the title "City of Roses." It's a quintessential PNW experience that showcases an incredible blend of local history, horticulture, and scenic beauty. Admission to the garden is completely free, spanning over 4 acres and featuring more than 600 distinct rose varieties. Beyond the beautifully manicured rows of blooming roses, exploring the active testing grounds offers a glimpse into experimental roses being evaluated before potentially hitting commercial markets. It's a beautiful setting whether you're visiting for a photoshoot, a romantic date, or simply taking in a foundational aspect of Portland culture. Logistics Tip: Visiting on a weekday afternoon still draws massive crowds, making vehicle parking near the top lots difficult to secure. Plan to circle down towards the lower lots for open spots and pay via the Parking Kitty app.

International Rose Test Garden Portland's Rose-Colored Calling Card…read more This place goes from A to Z and apparently they're working on the whole alphabet of roses! More than 10,000 rose bushes and over 610 varieties fill the International Rose Test Garden, including some seriously beautiful colors and varieties you probably didn't even know existed. And yes, you'll even find roses that are so dark they look almost black. It's absolutely gorgeous. I happened to visit when Portland was putting on its best hot-and-muggy summer impression, and the garden was packed with tourists. But honestly, once you're surrounded by all those roses, the heat and crowds become part of the experience. The garden has been around since 1917 and was originally created as a safe haven for European roses during World War I. Today, it's the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, and new varieties are still tested here before they hit the market. The location is hard to beat, too. You're right in Washington Park, with the Portland Japanese Garden practically next door, the Oregon Zoo nearby, and plenty of trails and other attractions throughout the park. You can easily make a whole afternoon out of it without driving all over Portland. Best of all, the Rose Garden is free. If you're in Portland during the summer, stop and smell the roses literally. This is one of those places that reminds you why they call Portland the Rose City.

Fantastic experience here, that I would highly recommend. Kinda blew my mind that this place is…read moreonly located 15 minutes from Beaverton, which makes it super convenient. The alpaca's themselves are super fun. They are primarily food driven so don't expect too much love unless you are feeding them. BUT that being said if you are feeding them, prepare to be surrounded. They are increadibly friendly and SOOOO soft to pet. They do kick, and you are warned before hand not to pet them without them knowing to avoid situations like that.

The Alpacas were so wise, beautiful & perfect! The host was very informative and the gift shop was…read moreso cute! The best part was seeing the baby alpacas. Definitely a fun experience, I'd go back!