This was a find on the way to check out the Wildwood Crows. It's a museum that has interesting…read moreitems and Ouija boards themes. You buy your tickets and wait a few minutes to go behind a door. There was a group in front of us. So we waited a minute. Stepping inside was like another dimension. Everything was supernatural themes items. Clowns, werewolves and others. It was quite fun to explore and read about stuff. The front of the store has a lot of items too. Old couches and knick knacks. Old photos and more items. It's quite fun to have a break from Wildwood Crows hunting to explore this museum.

Very fun spot, if you are into "dark" stuff. I know for a fact that this place is haunted. I didn't…read morereally see any paranormal activity myself, but with the items they have on display......yeah, it's haunted. The temperature in the back area was cold, compared to the main entrance which appeared to be warmer. If you know the significance of cold rooms regarding paranormal activity, you know what I'm talking about. There were a lot of interesting displays and fun things to read. The place was not very big, but I still had a good time. The staff was great, the selection was as on pint and the value of place was legit. Check it out if you are into paranormal activity.

The Portland Art Museum sits directly in front of the South Park Blocks, a historic 12-block green…read morespace stretching through downtown Portland. It's a beautiful area within the Cultural District. The museum itself is easy to navigate, it's well-curated, and well-designed. There are several outdoor pavilions - the doors to which are contact free (you just wave to open them). My only complaint is the "All User" bathrooms which lack privacy and feel awkward to use. The Hockey exhibit is worth seeing - as is the Rothko collection, NW, and european collections. The Vancouver Art Museum may want to take note...

This is probably one of the best museums I've been to. I'm surprised it isn't rated higher! The…read moremuseum is large and features a cornucopia of visually stunning and creative art. My favorites were pieces of art creatively combining modern and traditional aesthetics.

We had some time between breakfast and when we had to get to the airport, and had decided to go to…read morethe Chinese Gardens which are located right in downtown. These gardens were an unexpected surprise, beautiful and peaceful. Loved the story of how Chinese artists/landscapers came here to build the gardens. Lots of hidden little areas, loss of koi, and bonsai trees. Beautiful setting. Only downside is that it is in Chinatown/Old Town which has more unhoused than other DT areas. We had gone first thing in the morning, after we ate breakfast. The gardens weren't quite open yet, but the employees saw us standing there and directed us to a coffee shop half a block down. Maybe if you go later in the day, there might be less unhoused. I definitely recommend making this a stop if you're in Portland, and you love gardens!

Lansu Chinese Garden is a Portland treasure. I try to visit for each of their celebrations to take…read morein its beauty and culture. I was just able to visit last week to celebrate Lotus Festival on the final day of guzheng performances by the amazing Lu Wen. I managed to get a Lotus seed bracelet in the gift shop before going in. Seeing the water covered in Lotus and waterlilly blooms as coy are swimming around and dragonflies are dancing through the air was the reset I needed. I was so sad to hear that the teahouse no longer carries the Lotus mooncakes, as I'm that one person who isn't a fan of red bean. I did get a Lotus pie which, the delicious is not quite the same. I am ordering anyone who reads this to get an almond cookie because they're incredible! Unless, of course you have nut allergy... though they are good enough that it might be worth the hospital visit... just saying.... If you are new to this space - make sure you have time to spend. Take a lot of breaks to just sit and look up and around you... there are hidden treasures everywhere from tiny plants to carvings. Soak it all in. There are a lot of activities throughout every year. They're very welcoming to everyone, including those of us who qualify for Arts for All (I just discovered from their staff that AFA folks can get an annual membership for $20!) but entrance is $5 for you. Many times you can bring a friend, sometimes more for very discounted rate - special events are more and sometimes not. Their website usually has really great information or make a phone call. But they are also very accommodating for ADA and are happy to assist with questions or helping out.

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.

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!

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.

This museum is really a hidden gem. If you have a few hours, it's a great way to learn about the…read morehistory of Chinese Americans in Portland. They have a nice exhibit showing the early immigration of Chinese to Oregon and the evolution of Chinatown. At one time, the Portland Chinese community was one of the largest in the US. At this museum, they do an excellent job of walking through that history. Our family really enjoyed it. If you go, you should check the hours first. They're not open every day.

I felt like PCM was a little secret, just a block from the Lan Su gardens, This small but sweet…read moremuseum is packed with tons of information about Portland Chinatown. Their exhibit on the early immigration of Chinese to Oregon is very well done and shouldn't be missed. At the time of my visit, I was also lucky enough to see the Wing K. Leong exhibit which included beautiful sumi paintings and calligraphy. If you're in the area, this museum should be on your radar.

I hadn't heard of Respaldiza before. I love the bright colors and use of maps in her work. It's so…read moregood! I'm looking forward to the new exhibit coming to the Portland's Miniature Museum in May.

The cutest little hidden museum right on my dog walk route! Is it a miniature museum or a museum of…read moreminiatures? I'll take either!

Pittock Mansion viewpoint is absolutely stunning and a place that makes you just stop and stare for…read morea second (or ten). Perched above Portland, it gives you that sweeping city + mountain view that feels almost unreal on a clear day. Fun fact: the mansion was built in 1914 for Henry and Georgiana Pittock, and it played a big role in Portland's early publishing history. Another fun one... it was nearly destroyed in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm but was fully restored, which feels very fitting for something this iconic. Gorgeous, peaceful, and 100 percent worth the stop.

This place is a MUST SEE when visiting Portland! I was shocked by how special and beautiful the…read moremansion and grounds were. If you are interested in interior decor/architecture/history the self guided tour of the mansion is a must! The spaces were beautiful and I learned so much about Portland. The organization who runs the house has done an amazing job maintaining and displaying this magical home. The grounds are also incredible (and free, although parking is paid), and worth seeing just for the view. The gardens are maintained by UofO gardening students and they have done a great job. All together I think we spent about $60 to see the tour and the gardens and it was well worth it. The staff was knowledgeable and loved talking about the homes and the residents! I also appreciate the tour being self guided so we could go at our pace.

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.