Sights in Portland
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Classical Chinese Gardens
The Classical Chinese Garden is a one-block haven of tranquillity, reflecting ponds and manicured greenery. Free tours are available with admission.
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Pittock Mansion
This grand and beautiful 1914 mansion was built by pioneer/entrepreneur Henry Pittock, who revitalized the Oregonian newspaper. Guided tours are available, but it's worth visiting the (free) grounds simply to have a picnic while taking in the spectacular views.
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Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
This excellent museum offers hands-on science exhibits for kids, along with other temporary exhibits. There's also an Omnimax theater, planetarium shows and a submarine tour (all separate charge). Parking is $2.
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Oregon Zoo
In summer, ride the Zoo Train from the rose gardens to this excellent zoo. There's a primate house, a 'penguinarium' and plenty of specialty exhibits. Enclosures are spacious and semi-natural, and big-name music concerts take place on the zoo's lawns in summer.
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Hoyt Arboretum
Twelve miles of trails wind through this 187-acre ridgetop garden above the zoo. It's home to over 1000 species of both native and exotic trees, and offers easy walks any time of year.
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Pearl District
Slightly to the northwest of downtown, the Pearl District is an old industrial quarter that has transformed its once grotty warehouses into expensive lofts, upscale boutiques and creative restaurants. On the first Thursday of every month, the zone's abundant art galleries extend their evening hours and the area turns into a fancy street party of sorts. The Jamison Square Fountain is one of its prettier urban spaces.
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Shanghai Tunnels
Running beneath Old Town's streets is this series of underground corridors through which, in the 1850s, unscrupulous people would kidnap or 'shanghai' drunken men and sell them to sea captains looking for indentured workers. Tours run Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30pm and 8pm. Book online.
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park
This popular riverside park, which lines the west bank of the Willamette River, was finished in 1978 after four years of construction. It replaced an old freeway with 2 miles of paved sidewalks and grassy spaces, attracting heaps of joggers, in-line skaters, strollers and cyclists. During the summer, the park is perfect for hosting outdoor events like the Oregon Brewers Festival. Walk over the Steel and Hawthorne bridges to the Eastbank Esplanade, making a 3-mile loop.
Salmon Street Springs Fountain, on Salmon St near the river, cycles through computer-generated patterns. On hot days, kids (and adults) take turns plunging through the jets. North of the Burnside Bridge is…
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Portland Building
This notoriously controversial 15-story building was designed by Michael Graves and catapulted the postmodern architect to celebrity status. People working inside the blocky, pastel-colored edifice, however, have had to deal with tiny windows, cramped spaces and a general user-unfriendliness. The Portland Building suffered from major design flaws that later proved very costly to fix. Not a great start for what was considered to be the world's first major postmodern structure; at least it's been made somewhat green with an eco roof installed in 2006.
Towering above the main doors of the Portland Building is Portlandia, an immense statue of the Goddess of Commerce,…
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Velveteria
Truly unique is the Velveteria, a treasure trove full of stunning velvet paintings that will make you appreciate the art form; don't miss the 'nudes' room. It's run by a wacky couple who have been combing thrift stores and estate sales for years.
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Portland Art Museum
Just across the park, the art museum's excellent exhibits include Native American carvings, Asian and American art, and English silver. The museum also houses the Whitsell Auditorium, a first-rate theater that frequently screens rare or international films.
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Oregon Historical Society
Along the tree-shaded South Park Blocks sits the state's primary history museum, which dedicates most of its space to the story of Oregon and the pioneers who made it. There are interesting sections on Native American tribes and the travails of the Oregon Trail. Temporary exhibits furnish the downstairs space.
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World Forestry Center
Informs the public about the importance of the world's forests.
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Children's Museum
Parents can also seek solace at the nearby Children's Museum, a great place to keep kids busy with interesting learning activities and exhibits.
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International Rose Test Garden
These gardens practically gave Portland its 'Rose City' nickname. They sprawl across five acres of manicured lawns, fountains and flowerbeds, and on a clear day you can catch peeks of downtown and Mt Hood. Over 500 rose varieties grow in the permanent gardens, including many old and rare varieties. From April through September the scent and colors are intoxicating. Call ahead for tours.
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Saturday Market
The best time to hit the river walk is on a weekend to catch the famous market, which showcases handicrafts, street entertainers and food carts.
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Jamison Square Fountain
For simple pleasures, visit the Jamison Square Fountain, which attract splashing kids.
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Chinatown Gates
The pagoda-style Chinatown Gates is impressive.
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Voodoo Doughnut
There's nothing quite like this standing-room-only, downtown hole-in-the-wall (pun intended). It bakes up creative, sickly sweet treats – go for the surprisingly good bacon maple bar or the 'voodoo doll' (shaped like a…well, yes). Also at 1501 NE Davis.
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Vaux Swifts
Every September, tens of thousands of these little birdies roost in Chapman Elementary School's old brick chimney. Seeing them spiral down in their multitudes, right at sunset, is an unforgettable sight.
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Trek in the Park
Are you a Star Trek fan visiting Portland on a weekend in July? Then you must not miss Trek in the Park, which features a local theater company putting on a famous Star Trek episode from the original series. It's well-done and hilarious; go early to score a good seat.
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South Park Blocks
Two important museums flank the South Park Blocks, the 12-block–long greenway that runs through much of downtown. The blocks themselves are a fine leafy refuge from downtown's bustle, and host a farmers market and occasional art shows.
The Oregon Historical Society is the state's largest historical museum, and includes a research library (with limited hours).
Across the park, the excellent Portland Art Museum has an especially good collection of Asian and Native American art. Upstairs galleries contain a small international collection, and blockbuster exhibits are mounted regularly.
At the southern end of the South Park Blocks is Portland State University, the city's…
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Sauvie Island
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Saturday Market & Skidmore Fountain
Victorian-era architecture and the lovely Skidmore Fountain give the area beneath the Burnside Bridge some flair. Hit it on a weekend to catch the Saturday Market, a fun outdoor crafts fair with street entertainers and food carts.
Beside the fountain is the New Market Theater, built in 1871 as Portland's first theater for stage productions. It's now home to shops and restaurants.
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Rose Garden Arena
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