J & S
Things To Do
OMSI
One of the nation’s leading science museums, OMSI is 219,000 square feet of brain-powered fun. Five enormous halls bring science to life with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays. You can experience an earthquake, take part in live lab demonstrations, see a movie in the Empirical Theater, explore the universe in a world-class planetarium, and even tour a real submarine. Located on the east bank of the Willamette River. Open daily; admission charged.
Powell's City of Books
From humble storefront beginnings in 1971, Powell’s has grown into a Portland landmark and one of the world’s great bookstores. Covering an entire city block, Powell’s City of Books contains more than 1 million books in 3,500 different sections. Get a cup of joe at the in-store coffee shop, grab a map to the nine color-coded rooms, and lose yourself in the largest independent used and new bookstore on Earth. Definitely one of the best things to see in Portland! Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 365 days a year; free.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A year-round wonder, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is an authentically built Ming Dynasty-style garden. Covered walkways, bridges, pavilions, and a richly planted landscape frame a picturesque lake in this urban oasis built by artisans from Portland’s sister city of Suzhou. Public and audio tours are available, and the garden’s teahouse serves light snacks and traditional teas. Lan Su hosts many events, including a two-week Chinese New Year celebration and summer concerts. Open daily; admission charged.
Pittock Mansion
High in the West Hills of Portland, Pittock Mansion soars 1,000 feet above the city’s skyline. A century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city, it’s an architectural wonder. Not just great tourist attraction in Portland; locals enjoy it too. With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges, and mountaintops — and 23 storied rooms teeming with treasures — no other place in town offers a more breathtaking view or a more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past. Open daily; admission charged.
International Rose Test Garden
Portland’s International Rose Test Garden is the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world enjoy the sights and scents of the gardens. One of the special places to visit in Portland. The garden’s spectacular views and more than 8,000 roses make it one of the city’s most notable signature landmarks. Located in Washington Park. The best rose-viewing months are May-September. Open daily; free.
Portland Japanese Garden
In the scenic hills above Washington Park, the Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty that has been proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Encompassing 5.5 acres and five separate garden styles, the garden includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood. Guided tours are included with the cost of admission. Open daily; admission charged
Portland's 4T Trail Loop
Looking for a great way to spend a Saturday? Or any other day? Experience an adventure on Portland’s Famous 4T Trail Loop — where a trail, a tram, a trolley and a train combine for a one-of-a-kind, multi-modal way to enjoy Portland, Oregon, one of the nation’s most walkable cities!
Hood River Fruit Loop
About an hour away from Portland, a unique rural farm experience awaits you in the beautiful Hood River Valley, where you will encounter 30 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and fields of flowers. The Hood River Valley has a rich agricultural heritage, beginning with the planting of the first fruit trees in 1855, resulting in 14,500 acres of pears, apples, and cherries that cover the valley today. Wander down the 35 miles of scenic country roads on your self-guided tour and create great adventures with family and friends, while exploring the abundance of farm products grown in the valley. Enjoy a self-guided tour of our Fruit Loop Stands along a scenic 35-mile loop in the Hood River Valley.