Washington Park

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Located on 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221-2760, Washington Park is just 2 miles downtown. The park is Portland’s home to museums, gardens, memorials, and more. The big trees and several picnic tables in full array at Washington Park make the area a perfect spot for a picnic with friends and family.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Washington Park. Check out these stunning and exciting destinations to visit the next time you’re in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo houses more than 2,600 animal species, including mountain goats, sea lions, Asian Elephants, and the king of the jungle himself – the lion. You are welcome any time of the year, whether in summer, winter, or Halloween. There is no wrong time to visit the Oregon Zoo.

Discovery Museum

When it comes to the forests, the Discovery Museum has been an iconic mark in Portland, Oregon, since 1971, when the park began its operations. If you’re a tree lover, there’s much more than sightseeing – you get to learn more about forest sustainability. One of the most refreshing pieces of nature within the park is the 10,000-pound stump of a Giant Sequoia tree that dates back up to 5 million years.

The Rose Garden

The Portland International Rose Test Garden is home to the oldest public rose test garden in the U.S., with over 10,000 roses. In addition to its wide array of flowers, the 4.5-acre ground also has a flower-themed gift shop. The rose garden is supremely located where visitors can get a picturesque view of the Portland city skylines.

Hoyt Arboretum

Staffers at Washington Park call it the living classroom. The 190-acre plot is home to a thousand species of plants. It’s so big that you’ll need a map to get around!

The Arboretum has full hiking trails and various exotic trees, from the weeping sequoias to the Chilean Monkey puzzle and magnolias.

The Vietnam Memorial of Washington Park

The Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial is a solemn site made of black granite inspired by the Washington DC Vietnam Memorial. The memorial has engraved over 800 names of Oregonians who died on the battlefield or went missing in action in Vietnam.

How To Get To The Park

There are four ways to get to Washington Park, by car, by bus, light rail, and free shuttle service.

The TriMet bus #63 is one way to get to Washington Park. The bus stops near the Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, and Oregon Zoo.

The Max light rail is another way to get into the park. The rail serves the World Forestry center discovery museum, Oregon Zoo, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Wildwood trailheads.

Visitors can also catch an accessible Explore Washington Park Shuttle, which stops at all major attractions in Washington Park, including Washington Park Max station. It runs daily from 9:30 in the morning till 7 pm.

You can also access the park with a vehicle. Take US 26W to exit 72 from downtown and follow the signs to the park. Park in the designated streets and lots.

Nearby Attractions

  • Pittock Mansion­- A 46-acre French Renaissance chateau built in 1914 for publisher Henry Pittock. A 5-minute drive from Washington Park. Go check it out
  • Portland Art Museum – Pass by the seventh oldest art museum in the US, founded in 1892. It’s less than a 10-minute drive from Washington Park.
  • Old Museum of Science and Industry – A museum in Portland with several permanent exhibits of natural sciences. An 8-minute drive from Washington Park.
  • Wildwood Trail – For lovers of trekking, Wildwood Trail is a 30-mile stretch within Washington Park.

Final Thoughts

Where else can you find a Zoo, an arboretum, a hiking trail, and a rose garden with a scenic view of the city? Only in Washington Park. Even critics agree that the park offers the best of Portland and perhaps the country at large. Be sure to pass by when you visit Oregon.

 

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