Portland, also known as ” the city of roses,” is a beautiful city with so much to offer. Whether it’s entertainment, events, cuisine, attractions, shopping, outdoor activities, culture, fair climate or even more! One of the most common and fun places to go to is the Washington Park.
This park features five beautiful and useful attraction sites that actually make a difference in the world.
1) The Portland Japanese Garden
The Japanese garden was established in 1963 as sign of peace and togetherness between rivals in the second world war. This is evidently shown by the five separate gardens, designed differently and operating consistently in the same grounds, which depicts a sense of peace.
The Japanese garden is a beautiful, well-kept sanctuary in the West Hills of Portland. It is said to be among the most authentic gardens outside Japan. During spring the garden is luscious and green, and when it’s fall season, the is garden is divine and colorful. It consists of small flowing streams, still ponds, a waterfall, well-made pathways with majestic stairways and enchanting bridges, not forgetting the Japanese tea house and the magnetic view of Mount Hood. Indeed paradise and nature at it’s best.
If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful and memorable nature experience, this is definitely the place for you.
2) Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is a community supported zoo inhabited by more than 2300 animals and various plantations. It was first opened in the year 1888 after an independent animal compiler donated his animals to Portland city. It’s one of the most popular and most paid attractions in Portland.
Not only is the Oregon Zoo well-known for animal preservation, but also for their elephant breeding program which has contributed massively in the pioneering of elephant research.
The zoo is home to animals such as Allen’s swamp monkeys, American black bears, Bobcats, cougars, lions, cheetahs, caracals, hippopotamus, African wild dogs, Fish, Rainbow lorikeet , Flamingos, polar bears etc. It’s quite amazing, seeing and knowing more about this fascinating animals. Not mentioning the awesome concerts done at the zoo, during summer.
3) International Test Rose Garden
This is the oldest rose garden being run by the public. The idea to start an International Test Rose Garden was brought up by a group of nurserymen in Portland, 1917. The main reason it was started was to serve as a testing area, for roses from all around the world, and now currently covers over 10,000 rose bushes and 650 variations.
The roses blossom from April through October with the highest bloom taking place in June, that would probably be the best time to visit. The site itself is magnificent and the roses sure do fill the air with most amazing scents. The Rose garden amphitheater also hosts numerous events yearly, mainly classical music shows or sometimes plays.
4) Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum was set up in 1928 to protect species in danger of extinction and offers learning opportunities such as Children’s Programs and Tours & Self-guided Walks programs to the community. Which is great. It is said that in Hoyt every tree has a story to tell. This Arboretum is about 185 acres of land with endless species of plants, surrounded by flowers such as magnolia, dogwood and strikingly exotic trees such as weeping sequoias, White-barked Himalayan birch etc.
There’s a nice hiking trail too connecting to the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park. If you’re up for a little adventure of your own this is the place for you.
5) World Forest Center Museum
The World Forestry Center’s aim is to teach and enlighten people about the importance of trees and forests, so as to encourage and and ensure a better environmental future for every living thing in the world.
The foresty hall of fame honors people who have supported or donated to help with forestry. The memoirs and photos of almost 200 forestry leaders are exhibited in three chests made of black walnut from the Eastern USA.
