See a little piece of literature that's been brought to life and immortalized at the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden. The sculptures here were created in the likeness of Cleary's most beloved characters, Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and the Huggins' dog Ribsy. The statues are complete with fountains that create a fun environment to play, and also feature plaques with the titles of Cleary's Portland-based stories.
Check out a concert at Portland's Wonder Ballroom. This entertainment venue brings live music to its stage several times a month. Metric, Tiger Army, Citizen Cope, The Wailers, Hot Hot Heat, and The Wallflowers are just a few bands who've performed here. After the show, head to the Under Wonder Lounge, the venue's basement cafe. The cafe serves up some good food and tasty cocktails.
Appreciate the life of the outdoors as you take in the sights at the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. As America's largest protected urban wetland, this natural area is home to animals like beavers, river otters, bald eagles, turtles, osprey and more. While Bybee Lake serves as a preserve, Smith Lake is a popular destination for light water recreation like fishing or canoeing.
The Portland Rose Festival is an annual event that brings over one million guests out to experience it. The festival features three parades, a large number of vendors, several contests, live entertainment, fireworks and much more. See what all the buzz is about, and why this event has been part of the city's culture since 1907.