Enjoy one of Portland's beautiful outdoor spaces and hang out at Alberta Park. The park offers amenities and attractions like a basketball court, a soccer field, a baseball field, a tennis court, paved walking paths, and an off-leash dog area where pups can roam free. There's also a playground where the kiddos can run wild and picnic tables where everyone can hang out together.
The flora and fauna of the region is presented perfectly at the Audubon Sanctuary. Explore this 150-acre outdoor oasis through its four miles of hiking trails, where you'll see a variety of plant and animal life along the way. Features of the sanctuary include Balch Creek, and the Wildlife Care Center.
There's no better place to enjoy nature than at Portland's Forest Park, known as the nation's largest wooded city park. The park occupies over 5,000 acres and sits overlooking the beautiful Willamette River, providing a peaceful environment for hikers, bikers, and outdoor lovers in general.
See the natural beauty of Portland first hand at the Hoyt Arboretum. The arboretum was founded to conserve endangered species and wilderness. There are over 12 miles of trails that weave throughout the 187-acre expanse, offering you the perfect vantage point to observe the beauty of Oregon.
Smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden. The garden features walking paths throughout so you can walk through and see the wide variety of over 722 types of roses blooming here. This rose garden is located in Washington Park, so there's plenty to see and do here.
Enjoy being in the presence of nature at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Outdoor beauty and wildlife come together in a perfect presentation of beautiful, undisturbed Oregon landscape here at this 725-acre preserve. Here, you'll have the chance to spy otters, deer, beavers, geese, ducks and other animals thriving in their natural habitat.
Get a glimpse of Chinese culture and history through the natural attractions at Lan Su Chinese Garden. The garden is home to several beautiful plants including water lilies, begonias, roses, hibiscus, crape myrtle, and others. Lan Su also includes a teahouse that serves up a variety of teas like oolong, white tea, and herbal tea.
Indulge in the outdoor beauty found within the Leach Botanical Garden. The garden harbors a wide variety of native plants, including blooms that have been around since before the area was settled. If you want to dig a little deeper and get more insight to the garden's most beautiful flowers, take a look at the Botanical Library at Leach Garden.
The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is comprised of the wetlands on the east bank of the Willamette River. This preservation area stretches a little over 140 acres and provides several hiking and biking trails for those who want to explore nature and enjoy the great outdoors.
From Africa to Asian, the Amazon and beyond, explore the attractions at the Oregon Zoo. The animals here are housed in a variety of exhibits that replicate their natural habitat. On your journey through the zoo, you'll see animals like lions, zebras, rhinos, tigers, elephants, bears, and even dinosaurs. That's right, the Oregon Zoo is home to animatronic dinosaurs that bring the prehistoric creatures back to life.
Embark on a journey through the Portland Japanese Garden, hailed as “the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.” As you roam through, you'll find that there are five main gardens: Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, The Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and Sand and Stone Garden. Tranquility and lovely scenery are guaranteed here.
Escape the city for some fun on Sauvie Island. The island is large, boasting its own rivers, lakes, and islands, and its plentiful natural beauty has made it a popular destination for outdoor revelers. Sauvie Island has several areas for hiking and biking, and is also a great place to experience birdwatching, hunting, and fishing. On your way to the island be sure to look to the horizon to catch a pristine view of the Cascade Mountain Range, including Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Jefferson.
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.
Stop for a break from hustle and bustle at Tanner Springs Park. The park boasts paved walking paths, public art and statues, along with water features throughout. This lovely outdoor oasis occupies a little less than an acre of space, located between 10th Avenue and Marshall Street.
Whether you want to appreciate your love for nature or revel in your Catholic faith, The Grotto is the place to do it. The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, or The Grotto, is a Catholic shrine and a botanical garden. The 62-acre garden includes beautiful plants, several sculptures, and walking paths throughout.
Hang out in the middle of the city at Tryon Creek State Park. This park is the only state park in Oregon to be located within a metropolitan area, meaning you can experience fun outdoors without having to venture too far from the city. Hiking, biking, and nature walking are popular at this park.
Explore the habitat of some of Portland's native wildlife at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to a variety of creatures, including about 200 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 25 species of reptiles and amphibians. Be sure to check out the exhibits at the Wildlife Center to learn a little more about the wildlife you'll see as you venture through the outdoor preserve.
Family time just got a lot more scenic. Plan a day of fun at Waterfront Park. This park overlooks the Willamette River and features a walking path throughout. Along with its gorgeous views and blooming cherry blossom trees, the park is home to a number of important landmarks, including the Japanese American Historical Plaza.
Learn about forests and their impact on our environment at the World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum. Exhibits showcase the system and structure of forests throughout the world. There have been features on logging, the story of chocolate and the cacao tree, and the wildlife that calls the forest home, like bats and wildcats.