Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Portland, Oregon

Last Updated on June 13, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Portland is known as the City of Roses. You step out of place and is welcomed by the state's serene beauty, full of lush trees that seem to welcome you with its irresistible green beauty.

This natural getaway Portland vacation is filled with some of the best tourist destinations in the United States, and you would not run out of Portland activities to keep you on your toes.

So here is our list of top 10 tourist attractions in Portland, Oregon.

Things To Do in Portland

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1: Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Flickr/tracenmatt
Tom McCall Waterfront Park sits on over 36 acres of land that is conveniently located along the Willamette River. It is voted as one of the United State's best public spaces. Walking, jogging, skateboarding, watching the fireworks, or boating amid a stream of lovely pink cherry blossoms are just some of the Portland activities you can do at the park. Walk through the Esplanade where you can have river recreational activities.

Address: SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

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2: International Rose Test Garden

International Rose Test Garden
Flickr/Kymberly Janisch
The sight and scent wafting from the International Rose Test Garden will surely illumine your sense of calm and beauty. Visit the place from April through October and your eyes will feast on over 7,000 blooming rose bushes in a splash of colors. Enjoy classical music concerts played at the garden's amphitheater. The Shakespeare garden brings you to the olden times because it contains plants mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare.

Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

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3: Oregon Zoo

Oregon Zoo
Flickr/brx0
The Oregon Zoo located in the west hills of Oregon is a perfect attraction for children as part of your Portland vacation. Get your children educated with the exhibits of themes like the African Savanna, African Rainforest, Amazon Flooded Forest, and Elephant Lands, to name a few. Other attractions include Wildlife Live during the summer season. Enjoy the holiday season with ZooLights which is the Zoos' annual winter festival featuring more than a million LED lights.

Address: 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

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4: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden
Flickr/whereisemil
Experience an authentic Ming Dynasty style garden at the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Find respite in your Portland vacation with this year round wonder. Suzhou artisans built the gardens with its intricate walkways, temples, open colonnades, and pavilions. The man-made Zither Lake is picture perfect as an urban oasis for vacationers. Enjoy a cup of drink at the Tao of Tea to cap your visit.

Address: 239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209

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5: Portland Saturday Market

Portland Saturday Market
Flickr/Minh-Kiet Callies
The outdoor arts and crafts can be best enjoyed at the Portland Saturday Market. Time your Portland vacation on a Saturday and Sunday to sample local goods. Whether you are craving for a unique souvenir or exotic foods, this is the place to be. Check out local arts, clothing, great fabrics, toys, and have your fill of shopping in every imaginable ware available. Tired from shopping? Choose an array of international foods from Asian to European in the food booths.

Address: 2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

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6: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Flickr/dog97209
Fill your minds with the wonders as you enjoy your Portland vacation at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It lures people of all ages with the giant screen theater, the planetarium, and the USS Blueback, which is a retired Navy sub. The Science Playground is one of the Portland activities that are designed for kids, and adults can bask at the Theory Cafe, which takes museum food to the highest levels.

Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

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7: Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion
Flickr/A.Davey
The Pittock Mansion is French Renaissance style Chateau located in the West Hills of Portland. Publisher Henry Pittock originally owned it until it was bought by the City of Portland. The Pittock Mansion appeared in movies like Unhinged and First Love. The house has a unique historic source and a haunted beauty. It is also ideal for bird watching due to its prime location.

Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210

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8: Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum
Flickr/CTG/SF
Art is in the heart of the City of Portland. Visit the Portland Art Museum as it serves its public with the enduring quality of artworks for the next generations. It is interesting to note that you will be setting foot on the oldest museum on the West Coast. Vincent Van Gogh's Ox Cart and Water Lilies by Monet are just two of the 40,000 objects and artworks you can see.

Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

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Also Read: 20 Best Art Museums in the USA

9: Voodoo Doughnut

Voodoo Doughnut
Flickr/Rick Chung
Taste the unusual, experience the eclectic decor, and delectable doughnuts at this international tourist attraction- Voodoo Doughnut. This one of a kind shop is independently owned and is only found in Oregon. Make sure you visit the shop before your Portland vacation ends and sample their treats. This dessert restaurant has fancy doughnuts with a pink box bearing the ensemble of voodoo priests.

Address: 22 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

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10: Powell's City of Books

Powell's City of Books
Flickr/jpellgen
Finally, cap your Portland activities by visiting the Powell's City of Books. This book lover's paradise is the home of the largest used and new books in town. The enormity of books reflects the city's love for books. You can cruise the endless aisles, grab coffee, and enjoy every page of thumbing through bound paper stamped with words, like the books of old.

Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

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