Around Town

There are lots of recreation and sightseeing opportunities around the Portland Metro area.  Here are a few samples:

Getting Around

TriMet Public Transportation - MAX light rail, buses, and streetcars are generally within a few blocks of any place you might want to go in the Portland Metro area.  In addition to downtown area museums, sights, and shopping, a number of natural parks are easily accessible on MAX light rail and buses, including Forest Park (15 minutes), Tualatin Hills Nature Park (35 minutes), Tryon Creek State Park (1 hour), and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (30 minutes) (times from the Oregon Convention Center via public transportation). 

Biking - Portland is notoriously bike friendly, with lots of bike lanes and bike trails, including an excellent ride along the Willamette River that takes you past the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.  You can get loaner bicycles from the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel or you can rent one from one of several local bicycle shops. 

Walking - Portland is a pedestrian friendly town, where you can easily walk to shops and parks within a few blocks of each other.  A nice walking tour of Portland can be found here. 

Fun Sites and Sights Around Portland

Oregon Zoo - Site of our Evolution 2010 Picnic. Head west on MAX "Red" or "Blue" line and get off at the Washington Park/Zoo exit. 

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) - Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is one of the nation's leading science museums. Shuttles run several times each hour from 9:10 a.m. to 7:10 p.m. daily between the Oregon Convention Center MAX Station and OMSI.

Powell's City of Books - Perhaps the word's largest new/used bookstore, Powell's at the Burnside location has nine rooms that occupy four floors on a full city block. Take the Portland Streetcar northbound from the Library Max Station ("Red" or "Blue" line). 

Portland Art Museum - Take MAX downtown and get off at Pioneer Square and walk south along the Park Blocks to the museum.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden - Located right downtown.  Take MAX and get off at the Chinatown platform.

Portland Saturday Market - A very popular Portland tradition, it's the best place to go for unique merchandise and local arts and crafts.  Get off MAX at the Skidmore Fountain platform. 

PGE Park - Home of the Portland Beavers and the Portland Timbers, the best baseball and soccer that Portland has to offer.  Right on the MAX ("Red" or "Blue" lines) on the west side of downtown. 

Waterfront Park - Excellent for walking and biking along the Willamette River, and a great place to enjoy a break from the hectic downtown. 

Pioneer Courthouse Square - The center of Portland downtown. 

Portland Aerial Tram - The best views of downtown and the region. 

Washington Park - Over 400 acres of parks and gardens, and 15 miles of trails.  Just minutes from downtown and easily accessible on TriMet's Washington Park Shuttle.
The shuttle has stops with easy access for:

• Portland Japanese Garden
• International Rose Test Garden
• Hoyt Arboretum
• World Forestry Center
• Forest Park
• Oregon Zoo

Portland Breweries - A guide to Portland breweries, beer, and events around town.

Portland Audobon Society - Located at 5151 NW Cornell Road near Washington Park, but not easily accessible by public transportation.  A very nice visitor's center and natural areas with trails. 

Leach Botanic Garden - More than 2,000 species, hybrids, and cultivars. In Southeast Portland near Johnson Creek (about one hour by public transportation). 

Made In Oregon - Unique Oregon foods, wines, and crafts.  Stores are located downtown and at the airport.

Portland Farmer's Market - Every Saturday on the Park Blocks in the middle of the Portland State University campus.