3 Best Places To See in Portland, OR

“Oregon Zoo provides an excellent experience to encourage visitors to create a sustainable future for wildlife. The zoo is the top tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest and has more than 1.5 million visitors a year. Oregon Zoo combines communities with the wonder of wildlife to create a better future for all. The community supports the zoo with tourist fees and public funds from Metro (a regional authority in the Portland area). The regional Metro government owns the 64-acre zoo. The zoo is a global leader in animal protection and conservation, communicating with more than 1.5 million visitors about global wildlife each year. The zoo has five main display areas, including broadleaf northwest, temperate forests, Asia, coasts of the Pacific, and Africa. The zoo provides a range of artisanal products made from recycled and repurposed fabrics. The zoo has more than 1,000 species of native plants, including pelican plant, ground orchid, and firebird heliconia. The zoo also offers summer camp programs. Oregon Zoo offers free admission for kids aged 2 to 11 and member adults (12+).”

“Oregon Museum of Science and Industry believes its collective potential can be unlocked when curiosity, learning, and community unite. The museum has hundreds of immersive displays and offers 219,000 square feet of mind-driven entertainment. The museum contains three auditoriums, including a large-screen theater and planetarium. OMSI features eight science labs, five exhibition halls, and a massive OMNIMAX Dome Theatre. Visitors can learn skills like strategic thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork in the 21st century. The museum's permanent exhibits have focused on industry, natural science, and technology. The museum aims to inspire curiosity through engaging science learning experiences, foster experimentation and the exchange of ideas, and stimulate informed action. You can enjoy a fascinating insight into the Pixar process and explore the science behind Pixar. Here, you can discover fun, friends, and adventure in the summer with summer camps and classes. Free admission for infants under 3 years.”

“Portland Japanese Garden is a 12-acre urban garden comprised of eight distinct garden areas and a neighborhood center with schools, galleries, and the Umami Cafe. The garden features separate garden styles and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. The garden is a perfect place where one can let go of worldly thoughts and see oneself as a small but vital part of the universe. The Garden provides conferences, lectures, and cultural festivities. The Garden is host to more than 350,000 tourists a year who experience this stunningly beautiful and peaceful environment. Portland Japanese Garden offers all members unlimited free entry, member-only hours and activities, early ticket access, and booking privileges. Some visiting Japanese dignitaries have acclaimed it as one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens in the world outside of the island nation and one of the foremost Japanese cultural organizations in North America. Portland Japanese Garden also offers free admission for children 5 and under and members.”