Things to do in

International Rose Test Garden

As you drive through historic districts, including Old Town, the Pearl, the Cultural District, and the Government District, your knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating commentary on "Stumptown's" evolution from a dense forest, to wild western town, to the lively tourist destination it is today. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the historic Pittock Mansion, where you can wander the beautiful grounds and catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood. Another not-to-be-missed stop is the International Rose Test Garden, home to over 300 varieties of roses, offering a sensory experience unlike any other. The tour also includes a crossing of Portland's iconic truss bridge, providing stunning views of the river. Then we'll whisk you through the city's east side neighborhoods, from historic to up-and-coming, a testament to Portland's rich history, architectural diversity, and continual evolution. Throughout the tour, your professional guide will share the wonders of Portland. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking to explore the city's sights, this tour promises an enjoyable overview of Portland's unique charm.

Discover Portland’s many attractions at your own pace with a 1 or 2-day pass for the enchanting sightseeing trolley bus. Take a non-stop narrated tour in 55 minutes, or hop on and off at the attractions of your choice. Drive through Portland’s lively city center, and contrast it with the surrounding natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to Willamette River and Waterfront Park. Experience all that the "Rose City" has to offer at 9 carefully chosen stops. Jump off at Pioneer Square and discover Portland’s “Living Room.” Enjoy some retail therapy at the 23rd Avenue shopping district, or get a little culture at one of the city’s museums, such as the Portland Art Museum, or the Museum of Contemporary Craft. In addition, a portion of your ticket price goes to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Schedule of Stops: 1. Downtown Departure point 2. South Park 3. Washington Park / Japanese Garden and Rose Test Garden Oregon Zoo / World Forestry Center - via shuttle Hoyt Arboretum - via shuttle 4. 23rd Ave. Shopping District 5. Pearl District / Powell's Books 6. Chinese Garden/Oregon Convention Center via MAX 7. Old Town / Saturday - Weekend Market 8. Riverplace 9. Pioneer Place/ City Center• Pioneer Square 10, City Center West

**FIRST:** Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Portland with a sightseeing tour that showcases the best of this dynamic city. From the bustling streets of downtown to lush and groovy neighborhoods on the east side, this tour is a perfect blend of urban exploration and natural beauty. As you drive through historic districts, including Old Town, the Pearl, the Cultural District, and the Government District, your knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating commentary on "Stumptown's" evolution from a dense forest, to wild western town, to the lively tourist destination it is today. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the historic Pittock Mansion, where you can wander the beautiful grounds and catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood. Another not-to-be-missed stop is the International Rose Test Garden, home to over 300 varieties of roses, offering a sensory experience unlike any other. The tour also includes a crossing of Portland's iconic truss bridge, providing stunning views of the river. Then we'll whisk you through the city's east side neighborhoods, from historic to up-and-coming, a testament to Portland's rich history, architectural diversity, and continual evolution. **NEXT:** You will have a 30-minute break for lunch (paid separately), at a popular downtown Portland deli. (Or bring a sack lunch and eat in the park.) **THEN:** Join us along a historic highway that stands as a testament to artisanal craftsmanship and engineering ingenuity. Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge, where natural beauty and human achievement merge seamlessly. Your adventure includes a stop at Women’s Forum Park, where you can marvel at the picturesque view and delve into the enchanting history of this special place. Next, we’ll visit the iconic Vista House on Crown Point, with distinct architecture housing a gift shop filled with local treasures, and featuring two levels of panoramic views. Experience the awe-inspiring Multnomah Falls, where a trio of cascades (two visible from the ground) invites you to feel the mist on your skin as you cross a stone bridge for an unforgettable view of Oregon's "Rhine Valley." Discover the rustic charm of a historic inn, gift shop, and visitor center, nestled in the old growth trees near these cascades. A serene walk through lush forests leads you to Latourell Falls, where water plunges past a backdrop of cloud and columnar basalt in a stunning display of nature's power. Depending on our schedule, we'll explore one to two additional waterfalls, each showcasing its unique character, from the vigorous lash of a horse tail to the gentle spread of a bridal veil. Throughout this journey, your knowledgeable tour guide will enrich your experience with accounts, legends, and insights into the region's history and natural wonders. This tour promises not only visual delights but also a deeper connection to the majestic landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge.

Take a guided tour of Portland in a small group. Throughout the tour, you'll enjoy beautiful vistas as you drive the hills and bridges in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. Your guide will pick you up at Director Park, then give you background on the landmarks you pass. Learn the city's history as you wander the neighborhoods of central Portland. Stop at the International Rose Test Garden, where you'll have 20 minutes to walk among the 550 rose varieties. Then, you'll ascend even higher into the hills to Pittock Mansion, which provides the best view of Portland and 5 stratovolcanoes, in clear weather. As you navigate the city, take in views of the parks, gardens, bridges, and trees of this lush city.

More than just a basic Portland city tour, our half-day Portland City Tour will reveal the laid-back small city feel of this fun and thriving downtown and the surrounding area. You will experience the best Portland sites including the International Rose Garden (May through mid-October), the World Forestry Museum mid-October through the end of April on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Oregon Society of Artists from mid-October through the end of April on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Pioneer Courthouse Square, NW 23rd (the best shopping area in Portland), the Pearl District, Lake Oswego Square (seasonally), and the South Park Blocks. Let our informative and entertaining Tour Guides show you the best the City of Portland has to offer. Let the fragrance of roses embrace your senses with over 600 roses and be delighted with the beautiful Washington Park nature, featuring some of the most amazing city & mountain views around. More than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom in the International Rose Test Garden from late May through October, representing over 610 different rose varieties. At the World Forestry Museum you can explore forests around the world through two floors of unique hands-on exhibits. The Discovery Museum’s colorful and thoughtful exhibits include information about tree planting, wildlife, the benefits of wood, outdoor recreation, and forest careers. The Oregon Society of Artists promotes visual arts in the diverse communities of our region, with educational opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment. While here, we will visit the OSA Gallery which changes exhibits every month, learn about the amazing history of the OSA (which started in 1926), and view rarely seen works of art by master painters who are part of the amazing history of this important part of the Portland Community. You will be taken through NW 23rd Avenue which is the heart of the Nob Hill District and is filled with century-old Victorian and Craftsman-style storefronts housing unique boutiques alongside national retailers, interspersed with coffee shops and on-trend restaurants and bars. In short, it’s a shopper’s and diners paradise. Portland’s Pearl District is the realization of a big dream. What was once a largely abandoned industrial district is now one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Scattered throughout, you will find cobblestone streets, loading docks, and lofty buildings that offer a glimpse into the district’s grittier past. It is an urban renaissance with its own unique blend of artistry, productivity, and public parks like Tanner Springs Park.

Enjoy a fascinating and informative narration by your guide highlighting the colorful past and present of Portland’s many historic churches, diverse modern architectural wonders, abundant city parks, bountiful boutiques and world famous culinary hot spots. Highlights also include a stunning stroll through the oldest International Rose Test Garden in the entire United States and a walk through the ornate grounds of the historic Pittock Mansion, built in an impressive French Renaissance nouveau style by one of Portland’s first titans of industry. Participants will enjoy sweeping views of the Portland city skyline, surrounding snow-capped volcanoes, lush evergreen forests, charming neighborhoods, dynamic downtown and myriad displays of artwork encompassing an array of vivid murals and iconic statues.

Portland is a city of contrasts, a lively city center surrounded by natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to the Willamette River and Waterfront Park. See all the many and varied attractions the 'Rose City' has to offer on board the sightseeing trolley tour. This expertly-narrated 55 minute tour is an excellent way to experience the city at your own pace with 9 carefully chosen stops where you can hop-off to spend time and re-board later. With service at every stop at 60 minute intervals you can spend the day exploring all the highlights of Portland. From Pioneer Square to Portland’s world famous Rose Gardens and from shopping districts to the arts and museums, it’s all available for you with the all-day pass. Or choose the optional two-day ticket if you are spending more time in Portland. In addition to being a great way to see Portland at your own pace, a portion of your ticket price goes to support the Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Enjoy a memorable experience for all ages as you see the city and choose the attractions you will most enjoy. Schedule of Stops: 1. Downtown Departure point 2. South Park 3. Washington Park / Japanese Garden and Rose Test Garden Oregon Zoo / World Forestry Center - via shuttle Hoyt Arboretum - via shuttle 4. 23rd Ave. Shopping District 5. Pearl District / Powell's Books 6. Chinese Garden/Oregon Convention Center via MAX 7. Old Town / Saturday - Weekend Market 8. Riverplace 9. Pioneer Place/ City Center

On this full-day tour, you’ll see the best of Portland and the surrounding area and the Columbia River Gorge. Along the way, learn about Portland’s interesting history and modern-day culture from your guide. This tour combines some of the most iconic and unique places in Portland with the natural beauty and splendor of the waterfalls, scenic vistas, and historical sites in the Columbia River Gorge. More than just a basic Portland city tour, our half-day Portland City Tour will reveal the laid-back small city feel of this fun and thriving downtown. You will experience the best Portland sites including the International Rose Garden (seasonally), the World Forestry Museum (seasonally), the Oregon Society of Artists (seasonally), Pioneer Courthouse Square, NW 23rd (the best shopping area in Portland), the Pearl District, Lake Oswego Square (seasonally), and the South Park Blocks. Today Portland is known as one of the world’s most environmentally conscious cities: a hub for farm-to-table eateries, alternative lifestyles, a large community of cyclists, and high walkability. Let our informative and entertaining Tour Guides show you the best the City of Portland has to offer. Your Gorge adventure will take place along the Historic Columbia River National Scenic Byway, where some of the locations we may stop include, Portland Women’s Forum, Crown Point Vista House, Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Shepperd’s Dell. Millions of years ago, during the formation of the Cascade Mountain Range, lava and other pyroclastic matter flowed west from what would be the Cascades all the way to the Pacific Ocean, creating a thick shell of basalt rock that covered Western Oregon. Then, during the Pleistocene Ice Age, roughly 15,000 years ago, water from the Lake Missoula Flood carved out the Columbia River Gorge as hundreds of cubic miles of water, ice, rock and mud rushed from present-day Montana to the Pacific Ocean. Explore the beauty of the canyon walls and rock formations, breathtaking waterfalls and awe-inspiring visas that make the Columbia River National Scenic Area one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. Our enthusiastic guides will introduce you to the most amazing places in the Gorge while providing a comprehensive narrative of this spectacular landscape and its transformative history.

More than just a basic Portland city tour, our half-day Portland City Tour will reveal the laid-back small city feel of this fun and thriving downtown and the surrounding area. You will experience the best Portland sites including the International Rose Garden (May through mid-October), the World Forestry Museum mid-October through the end of April on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Oregon Society of Artists from mid-October through the end of April on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Pioneer Courthouse Square, NW 23rd (the best shopping area in Portland), the Pearl District, Lake Oswego Square (seasonally), and the South Park Blocks. Let the fragrance of roses embrace your senses with over 600 roses and be delighted with the beautiful Washington Park nature, featuring some of the most amazing city & mountain views around. More than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom in the International Rose Test Garden from late May through October, representing over 610 different rose varieties. At the World Forestry Museum you can explore forests around the world through two floors of unique hands-on exhibits. The Discovery Museum’s colorful and thoughtful exhibits include information about tree planting, wildlife, the benefits of wood, outdoor recreation, and forest careers. The Oregon Society of Artists promotes visual arts in the diverse communities of our region, with educational opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment. While here, we will visit the OSA Gallery which changes exhibits every month, learn about the amazing history of the OSA (which started in 1926), and view rarely seen works of art by master painters who are part of the amazing history of this important part of the Portland Community. You will be taken through NW 23rd Avenue which is the heart of the Nob Hill District and is filled with century-old Victorian and Craftsman-style storefronts housing unique boutiques alongside national retailers, interspersed with coffee shops and on-trend restaurants and bars. In short, it’s a shopper’s and diners paradise. Portland’s Pearl District is the realization of a big dream. What was once a largely abandoned industrial district is now one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Scattered throughout, you will find cobblestone streets, loading docks, and lofty buildings that offer a glimpse into the district’s grittier past.