The stunning natural scenery of Portland, Oregon, inspires a sense of great majesty. Boutiques and businesses mingle in this bustling city near the Willamette River and the Cascade Mountains. Outdoorsmen, artists, and eclectic souls are nurtured here in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. With an enviable climate and a strong sense of individuality, Portland is home to show-stopping gardens, luxury hotels, and dining pleasures.
International Rose Test Garden
Delight in a sensory feast of scent and color at the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. Reserve an afternoon or an early morning to pore over 550 varieties among seven thousand rose plants that bloom from April to October. The oldest publicly operating rose test garden in America has a storied history dating back to its founding in 1917. The exquisite park contains a Gold Medal Garden, a Miniature Rose Garden, and a Shakespeare Garden, complete with an image of the famed bard and his apt words, “Of all flowers, methinks a rose is best.”
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A thoroughly authentic garden designed to celebrate Chinese culture and history, Lan Su is an enchanting experience. Suzhou, Portland’s ancient Chinese sister city, supplied buildings, decorative windows, and five hundred tons of rock. The outstanding water features, lush plantings, and stunning architecture provide a thoughtful contrast to the busy downtown area, just beyond the walls.
Paley’s Place & Pix Pâtisserie
Above left: Set in a classic Victorian house in a charming northwest neighborhood, Paley’s Place is a Portland institution. The intimate restaurant, run by the talented husband-and-wife team of Vitaly and Kimberly Paley, exudes friendliness and boasts an elegant setting and exceptionally well crafted dishes. Utilizing the ever-changing bounty of the region, the menu is fresh, inventive, and always memorable. Above right: Gilded cases filled with towers of confections are surrounded by deep-red flocked-damask walls and wide windows. Because the restaurant is renowned for its inventively flavored macaroons and eclectic desserts, making a choice is quite a feat here, as is selecting what to imbibe with the last course. Eau de vie, sparkling wine, and Belgian beers are carefully paired with the sweets.
How breathtaking! These city gardens are indeed spectacular! The roses are gorgeous – I wish I could grow them even half as nice as these! I envy the residents who can experience this beauty all the time!
I’ve never visited Portland before but now I am intrigued to make plans for next year!
Brandon Hartford
Te Deum Cottage
I would love to see the city of roses. When we have a rainy year in Omaha, we have lots of rose blooms here too.