Post # 28 of 101 cool Portland places – The Hoyt Arboretum.

Located in Washington Park in west Portland, The Hoyt Arboretum is a living laboratory full of over 1,000 plant species from around the world. Inside scientists, students, and lovers of nature can learn about plants that would otherwise not grow in this climate or even this hemisphere.

During National Forestry Week in 1928, the Forestry Committee of the Chamber of Commerce convinced the City Council to establish an arboretum in Washington Park to preserve evergreens for educational and recreational purposes., The Arboretum is now home to just under ten thousand individual trees and shrubs most of which are individually labeled to help those who are particularly interested in the plant. Despite its relatively young age, the Arboretum possesses the largest group of distinct species of any arboretum in the U.S

The Hoyt Arboretum is a great place for an outdoor family activity in Portland. It features over two miles of stroller accessible trails as well as picnic areas and a visitor center. It features over 12 miles of trail and tours given by volunteers; in addition, it hosts Nature Day Camps and Lady Bug Walks as well as school tours. The park is open every day from 5 am to 10 pm, dogs are allowed on a leash but bicycles are prohibited on trails. The Hoyt Arboretum is located at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd just outside of Downtown Portland and Sylvan Heights. Fore more information check out their website at www.hoytarboretum.org.

The Springwater Corrider.

Ready to have the biking adventure of a lifetime, or at least your favorite bike ride of the week. Oil that chin, tighen the seat, get the map and ride along the Springwater Corrider .
Try attaching a camera on the handlebars of your bike and record the entire trip, then play it at double speed for a great time-lapsed video experience.
The Springwater Corridor is the major southeast segment of the 40-Mile Loop. Extending from Southeast 4th and Ivon in Portland (near OMSI), the alternative transportation and recreational trail extends 21 miles, currently ending in Boring. The trial might be closed due to heavy rains so cheeck  with Parks and Rec to make sure you adventure starts with open trails. Get your helmet on and have fun.

Sauvie Island

Summer is almost here and here is a great out door place of interest.  Sauvie Island is one of the many Portland summer hot spots that’s a perfect day getaway. The last time I went there,  I did U-pick blueberry’s at the local farm and other fresh vegetables Farmers Markets, then went to the local beaches and enjoyed a nice relaxing day soaking up the sun with blanket and picnic basket in hand. There is even a nude beach that many Portland peeps enjoy, I’ve never been there…..except for 4 times.

The Pumpkin Patch Farm is located on Sauvie Island in Portland, it is a real working farm that also offers numerous attractions to visitors during the summer and in to the fall.  When I choose not to plant pumpkins in my backyard I venture off to the Pumpkin Patch and choose from hundred’s of U-Pick pumpkins to take home. Don’t tell the owners but once, I took a huge pumpkin and threw it and watched it explode into a million bits of squash heaven.  For the past seven years the Pumpkin Patch has offer The Maize, Oregon’s original giant maze of corn planted in a shape that celebrates the local history and identity.  Make a mental note, “Don’t drink alcohol and then do the corn maze, it’s no fun being lost while needing to use the bathroom. During the month of October, an additional maze, the Haunted Field of Screams is available.  Hay rides are free on Labor Day Weekend and daily during October. Children seem to enjoy the Cow Train, which gives tours around the farm on weekends.
The Farm fresh market provides seasonal produce starting in June as the strawberries begin to ripen.   Check out thepumpkinpatch.com for more information. The Pumpkin Patch Farm is located at 16525 NW GILLIHAN RD in Northwest Portland on Sauvie Island.

Sauvie Island has a GREAT history. The original inhabitants of the island were the Multnomah tribe of the Chinook Indians. The Islands formed over a million years ago…. Click to learn more, read about the Sauvie Island History

Here is a map of  SAUVIE ISLAND

Ready for an excellent Sunday adventure? Get in your car, or for those with more energy then me, get on your bike and head out to Multnomah Falls along the Columbia Gorge. I have been to the Falls on several occasions, most every one of them was with family or friends from out of state and looking for a fun tourist adventure to take them to. Many families moving or relocating to Portland Oregon always find this place to be on top of their list as sites to see.Just drive east of the 84 Freeway for approx. 30 minutes out of Portland and Shazamo!  You come into this gorgeous view of water plummeting to its un-living death.

There is a nice hike to enjoy along with the scenery. For some, just up to the bridge is perfect. I personally enjoy hiking all the way up to the top of the waterfall and beyond. The hike is kinda steep and at times I am out of breath and I feel like a 2-pack-a-day smoker (even tough I never bougth a pack in my life). Once at the top you can look down and dream about being superman and just flying away. Is that just me?  The view is serisouly AMAZING. You can even see Russia….right Sarah?

Plummeting 620 feet from its origins on Larch Mountain, Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. There is the Multnomah Falls travel lodge that was built in 1925 with nice little gifts and souvenirs to buy, food to snack on and a place to enjoy the scenery. So if you are thinking about a Portland relocation and love hikes, scenery, water and an amazing time. Multomah Falls is the place to be.

Ready to be a kid again. Head down to Oaks Park Roller Skating, slap on a rental and skate till your feet are sore.  The last time I was there my friend decided to have a theme party and everyone had to wear a wild or weird hat. So around 30 of us showed up and started skating in these top-hats and cartoon hats, mine was a hat that was upside down and had  a plant inside of it. My brain was making it grow

Anyways, the manager made us all get off the rink because they said those hats were a tripping hazard. Spoiler!
There are alot of great rides at the amazement park, more then you would find in your neighbors backyard but less then at Disneyland. It’s a great place for kids and schools, picnics and so many other great activities. Check out their website at Oaks Park.

Oaks Park is located in the Sellwood neighborhood at:

7805  SE Oaks Park way
Portland, OR 97202
503-233-5777

Yes, Hawthorne Blvd has a special place in my heart…and my belly…and my liver….and my wallet. There is so much to do that on any given day you can spend an entire afternoon walking around and enjoying all that the Hawthorne strip has to offer. I remember seeing What the Bleep do we know at the Baghdad Theater which happen to be filmed at that theater. DeJaVu! Time for me to go into Powell’s book store on Hawthorne, read up on my Salmon fishing and Organic gardening skills then stop into Fresh Pot for a cup ‘o coffee. Don’t spill on that book. Oops, sorry.

There are so many great restaurants ranging from Korean BBQ – Toji, to Mexican to Italian to Japanese- Mio Sushi, and of course good ole Portland home-style cooking. Have you heard of the Bar-muda  triangle? Check it out around SE 48th. You will find Bar of the God’s, Space Room and Angelo’s, or maybe Swickley’s to include.  A good drink and a game of pool is sure to please. Ouch! those drinks are strong. Time to venture into the Mt. Tabor Theater and see some great live music.
When you are ready for an all day or evening adventure, be sure to check out the Hawthorne district.

Originally opened in 1915 as an elementary school, now Inside you will find everything from the old school auditorium turned into a movie theater with couches and tables to eat your home made pizza, to the detention hall turned into a whiskey and cigar room. The cafeteria now houses a fine eating establishment with a great menu and several home made beers on tap and a gift shop to pick up some great memories. A huge 20 person hot tub soaking pool and and an extra large conference room now hosts great live local and out of state performers of all types. The classrooms are turned into guest rooms with original chalkboards and cloakrooms, private baths, telephones and modems. Amazing artwork lines the walls, much of it dates back from the early years of The Kennedy Schools existence.

I love the scene and the good energy the school has. This is truly a must see experience to enjoy if you have yet to visit. The Kennedy is located at: 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Portland, OR 97211

The Museum’s original location closed in 2006, at that time the steam-wheel tugboat “Portland” was called out of its twenty plus year retirement and put into service as the main museum space. Other main attractions include “Mom’s Boat” a fishing boat from the late 1920′s, it was one of the first transon stern boats built for Colombia river fishing. The boat was consider very fast for its time, and the materials used in its construction are impossible to find today. The barge “Russell” as well as numerous paintings, photographs, model ship collections and maritime documents are also available.

Guided tours are available and guest speakers are often on hand to help the community appreciate maritime history. Tours last for approximately two hours and are led by a guide who provides additional information on specific exhibits depending on groups needs or interests. Tours cost $2 per person and can be scheduled for any day of the week depending on staff availability. Museum hours are from 11 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Sunday. The Oregon Maritime Museum is located at 113 Southwest Ash Street in the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. For more information or to book a tour check out the Museum’s website at www.oregonmaritimemuseum.org. Looking for more Portland history? Check out the Oregon Historical Society at 1211 SW Broadway St, or The World Forestry Center Discovery Museum in Washington Park.

The Zoo can trace its roots back to 1887 when local pharmacist Richard Knight presented his private collection of animals to the city. It opened in its current location in 1959, at the time only 60 percent of the original plan was completed but since then expansion and remodeling have been norm. Currently construction is underway for the Predators of the Serengeti habitat which will bring several types of African animals to the Zoo. Currently exhibits include endangered Humboldt penguins that can be seen both above and below water in conditions that mimic their natural habitat. In addition the Red Ape Reserve gives visitors a unique opportunity to see orangutans and white-cheeked gibbons as they swing directly overhead or peek through the two way viewing windows. Finally Packy, Oregon Zoo’s star elephant, was the first elephant born in America in over 40 years when he was born in the 60′s.

The Zoo’s summer hours are 9am to 6pm, it is opened year round with the exception of Christmas Day. Tickets cost $9.75 for adults, $8.25 for seniors and $6.75 for children under 11. Parking is available for $2 per vehicle. Behind the scenes groups tours are available, they must be scheduled in advance and cost about $30 per person. All summer long The Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series, Portland’s longest running outdoor music series, highlights nationally renowned artists and all funds raised benefit the Zoo. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 SW Canyon Road inside Washington Park just minutes west of downtown Portland.. For more information check out oregonzoo.org. Looking for more family friendly activities in Portland? Check out the Portland Children’s Museum or the Hoyt Arboretum both of which are also located in Washington Park.

The Portland Nursery at first glance might not seem like a “cool Portland place”, but I personally have been there many times where next thing I know a couple of hours have passed, loving it,  and I am still not ready to leave, especially during Spring when everything is out and in bloom.
I first walk up and down the Fruit tree isles and dream about what my backyard should look like, then off to the herbs, the cactus garden, the Japanese Bonsai varieties, the vegetable starters….. ahh there is soo much…. it’s Disneyland for the gardener.

The Nursery can trace its roots back to one man, Albert Brownell, who opened the Portland Wholesale Nursery in 1907. In the early 1920′s Avery Steinmetz purchased the Nursery and for the next 60 years set about creating new standards for commercial horticulture; his impact was so great that he was the one of the first people honored in the American Association of Nurserymen’s Hall Of Fame. While it has changed hands again since Steimmetz was in charge, The Portland Nursery has always stayed true to its roots. Both locations sell everything from perennials to vegetables and gardening tools and equipment including those necessary to grow organically.

While both stores offer similar product selection the Stark location, located at 5050 SE Stark Street in the Laurelhurst / Hawthorne Neighborhood offers classes throughout the year in its century old building. These classes contain tips and tricks designed to make gardening easier Another treat at the Stark location includes the yearly apple tasting held in the fall. The Division St. nursery is located at 9000 SE Division in the Montavilla Neighborhood. This location offers classes on a variety of subjects including organic gardening and furniture building. As a special bonus classes taken at the Division location generate credit stamps that can be used for discounts of up to 30 percent off. For more information check out the Portland Nursery website at www.portlandnursery.com. Looking for more outdoor activities in Porltand? Check out these Portland Oregon parks known for their unique plant life, Hoyt Arboretum and the Japanese Gardens both of which are located in Washington Park, just minutes west of downtown Portland.