One of the most frequent questions we receive through the website is: “Where should I go to take pictures in Portland?”
In this guide, we have outlined a variety of Portland photography ideas for different areas of interest. The focus of this guide is on relatively low-cost, publicly-available, photography spots in Portland. As this is only a summary, links are provided so that you can research each location and plan your visit accordingly.
Please be aware that some locations may not be open all year, and may have visitors fees or other visiting restrictions. Please always be courteous and respect the property of others.
Parks, Nature, and Wildlife
Portland is famous for its parks, with about 16% of the city’s area dedicated to park space. Parks tend to offer many photographic opportunities, and are both accessible and inexpensive.
Washington Park
- Washington Park (wikipedia) is just west of downtown and is home to the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum. During the spring, summer, and fall, numerous landscape, nature, and floral opportunities are available for photographers. Even during the winter, creative photographers will find subjects of interest throughout Washington Park’s many attractions.
- Washington Park also includes the indoor attractions of the Portland Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and the World Forestry Center.
Popular Parks
- Cathedral Park (wikipedia) is a 23-acre park located under the St. Johns bridge, arguably one of Portland’s most architecturally impressive bridges.
- Kelly Point Park (wikipedia) a 104-acre park with vistas featuring the intersection of the Columbia and Willamette rivers.
- Laurelhurst Park (wikipedia) is a 31-acre neighborhood park featuring many amenities and scenic Firwood Lake.
- Mount Tabor Park (wikipedia) is a sprawling 196 acres located on the East side of Portland, and features scenic views of the greater Portland area, as well other amenities (sports field, playgrounds, etc.). Mt. Tabor is a dormant volcanic cinder cone.
- South Park Blocks (wikipedia) covering 12 blocks (8.8 acres) is the so-called “heart of the city’s cultural life.” The South Park Blocks are adjacent to Portland State University, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, the Portland Art Museum, and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park (wikipedia) is a 30-acre park running up the Willamette river next to downtown Portland. Featuring numerous events (musical festivals, running and cycling races, carnivals, etc.) throughout the year, and on weekends featuring the Saturday Market at the North end, Waterfront Park is likely Portland’s busiest park (see the Events section below). With numerous views of the river and bridges, Waterfront Park is a great place to start exploring downtown Portland.
Largest and Smallest Parks
- Forest Park (wikipedia) is the largest wilderness park within city limits in the United States, covering more than 5,000 acres (2,023 ha). More than 112 bird species and 62 mammal species live in the park, and numerous hiking trails are available.
- Mill Ends Park (wikipedia) the “world’s smallest park”, is a two-foot-diameter circle with an area of only about 0.3 m2.
Botanical Gardens
- Cecil & Molly Smith Garden – famous for its large collection of rhododendrons and azaleas
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (wikipedia) is a 9.5-acre botanical garden featuring rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as many species of birds. A must-see during the springtime, with peak bloom in mid-May.
- Hoyt Arboretum (wikipedia) boasts 187 acres, with numerous trails and features, this arboretum hosts over 1,100 plant species from around the world.
- International Rose Test Garden (wikipedia) has over 7,000 rose plants of over 550 varieties, blooming from April through October with the peak typically in June.
- Lan Su Chinese Garden (wikipedia) is a walled garden that takes up a city block in Portland’s Old Town / China Town neighborhood, with over 400 species of plants, most of with are native to China.
- Leach Botanical Garden (wikipedia) covers 17 acres in SE Portland, opened to the public in 1983 as a partnership between Leach Garden Friends and Portland Parks & Recreation.
- Portland Japanese Garden (wikipedia) covers 5.5 acres in Washington Park, and has many traditional Japanese garden features. Note that there are special fees and policies for photographers. The tripod fee is well worth it, due to the dense tree canopy.
Further reading
- List of parks in Portland (at wikipedia)
- Search parks by amenities or name (portlandoregon.gov)
- Washington Park page (covers all attractions)
Wildlife Refuges and Natural Areas
Many large natural areas and wildlife refuges are located within and near Portland.
In Portland
- The Audubon Society of Portland (wikipedia), located close to downtown near Forest Park, provides a 150-acre nature sanctuary with 4 miles of hiking trails, birdwatching, and an interpretive center.
- Government Island State Recreation Area (wikipedia) located in the Columbia River, is accessible by boat only. It is a popular location for angler fishing and wildlife spotting.
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (wikipedia) is a large wildlife refuge inside the Portland city limits, with 141 acres just southeast of downtown. The refuge hosts more than 185 bird species, and has numerous hiking trails ranging from easy (Springwater paved trail & bike path) to moderate (Bluff Trail).
- Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area (wikipedia) includes nearly 2,000 acres, but most of the area is water or marsh. The perimeter of this area provides trails and a boat launch for non-motorized craft.
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area (wikipedia) is a scenic 645-acre park in the Southwest Hills; home to 90 species of wildflowers, 50 species of birds, and numerous animals including deer, rabbits, coyotes, beaver, and salmon. Located just south of downtown, Tryon Creek offers many gently sloping hiking trails, a paved bicycle trail, and a nature center.
Near Portland
- Canemah Bluff Natural Area is about 15 miles South from downtown. This park in Oregon City provides 330 acres of natural habitat close to the Willamette River.
- Sauvie Island Wildlife Area (wikipedia) is about 12 miles from downtown Portland, to the Northwest, and includes over 12,000 acres of habitat and locations. Definitely download and use the guide for this area, as there is a lot of ground to cover.
- Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (wikipedia) lies about 15 miles Southwest from downtown. With 1,856 acres of land and water, the refuge boasts “nearly 200 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, and a wide variety of insects, fish and plants.”
- Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve (wikipedia) is about 20 miles West from downtown. Jackson Bottom provides a 635-acre wetland habitat for a wide variety of birds and animals both in the nesting season and during migration.
- Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (wikipedia) (ridgefield friends) is located in Washington, about 25 miles North of downtown. Ridgefield provides over 5,000 acres of habitat, including forests, riparian areas, and wetlands. Numerous birds and animals inhabit the area.
- Mayer State Park / Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena is a 270-acre park, about 75 miles East of downtown. The park, particularly the “Wildflower preserve” area, provides numerous vistas of the Columbia Gorge, as well as wildlife spotting.
Further reading
- Metro “Places to Go” page (mostly wildlife areas)
- Portland Audubon Society “Destinations” page (mostly wildlife areas)
Scenic Viewpoints
There are many popular scenic viewpoints in and around the Portland area.
Scenic Viewpoints
- Crown Point and Vista House (wikipedia) (friends of vista house) are about 15 miles East of downtown Portland, and overlook the Columbia Gorge.
- Eastbank Esplanade (wikipedia) is a bike and pedestrian corridor on the East side of the Willamette River, offering views of the river and downtown Portland. The lighting on downtown is best in the morning, coming from behind the photographer.
- James Woodhill Park at Rocky Butte (wikipedia) is a 2.3 acre park featuring views of Portland and Mt. Hood.
- Mount Tabor Park (wikipedia) is a sprawling 196 acres located on the East side of Portland, and features scenic views of the greater Portland area, as well other amenities (sports field, playgrounds, etc.). Mt. Tabor is a dormant volcanic cinder cone.
- Multnomah Falls National Monument (wikipedia) is part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and features several waterfalls and many hiking trails. A short hike up the falls will bring the hiker to many scenic views of the Columbia Gorge. It remains one of Portland’s most popular destinations, and it is worth the detour to travel from Portland via the Columbia River Scenic Highway rather than the interstate.
- Oregon Health Sciences University Ariel Tram (wikipedia) connects the two major campuses of OHSU. From the tram, and from the indoor and outdoor observation decks at the top, sweeping views of Portland can be seen. The tram is closed on Sunday, but the observation deck is still accessible by car. The lighting on the city tends to be best in the afternoon and evening, coming from behind the photographer and lighting up the city and Mt. Hood.
- Pittock Mansion (wikipedia) provides east-facing views of the city, East Portland, and Mt. Hood. The mansion and grounds also will likely provide some photographic interest.
- Finally, most of Portland’s bridges provide scenic views (see below).
Bridges
Located at the intersection of two rivers, Portland features many impressive bridges. Arguably, the most architecturally impressive of these bridges are the St. Johns, Fremont, and Burnside bridges. However, this is open to the interpretation and creativity of the photographer.
Bridges
- Over the Willamette
- St. Johns Bridge (HWY 30)
- Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 5.1
- Fremont Bridge (Interstate 405)
- Broadway Bridge
- Steel Bridge
- Burnside Bridge
- Morrison Bridge
- Hawthorne Bridge
- Marquam Bridge (Interstate 5)
- Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge
- Ross Island Bridge (HWY 26)
- Sellwood Bridge
- Lake Oswego Railroad Bridge
- Abernethy Bridge (Interstate 205)
- Oregon City Bridge (HWY 43)
- Over the Columbia
- Interstate Bridge (Interstate 5)
- Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge (Interstate 205)
- Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 9.6
- Other
- Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge (Southwest Portland)
- Oregon Slough Railroad Bridge (North Portland)
- Vista Bridge (Northwest Portland)
- Bridges of Note, outside of Portland
- Bridge of the Gods (40 miles East, over the Columbia)
- Hood River Bridge (60 miles East, over the Columbia)
- Astoria-Megler Bridge (90 miles West, over the Columbia)
Architecture
Over 500 buildings in Portland are registered on the National Register of Historic Places. These lists of historic places should provide numerous ideas for the architectural photographer.
Buildings
For lists of these historic buildings, please see the tables for the appropriate area of town: North | Northeast | Northwest | Southeast | Southwest
Below are a few well-known Portland buildings, from the Wikipedia page on Portland’s Architecture:
- The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, a restored historic theater (formerly The Paramount) and accompanying Heathman Hotel.
- The Benson Hotel, an elegant, restored historic hotel.
- Pietro Belluschi’s Equitable Building was the first aluminum-clad building and the first to be completely sealed with an air-conditioned environment.
- Lloyd Center mall, Oregon’s largest mall, opened in the summer of 1960.
- The Meier & Frank Building– Meier & Frank’s full-block, glazed terra-cotta flagship department store.
- The Oregon Convention Center‘s twin spires are a prominent feature on the Eastside skyline.
- The Pittock Mansion is a popular tourist attraction.
- The Portland Building, by Michael Graves, the first major post-modern building constructed in the U.S.
- The Mark Spencer Hotel.
- The Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Union Station, an active Florentine-style train station with a 150 ft. clock tower.
Other Architectural Areas of Interest
- Portland is home to several National Registered Historic Landmarks including:
- Pioneer Courthouse, the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest and the second-oldest west of the Mississippi River.
- Old Town, which features one of the largest collections of cast iron architecture in the United States, including the Grand Stable and Carriage Building.
- The Aubrey Watzek House, now part of the University of Oregon’s John Yeon Center for Architecture.
- Lewis & Clark College features several buildings dating back to the late 1800s, including the M. Lloyd Frank Estate and the college’s Gate House, as well as other interesting buildings like Flanagan Chapel.
- University of Portland featuring several impressive buildings and views of the Willamette River.
- Reed College, featuring the Old Dorm Block and other interesting buildings.
- Downtown skyscrapers, including numerous tall buildings:
- Wells Fargo Center (546 ft./166 m., completed 1972)
- US Bancorp Tower (536 ft./163 m., completed 1983)
- KOIN Center (509 ft./155 m., completed 1984)
- (and more)
- Downtown churches and religious buildings, including:
- the Calvary Presbyterian Church
- the First Church of Christ, Scientist
- the First Congregational Church
- the First Presbyterian Church of Portland
- the First Unitarian Church of Portland
- the St. James Lutheran Church
- the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church and Rectory
- the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church
- the Temple Beth Israel
- the Zion Lutheran Church
Further Reading
People and Events
There are many events, even through the winter, that may interest photographers, covering food, drink, music, art, and culture. Additionally, Portlanders are generally friendly and most are happy to pose for a portrait if asked.
Popular Areas to walk, shop, and peoplewatch
- Portland Saturday Market and Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park is open year-round, and features plenty of people
- Portland Saturday Market, at the North end of the park, runs from March through December each year on Saturdays and Sundays, and features many locally-made goods.
- Portland Farmer’s Markets throughout the city
- The largest Farmer’s market is located on the Portland State University campus, and runs from March through December
- Popular shopping districts
- Downtown Portland including Pioneer Courthouse Square and Powell’s City of Books
- The Pearl District – just North of downtown (wikipedia) including Jamison Square
- Nob Hill – Northwest 23rd and 21st streets (wikipedia)
- Hawthorne Neighborhood on the Southeast side (wikipedia)
- Alberta Neighborhood on the Northeast side (wikipedia)
Popular Events
- Expo Center Events – from the Roadster car show, to the Rubber Stamp and Paper Arts Festival, there’s always something going on at the Portland Expo Center.
- Oregon Convention Center Events – from the popular Wordstock literary festival, to the Retro Gaming Expo, to the Portland Auto Show, the Oregon Convention Center hosts many of the city’s largest events.
- Various annual festivals include:
- Portland Jazz Festival in February (various locations)
- Spring Beer and Wine Festival in April (Oregon Convention Center)
- Cinco de Mayo Festival in May (Waterfront park)
- Bridgetown Comedy Festival in May (various locations)
- Humane Society Doggie Dash in May (Waterfront park)
- Portland Rose Festival in May (Waterfront park)
- Portland Historic Races in July (Portland International Raceway)
- Waterfront Blues Festival in July (Waterfront park)
- Oregon Brewers Festival in July (Waterfront park)
- Music Fest Northwest in August (Waterfront park)
- Portland Film Festival in August (various locations)
- Feast Portland in September (various locations)
- Oregon Independent Film Festival in September (various locations)
Sports and Recreation
Portland is home to both the world headquarters of NIKE as well as the North American headquarters of adidas, and has a long history in professional sports from the Portland Trail Blazers (founded 1970) to the Portland Timbers (founded 2009). Further, Portland is well known for its active communities in a variety of other sports, including running, cycling, and skateboarding.
College Athletics (baseball, basketball, football, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, etc.)
Auto Racing
- Portland International Raceway hosts many auto events and races throughout the year
Basketball
- Portland Trail Blazers – professional basketball at the Moda Center
- Portland Community College Panthers – PCC focuses most of their athletics on basketball
Baseball
- Hillsboro Hops – minor league baseball
Boating
- Portland Dragon Boat Racing – on the Willamette river
- Portland Sailboat Racing – on the Willamette and Columbia rivers
Cycling
- The Alpenrose Velodrome, a cycling racetrack, and one of the steepest in the United States
- Numerous cycling races – visit the OBRA and Portland Racing for more information
- Numerous large-scale rides including:
Football
- Portland Shockwave Womens Football – full contact women’s football
Hockey
- Portland Winterhawks – celebrating over 100 years of hockey in Portland
Running
- Portland hosts many large-scale running events including:
Skateboarding
- Portland is home to many skateboard parks, including several indoor parks and the famous Burnside Skatepark, as well as other skateboarding events and competitions throughout the year.
Soccer
- Portland Timbers – major league men’s soccer at Providence Park
- Portland Thorns – major league women’s soccer at Providence Park
- Portland Indoor Soccer
- University of Portland Pilots