Washington Park

I love Washington park! I’ve only been twice, both times I came to the Rose Test Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful! We came mothers day weekend 2015 and just this past Saturday.
The roses are absolutely breathtaking and they smell amazing. It’s definitely not great for parking. There is a lot on the lower half close to the gardens that’s always packed. Also, there is a lot above but I believe that is a shared lot with the Japanese Gardens. It’s a nightmare trying to park close. We didn’t even attempt. We just parked on the side street by some houses. I feel bad for the people that live in that neighborhood, has to be a pain trying to get to their home with all of the traffic.
The views overlooking downtown Portland are amazing. It’s like breath of fresh air being up there. There people of all walks of life that come to see these roses. I’ve never seen such a variety. It takes my breath away each time. I got some amazing shots this year.
Me being me, total foodie, I just wish there was some food carts in the area. They have one little cart that serves hotdogs I believe and that’s about it. There needs to be some food diversity there and that place would be even better than it already is.
Great park for kids to run in also, lots of open grass and space. Tons of trees to shade you from the hot beaming sun. It’s a great place.

Grand, majestic park with plenty of things to do from the Oregon Zoo, Japanese Gardens, Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Rose Garden, etc. There is something for everybody. It is advisable to take your car and park it near where you want your activities to be since the park is so big. Beware of the incline!

Great park for dogs and a lot to do. The flowers hadn’t bloomed yet, but it was still an amazing place. Definitely going to come back here in the summer once everything has bloomed. I’d recommend this place to any dog walkers in the area.

Beautiful dynamic part with so much to do and see. You can easily spend a few days doing different things here. See the gardens, go to the zoo or just take a hike.
Only downfall I saw was the metered parking. But you can add time from your phone if you need to. You can also take the lightrail here.

A beautiful park with tons of trails. Definitely worth exploring if visiting Portland.

Washington Park has a lot to offer. No would definitely recommend if you are visiting or if you’re a local! As visitors we checked out the impressive International Rose Test Garden and the beautiful Japanese Garden. I wanted to visit some of the memorials, but didn’t have time to check then out. Parking can be tough, but we eventually did find a spot.

We took the bus here, easy access from downtown, and hiked the park well under 2 hours. Luckily, we didn’t get caught in the rain. The paths are clearly marked: Overlook Trail, Wildwood Trail, and Oak Trail. Spent some time at the International Test Rose Garden (meh, few blossoms this time of year) and the Japanese Garden was closed.
I really wanted to hike to Pittock Mansion, but we didn’t quite have the time. I could have spent all day here, it was so beautiful and peaceful! Not far from downtown yet we felt like we were transported to the Twilight woods. I love nature and this is a perfect place to enjoy its beauty.

One of my favorite places in Portland. Enter the park on the brittle path or one of the many hiking trails and soon you will find your self twisting and turning with the forest on all sides and all levels, enchanting in a way. Cold and wet at night but with a mystical feel to it.
Great for hiking meditation and reflecting on the world around. The brittle path is also awesome to bomb on a bike or skateboard

If I won the lottery and had to live in Portland, I would choose the Washington Park area. I love the quiet streets surrounded by all that nature has to offer. The park itself is one of the oldest parks in the city and is home to the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Arboretum and the Oregon Zoo. Parking is super affordable and plentiful.

If you’re in Portland, in my opinion, you MUST go here… especially if you love the outdoors. It’s absolutely beautiful, gorgeous, exquisite, magnificent, and SO much more.
This park has so much to offer — playground, trails, running, hiking, walking, skipping, views, etc.
There are parking lots, and they do charge for parking.
We went for a picnic, and the weather was wonderful. We found a spot up one of the hills between two paths and big trees, so there were a lot of shade. It was so quiet and so peaceful. We ate our picnic and enjoyed out surroundings. They label a lot of their plants and trees, so it’s a great educational experience.
In the same area as the park, there are museums, a Japanese Garden, a rose garden, tennis courts, and other things to do and places to see.

I didn’t have much time, but I wish I did because this park was beautiful. There are a lot of short and long trails and really nice scenery. I would definitely try to come back when I have more time.

Straight to the play structure, yo.
That was the bulk of my visits to this place.
I can’t really write a comprehensive review about this place without slipping into ‘War and Peace’ mode.
Too much to describe. Just go.
Do NOT consider yourself a PDXr if you have not been here.
Certainly a Top 10 Places to Visit contender, even when it’s 43 degrees and raining sideways out there.
Got kids? Pack a lunch, some water, a blanket and kick back and let them exhaust themselves on the giant play structure.
There are a couple of large covered areas next to the play structure. I don’t know if they require an RSVP or are first come, first serve. Either/​or, it’s a great option for an outdoor gathering place.
I don’t remember having to pay for parking but other reviewers have mentioned it. We always used the entrance by the bus turnoff on Burnside and parked by the tennis courts. It was free but like I said, it’s been awhile.
A food cart pod would make out like bandits on the weekends around here.
Put this on your #PAF list, then go see the place and cross it off.

If you are new in Portland and searching through suggestions of what to see then dont be confused if you read about famous Rose testing garden or The Japanese garden. Both are actually in
Washington park.
Please be aware that Japanese garden is closed till March 2016! The main attraction is the Rose garden which is really lovely. Leave your car in the parking near entrance and take the free shuttle that will take you through the main points of the park.

Lovely park filled with endless things to see and do.
The rose garden is a must see!
Take your time and walk around to each little area.
The trees are mighty and super green all around you.
The groundskeepers are friendly too!
I really enjoyed the test project roses.
Some seriously beautiful and unique roses to see.
Not too many smelled good or had fragrance but they were beautiful to look at.
We missed the Japanese Garden and I strongly regret that we did. We were just in a rush to see as much as we could in a short amount of time.
We will be back and for sure will see it next time. We drove around the park and did take lots of wonderful pictures.

Washington Park is similar to Balboa Park in San Diego in that it encompasses a variety of places within it. This was not quite clear to me when I was researching my trip as we are not locals so I thought I would start with saying that. Washington Park includes the International Rose Test Garden, the Oregon Zoo, The Japanese Garden and a few other places. We started our trek after taking the Max from downtown and enjoyed the Oregon Zoo first (about $ 12 per person– $ 2 off when you show your MAX tickets). We then took the free shuttle to the International Rose Test Garden (free) and walked across the way to the Japanese Garden (about $ 10per person) as they are located across from each other. We really enjoyed the zoo the best.

I love Washington Park.
I have taken almost everyone who has come to visit us to the Rose Garden, at the very least. There are tennis courts there as well, which I have yet to test out with my husband.
Honestly, my favourite part is the Arboretum and I have yet to get my passes from the library to go to the Japanese Tea Garden (I know, fail!). Try to catch the magnolias in spring!
The Vietnam Memorial is well done and peaceful.
I’ll pass on the zoo, because zoos are cruel in my opinion.
This is a great place to go for a decently long walk through some nice nature. If you really want to go at the hiking, you can go from here into Forest Park. Good luck passing Burnside. Be careful!

Seriously, you could spend days here and still not see everything. Hours of hiking trails, museums, zoo, Japanese Garden…
I loled at the review that gave the Rose Garden two stars because it wasn’t blooming in winter. I don’t think it’s the Parks & Recs people’s fault that roses do not bloom year round. Hello!
The Japanese Garden is one of the best in the U.S., and I like to go there at least once a year if I can. We hike w/​the doggies here at least once a week. Parking is cheap, considering it all goes back into maintaining the park. Cheaper than a lot of admission prices (1.60/hour).

This park is one of the most beautiful parks in Portland. It sits above the city and the view is fantastic. On a clear day Mt. Hood is framed between the trees. The location is awesome too. Park here and take a short walk or the shuttle to the Japanese Gardens. You can also hop a ride to the Portland Zoo. Visiting the park in early June was a treat. The gorgeous test Rose Garden is located in the park.
Best of all, the visit to this park is free — other than parking. You can spend an easy hour or even a day. The roses are gorgeous an fragrant.
We loved our time here and took loads of photos.

This great park is home to many of Portland’s best attractions and has nice views as well. Lots to see and do. It is up the hill to the west of downtown. There are all kinds of activities to do here. From sports to picnicking there seems to be something for everyone. Its big, so search Unilocal for individual listings of areas in the park.
The Wildwood trail that starts in Forest park ends near the zoo area. Lots of bikes, tennis courts… If you like a slower pace check out the gardens or the arboretum. If you have kids, there are great playgrounds, the zoo, and The Portland Children’s Museum the list goes on. Basically its a great place to explore and find what interests you.

First of all.
Free Archery Range!
Came late noonish on a Sunday and all 5 lanes were in use but a lane opened up quickly and I was «Hot & Knocked» before long. It was set up for a 20 yd. range. 5 lanes of Hay Bails and 1 pit for Broad Tip Arrows (Bring your own Bail for Broad Tip, as it is literally a Pit). It has been raining (people in PDX are shocked that it rained.) so it was a bit of a mud pit in spots. So be ready for getting muddy on some days.
Bring your own Targets. Be safe and I hope to see you there.
PS. If you see me there, ask me how to make Target Spikes to hold your targets to the bails for free out of wire coat hangers.