3 Must-Visit Gardens in Portland, Oregon
If you want to explore some of the beautiful nature that Oregon has to offer, you must visit these gardens in Portland!
International Rose Test Garden
First up is the International Rose Test Garden located in Washington Park. Washington Park is one of the oldest and most popular parks in the area. It is a whopping 410 acres that houses various other parks and trails. While some areas in Washington Park require tickets for admission, the rose garden is completely FREE to visit!
The main purpose of this garden is to act as a test ground for new rose varieties, hence its name. There are over 10,000 individual rose bushes planted here that represent over 600 different rose varieties!
The Rose Test Garden is perfect for flower-lovers.
The roses bloom from late May to October. When we were here in late September, there were still plenty of roses, but they didn’t seem to be at peak bloom. Late spring to early summer is the perfect time to visit!
Portland Japanese Garden
While you’re already in Washington Park, make sure to stop by the Japanese Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Portland.
The Portland Japanese Garden was designed in 1963 and is 12 acres large! It is such a peaceful place to observe Japanese architecture, streams and waterfalls, and take in views of the city.
The Japanese Garden has plenty of events year-round, and we happened to be visiting on a day when there was a musical performance!
I loved looking at all the trees in the Japanese Garden, especially the bonsai trees. It’s amazing how some of them are hundreds of years old!
Of course, no Japanese Garden is complete without a koi pond:
My favorite part of the Japanese Garden, hands-down, is the scenic view of the city at the top.
We were so lucky to be there on a crystal clear day! I couldn’t stop staring at this beautiful view of Mount Hood.
If you have the time, try and make a reservation at Umami Cafe located inside the garden. It is a stunning cafe with wide open windows, so you can enjoy views of the garden while sipping on matcha tea!
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There is a price of admission to enter the Portland Japanese Garden, but it is definitely worth it. Don’t miss this place if you’re in Portland!
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Of all the gardens in Portland, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is my favorite. I think it is highly underrated and everyone should go!
Even though it’s just a short walk from Chinatown and the rest of bustling Portland downtown, it is so unbelievably quiet and tranquil inside the garden! It really felt like I was transported somewhere else.
The Chinese garden has stunning architecture. You can tell that every part of the garden was carefully and thoughtfully designed, from the buildings to the stonework on the ground.
Of course, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to visit the Tea House. The garden has small tables overlooking the pond so you can sip your tea and enjoy the view! You can check out my post about food to eat in Portland for more info.
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There are so many beautiful gardens in Portland! I loved each of the ones I visited for different reasons. They are all unique and worth visiting! Going to at least one of the gardens is a great addition to any Portland, Oregon itinerary.
For other ideas on what to do in Portland, Oregon, check out my other posts!
