[or-roots] Places to see in Portland

[Leslie Chapman]

I think this if for David Samuelson?

http://www.ci.portland.or.us/visitors.htm

is the city govt web page with a list of things to see, my personal favorite
if I have the time and money and don't want to or have done the zoo is OMSI,
but warning, go early, figure on spending the day and bring a wheelbarrow of
money, but it's worth it, even my 15 sec attention span nephew may want to
spend most of a day there.

http://www.ci.portland.or.us/visitors.htm

the Western association of loggers log cabin used to be a pretty cool site
till the cabin burned down, I can't remember for sure but seemed like last
time I went it was a bit of a dud and then maybe they moved or something?

Okay, its World Forestry Center, and since they are running an Ansel Adams
photo exhibit now, it might be worth checking them out when the time comes
to make your itinerary;

http://www.worldforestry.org/

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Within a mile of the Convention Center, and across the Willamette River to
the west, you will find the following places:
The Tom McCall Waterfront Park, running along the west side of the
Willamette River is 22 blocks long. The park preserves river access and the
harbor for the people.

Portland's Saturday Market, the nation's largest continuously operating
open-air arts and crafts market, displays hand-crafted wares on Saturday and
Sunday, eight months a year.

The Japanese American Historical Plaza, in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park,
is dedicated to the memory of those who were deported to inland internment
camps during World War II. The hope is that, if we all remember the wrongs
done to these American citizens, it will never happen again. Artwork tells
the story of people of Japanese ancestry in the Northwest.

The Classical Chinese Garden occupies an entire city block near the
Willamette River. Serpentine walkways, ponds, bridges, and open colonnades
guide visitors through a meticulously arranged landscape of fantastic rock
groupings, delicate trees and shrubs. A tour of the newly opened Classical
Chinese Garden will be a feature of the Thursday evening, May 17, 2001,
dinner function sponsored by the Genealogical Forum.

The Garden is in one of the pioneer neighborhoods of Northwest Portland.
Located between the core business district to the south and the sports and
convention area east across the river, it serves as a gateway to downtown
Portland.

The Oregon Maritime Center and Museum, located in a sternwheeler on the
Willamette River, contains a collection of ship models and artifacts from
Oregon shipping.

The Portland Police Historical Museum has exhibits of police history
including uniforms, handcuffs, guns, and photographs.

The Pioneer Courthouse Square is known as "Portland's Living Room." It sits
on the most valuable block of land in downtown Portland. This was the site
of Portland's first school and later housed the grand old Portland Hotel. It
is now where Portlanders go to meet their friends, and over 2.5 million
people visit this space each year. Every noon, Pioneer Square's Weather
Machine performs - forecasting upcoming weather by displaying one of three
metal figures amid a show of fanfare, mist and flashing lights. This
whimsical machine also tells the temperature.




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Within two miles of the Convention Center, more or less, you will find the
following:
The Park Blocks provide an oasis of towering ancient elms with a simple
floor of grass in the middle of downtown Portland. At southwest Park and
Salmon is the Simon Benson Memorial. This drinking fountain represents one
of the 20 four-bowl fountains that Benson gave to the city in 1912. Some say
that he thought there was so much drunkenness among sailors and loggers
because they were thirsty, so he wanted to give them an easy, non-alcoholic
way to quench their thirst.

The Oregon Historical Society (OHS), also located in the Park Blocks, is the
collector of Oregon's history where they display it in a beautiful building
marked by eight-story trompe l'oeil murals. Their website includes on-line
exhibits of Oregon history. The Oregon Historical Society Library is the
largest collection of Oregon materials in the state.

The Portland Art Museum is located across a park block from OHS. It was
founded in 1892 and is the home to an impressive collection of Asian,
European, American, and American Indian art.

The Multnomah County Library is situated in a recently refurbished
architectural gem of a building. The genealogy collection on the third floor
contains treasures for the curious genealogist.

The Pearl District is 50 city blocks of industrial warehouses turned into
loft apartments, art galleries, eclectic restaurants and brew pubs.

Powell's Book Store is one that every genealogist knows and treasures. It is
the nation's largest bookstore. The main store occupies an entire city block
in a rambling old building, and there are additional stores on several other
blocks. New books share shelf space with used books, all at affordable
prices.

Washington Park is the crown jewel of the park system. Its 145 acres of
hills, locabed above Portland and next to the zoo, provide impressive views
of the city and the mountains. The International Rose Test Gardens are
located in the park. They provide a vivid display of over 8,000 rose bushes.
Views of Mt. Hood are spectacular from there.

The Japanese Gardens, located near the International Rose Test Gardens, is a
classical Japanese garden with incredible views of the city and the
mountains. This five and one-half acre site is one of the most tranquil
places in all of Portland.

Washington Park Zoo specializes in breeding programs for rare and endangered
species. The major exhibits simulate the animals' natural environments.
Special exhibits include the Alaskan Tundra and African Rain Forest. The MAX
train stops in a tunnel 200 feet below the zoo. An elevator quickly takes
you to the surface.

Pittock Mansion, a carefully restored French Renaissance style mansion built
in 1912 for the founder of The Daily Oregonian, is located 1,000 feet above
Portland. It features sweeping views of the city and five mountains.

Hoyt Arboretum features a world of trees. Perched on a ridge overlooking the
Zoo, this 175-acre arboretum displays more than 900 species of trees and
shrubs. Ten miles of gentle trails wind past hundreds of plants from distant
places in this living exhibit.

The Audubon Society of Portland is a 160 acre wildlife sanctuary and
hospital adjoining Hoyt Arboretum where birds and animals can be seen in
their natural environment. A trail winds down to quiet Balch Creek, the site
of Oregon's first murder.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is near Hoyt Arboretum and the Forestry
Center.

The World Forestry Center, next to the Zoo, highlights Oregon's forest
legacy with world-class permanent and traveling exhibits.

Forest Park is the nation's largest urban wilderness. The nearly 5,000 acre
preserve has more than 60 miles of trails.

Lone Fir Cemetery, on the east side of the Willamette River, is Portland's
oldest burial ground. The remains of people of every race, color,
nationality, occupation, and fortune are set next to each other. Markers are
inscribed in English, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, and
Spanish.

The Genealogical Forum of Oregon Library, located in a 6,000 square foot
building, is the largest genealogical library in Oregon. The library
collection includes something for almost everyone, and is a must see for
researchers tracing Oregon ancestors