Jackieinpdx's Blog

Portlandia – It is the second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty.

“Mill Ends Park in     Portland, Oregon, United States, is a small park that was created on St. Patrick’s Day, 1948, to be a colony for leprechauns and a location for snail races. It is the smallest park in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records, which first granted it this recognition in 1971. The “park” is a circle two feet (610 mm) across (with a total area of 452 in2 (0.2916 m) in a traffic median which in 1948 was intended to be the site for a light pole. When the pole failed to appear and weeds sprouted in the opening, Dick Fagan, a columnist for the Oregon Journal, planted flowers in the hole and named it after his column in the paper, “Mill Ends”. “

Oaks Park –  Historic skating rink and amusement park in operation since 1905. A great place for family fun. Go roller skating, ride the rides and have a picnic in the park. Good clean family fun!

Arlene Schnitzer Performing Arts Center – It is the last surviving theater building on Portland’s Broadway, which was once lined with large theater houses.

Paul Bunyan – “Portland’s Paul Bunyan statue is 37 feet tall and weighs six tons. The statue was erected in 1959 at the intersection of Interstate and Denver avenues by the Kenton Businessmen’s Association to celebrate Oregon’s centennial. The Centennial Fair was held in the  livestock yards nearby.”

Paul is a bit intimidating and frightening to some small children He can scare the bejesus out of them.

Pittock Mansion – “Located in the West Hills with a spectacular city view, it has been a local landmark since its construction in 1914 by Henry Pittock, founder of “The Oregonian.” The mansion, which incorporates Turkish, English and French design, was built by Oregon craftsmen and artisans using Northwest building materials. Now a museum, it provides visitors with a glimpse into the luxuries–and hardships–in the lives of Pittock, his wife, Georgiana, and their family.”

A must see is how the place gets decked out for Christmas.

Portland Japanese Gardens – “Nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, the Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty which has been proclaimed one the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Encompassing five and one-half acres and five separate garden styles, the Garden includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and an unsurpassed view of Mt. Hood.”

The Oregon Zoo – Since the late 1800’s, the Oregon Zoo has been promoting conservation.

“Packy put Portland on the map in 1962 when he made international news for being the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in over 44 years.”

Max Light Rail – Max can be your transportation to several of the above landmarks.“As of late 2007, MAX is the fifth most ridden light rail system in the United States and the country’s second most ridden standalone light rail system, after San Diego’s. (The busiest light rail systems—Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles—are integrated with heavy rail subway networks.)

OMSI – “Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums. OMSI offers 219,000 square feet of brain-powered fun through hundreds of interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations. OMSI has five exhibit halls, eight science labs, a giant screen OMNIMAX Dome Theater, the most technologically advanced planetarium in the Pacific Northwest, and the USS Blueback submarine, the last fast-attack diesel-powered submarine built by the U.S. Navy.”

Filed under: family, Local News, Portland, Travel |