Summer in Portland, Oregon is a magical time. With long days, temperate weather (usually!), and a treasure trove of festivals, shows, and culinary offerings, the Rose City has a lot to offer for those looking to get out and about in the sunshine. Maybe the most underrated part of Portland is its collection of incredible public gardens. These green spaces pair excellently with the city’s vibrant arts, culture, food, and shopping experiences.
Even if you’re a longtime Portland resident, visiting a local garden is still very much worth your time. There is growing research that mindful time in nature has numerous physical and psychological benefits. For parents, getting the kids in gardens can help mitigate the impacts of “nature deficit disorder,” a troubling trend that indicates there are associations of stress and anxiety and a lack of time outdoors. For people who still want time outdoors but have difficulty on those particularly sweltering days, a recent scientific review of more than 200 research papers found that gardens reduce air temperatures through their plants, bodies of water, and if they’re like Portland Japanese Garden, green-friendly structures.
Ready to get out there? Great! Here is a helpful itinerary so you can plan the perfect day of Portland garden visits. Because of the city’s public transportation, you can even leave the car at home, so we have tips on how to get around below.
Stop One: Portland Japanese Garden
You knew we were going to start here, right? With a mission of Inspiring Harmony and Peace, Portland Japanese Garden was founded on the ideals mutual understanding between peoples and cultures. It has been proclaimed by many visiting dignitaries and experts to be the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Considered to be among the foremost Japanese cultural organizations in the world, this summer the Garden offers joyous cultural festival celebrations, intriguing art exhibitions, and demonstrations and presentations that highlight the many gifts of Japanese culture. Perched on the hills of Washington Park, our higher elevation, shaded paths, and bubbling streams are a great way to beat the heat. And just so you’re aware, our members are able to get in at 8am every morning the Garden is open! We always recommend taking public transportation here, so make sure you check out this page to help plan your arrival:
Stop Two: Portland’s International Rose Test Garden
You don’t have to go very far for the next stop! Right across from Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park is the iconic International Rose Test Garden! Part of the Portland Parks & Recreation system, this garden one of the top free attractions in the state and an iconic global destination. A serene, sensory swirl of fragrance and relaxation, the world-famous garden has more than 10,000 individual rose bushes, representing over 610 different rose varieties. The roses typically bloom from late May through October (depending on weather). The six-plus acre garden has a panoramic view of the city.
Stop Three: Hoyt Arboretum
We have one final stop in Washington Park before we venture out into the rest of the city: the incredible Hoyt Arboretum, Portland’s museum of living trees. Straddling 189 ridgetop acres in Washington Park, Hoyt is home to a global collection with over 6,000 trees and 2,300 species. 12 miles of trails are free and open to the public to explore 365 days a year. Maps and knowledgeable staff and volunteers are in their Visitor Center, ready to guide you to favorite summertime spots like the Redwood Deck or the Overlook Viewpoint.
Whether you’re driving to Washington Park or are taking public transportation, make sure you take advantage of the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which picks up guests every 15 minutes at a variety of stops!
Stop Four: Lan Su Chinese Garden
We’re now leaving Washington Park for Portland’s urban core! If you’re taking public transportation, you can hop on TriMet’s 20-Burnside/Stark bus line to get to our next stop: Lan Su Chinese Garden. Constructed by skilled Chinese artisans from Suzhou, China, Lan Su stands as one of the most genuine Chinese gardens beyond the nation’s borders. Beyond its role as a picturesque botanical garden, Lan Su is a creative marvel—a profoundly inspiring experience rooted in a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition, seamlessly blending art, history, architecture, design, and nature. With over 500 cultural and botanical programs annually, Lan Su serves as a portal to authentic Chinese culture and a platform for Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Stop Five: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
From Lan Su, transit riders can look for the MAX Orange Line. The line that takes you toward the small city of Milwaukie has a stop at Bybee Boulevard, itself a lovely 15-minute walk through the beautiful and leafy environs of Southwest Portland to the beautiful Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Crystal Springs is a sanctuary of tranquil beauty for the wellbeing of all. A unique 9.5-acre woodland garden situated on a spring-fed lake, their garden is a stunning urban escape any time of the year. Surrounded by Crystal Springs lake and interior lagoons, the garden attracts an array of wildlife. This tranquil setting makes it easy to forget that downtown Portland is only minutes away.
Stop Six: Leach Botanical Garden
Time to head out further east! From Crystal Springs, it’s a quick walk to the 10-Harold St. TriMet bus line. This will take you to the SE Foster & 122nd stop, which is right on the doorstep of Leach Botanical Garden. For four decades, Leach Botanical Garden has welcomed visitors to experience an urban oasis in outer SE Portland. Their 17-acre garden includes a unique mix of cultivated horticultural spaces, native habitat restoration areas, historic buildings, and one-of-a-kind experiences, such as an aerial tree walk. Guests enjoy nature fairs, concerts, celebrations of life, art workshops, guided tours, and other programs that further our mission and connect with diverse communities.
Stop Seven: The Grotto
After exploring Leach Botanical Garden, those taking the bus can head back to the stop they first arrived here on at SE Foster & 122nd to get on Trimet’s 73-122nd Ave bus line. You’ll want to get off at the NE Prescott & 92nd stop and walk about 10 minutes to get the tranquil Grotto in Northeast Portland. With gardens open daily, The Grotto welcomes visitors from all around the world and all walks of life. Occupying 54 acres of gardens and forest, the lower level is free to all throughout the year. There is a small admission fee to visit the Upper Gardens, where guests take an elevator up a 110-foot cliff and enjoy a stroll along the scenic paths.
And that’s it! A wonderful day of garden exploration awaits you. Below are some helpful links to help further plan your visit:
- Travel Portland has a wonderful guide to using public transportation to get around the city, available here.
- TriMet has a helpful website that includes a live tracker, planner, and information on different routes.
- We mentioned it already, but it really is worth checking out the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which makes visiting ALL of the park’s incredible attractions (including the Oregon Zoo and World Forestry Center) a breeze.
Written by Will Lerner, Communications Manager for Portland Japanese Garden & Japan Institute.