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HISTORY: It began in 1950 as a test garden & got its official name in 1964. It currently features more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas & companion plants set in a landscape of waterfalls & stone masonry.
HISTORY: In 1949 the museum first opened in a house. OMSI's popularity surpassed the size of its facility & in 1992 the current building opened. OMSI is ranked as one of the top science centers in the US.
Naito Pkwy (btwn SW Harrison & NW Glisan), Portland, OR
Park · 42 tips and reviews
HISTORY: During the 2008 US Presidential Election an estimated 75,000 people, the largest gathering in the entire campaign, gathered here to see Barack Obama. The park has also hosted many Rose Festival events
4001 SW Canyon Rd (at SW Knights Blvd), Portland, OR
Zoo · 116 tips and reviews
HISTORY: The Zoo was founded in 1888 & is Oregon's largest paid attraction. In 1962 Packy, the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years, was born. He is the tallest Asian elephant in the US.
715 SW Morrison St (btwn SW 6th Ave & SW Broadway), Portland, OR
Plaza · 79 tips and reviews
HISTORY: Inaugurated in 1984, the Square was recognized by Time Magazine as 1 of the "10 most notable design achievements" in the US. Known as Portland's 'living room', more than 26,000 people pass by each day
777 NE M L King Blvd (btwn NE Holladay St & NE Lloyd Blvd), Portland, OR
Convention Center · 31 tips and reviews
HISTORY: Opened in 1990, it houses the world's largest Foucault Pendulum. It has become known for upward illuminating the twin spires yearly on September 11th in memorial of the events of 9/11.
808 SW Stark St (btwn SW 9th St & SW Park Ave), Portland, OR
Plaza · 13 tips and reviews
HISTORY: In 1971 the property was donated to the city by Mr. and Mrs. William E. Roberts. The Square's dominant feature is a bronze fountain in the shape of a rose, fittingly titled Fountain to a Rose.
HISTORY: The garden opened in 2000. Most of the plants featured in the garden are indigenous to China, but no plants were brought from China due to import bans. Some plants in the garden are 100 years old.
HISTORY: Founded in 1937 as the Oregon Ceramic Studio, it provided a market for artists while elevating awareness & appreciation of Oregon art. The studio became a gallery in 2002 & then a museum in 2007.
HISTORY: Opened in 1952, the coliseum hosted premier sporting and entertainment events in Portland. Elvis Presley performed one of his last concerts here before his death in 1977.
4015 SW Canyon Rd (at Washington Park), Portland, OR
Science Museum · 33 tips and reviews
HISTORY: Founded in 1946, the museum is the sixth oldest children's museum in the US. Each year the Museum welcomes more than 280,000 children from birth to age ten and their caregivers.
HISTORY: The park first opened in 1871 & was first known as City Park. John C. Olmsted gave the park its current name in 1909. It is also the site of Portland's first zoo.