Top Rated Attracties in Portland

Officially named Tom McCall Waterfront Park, but known to Oregonians as just Waterfront Park, this is often the center of activity in Portland. Festivals, parades, performers and more make it truly a taste of Rip City. Walk along the Willamette River at lunch and you're sure to brush shoulders with the city's workers. There is always something interesting to see here at Portland's answer to Venice Beach in California. There are basketball courts and lots of open, green spaces along the west bank of the Willamette River. The need for additional parks and green spaces in the city led to construction of the park.

Get a glimpse of the oriental culture right in the heart of Portland at Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Established in 2004, this center works towards conserving and promoting the glorious history of Japanese immigrants in the city. The museum has a vast space dedicated entirely to 'Issei immigration' (first generation). Named after the Japanese term meaning 'descendants', this museum traces the origins and cultural changes that the community has seen through the years. Thriving on donations and the meager admission fee, this museum has maintained its exhibits with great care.

Resembling a community garden you would find in Suzhou, Portland's sister city, Lan Su Chinese Garden is a beautiful green space near the bank of the Willamette River. The garden is complete with winding pathways, gorgeous plants, a lovely tea-house and a gift store. You can take a tour to get insider knowledge of the garden and try to come during one of their many interesting events, including exhibitions and lectures. This place is a must-visit for its unique beauty. You can even hire this garden for private events such as weddings and receptions.

More than a century ago, this was Downtown Portland/City Center Portland, where Chinese and Japanese immigrants traded goods and where an unsuspecting young man might get drunk and shanghaied (kidnapped and taken to work at sea). Sites around the area include a host of restored historic buildings, the Japanese American Historical Plaza and the arch where 64 dragons and two bronze lions welcome you to Chinatown. For a sophisticated evening, take a stroll to the nearby Pearl District.

Portlandia flows to the sea as you visit this piece of Rip City's past. Step on board the only remaining operational steam sternwheel tug in the country to learn all about boating while admiring all of the artifacts and exhibits. Take the tugboat tour and hear how old seafarers battled the river currents. If you want to learn more visit their library, the cheerful staff will give provide some interesting bits of information. Visit the gift store and check out the books and nautical themed gifts. The view of the city aboard the ship is an added proposition that Oregon Maritime Museum offers.

Catholic Archbishop Blanchet originally lived in this house, which was built in 1879. The Gothic Revival-style building had divine beginnings but through the years it was also the location of a speakeasy, architectural studio, a sign company and is currently the home for the Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant. This ornate structure has been well preserved and boasts eight arched windows framed with elaborately carved moldings. The light brown exterior and red trim blend in well with the other historic buildings in this part of downtown area and is a sound example of Portland's historic past.