Henry Pittock, founder of Portland's Oregonian newspaper, built this spectacular mansion in 1914 and lived there until his death in 1919. This stately mansion was created in the style of a French Renaissance chateau and boasts three floors plus an incredible view of the city. The mansion is now a museum and showcases local history through artifacts and exhibits. Guests can tour the mansion and even book space for private functions.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) offers halls dedicated to earth science, life science, computers, chemistry, traveling exhibits and hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, the Empirical Theater, a submarine to tour, a motion simulator ride and a cafe. The museum, through its various games and interactive displays, offers an opportunity to exercise the grey cells and leave with more knowledge and information.
Created in 1892 primarily to promote visual arts, the museum is set up with several large and open viewing rooms. Do not miss the Native American collection, and the artists' works featured in the European collection will also surprise you. Also check out the North Wing's Jubitz Center, which houses modern and contemporary art. In the spring, the museum's Northwest Film Center hosts the annual Jewish Film Festival.
Walk through the grand plaza and step into Oregon's past. Located in Portland's cultural district, The Oregon Historical Society has bountiful collections of historical artifacts, photographs, moving pictures, maps and more. Many exhibits are interactive, and the atmosphere is friendly. The museum is very well-maintained and curated in a way to provide easy navigation, it appears as though you are living history as you navigate your way through the interior. The center's shop is full of Native American jewelry, baskets and pots. The book collection covers all of the Northwest's history for adults and children.
Dating back to 1927, the "Schnitz," as referred to by the locals, is a Portland treasure. Part of Portland'5 Centers for the Arts and home to the Oregon Symphony, it was overhauled in the 1980s and now provides a multitude of amenities. The concert hall seats 2,776 people with an upper and lower balcony for special views. Visit the concession stand for sandwiches, drinks and a selection of beer or wine. Located off the lobby is a gift shop offering a wide selection of Oregon Symphony merchandise that includes recordings.
Another testament to Portland's cultural diversity, this museum has quite a collection of interesting historical material relating to Oregon Jews. Exhibits focus on Judaism in the state and around the world. In the Footsteps of Columbus is one of the many must-see permanent exhibits here, it narrates an account of the Jews of Greece. Reading material is also available at the on-site library. Many historians, as well as patrons who are fond of cultural experience, are sure to admire the collection at this museum.
Skidmore Fountain was willed to the city by local legend Stephen Skidmore for "horses, men and dogs." Inspired by his 1878 trip to France for the Paris Exposition, he returned with a vision of creating a fountain in Portland with the same beautiful appeal. Truly a fixture of the city, it is now a popular place to find Portlanders buzzing about or even cooling their feet in the summer.
Rebecca At The Well Shemanski Fountain, created by Oliver Barrett and Carl Linde, came to Portland in 1926 as a gift from Joseph Shemanski. With water, sandstone and bronze, its recreation of Abraham searching for Isaac's bride is captured with motion and grace. If you have your dog along, you are both welcome to have a drink. Shemanski, a local man, was a dog lover, and the fountain has two drinking platforms, complete with one for pooch.
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.
Anything less than complete entertainment is just not a possibility at Darcelle XV, and no drag club in the country has enjoyed a longer run. Established in 1967, this club has always endeavored to entertain, and the desired effect is achieved every time the troupe of female impersonators walks on to the stage, proceeding thereby to make you laugh until you cry. Fridays and Saturdays bring with them male strippers, and these shows start at 12a.
Mild-mannered Portland was once one of the toughest ports of the Pacific. In the 1890s, it was known for being a trafficking hub. Although historians have questioned the veracity of these claims, the tunnels remain a source of intrigue. The Shanghai Tunnels are open for tours every week, so be sure to get the right date and time to explore this nugget of Portland's dark history.
One of Portland's busiest nightclubs, Dante's is a mid-sized venue that hosts live music events through the week. The menu has a bit of Americana favorites as well as an Italian touch; Dante's pizzas have even won an award! You can even do karaoke with the live band whose performance is slated for that day.