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.
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.
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.
Formerly known as The Rose Garden, Moda Center is home to the Portland Trail Blazers professional basketball team, and the premier indoor sports arena in Portland. Portland State University’s hockey team Winterhawks also play games here. The arena has room for nearly 20,000 spectators, though the number changes depending on the event, and is popular for concerts, shows and other entertainment productions. The Rose Quarter features an impressive array of bronze statues and the dancing water fountain is one of the stadium's most important facilities along with the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Theater of the Clouds.
Great entertainers such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown and the Grateful Dead have performed in this historic ballroom that is now owned by the McMenamin Brothers. Three on-site bars—including a popular nightclub, Ringlers - will satiate your hunger and thirst. It is worth a visit just to behold the local landmark's ornate chandeliers, picturesque windows and a 7500-square -foot (696.7728 square meters) dance floor that floats on ball-bearings.
This theater has two screens for your viewing pleasure. For a more enjoyable experience, sit back and relax with popcorn and a soda from the refreshment stand. For film times, ticket prices and further information please call or see their website.
If you are a dance enthusiast then the Studio 2 at Zoomtopia is one place you must explore. This studio space is dedicated towards encouraging budding choreographers and dancers. A variety of dance forms ranging from Tango to Classical Indian and contemporary disciplines are practised and hosted here throughout the year. The studio is quite spacious and it's very well lit which adds to the charm of every performance. In addition to performances, dance workshops occupy a significant number of dates on their calender.
The grand Smith Center Ballroom occupies the third floor of the PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union building. Spread across 6,400 sq.ft, the facilities has the capacity of up to 500 guests. The interiors are is vividly rich and elegant, and a large screen adorns the wall. This breath-taking venue is a great place for hosting all kinds of college level and non-collegiate events and it is the hub of all student activities. At the same time it is flexible enough to accommodate any private event or party and they also offer great lighting and sound support for all occasions.
The Falcon Art Community is the brainchild of Brian Wannamaker and is a unique platform for artists of all kinds. It is distinct in the city as it offers not only studios and work spaces but also apartments to stay in. You will find musicians, actors, composers, sculptors, writers and painters at this facility creating notable work. Set in a building dating back to 1911, the interiors are decked with pieces made by its resident artists. The Falcon Art Community also hosts live performances regularly.