Washington Park in Portland is an iconic destination that serves as a recreational playground for locals and visitors alike. Spanning over 400 acres, this massive urban park features everything from winding trails and lakeside beaches to gardens and playgrounds. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or simply want to soak up the beauty of nature, Washington Park has something for everyone.
more things to do click here.
The park offers more than 90 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. For those looking for an easy stroll, try the beautiful 4-mile Wildwood Trail along Balch Creek. The trail packs plenty of breathtaking views as it winds around the forested hillsides down to the lake. For more adventurous hikers, there is also the 24-mile MacLeay Trail Loop which circles all around Washington Park with scenic vistas at every turn.
If you’re looking for some fun water activities, head to Arboretum Lake where visitors can rent paddle boats or take canoeing lessons. During summer months, the lake’s swimming beach offers plenty of sunbathing spots along its sandy shores while wintertime visitors can go ice skating on its frozen surface.
For gardeners, Washington Park features several tranquil green spaces such as Hoyt Arboretum where exotic species from around the world are on display amongst soaring Douglas firs and red cedars or International Rose Test Garden where thousands of different rose varieties can be seen in bloom during late spring and early summer months.
At Washington Park Zoo, animal lovers can get up close with some of the planet’s most beloved creatures including lions, elephants, gorillas and even harbor seals in their natural habitats while nearby Oregon Zoo introduces guests to a diverse range of birds and reptiles from Australia to North America. Formerly known as Zoo Concerts, Music In The Zoo is another popular event that runs during summer season allowing guests to enjoy free concerts within these stunning settings while meeting new friends during its food truck social hours before showtime.