THINGS TO DO: EVENTS IN PORTLAND, LATE MAY – EARLY JUNE Silent-film festival May 22 & 24, 2017 4 miles NE Watch silent films recently made by Northwest kids under 21 and accompanied by live music at the International Youth Silent Film Festival at Hollywood Theatre. (See June 7 for global awards.) CityFair & fireworks May 26 - June 11, 2017 0.5 mile east CityFair has carnival rides, exhibits, beer, a food fair, and fireworks (May 26) at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. No pets. Dates: May 26 - 29, June 2 - 4 and 9 - 11. Meteorite festival May 27, 2017 16 miles NW Meteorite and Family Fun Day includes cutting open geodes, kids’ games, scavenger hunts, and talks by a meteorite expert at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro. Wine country weekend May 27 - 29, 2017 34 miles SW More than 150 wineries in the Willamette Valley are open for tastings and tours on Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country. Native American films May 2017 (undated) 0.5 miles SW Through Indian Eyes screens films produced in Canada and the United States that represent a cross-section of tribal communities at Portland Art Museum. Newport beer festival for dogs May 2017 (undated) 137 miles SW Rogue Ales & Spirits created Brewer’s Memorial Ale Fest to honor its dog named Brewer. It features 30 micro brews, live music, dog dancing, dog games, a look-alike contest, and a dog wash in Newport. Stories about motherhood May 2017 (undated) 4.7 miles NE Listen To Your Mother celebrates and validates motherhood with readings that are touching and humorous at Alberta Rose Theatre. Theater– An American in Paris,Keller Auditorium May 21, 2017 Oregon Symphony: Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 May 21, 22 & 23 The Portland Ballet: Spring Concert May 26 & 27 Silent-film festival May 22 & 24, 2017 Portland Rose Festival/CityFair & fireworks May 26 - June 11, 2017 Vanport Mosaic Festival May 26—29, 2017 Memorial Weekend in Wine Country May 27-29, 2017 Guitar Duo Presents Music from Brazil and Cub May 31, 2017 Belgian beer festival June 2 - 3, 2017 Starlight Parade & Run June 3, 2017 See modern homes June 3, 2017 Medieval fair June 3 - 4, 2017 THINGS TO SEE: Attractions in Portland, OR IN MAY/JUNE Perhaps to compensate for the damp Pacific Northwest winters, Portland is very alive with cultural happenings, musical entertainment, and theater. But those same rains also nourish the city's impressive gardens, and Oregon green spaces range from roses and rhododendrons to a classical Chinese garden. Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It straddles the Willamette River, having been founded in 1844 on the west bank. Much of the town was destroyed by a great fire in 1873, but after rebuilding, it developed into a thriving port city. Though new transportation hubs in the Seattle area have diminished Portland's status as a shipping destination over the years, it is still considered to be one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. 1 Washington Park Washington Park Share: Portland's Washington Park contains a number of tourist attractions, including the famed International Rose Test Garden, a zoo, and museums. A one-time wild land first purchased by the city in 1871, it is located to the west of the city center. Visitors can spend a day exploring the park's attractions, and another strolling through the unusual gardens. The well-known International Rose Test Garden is where new varieties of roses are grown. In the city's mild climate, roses continue to flower into autumn, though visitors can catch an annual Rose Festival in May and June. Another escape, the Portland Japanese Garden, is one of the largest outside Japan and is landscaped on the grounds of an old zoo. Other popular draws in the park include the present-day zoo, the Portland Children's Museum, and Hoyt Arboretum. Hours: Daily 5am-10pm 2 Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Latourell Falls Share: The Columbia River marks the Oregon-Washington state border, and its entire length is a remarkable sightseeing region ideal for leisurely drives and enjoying the outdoors. A day trip destination from Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area covers an immense 292,500 acres along North America's second largest river. The trip takes in locks, viewpoints, and hiking trails. Many visitors like to stop and photograph the waterfalls that edge the route, including the towering Multnomah Falls (which flows year-round), lovely Oneonta Gorge, and Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park. Official site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa 3 Pittock Mansion Pittock Mansion Share: Just west of downtown Portland, this grand home was built in 1914 by Henry Pittock - founder of the Oregonian newspaper. Pittock lived here for only five years until his death in 1919 at the age of 80. The house, set for demolition in the 1960s, brought the community together as they persuaded the City of Portland to purchase the home. Through private fundraising the mansion was restored to its full glory, and it is because of the forward thinking of local residents that visitors have a chance to tour this impressive and eclectic home today. Especially for its day, the Pittock Mansion had many impressive features including a central vacuum system, intercoms, and indirect lighting. The home is set on 46 acres and at an elevation 1,000 feet above Portland. This allows for exceptional views of the city on clear days. During its heyday, the home was also known for the impressive gardens. That trend continues today, plus the house is mid-way between Washington Park, Hoyt Arboretum, and the many trails of expansive Forest Park. Hours: Daily 11am-4pm (Feb-June and Sept-Dec), daily 10am-5pm (July and Aug) Admission: Adults $9.50, seniors $8.50, children (6-18) $6.50, children (under 6) free Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland Official site: http://pittockmansion.org/ 4 International Rose Test Garden International Rose Test Garden Share: The Rose Test Garden in Portland's Washington Park was founded in 1917 and is the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. Developing new rose varieties and even miniatures, the grounds are divided up into several sections with many interesting plants and spaces to explore. Award winners are planted in what is known as the Gold Medal Garden, which also features a lovely gazebo. It's best to visit during the late spring bloom. Another lovely Portland rose garden - Peninsula Park Rose Garden - is set in a sunken landscape on the other side of the river. Hours: Daily 7:30am-9pm Admission: Free Address: 850 SW Rose Garden Way, Portland Official site: http://www.rosegardenstore.org/international-rose-test-garden.cfm 5 Waterfront Park Waterfront Park Share: Waterfront Park lines the west bank of the Willamette. The parklands and its riverfront trails start at the Portland Steel Bridge in the north. Continuing south along the river, it passes Skidmore Fountain where a colorful Saturday market is held. Further sightseeing near the park includes the Oregon Maritime Museum, fittingly housed in the sternwheeler Portland, and boats that offer dinner cruises along the waterway. Hours: 5am-midnight Location: Naito Parkway between SW Harrison Street and NW Glisan Street 6 Powell's City of Books Powell's City of Books rayb777 Share: Bibliophiles will love exploring more than a million books at this legendary used bookstore. Shelves mix new titles with used copies for a slightly haphazard but welcoming feel. This shop on Burnside is one of a number of the independent chain's locations in Portland. Address: 1005 W. Burnside St, Portland Official site: http://www.powells.com/ 7 Portland Japanese Garden Portland Japanese Garden Share: Portland's Japanese Garden is located on the grounds of an old zoo. Though covering an area less than six acres, the gardens are so beautifully laid out in a variety of styles that they offer a uniquely peaceful environment for visitors. Garden spaces include the picture-like Flat Garden, the Strolling Pond Garden, and the zen-focused Sand and Stone Garden, among others. There's also a lovely ceremonial teahouse. Hours: Mon noon-7pm, Tues-Sun 10am-7pm (April-Sept); Mon noon-4pm, Tues-Sun 10am- 4pm (Oct-March) Admission: Adults $9.50, seniors and students $7.75, children (6-17) $6.75 Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland Official site: http://japanesegarden.com/ 8 Portland Art Museum Portland Art Museum Share: The seventh oldest museum in the United States, the Portland Art Museum was founded in 1892 and has since amassed a substantial and varied collection. The number of items exceeds 42,000 and only a small portion is displayed in more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space. Highlights include Native American artifacts, graphic arts, English silver, Asian art, photography, and Northwest art. One of the Portland Art Museum's most notable pieces is Vincent Van Gogh's Cart with Black Ox. Also part of the museum is the Northwest Film Center School of Art and the visual-arts focused Crumpacker Family Library. Hours: Tues-Wed and Sat 10am-5pm, Thurs and Fri 10am-8pm, Sun noon-5pm Admission: Adults $15, seniors $12, children 17 and under free Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland Official site: http://portlandartmuseum.org/ 9 Lan Su Chinese Garden Lan Su Chinese Garden Share: The Lan Su Chinese Garden opened in the year 2000 to shed light on Chinese culture and history after the city developed a relationship with its sister city of Suzhou, China. This tranquil environment blends rocks, plants, trees, gardens, and a lake on about 40,000 square feet, roughly a city block, of land in central Portland.