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Top 5 Gardens in Portland

Top 5 Gardens in Portland

How we picked

Ambiance

People visit gardens to take a break from the busy world and reconnect with nature. We chose gardens that exude serenity.

Events

Some gardens host events on holidays or for other special events to promote more foot traffic. This is based on the garden’s frequency of hosting such events.

Cost

Some gardens may be open for public entry, but some require admission fees. This ranking is based on the entrance costs or lack thereof.

Garden Maintenance

Gardens need maintenance and upkeep to look beautiful and stay healthy all year long. We chose the gardens that are well-maintained by its gardeners.

1. Portland Japanese Garden

Features: Zen-type Japanese garden, walkways, Japanese tea house (chashitsu), ponds, waterfall, café

Website: https://japanesegarden.org/

Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Contact Details: +1 503-223-1321

Business Hours: 

Monday, Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Member Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM on same days

Admission Fees: 

Adult: $19.95

Senior (65+): $16.95

Student (with ID): $15.95

Youth (6 – 17): $13.95

Child (5 and under): Free

Members: Free

Google reviews5/5
TripAdvisor5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Ambiance5/5
Events5/5
Cost4/5
Garden Maintenance5/5

Pros

  • Serene and peaceful
  • Has eight different garden styles
  • Has a garden café
  • Has a garden shuttle
  • Multiple events all year round

Cons

  • No food allowed
  • Garden isn’t fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers

The Portland Japanese Garden prides itself as a quiet place for meditation and reflection. If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ve found your place.

Once you enter the garden, you’ll be met with a tranquil environment. It’s a pretty large garden at around five acres, and it doesn’t get too crowded, which grants you enough space to roam around.

We were most enamored with their large magnificent trees that enhance the garden’s beauty and the overall harmony of nature’s elements in the garden.

The famous cherry blossoms bloom in late March, but they have all kinds of flowers that bloom through the four seasons. Even when there aren’t as many flowers in bloom, the garden keeps its balance and overall ambiance.

The garden is great for a long walk around, and along the way, you’ll come across some bridges and ponds. Some spots might be difficult for those with mobility issues to access, but you can request their garden shuttle in advance.

That said, the garden isn’t fully accessible for those in wheelchairs or strollers. However, there are enough spaces that are accessible for all, and these spots are also worth seeing.

The garden is also pretty strict when it comes to maintaining the place’s harmony, and you can’t take food or drinks with you, other than water. This is to keep you from feeding the garden’s animals and critters, especially the koi fish.

But if you find yourself hungry, there is an Umami Café within the garden for you to get your refreshments from.

2. International Rose Test Garden

Features: Roses of multiple varieties, walkways

Website: https://www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden

Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Contact Details: +1 503-823-3636

Business Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Admission Fees: None

Google reviews5/5
TripAdvisor5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Ambiance5/5
Events5/5
Cost5/5
Garden Maintenance5/5

Pros

  • Free admission
  • Over 10,000 roses bloom in a year
  • Pets are welcome
  • Can be used as a wedding site

Cons

  • Limited parking
  • Flowers don’t bloom all year

Just a three-minute walk away from the Portland Japanese Garden is the International Rose Test Garden, and admission is free!

The Rose Garden has been running for over 100 years, and they see more than 10,000 roses bloom every year. The bloom season is between May to October, and that’s when you’ll spot roses of all different shapes, colors, and sizes.

This isn’t an ordinary rose garden, as it’s also a testing ground for new rose varieties and hybrids. If you’re lucky, you might spot a new rose hybrid during your visit!

Guided tours are available upon request, albeit with a fee. You’re still free to enjoy the garden without a guide, but this is a great option for those who want to learn more about the rose varieties they have.

Other than roses, that’s pretty much all there is to see. It’s located within Washington Park, so you aren’t too far away from other gardens, but when the roses aren’t blooming, the Rose Garden still remains to be a good spot for a walk.

It does tend to be busy during the summer during the bloom season, and there may be some weddings being held too. If you prefer a more quiet place, then we suggest you visit in the early morning.

Parking in the area is also limited, so using the TriMet or getting on a ride share might be a better option. This way, you can enjoy your visit without having to get frustrated.

3. Lan Su Chinese Garden

Features: Taihu rocks, Chinese teahouse, lake, gift shop

Website: https://www.lansugarden.org/

Address: 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209

Contact Details: +1 503-228-8131

Business Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Admission Fees:

Adult (14 – 61): $14

Senior (62+): $13

Student (with ID): $13

Youth (6 – 18): $11

Children (5 and under): Free

Google reviews5/5
TripAdvisor5/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency5/5
Ambiance4/5
Events5/5
Cost5/5
Garden Maintenance5/5

Pros

  • Has free daily public tours
  • Fully wheelchair accessible
  • Good for a leisurely stroll
  • Has events celebrating Chinese and Asian culture

Cons

  • A bit small
  • Can get noisy from outside noise

If you’re in the downtown area, Lan Su Chinese Garden might be worth a visit. It’s perfect for a short, leisurely stroll should you wish to briefly escape your busy day.

It’s not as large as other gardens on this list, only being less than an acre wide, but the garden is spacious enough and there’s enough for you to see and enjoy.

They host free public tours daily, although these have set schedules and you’ll need to check them directly before your visit. If you participate in these tours, you’ll learn more about the garden’s architecture, flowers, and foliage.

We admire how dedicated the Lan Su Chinese Garden is when it comes to celebrating Chinese and Asian culture. After all, the garden was built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou, a city known for its classical gardens.

They have regular events to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and events introducing cuisine from different parts of Asia! They also host treasure hunts that are perfect for kids.

But if you’re visiting on an ordinary day, then you must be prepared for the possibility of some noise. It’s located in a busier part of town, so there may be noise coming from construction or outside traffic, which affects the garden’s overall ambiance.

You’re also required to book your visit in advance, and we advise that you check out their events calendar to get the most out of your visit. Their fees are nonrefundable, but you can move the date of your visit if something comes up.

4. Elk Rock Garden

Features: Ponds, river view, flowers, large trees

Website: https://www.elkrockgarden.org/

Address: 11800 SW Military Ln Portland, OR 97255

Contact Details: +1 503-636-5613

Business Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission Fees: None

Google reviews5/5
TripAdvisor5/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency5/5
Ambiance5/5
Events5/5
Cost5/5
Garden Maintenance5/5

Pros

  • Free admission
  • Quiet space
  • Great view and scenery
  • Perfect for meditation and reflection

Cons

  • No public restrooms
  • Strict rules

Sometimes dubbed as “The Secret Garden,” Elk Rock Garden is what comes to mind when you imagine a beautiful and enchanting garden in the middle of the city.

Elk Rock Garden is owned by the Diocese of Oregon and is free for everyone to access, although donations are welcome for the maintenance of the garden.

It’s not as manicured as the other gardens on this list but instead has a more natural and rustic charm to it. Don’t worry. It’s not messy or unkempt, and there’s a certain beauty when nature is allowed to sprawl on its own.

The garden overlooks the Willamette River, and there are lots of pathways and bridges for you to stroll on. It’s a perfect place for some quiet reflection and meditation, and it’s a quiet place that can give you that much-needed solitude.

The Diocese is pretty strict when it comes to maintaining the tranquility of the garden, and every guest is expected to follow. Guests aren’t allowed to hold picnics or hold lawn games, so it might not be the best garden to bring your kids along.

You can take your pets with you, but they must be kept on a leash at all times and you’re expected to clean up after them. But if you’re the one in need of a restroom, the garden, unfortunately, doesn’t have any public restrooms.

It’s a pretty large space and will require some time to fully explore, so we suggest that you use the restroom before you leave to visit the garden.

5. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Features: Rhododendrons, lake, walkways

Website: https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/

Address: 5801 SE 28th Ave Portland, OR 97202

Contact Details: +1 503-267-7509

Business Hours: 

Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Admission Fees: 

Adults and youth: $5 (free on Mondays)

Children (10 and below): Free

Google reviews5/5
TripAdvisor5/5
Total reviews3/5
Score consistency5/5
Ambiance4/5
Events5/5
Cost5/5
Garden Maintenance5/5

Pros

  • Low admission fees
  • Pets are welcome
  • Rich wildlife
  • Mostly wheelchair accessible
  • Open for weddings and events

Cons

  • Limited parking
  • Some reports of rude staff

Despite being named the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, you’ll find more than just rhododendrons here. They’ve got other flowers and trees as well as rich wildlife around it.

The garden is at its most vibrant during the summer, but fall brings out a new charm to the forest with all the trees in beautiful autumn colors.

You can check for garden updates on the garden’s website, as the staff is keen to give regular bloom and wildlife updates. There may also be some parts of the garden that may be closed, and it’s best to know beforehand.

The garden hosts some special events too like wine tasting and other events that are exclusive to the garden’s members. Additionally, you can also book the garden for your wedding or other special events.

However, the garden will only take reservations for events that are held between the months of May to October.

This is also the period where the garden will see most guests, so if you plan to visit during those months, we advise you against bringing your car. Car parking is limited, but they’ve got a lot of bike parking for cyclists.

Furthermore, the garden also has pretty strict rules when it comes to photography, which has led to some guests complaining about rude staff when they were warned about this.

Professional and portrait photography isn’t allowed, but you’re free to take photos on your phone. Drones and tripods require permission before you get to use them in the garden.

FAQs about Gardens in Portland

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