Reiki & Vacation in Portland
If you are traveling to Portland for a Reiki workshop, plan a few extra days as there is much to see and do within one to a few hours of Portland. Here are just a few of the choices for you.
Gardens & Parks
Complete list of parks in Portland & surrounding areas
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Visit this authentically built Ming Dynasty style covered garden built by artisans from Portland’s sister city of Suzhou. The gorgeous garden includes covered walkways, bridges, a beautiful Chinese landscape and a traditional teahouse.
http://www.lansugarden.org
Portland Japanese Garden
The Japanese Gardens are located above the Portland International Rose Test Gardens and encompasses 5.5 acres and five separate Japanese garden styles.
http://japanesegarden.com
Portland International Rose Test Gardens
Do you love roses? Visit the 4.5 acre, oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.
http://www.rosegardenstore.org
The Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo has operated for more than 100 years. It contains more than 2,000 animals from around the world and the conservation zoo is renowned for its Asian elephant breeding program. It’s also the home to summer concerts and attracts may well-known musicians.
http://www.oregonzoo.org
Hoyt Arboretum
Nearly 1,000 species of trees and shrubs, more than in any other arboretum in the country, are showcased on 185 acres of hilly terrain within Washington Park.
http://www.hoytarboretum.org
Washington Park
This 400 acres of park includes the International Rose Test Garden, The Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, the Oregon Zoo, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Holocaust Memorial, the World Forestry Center and the Children’s Museum.
http://washingtonparkpdx.org
Waterfront Park
This downtown river-front park is excellent for jogging, site seeing, and skating along this 1.5 mile stretch. Cool off on a hot day in the refreshing Salmon Street Springs fountain.
Waterfront Park on Citysearch
Forest Park
5,156 acres located northwest of downtown a beautiful forest in the city open to runners, hikers, cyclists and horses.
http://www.portlandonline.com
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
If you love rhododendrons and azaleas, you’ll love these seven acres of grounds and as an added treat, huge flocks of waterfowl congregate at this park.
http://www.portlandonline.com
The Grotto
The Grotto is 62 acres of gardens and is an internationally known Catholic sanctuary containing statues and shrines, artwork, gardens, ponds and a beautiful cliff side vista. The center of the grotto encompasses Our Lady’s Grotto with a rock cave carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff. Ride the elevator to the top of the cliff to the peace garden and a magnificent view of Portland.
http://www.thegrotto.org
Museums
Complete list of Portland museums
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
This leading national science museum boasts 219,00 square feet of interactive exhibits, live lab demonstrations, an exceptional children’s section, the OMNIMAX Dome Theater, a world-class planetarium and a real submarine.
www.omsi.edu
World Forestry Center
This nonprofit education institution was founded in 1964 with the express purpose to educate and inform people about the world’s forest and trees. This is accomplished through their Discovery Museum, Tree Farms and The World Forest Institute.
www.worldforestry.org
Oregon History Museum
Explore the history of Oregon and travel the Oregon Trail.
www.ohs.org
Portland Art Museum
This is the oldest museum in the Northwest and is internationally renowned for exciting art experiences including an extensive permanent collection of Native American art and rotating art exhibits.
www.portlandartmuseum.org
Portland Children’s Museum
For over 60 years, Portland Children’s Museum has inspired imagination, creativity and the wonder of learning in children and adults by inviting moments of shared discovery.
www.portlandcm.org
Museum of Contemporary Craft
One of Portland’s oldest cultural institutions and its new iteration is poised to bring greater awareness to the organization’s rich seventy-year legacy.
www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org
Oregon Jewish Museum
Holds the largest collection in existence of the visual history of the Jewish people of Oregon.
www.ojm.org
Oregon Maritime Center and Museum
Explore river life and tour the pilot house and engine room.
www.oregonmaritimemuseum.org
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
Home of the original Spruce Goose.
www.evergreenmuseum.org
Unique to Portland
Portland Saturday Market
The nation’s largest weekly open-air arts and crafts market.
www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com
Pittock Mansion
The Pittock Mansion soars 1,000 feet above the city’s skyline. A century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city, it’s an architectural wonder. With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges and mountaintops — and 23 storied rooms teeming with treasures — no other place in town offers a more breathtaking view or a more
revealing glimpse of Portland’s past.
http://pittockmansion.org
New Renaissance Bookshop
New Renaissance offers books, crystals, jewelry, cards, music, candles, readers and workshops that promote a spiritual and holistic life.
http://newrenbooks.com
Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s bookstore covers an entire city block and contains more than 1.5 million books in 3,500 different sections.
www.powells.com
Pioneer Courthouse Square
This park affectionately known as the city’s “living room” is located in the heart of downtown Portland and is one of Portland’s leading outdoor venues for concerts, festivals, Portland Farmer’s Market and a tree lighting ceremony every Christmas.
www.pioneercourthousesquare.org
Bridge Pedal
Held in August in this city of bridges. Ride your bikes across 10 of Portland Bridges and if you don’t feel like pedaling, there’s a shorter path for walkers.
http://blog.bridgepedal.com/
Festivals
Portland Jazz Festival
Held in February and features performances around the city.
www.pdxjazz.com
Bridgetown Comedy Festival
Held in the spring and features performances around the city and is growing bigger every year. Patton Oswalt and Jeneane Garofalo are just two of the headliners who have performed at this Festival.
www.bridgetowncomedyfestival.com
Stumptown Comics Festival
Held in April and focuses on the artists and not the publishers.
www.stumptowncomics.com
Crafty Wonderland
Held in May and December at the Oregon Convention Center and features handmade gifts for every occasion. Portland has a huge focus on Do-It-Yourself crafts.
www.craftywonderland.com
Portland Indie Wine Festival
Held in May and an esteemed panel of national wine experts select 40 lucky wineries to present at this festival. You can taste and purchase wines at the festival.
www.indiewinefestival.com
Portland Rose Festival
Held in June for over 100 years and offers many family opportunities like the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, the Starlight Parade, a waterfront carnival, dragon boat races, concerts and fireworks.
www.rosefestival.org
Chamber Music Northwest
Held in June and July and is one of the most successful chamber music events in the nation and features an outside picnic prior to the event.
www.cmnw.org
Waterfront Blues Festival
Held in July and is one of the largest blues festivals west of the Mississippi River with national acts performing over five days.
www.waterfrontbluesfestival.com
Oregon Brewers Festival
Held in July and features the largest gathering of independent brewers in North America.
www.oregonbrewfest.com
Portland Highland Games
Held in July and features all things Scottish.
www.phga.org
The Bite of Oregon
Held in August and benefits Special Olympics Oregon. This is one of the most popular festivals as it features local foods, chefs, wines and music.
www.biteoforegon.com
Art in the Pearl
Held Labor Day weekend. Local artist, musicians, dancers and other creatives display their art experiences around the city.
www.artinthepearl.com
Musicfest NW
Held in September as a massive block party with local musicians and national acts to benefit children’s music education.
www.musicfestnw.com
Wordstock
Held in October and growing larger every year, enjoy readings and workshops led by regional and national writers.
www.wordstockfestival.com
ZooLights Festival
Held in December and changes the Oregon Zoo into a holiday fairyland with train rides, kid’s activities and music.
www.oregonzoo.org
Churches
The Old Church
Built in 1883 and representing Victoria architecture, this church now hosts concerts and community events. Free concerts are offered every Wednesday afternoon.
theoldchurch.org
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel
A few decades older than the City of Portland, located in downtown Portland and near the Willamette River, the parish has always been easily accessible by foot, car, trolley and now light rail trains..
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
The Cathedral is known in the broader community for superb music, broad educational programming for all ages, and outreach ministries to the city and beyond. Trinity also has a beautiful Labyrinth built into the floor open to the public on specific nights for walking.
http://www.trinity-episcopal.org/
Mt. Angel Abbey
This Benedictine Monastery, with its world famous library, seminary schools of philosophy and theology and its guest and retreat house. It’s also famous for its Oktoberfest celebration.
http://mountangelabbey.org/
Oregon Coast
Cannon Beach, OR – www.cannonbeach.org
Seaside, OR – www.seasideor.com
Lincoln City, OR
Newport, OR
Depot Bay, OR
Whale watching
Dining
Portland City Grill – www.portlandcitygrill.com
Jakes
Higgins – higginsportland.com/
Morton’s Steakhouse – www.mortons.com
Hubers
McMenamins
Day Hikes/Drives
Waterfalls of Oregon – www.waterfallswest.com
Multnomah Falls. People come from all over the world to see this amazing water fall so you may want to start with Multnomah Falls.
Oneonta
Horsetail
Bridal Veil Falls & Upper Bridal Veil Falls
Wahkeena Falls
Vista House
Old Highway
Willamette River
Bishops Close
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org
Craft Stores
Collage
Sandy Yarn Store
Yarn Garden
Craft Warehouse
Teachers/Workshops I Recommend
Jan Engels-Smith ~ www.lightsong.net
Karen Hefner ~ www.ignitingspirit.com
Lauri Shainsky ~ http://www.hiddenlakeretreat.org/
Pearl Pierce ~ www.pearlpierce.com
Terry Kem ~ http://www.deerdance.org/
Sioux Strong
Wildlife Refuges
Oak’s Bottom ~ http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=490&subareas=4
Sauvie Island – http://sauvieisland.org/visitor-information/natural-attractions/sauvie-island-wildlife-refuge/
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Colleen’s Portland Workshops