A Berkeley-esque, steep crest of natural refuge nestled directly above the southern reaches of 23rd Ave, Washington Park is wondrous in its ability to be both a place of forested mystique, and mere steps from the urban core. Hidden in its hills can be found a MAX station, the zoo, a rose garden, and the Children’s Museum. But, for a brief get-away on any day from the urban canyons of downtown, simply stroll to Lewis and Clark Circle at the eastern edge, and lose yourself exploring the niches and stairways, taking in majestic views of the city as if from afar. Southwest of NW 23rd Ave., a few blocks up the hill west of the PGE Park baseball stadium; also accessible by MAX light rail and an exit off of Highway 26. Park hours: 5:00am-10:00pm.

Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo is home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and Arctic polar bears. From the mist-filled Africa Rain Forest to the majestic Great Northwest exhibits, the zoo encourages visitors to understand and experience the natural world. Committed to conservation of endangered species and their habitats—both locally and around the globe—the zoo is a center for wildlife preservation and field research. A summer concert series, seasonal events and the zoo railway help this popular Oregon attraction draw more than one million visitors each year. Hours: April 15 - Sept. 15, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Grounds open till 7 p.m. Sept. 16 - April 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Grounds open till 5 p.m. The zoo is open every day except December 25. Rates: Adults (12-64) $9.75, Seniors (65 and over) $8.25, Children (3-11) $6.75. Infants (2 and under) Free (503) 226-1561 Located five minutes west of downtown Portland on Highway 26. Watch for the signs. Parking & Transportation: $2 per vehicle. 960 spaces, 17 disabled person spaces. A shuttle runs from the next freeway exit on busy days. Or take Light Rail (MAX) which stops at the Washington Park station approximately every ten minutes.

World Forestry Center

Across the parking lot from the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Children's Museum is the World Forestry Center. Our 20,000 square foot museum is located in Portland's beautiful Washington Park. Built in dramatic Cascadian style architecture, you'll marvel at the intricate hand carvings and grand entry outside, and delight in all new exhibits inside. All new hands-on, interactive exhibits are family friendly and designed to engage visitors to learn about the sustainability of forests and trees of the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Hours: 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Rates: $8.00 adults, $7.00 seniors (62+), $5.00 children 3-18. (503) 228-1367. worldforestrycenter.org

International Rose Test Gardens

Portland has long been known as the City of Roses and one visit to the Rose Test Gardens will show you why. Featuring over 6,800 rose bushes representing 557 varieties, the International Rose Test Garden received The Garden of Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2006. If you only see one thing while in Portland, this is the place to go. Catch beautiful vistas of downtown and Mt. Hood from the lookout point or relax in Shakespeare’s Garden: Garden hours: 7:30am-9:00pm.

Portland Japanese Garden

After a visit to the Rose Garden, walk past the tennis courts and across the parking lot to the Japanese Garden. At the heart of a Japanese garden is harmony with nature. The 5.5 acre Japanese Garden is composed of five distinct garden styles. Through the careful use of plants, stones, and water, areas of serene and quiet beauty emerge. These peaceful spots in the Garden lend themselves to meditation and contemplation. Located in Southwest Portland, directly above the International Rose Test Gardens in Washington Park, at 611 SW Kingston Ave. The Garden is served hourly by TriMet bus #63 which stops in downtown Portland and at the Zoo/Washington Park MAX Light Rail station. Open seven days a week year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Summer Season: April 1-September 30, Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-7pm, Monday: 12pm-7pm. Winter Season: October 1-March 31, Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-4pm, Monday: 12pm-4pm, $8.00 Adults, $6.25 Seniors (age 62 & over), $6.25 College Students (college ID is required, please), $5.25 Youths (age 6-17), Children under age six are free. (503) 223-1321, japanesegarden.com

South Park Blocks/Cultural District

This strip, famously described a “cathedral of trees with a simple floor of grass”, stretches twelve blocks from SW Salmon to Portland State University. Each block features artwork. The South Park Blocks are in the heart of the Cultural District in between the Portland Art Museum and the museum of the Oregon Historical Society, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Performing Arts Center.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

“Portland’s living room” is a world-renowned mecca of people-watching, seated squarely in the heart of Downtown. From food vendors to business folk, the square boasts more brick seating than you can shake a stick and hosts over 300 events annually. Named the fourth-best public space in the world (according to the Project for Public Spaces), the Courthouse Square is the pillar of the city center. Downtown, along the MAX light rail line, between Yamhill and Morrison at Broadway.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

In a legendary salute to the Willamette River, an entire freeway was demolished in order to place this lovely park along Downtown’s border with the water. Check out a river cruise, hop around the fountain, or bring a football and take in the venerable peak of Mt. Hood while enjoying the more traditional green spaces this park has to offer. Several major events and festivals come through every year, stuffing the park with even more people and vibrancy, making this an ‘it’ place to be on any pleasant day. Naito Pkwy between SW Harrison St & NW Glisan St.

Tram

The Tram cabins travel 3,300 linear feet between the South Waterfront terminal adjacent to the OHSU Center for Health & Healing, and the upper terminal at the Kohler Pavilion on OHSU's main campus. Traveling at 22 miles per hour, the Tram cabins rise 500 feet for the three-minute trip over I-5, the Lair Hill neighborhood and the Southwest Terwilliger Parkway.Hours: M-F 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.,Sun 1 - 5 p.m., May 18 - Sept 19 only, Roundtrip fare: $4.00, Children 6 and under ride free. Tri-Met transfers are valid. portlandtram.org