View of Portland (St. Helens: restaurant, floors, garden)

[1208]

Hi everyone.

I'm going to be in Portland soon and I would like to get a good view of the city while Im there. Are there any skyscrapers that you can get in to see around?

thanks.

[EnricoV]

The US Bankcorp building (locally referred to as "Big Pink") has a restaurant, The City Grill, on the 40th floor. The suggestion I hear is usually to go for drinks and the view, and skip the food.

The Wells Fargo building on the south end of downtown is actually the tallest, and used to have an observation floor. But they've remodeled since I was last up there, and I see no mention of it anymore. So I'm not sure if it's there or not.

And then, there's always the Aerial Tram down on the South Waterfront, up to OHSU.

[subsound]

I haven't been able to get up to any observation decks in the Wells Fargo building, but I'm only tried twice...might have taken it out or the rep was having a bad day. I work within spitting distance so I can ask again.

I love the views by the OHSU tram, if it's clear you can really get a good view of the city, Mt. Hood, and Mt. St. Helens.

[tablemtn]

The best views of downtown aren't from downtown itself; they are from elevated areas around downtown. The OHSU campus is one such place, as people have noted. The Pittock Mansion area is another.

[Lilly12103]

I second City Grill for the view of the city, if it is a clear day go to Rocky Butte park, it is on a big hill and SOO pretty, you can see a 360 degree view of the cascades and the various mountains.

[Rob Allen]

The Japanese Garden has a great view of the city from the area behind the pavilion. The Garden itself is beautiful; I highly recommend a visit.

Also, the Fremont and Marquam Bridges have really good views of the city as long as you're on the top deck and are not the one driving. Unfortunately they're both Interstate highways so there is no pedestrian access.

[1208]

Thanks for the replies!

[John Shaft]

The Rose test garden just downhill from the Japanese garden is free. Decent views of the city and Cascades, although the tall trees will obstruct the bottom part of the view, if that makes sense.

The Tram is $4 and you can see downtown and the south Waterfront area.

Alternatively, you could go up the OHSU south waterfront building and get some really great views looking north/northeast that take in downtown and St Helens. You'd proably need to act like you are a patient there for a doctor's appointment, but the waiting areas on the floors have some great vistas.