Area Attractions
Around Reed
Tour Reed's Research Reactor (June 12th only).
Take a walk around the Reed campus (campus map):
- The Canyon is a natural area featuring spring-fed lake, fish ladder, and native plant restoration in progress.
- Check out the Trees of Reed. Be thankful that the ginkos aren't fruiting in June.
Visit the Crystal Springs Rhododenron Garden just across 28th Ave. to the west.
Play a round at the Eastmoreland Golf Course, one of the top public courses in the country.
The Sellwood-Moreland Neigborhood features shops, restaurants, "antique row" and a gazillion coffee shops.
Around Portland
Check out Getting Around Portland for a variety of walking and transit maps. Reed is in Southeast Portland and downtown is in Southwest.
The Portland Oregon Visitors Association has a listing of local attractions, and a good downloadable map of downtown.
The Portland Farmer's Market will be in full swing (too early for tomatoes though). The market has different locations on Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday.
A couple of miles north of Reed, Hawthorne Boulevard has lots of options for eating, drinking and shopping. Hawthorne Blvd. also provides direct access to downtown Portland, via the Hawthorne Bridge.
The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry is located on the east bank of the Willamette River, just south of downtown.
You haven't experienced Portland until you've visited Powell's City of Books. There are several locations, but the mothership is at 10th and West Burnside. The Technical Store is just a couple of blocks away on Park Avenue.
From Powells you can venture into the Pearl District , and newly revitalized urban neighborhood of restaurants, galleries and boutiquey shops.
Washington Park includes the International Rose Test Gardens and Japanese Garden
Take a ride on our new Aerial Tram for a fabulous view of the city and mountains to the east.
Oregon & the Northwest
The Portland Oregon Visitors Association also has a good list of regional attractions.
Check out Oregon Wineries. The Willamette Valley appellation, is the closest to Portland. The Oregon Wine Tasting Room in McMinville has selections from over 80 wineries.
While in McMinville, check out hte Evergreen Aviation Museum, featuring the Spruce Goose.
From McMinville, you're already part way to the Oregon Coast. The coast features great sandy beaches and dramatic rocky bluffs and vistas. Even in summer, the Oregon ocast is not exactly the sort of place you hang out in a bathing suit - brrrr!
Alternatively, head east, up the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Gorge Vistas document (PDF) is an excellent guide to gorge history, geology, and outdoor activities. You can also make a loop trip and visit Timberline Lodge on the same day...
Even in the summer, Timberline Lodge is a fabulous destination. The Lodge was constructed in 1937 and is now a national historic landmark. Timberline is about 1.5 hours to the east of Portland.
Also close to Portland... Mt. St. Helens is famous for it's massive eruption in 1980. The Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake is about 1.25 hours to the north of Portland.