Your private tour begins in downtown Portland, Old Chinatown, Old Town, the Skidmore and Yamhill Historic districts and includes the Hawthorne Bridge, the oldest vertical lift bridge in the U.S.  With your personal chauffeur / tour guide, you will learn about Portland's beginnings in the early-1800s when Lewis & Clark traveled through here, and Indians lived along the Willamette River, which Clark described as," the Willamette can serve a man of war or ship of any burthen."  Historical architecture and the history of the notorious Shanghai Tunnels, that survived from 1850-1941, the infamous Portland Underground, are also talked about.

The tour continues through the Goose Hollow residential neighborhood to Washington Park and the famous International Rose Test Garden and the tranquil Japanese Gardens. 

The Japanese Garden's are a haven of tranquil beauty that has been proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.  Even in Japan it would be difficult to find a garden of this quality, says Sadafumi Uchiyama, a national garden consultant.  It’s not just the ability to stroll though five formal garden styles, contemplating raked sand and a tea house built with pegs, or the unique hillside setting bound by Doug firs.  It’s not even the “borrowed scenery” of Mount Hood or the “hide and reveal” philosophy scattered among winding pathways, plantings and stones.  What allows this garden to exist here, in this form, has more to do with Portland’s subdued culture, the moist climate and a commitment to livability.  “Let me say it like this,” offers Uchiyama.  “Can you imagine finding this in Texas?

Self-guided tours are offered throughout the year. 

Japanese Garden Hours & Pricing

October 1 - March 31:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm
(Mondays: 12pm - 4pm)
Last admission taken at 3:30pm

April 1 - September 30
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 7pm
(Mondays 12pm - 7pm)
Last admission taken at 6:30pm

Admission is:

Daily guided tours of the Garden are offered April-October at 10:45am, 1pm, and 2:30pm. (On Mondays the Garden opens at noon, with the first tour at 1pm.) Additionally, November through March, guided tours are offered at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Public tours are generally 45 minutes to one hour, outdoors, and on foot. Visitors may join or leave the public tour at any time—no reservations necessary.

The Classical Chinese Garden, the largest, and said to be the most authentic of its kind outside China, is substituted for the Rose Garden from early November through late January, during inclement weather, or upon request. Hundreds of years of symbolism, tradition and horticulture come together at the Garden of Awakening Orchids, which gained worldwide attention before it even opened here five years ago.  Built in Portland’s sister city, Suzhou, and assembled by 65 Chinese craftsmen, it is, in essence, a Ming Dynasty work of artistry air-dropped into Old Town.  Today it’s considered the most authentic outside of China, complete with inlaid pebbled walkways, carved porticos and impressive plant life that includes rhododendrons discovered only recently in Asia.  And who wouldn’t love a place with a tea-house known as the Tower of Cosmic Reflections?

Chinese Garden Hours & Pricing. 

November 1 - March 31 (Winter):

Daily - 10:00am - 5:00pm

April 1 - October 31 (Summer):

9:00am - 6:00pm

Pittock Mansion Hours   Self-guided tours are available anytime.  Guided mansion tours are available weekends at Noon, 12:30 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:15PM & 2:45 PM.  Weekdays at 1:30 & 2:45 PM.  No charge.

June 1–Aug 31, 11–4PM daily

Sept 1–May 31, 12–4PM daily

CLOSED January, November 17, 18, 19, and 23, plus July 4 & December 25, 2006.  On these days, we would substitute the Forestry Center, Vietnam War Memorial or the Chinese Gardens, or a request.

Admission is:

** Mercury Spring Eatin' Guide 2003