Portland Historic Downtown Walking Tour

Embarking on a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) walk through the heart of downtown Portland offers an immersive exploration into the city's rich tapestry of history, culture, and innovation.
Portland unfolds its stories through a series of iconic landmarks, bustling public squares, and artistic expressions that color its streets. You'll encounter not just the narrative of its past, but the living, breathing essence of what makes Portland beloved.

Admire vibrant murals and sculptures that punctuate the cityscape. Witness the symbiosis between architecture and environment. Even the smallest park in America claims its fame among the city's green spaces.

We'll share how Portland changed from a forest, to the wild-west "stumptown," to the vibrant "little" city it has become. This walk isn't just a physical journey but a passage through time, revealing how Portland's innovative spirit has shaped its identity from historic times to the present day.

Each tour may vary, depending on your guide.

Meeting Point

Pioneer Courthouse Square

701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204, USA

Your tour guide will meet you at "the milepost sign" (see our picture) on the east side of Pioneer Courthouse Square, directly across the street from the Pioneer Courthouse building.

What's included:

• Experienced local guide

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Pioneer Courthouse

555 SW Yamhill St, , Portland, 97204-1336, Oregon

We will begin our tour across the street from this historic building (the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest!) and proceed to walk around downtown Portland.

Pass by without stopping

Pioneer Courthouse Square

701 SW 6th Ave, Broadway between Morrison and Yamhill, Portland, 97204-1410, Oregon

Pioneer Courthouse Square is rich with history. It is currently a public space occupying a full 40,000-square-foot city block in the center of downtown Portland, Oregon, United States.

10 minutes

South Park Blocks

Southwest Park Avenue, , Portland, 97201, Oregon

Twelve blocks in length, it forms the Portland Cultural District and the greenspace at the center of Portland State University. Public artworks abound, as well as elm, oak, and maple trees.

20 minutes

Rebecca at the Well Shemanski Fountain

SW Park & Ninth Ave, , Portland, 97205, Oregon

An ornate fountain and sculpture in the South Park Blocks of downtown Portland, Oregon.

Pass by without stopping

Oregon Historical Society

1200 SW Park Ave, , Portland, 97205-2483, Oregon

The Oregon Historical Society was created in 1898 and receives about 44,000 visitors annually.
There is a large two-part mural on this nine-story building called Oregon History, painted by Richard Haas.

Pass by without stopping

Portland Art Museum

1219 SW Park Ave, , Portland, 97205-2430, Oregon

The oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, museum was designed by Pietro Belluschi. It is renown for its simple but effective design and use of materials.

Pass by without stopping

Portland'5 Centers for the Arts

1111 SW Broadway, Portland, 97205-2913, Oregon

When open, this is our restroom stop. It's a beautiful modern theater building, with public art in the lobby and the impressive "spectral light dome" ceiling.

15 minutes

Animals in Pools

555 SW Yamhill St, , Portland, 97204-1336, Oregon

Whimsical sculptures in downtown Portland

Pass by without stopping

The Portland Building

1150 Southwest Fifth Ave, , Portland, 97204, Oregon

You either love it or loathe it. The distinctive post-modern Portland Building was designed by Michael Graves.

10 minutes

Portlandia

1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland Building, Portland, 97204-1912, Oregon

It's the largest hammered copper statue in the United States, second to lady Liberty.

5 minutes

Mill Ends Park

Southwest Front Avenue and Taylor Street, median strip of SW Naito Parkway, Portland, 97204, Oregon

The tiniest park in America! Often decorated by citizens with tiny animals. You never know what you might see there!

Pass by without stopping

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Front Avenue, , Portland, 97205, Oregon

Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a 36.59-acre park located in downtown Portland, Oregon, along the Willamette River. It is named after the man who removed a 4 lane freeway to put in a public park, so people could access the waterfront again.

10 minutes

Salmon Street Springs

Salmon Street and Front Ave., , Portland, 97205, Oregon

A vibrant, outdoor fountain, running seasonally

Pass by without stopping

Hawthorne Bridge

Main to Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, , Portland, 97204, Oregon

View the oldest truss bridge in operation in America from your final destination

Pass by without stopping

Morrison Bridge

Connects Southeast Morrison and Belmont streets to Southwest Alder and Washington streets, , Portland, 97204, Oregon

One of the most heavily used bridges in Portland, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. It can be viewed from your final destination on this tour.

Pass by without stopping