Romantic Portland, Oregon For Couples

1. Pittock Mansion

Built in 1914 for one of Portland’s most influential families, Pittock Mansion is an exquisitely preserved colonial-style mansion that provides insight into the history of Portland and how it became the city it is today. The Pittock Mansion was originally the home of Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock, whose lives paralleled the growth of Portland from a tiny Northwest town to a thriving city.

The home’s unique architectural design, richly decorated interiors, and vast collection of family artifacts stand testament to the family’s contributions to the development of Portland.

If you are looking for unique things to do in Portland, Oregon, the Pittock Mansion offers a rare view into the lives of Portland’s early inhabitants.

Guests can walk through the house and learn about what life was like during the early 1900s, then enjoy a picnic in the beautifully landscaped gardens and take in the breathtaking city vistas.

3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, OR 97210, Phone: 503-823-3623

2. Portland Japanese Garden

Founded in the early 1960s by the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon, the Portland Japanese Garden was created to promote and preserve a more intimate relationship between the people of Japan and those of Portland.

The garden also aims to educate visitors about the vegetation and the culture of Japan through beautiful display gardens and architectural features as well as cultural, environmental, horticultural, and charitable activities.

The Garden is composed of five distinct garden styles spread over 5.5 acres: the Flat Garden, the Strolling Garden, the Tea Garden, the Natural Garden, and the Sand and Stone Garden. If you are wondering what to do in Portland, Oregon on a sunny day, this is a great place to visit.

All of the gardens boast a deep sense of tranquility and reflect the ideals of peace and harmony that are so prevalent in Japan’s history and traditional culture.

611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland, Oregon 97205, Phone: 503-223-1321

3. Portland Art Museum

Founded in 1892 with the aim of providing Portland’s citizens with a first-class museum of local and internationally renowned artworks, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest and one of the oldest in the United States.

The museum is home to an impressive collection of over 42,000 objects reflecting the history of art from ancient times to the present.

The works on display include Asian and American art, modern and contemporary art, prints, drawings, photographs, and an exquisite English silver display. Forming the cornerstone of Portland’s cultural district, the museum includes the recently renovated, modernist-style Belluschi Building and the historic Mark Building.

The two buildings are connected by a subterranean gallery and an outdoor sculpture court. The museum offers free public tours daily, and patrons can reserve private group tours in advance.

1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205, Phone: 503-226-2811

4. Architectural Heritage Center Tours

Operated by the Bosco-Milligan Foundation, the Architectural Heritage Center is dedicated to the conservation of the architecture, history and heritage of the greater Portland area.

Home to one of the largest collections of architectural artifacts in the United States, the Center boasts a world-class research library and hosts a variety of exhibits, tours, programs and presentations throughout the year.

These features focus on the appreciation and preservation of historic and landmark buildings and “vernacular” homes, as well as cultural neighborhoods and traditional commercial areas.

Visitors to Portland can enjoy a number of Center-led walking tours, such as the Old House Revival Tour and the Heritage Homes tour, where knowledgeable professionals lead informative and interactive tours through historic neighborhoods around the city.

The Architectural Heritage Center also features educational programs and monthly exhibits by local and international artists.

5. International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden is all about roses and is the perfect romantic spot for couples. Established by the Portland Rose Society in 1889, this immaculately landscaped garden is brimming with all varieties of rose.

Through the Test Garden, the Rose Society aims to educate visitors and encourage them to learn about roses while enjoying the magnificent surroundings.

The garden features a number of displays to explore and enjoy: the Royal Rosarian Garden features roses named for every past Prime Minister of the Royal Rosarians; the Miniature Rose Garden is one of only six testing grounds for the American Rose Society (ARS) miniature rose test program and contains award-winning varietals.

The gardens have received a number of awards over the years, including the Garden of Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies, and is credited with having “Portland’s Best Roses.” Botanists and rose experts offer free public tours.

400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205, Phone: 503-227-7033

6. Mother’s Bistro

Mother’s Bistro and Bar in Portland brings together family comfort-food dishes from all corners of the earth. These are the nostalgic dishes we all remember our own mothers preparing with love and generosity. The interior of the restaurant is warm and inviting and you will immediately feel right at home. The dinner menu starts off with a select ion of small plates for sharing – these include Pierogi, Irish Nachos and Chopped Liver. These delectable morsels are followed by salads and a good choice of comforting entrees like Pulled Pork, Beef Potroast, Roast Chicken and Mom’s Meatloaf with Gravy. Remember to save room for a decadent dessert.

Mother’s Bistro, 121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, 503 464 1122

7. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Providing a haven of peace and beauty for Portland residents and locals to enjoy, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden should be a must on your Portland itinerary. The garden covers 9.5 acres of beautiful trees, unusual hybrid and rare species of rhododendrons and azaleas and many companion plants.

There is a lovely spring-fed lake surrounding much of the garden, which has become a haven for birds and other wildlife.

The garden is at its best from April to May when the rhododendrons are in flower, but it is also wonderful to visit at other times of the year. Shaded pathways lead visitors through the garden – you can stop to do some bird-watching along the way.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97202, 503 267 7509

8. Blue Star Donuts

Making a donut that stands out among many, many great, funky, and interesting donuts available in Portland is quite a challenge. Instead of going for shocking shapes and wild colors, the owners of Blue Star Donuts opted for interesting dough – fluffy, delicious French brioche dough – similar to the traditional yeast donuts.

They make their donuts with local ingredients, working in collaboration with their neighbors. They use organic fruits for their fillings and glazes, and the result is a perfect, mouth-watering bite bursting with flavor. The number of varieties grows by the day and you will be sorely tempted to try them all. Blue Star today has seven shops all over the world, including in Japan. Their four Portland shops are spacious, clean, and bright and offer just the right kind of coffee to go with your donuts.

672 #2 S Gaines St., Portland, OR 97239, Phone:503-265-8410