10 Marvels In Portland That Must Be Seen To Be Believed

There are so many city-defining places that keep Portland on the list as one of the most popular places to go to in the United States. There are two types of places in Portland, those that are meant to be understood and those that have no purpose at all other than to make Portland the city it is today.

1. Paul Bunyan Statue

Paul Bunyon is a widely known fictional American logger that has been around since the early 1900s. There are a few Paul Bunyon statues in the US, but not one quite as known as the one in Portland. Right off of Interstate Avenue, is a 31 foot tall concrete and metal statue of the character.

2. Witches' Castle

Hidden within Forest Park is a creepy concrete structure that is said to have had been there since the 16th century and it's been haunted ever since.

3. Mill Ends Park

Did you know that there was such a thing considered the smallest park in the world? Well if you can believe it, know that it's downtown Portland and it's called Mill Ends Park.

4. Multnomah Falls

At about 627 feet in elevation, this waterfall is Oregon's tallest. It's also Portland's most popular, and with good reason. You can choose to hike the 2.6 miles or view this beauty from the ground.

5. Punchbowl Falls

Be sure to come here on a warm day so you can bask in the sun and hop into the gorgeous pool, that has a majestic waterfall just rushing into it. This is seriously the hot spot in Portland during the summers.

6. Shanghai Tunnels

The Portland Underground was intentionally purposed for moving goods easily and swiftly to and from boats on the Willamette River–but as Portland myths tell us–it eventually became the main outlet of awful shanghai practices.

7. Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

Opened in 1980, this dimly lit cafe attracts people of all kinds. Each of its tables are named after a different composer, and do strange things like disappear into a slit in the wall or shakes when a button in the kitchen is pressed.

8. The Grotto

Tucked away in NE Portland, The Grotto has been serving as one of Portland's largest and most majestic Catholic sanctuaries for almost 100 years. With botanical gardens and shrines topped with mossy cliffs, this is one of the most gorgeous places in the city.

9. Stark's Vacuum Museum

Where else in the world would display such an object in this fashion? No where but Portland, of course! Come here to view all sorts of ancient vacuum gadgets that will have you in awe for hours.

10. Cathedral Park

Taking a stroll in Cathedral Park is beautiful for reasons other than its luscious greenery. If you walk directly under the St. John’s Bridge and look west, you can catch the surreal view of some of Oregon’s dreamlike forestry, which makes this view one of Portland’s true hidden treasures.

Can you believe these incredible places exist in Portland? What would you add to the list?