Emma Claire Ambroziak / The Mossy Log
Spring has sprung! Spring in Portland comes with all sorts of fun activities, including exploring the blooming of cherry blossom trees all around the city. You can find the beautiful white and pink blossoms covering the Japanese Garden in Washington Park and in Tom McCall Waterfront Park downtown. After midterms, you probably deserve a break, so here are some things to do and see around Portland this spring.
The Portland Japanese Garden touts their Yoshino cherry trees in their Strolling Pond Garden as well as the weeping cherry trees in the Flat Garden — both of which are displaying their blossoms soon. If you are interested in seeing the gorgeous trees, it is a trek to get there via public transit, taking approximately an additional 40 minutes from the downtown bus stop of the Pio Express Shuttle. The Portland Japanese Garden maintains a website tracking the state of the blossoms, which you should check out if you are interested in seeing them in peak bloom. Though each year varies, they predict that the garden usually blooms in late-March and early-April.
When envisioning the cherry blossoms of Portland, you are likely thinking of Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The Japanese American Historical Plaza within the park is certainly one of the most photographed parts of the city, and for good reason. Every year, throughout March, the cherry blossom trees, which were gifted to Portland by Japan in 1990, blanket a large section of the park with their pink petals. The Portland Tribune recommends visiting the west bank north of Burnside Bridge, and predictions from KOIN are showing that peak bloom will be around March 21 but blossoms will still be visible for a few more weeks. Get out there while they are still in bloom and have a picnic under their pink canopy, weather permitting.
Along with laying in the grass fields here on campus and going to see the cherry blossoms, there are numerous other spring activities to do in Portland. Beginning in March is the weekly Saturday Market by Tom McCall Park at 98 SW Naito Parkway. While you are downtown for the blossoms, you can check out the vendors, who offer food, art, clothes and often feature live musicians.
Keep an eye out for activities through resources such as TravelPortland, and Everout with the Portland Mercury to find up-to-date lists on all that is going on in Portland, including live music, shows and more. Everout has solid lists of food carts and venues around the city, which can ease the struggle in planning a hangout.
I personally recommend a walk through the city toward, then along, the riverfront park to enjoy Portland and its beautiful cherry blossom trees. As the weather warms up, there will be more and more activities and events, so get out and enjoy the mild weather coming up!
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