Natures and Gardens Portland Waterfront – A mile stroll between the Hawthorne and Steel bridges Rose Garden – Rose test garden, may or may not be terribly exciting by September Japanese Gardens – Beautiful gardens year round, pretty view of downtown – closed for renovations September – March 2016 =( Chinese Garden – Walled garden in the heart of the city Forest Park – Hiking trails within the city. North America’s largest park. Hoyt Arboretum – Part of Forest park Gorge / Waterfalls – Spend a wonderful afternoon amongst some of Oregon’s most beautiful scenery. An hour drive, but completely worth it. Take I-84E then the historic highway east.