• Director Park - All tours commence at Director Park. Participants will gather at the southeast corner of this urban park, close to the intersection of SW Taylor and SW Park Ave. The meeting point is directly across from the entrance to the Regal Fox Tower.

Parking is accessible on nearby streets or in parking lots in the adjacent building. The MAX light rail is conveniently located just a block away at the Pioneer Square stop.

• South Park Blocks - Portland’s history is vividly reflected in its buildings and street layouts, with a significant emphasis on parks throughout the city center. The tour will explore the park blocks, revealing the reasons behind their design and what the park blocks’ designer left unfinished before his passing.
• The Portland Building - From buildings with cast iron facades to the famously controversial post-modern Portland Building, the tour will explore the architectural decisions made by city planners throughout history.
• Portland Art Museum - The tour will pass by the museum’s exterior, discussing the evolution of art in Portland.
• Pioneer Courthouse Square - A visit to Pioneer Courthouse Square is essential for any downtown Portland tour or exploration of the city’s counterculture history. From its origins as an educational hub to efforts to exclude “dirty hippies,” the tour will uncover how this square has remained a focal point for both Portland residents and visitors alike.

• Certified Guide

• Gratuities (always appreciated)

Tour Times: 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m.

Starting Point: DIRECTOR PARK

Join our captivating walking tours in downtown Portland, Oregon, which are lively, well-paced, and vibrant, showcasing the Best of the City! Portland is a unique city, with stories embedded in every building, park, and brick. We’ve curated the city’s highlights, including its complexities and contradictions. In a world that is constantly evolving, we continually update the city’s narrative. The tour covers approximately 2 miles/3 km.

Portland’s history is vividly illustrated through its architecture and street design, with a focus on the central parks. This is not a dull history lesson; it’s filled with secret deals, untimely deaths, and ambition, not to mention the hippie movement!

Discover how Portland became the first city on the West Coast to have a fine art museum. Explore how the city’s early cultural reputation shaped its mid-20th-century identity and how it became a focal point for racial justice protests. We’ll delve into the past, present, and future essence of the city.

Note: Participants should be able to walk 1-2 miles.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.