Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

When out-of-town visitors ask where they should go in Portland, I always give them the same answer: Washington Park.

Aside from being a mega-park that encompasses attractions like the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum and the World Forestry Center, it’s also hands-down the most beautiful spot in the city. But crowning Washington Park as the prettiest place in Portland just doesn’t seem fair. And reminiscing about the many beautiful places within its boundaries got us thinking: What are Portland’s other beautiful places?

Three from Washington Park made our final cut, along with some of its northwest Portland neighbors, and spots scattered throughout the city. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but for this list we considered places that offer more than just a forest and a trail – places that combine natural beauty with manicured gardens and stunning architecture.

Yes, these are urban spaces, and some come with a few less-than-beautiful aspects inherent in public parks. But whether you’re a tourist or a local, these are great places to spend a sunny spring or summer day, basking in the beauty our city has to offer.

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John M. Vincent/The Oregonian

16. South Park Blocks

Set along 12 blocks of S.W. Park Avenue, between S.W. Salmon and S.W. Jackson downtown, the tree-lined South Park Blocks feature fountains, statues, small gardens and grassy areas. They also run past several of Portland's big cultural institutions – the Portland Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Oregon Historical Society and Portland State University – and are host to the weekly Portland Farmers Market.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

15. Leach Botanical Garden

The pet project of botanist Lilla Leach and her husband, John, the Leach Botanical Garden is a 16-acre public park, originally designed as the Leach's personal "Sleepy Hollow," bequeathed to the city after their death. Despite almost being sold in the 1980s, the garden remains free and open to the public.

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John M. Vincent/The Oregonian

14. Terwilliger Boulevard Parkway

The winding 2.5-mile stretch of Terwilliger Boulevard boasts spectacular views above Portland, and is a popular spot for cyclists, runners and hikers, who can dip into neighboring Marquam Nature Park as well. The grass-lined parkway has playgrounds, benches and a retro fitness trail, and is the upper terminus of the Portland Aerial Tram at Oregon Health & Science University

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Rob Finch/The Oregonian

13. Peninsula Park

Everybody knows the International Rose Test Garden, but less attention is paid to Portland's original public rose garden at Peninsula Park. Beautifully designed around a large fountain, the garden still features most of its original 1913 architecture, and remains a popular gathering place in North Portland.

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Dave Killen/The Oregonian

12. Mount Tabor

Built atop an old volcanic cinder cone, Mount Tabor is beloved by runners, walkers, cyclists, stroller-pushers, hikers and even soap box racers. Paved roads, staircases and trails form a network of pathways throughout the park, weaving through a forest of tall firs and wide open meadows, past the city's former water reservoirs turned reflecting pools, with sweeping views at the top.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

11. Tryon Creek

A quiet, forested state park in southwest Portland, Tryon Creek features 8 miles of hiking trails, 3.5 miles of horse trails, a 3-mile bicycle trail and a paved universal access trail. Many wooden bridges cross the small streams that run through it, making it a popular place for neighborhood walkers as well as families. It's also known for its annual Trillium Festival in April.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

10. Cathedral Park

You'd think that Cathedral Park's location at the foot of the St. John's Bridge – to many, Portland's most beautiful bridge – would be enough to earn it a spot on this list, but the 23-acre park also scores big for its fishing docks, beach, and tree-lined grassy areas, a perfect place for a sunny-day lounge or a weekend jazz festival.

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Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian

9. Waterfront Park

One of the most visited and easily recognizable places in Portland, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is definitely a beauty, especially when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom come spring. The large grassy areas are home to a number of big, annual events – like the Waterfront Blues Fest and the Oregon Brewers Festival – but the waterfront walk past Portland's bridges is an attraction in and of itself.

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Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian

8. Laurelhurst Park

One of Portland's most beloved city parks, Laurelhurst Park rests at the heart of southeast Portland, with more than 30 acres of forest, ponds, green spaces and historic features. In 1919, the Pacific Coast Parks Association named Laurelhurst Park the most beautiful on the west coast, and its reputation remains today.

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John M. Vincent/The Oregonian

7. Hoyt Arboretum

Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species, the Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park is a sprawling natural space lush with 2,300 types of trees and plants, designed to highlight different species each season. Its trails also lead to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and connect to both the Marquam Trail and the Wildwood Trail.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

6. The Grotto

Officially the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, The Grotto is a Catholic outdoor sanctuary nestled into northeast Portland. While heads of The Grotto make no effort to hide their Christian identity, there is a concerted effort to reach out to and welcome people of all spiritual beliefs. And whether you're religious or not, the gorgeous gardens and shrines are worth a visit.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

5. Lan Su Chinese Garden

A collaboration between Portland and its Chinese sister city, Suzhou, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is a gem tucked away in Old Town, where paths lead through beautiful gardens and quiet alcoves. Its name can be interpreted as "garden of the awakening orchids," but something new seems to be awakening within its walls every season.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

4. Pittock Mansion

Built in 1914 as the extravagant home of Portland's original power couple – Henry and Georgina Pittock – the Pittock Mansion today is just an all-around beautiful attraction, boasting historic architecture, a beautiful garden and spectacular views overlooking the city. You can drive up to see it, but it's best visited by via the Wildwood trail, on what has become the most iconic hike in the city.

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Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian

3. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

A popular spot for weddings, senior photos and Mother's Day outings, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in southeast Portland gets a lot of traffic – for good reason. The public park features thousands of colorful rhododendrons, which first bloom in early spring, as well as azaleas and other flowers and trees, all planted around the spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake that surrounds much of the garden.

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

2. International Rose Test Garden

Putting the "rose" in "Rose City," the International Rose Test Garden is the pride and joy of Portland, with more than 10,000 rose bushes of 650 different varieties. The garden first opened in 1917 to showcase the flower that had already become synonymous with the city, and today the park attracts about 700,000 visitors every year, cementing its place as one of the very best attractions in town.

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Motoya Nakamura/The Oregonian

1. Portland Japanese Garden

You won't find a place more beautiful than the Portland Japanese Garden. The impeccably-manicured attraction features stone gardens, tranquil ponds and many tucked-away spaces fit for quiet meditation. In 2017, the garden unveiled a big expansion that only added several gorgeous buildings, including a tea house, bonsai terrace, entry garden and stone wall. The intention and attention to detail makes the Japanese Garden truly special, getting the most out of every inch of the beautiful space.

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

NORTHWEST TRAVEL GUIDES

Roadside attractions of Oregon: The Oregon Vortex, Prehistoric Gardens, Harvey the Rabbit and more. These are the 40 best roadside attractions in the state.

Portland hiking guide: Hit the trail without leaving the city. Here are 20 places to hike around Portland.

Shipwrecks of the Oregon coast: They don't call it the Graveyard of the Pacific for nothing. Here are 8 shipwrecks that still haunt the coast.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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