Portland Points of Interest
Portland is also a great place to study English because of all the places you can visit when you are not in class. Whether you enjoy music, food, art, nature, sports, science or shopping, you will find something interesting and unique to experience in Portland and Oregon!
Portland Tourist Sites
These places are located in Portland and easy to reach by bus, train, or walking.
Portland Trailblazers
OMSI
Rose Test Garden
Oregon Zoo
Saturday Market
Japanese Gardens
Chinese Classical Gardens
Portland Art Museum
Pittock Mansion
Oregon Historical Museum
Willamette Jet Boat Excursions
These sites are an easy half-day or day trip from Portland. PELA organizes trips to some of these places throughout the year.
Multnomah Falls
Columbia River Gorge
Oregon Breweries
Oregon Wineries
Mt Hood
Smith Rock
Mt St. Helens
Ape Caves
Ft. Vancouver
Hood River
Astoria
Seaside
Cannon Beach
Evergreen Air and Space Museum
End of the Trail Museum
Tillamook Cheese Factory
These sites are an overnight trip from Portland.
Oregon Aquarium
Sea lion Caves
Lincoln City
Newport
Crater Lake
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Oregon Caves
Portland Area Shopping
The nearest shopping center to out school is 150 meters away. There are many famous stores within walking distance of our school.
Pioneer Mall
Lloyd Center
Washington Square
Clackamas Town Center
Bridgeport Village
Woodburn Outlets
Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets
Nike Store
Adidas Store
Columbia Sportswear
REI
Macy’s
Nordstrom’s
Portland Parks & Gardens
Portland has many beautiful parks and gardens that can be enjoyed all year long. There are many large parks near the school and any homestay will have parks nearby as well.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Waterfront Park
Eastbank Esplanade
International Rose Test Garden
Washington Park
Hoyt Arboretum
Forrest Park
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Peninsula Park & Rose Garden
Mt. Tabor
Delta Park
Cathedral Park
Springwater Corridor
Sports Leagues/Clubs
Any sport or hobby that you have can be done in Portland. Below is a list of sports leagues and clubs that students can join. Most of these leagues are for both men and women and beginners are welcome. The school will help you join.
Portland Tennis Center
Portland Rock Gym
Bowling League
Softball League
Dodgeball League
Mini-golf League
Kickball League
Volleyball League
Basketball League
Indoor Soccer League
Outdoor Soccer League
Futsal League
Chess Club
Go Club
Ultimate Frisbee League
Dragon Boat Racing
Flag Football League
American Football League
Surfing
Windsurfing
Epic Indoor Skate Park
Department of Skateboarding Indoor Park
Portland Outdoor Skate Parks
Breweries in Portland
Portland is famous for its beer. This is a list of some of the 56 breweries in the Portland area. Many of these are either close to the school or will be close to your homestay. Not only do they have delicious beer, but they have good food and great “happy hour” specials, too.
McMenamins
Full Sail Brewing
Tugboat Brewing Company
New Old Lompoc
Urban Hopworks
Lucky Labrador Brewing Company
Mickey Finns Brew Pub
Bridgeport Brewpub
Rogue Ales Public House
MacTarnahan’s Brewing Co.
Alameda Brewing Company
The Laurelwood
Widmer Brothers Gasthaus
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Roots Organic Brewing Company
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
Upright Brewing
Music/Nightlife in Portland
Summer Concerts in the Park
Pioneer Courthouse Square summer concerts & movies
Summer Concerts in the Zoo
Portland Opera & Portland Broadway Musicals
Aladdin Theater
Roseland Theater
Crystal Ballroom
Rose Garden Arena
The Amphitheater at Clark County
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
Portland Opera
Portland Center Stage
White Bird Dance Company
Oregon Ballet
Oregon Symphony
Comedy Sportz
Do Jump! Theater
Imago Theater
NBA Basketball – Portland Trailblazers
Voicebox Karaoke
Glowing Greens Miniature Golf
Portland Sprit River Cruises
Grand Central Bowling
Hollywood Bowl
Bars, Clubs, and Dancing
MLS Soccer – Portland Timbers
Portland Sister Cities
- Bologna, Italy
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Khabarovsk, Russia
- Sapporo, Japan
- Suzhou, China
- Ulsan, South Korea
- Ashkelon, Israel
- Mutare, Zimbabwe
- San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Corinto, Nicaragua
MAX Trains
Our school is located near several MAX train lines, a light-rail system of street-trains. The MAX can take you to many popular Portland neighborhoods, and even to other cities next to Portland. You can buy a monthly bus & train pass, or pay each time you board.
Portland Street Car
The Portland Street Car connects the great shopping and cafes on NW 23rd Avenue with the beautiful views from the Portland Arial Tram in the South Waterfront area. It also passes Powell’s Bookstore, the Central Library, Lloyd Center and the OMSI Science Museum.
Amtrak Train
Amtrak is the American commercial train system for people wishing to travel to various major cities in the U.S. and Canada:
Chicago, Illinois
Los Angeles, California
Seattle, Washington
San Francisco, California
Vancouver, Canada
Students receive student discounts on Amtrak trains.
Tri-met Bus System
Portland has an convenient bus system that you can use to get to any location in Portland, as well as other cities next to Portland. You can buy a monthly bus & train pass, or pay each time you board.
Bicycle Routes
Portland, Oregon is recognized as the most bicycle friendly city in America. More people bicycle to work in Portland than any other city in America. Portland’s system of bicycle trails and bicycle lanes makes it easy and enjoyable to travel around Portland on two wheels.
Driving
There are many places in Portland where people with valid driver's licenses can rent cars to travel throughout Oregon and to other parts of the United States. Here are some of the most popular places PELA students drive to:
Vancouver, Canada - 6 hours (505 km)
Seattle, Washington - 3 hours (250 km)
Mt. Hood, Oregon - 1 hour (90 km)
Oregon Coast - 1.5 hours (120 km)
San Francisco, California - 10 hours (1020 km)
