Portland, Oregon may be called “the City of Roses,” but Portland also has an abundance of other flowers scattered throughout the city. From the trilliums of Tryon Creek State Park to the rhododendrons and azaleas in the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and the Portland Waterfront cherry blossoms, spring is when colors explode in the city.
Seeing the Portland waterfront cherry blossoms
Every year in late-March or early-April—the exact time varies
depending on weather conditions—the 100 Akebono cherry trees in Tom McCall
Waterfront Park burst into bloom.
If you’re visiting Portland in the beginning of spring and only have time for a couple of parks, this should definitely be one you go to. The other recommended one is Forest Park, one of Portland’s greatest attractions.
You’ll find the double row of cherry trees on the Portland
waterfront between the massive Steel Bridge and the Japanese American
Historical Plaza, which is next to the Burnside Bridge underneath the iconic
White Stag sign.
Additionally, this is also a stone’s throw from the Portland Saturday Market, which is actually open on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s a fantastic spring morning activity.
The Waterfront Park Trail runs alongside the Willamette
River, offering superb views of the river, bridges and the Oregon Convention
Center on the other side. The manicured lawns are ideal for picnicking, reading
a book or just soaking up some early-spring sunshine.
I also recommend crossing the Steel Bridge, which brings you to the scenic Eastbank Esplanade, a half-floating, half-elevated walking and biking path. This amazing pathway runs all the way from the Steel Bridge to and beyond the Hawthorne Bridge. The views of the Portland skyline are phenomenal, especially early in the morning.
If you’re walking the Eastbank Esplanade in the afternoon, you might want to stop at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company. The path and the brewery are one of the best beer hikes in Portland.
Cross the Hawthorne Bridge and loop back to the Portland Waterfront cherry blossoms, where you started.
Portland cherry blossoms photos
People enjoy the early-spring sunshine in Tom McCall Waterfront Park
One hundred cherry trees burst into bloom each year in the beginning of spring
The blossoms attract walkers, cyclists and photographers alike
It’s a temporary paradise for Instagrammers
The cherry blossoms engulf everything, including street lamps
A blue bicycle on the Waterfront Park Trail, with the Steel Bridge in the background
Blossoms glowing in the morning sunlight underneath the Burnside Bridge
Two rows of Akebono cherry trees line the Portland waterfront
Wonderful view of the Portland waterfront and Willamette River
Close-up of the many thousands of cherry blossoms
I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to go for a morning jog!Have you ever seen the Portland Waterfront cherry blossoms?