Downtown portland attractions
Explore the local events and top things to do around our hotel
There’s no place in the world quite like Portland, Oregon – and with an unparalleled location in the heart of the downtown district, The Benson, a Coast Hotel places the best of the city right at your fingertips.
Stroll through the exhibits at the Portland Art Museum, discover the trendy Pearl District, the world-famous Powell’s Books, the historic Pioneer Courthouse Square, or the many coffee shops, breweries and restaurants that have become part of the city’s fabric. All of this is just steps away from the hotel. Go discover it, explore it, enjoy it. And then come relax and recharge in the comfort and elegance of Portland’s landmark hotel.
Attractions
International Rose Test Garden
Distance from Hotel: 2.3 Miles
featuring over 10,000 rose bushes of approximately 650 varieties.
Portland Oregon White Stag Sign
Distance from Hotel: .5 Miles
Situated above the Burnside Bridge, this sign is one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Portlandia (Statue)
Distance from Hotel: .5 Miles
The second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty.
5th Avenue Food Cart Pod
Distance from Hotel: .1 Miles
From tacos to cupcakes, Portland’s food carts offer food choices from all over the world, catering to every taste.
Shanghai Tunnels/Portland Underground Tour
Distance from Hotel: .4 Miles
This group of passages links Portland’s Old Town (Chinatown) to the central downtown area of Portland.
Oaks Amusement Park
Distance from Hotel: 6.6 Miles
This popular, historic amusement park first opened in 1905 and was originally referred to as the "Coney Island of the Northwest".
Forest Park
Distance from Hotel: .4 Miles
One of the largest urban forests in the United States. With more than 80 miles of trails, fire lanes and forest roads.
Keller Auditorium
Distance from Hotel: .8 Miles
The Keller Auditorium is home to a vast array of performances, including ballet, opera, Broadway shows and more. There are plenty of family-friendly events to be explored here as well.
Union Station
Distance from Hotel: .8 Miles
Located in the Old Town Chinatown section of Portland, Union Station is now Amtrak train station.
Powell's City of Books
Distance from Hotel: .2 Miles
With over one million books to explore, Powell's City of Books is the largest shop of its kind in the world - and takes up an entire block!
Rose Quarter
Distance from Hotel: 1.4 Miles
Rose Quarter is a 30-acre sports and entertainment district located in Portland’s Lloyd District, on the east bank of the Willamette River. Home to the best NBA team in the country (the Blazers, of course),
Voodoo Doughnut
Distance from Hotel: .4 Miles
Voodoo Doughnut is famous for its amazing, outlandish creations - like bacon on your doughnut.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Distance from Hotel: .3 Miles
Affectionately known as the city’s “living room.” Pioneer Courthouse Square is Portland's most visited premier outdoor venue, hosting over 300 events a year.
Events
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Dragon Boat Races
Over 80 teams from all over the world (as well as right here in Portland) compete in these unique races on the Willamette River.
Grand Floral Parade
This flower-filled parade has been a popular part of the Portland Rose Festival for many years. If you're in town during this event, you won't want to miss it.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade
Celebrate and support the LGBTQ community at this annual two-day festival, held along the waterfront and featuring a host of events and activities.
Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
This 200+ mile bicycle ride is the largest multi-day bicycle event in the Northwest, with up to 10,000 participants riding from Seattle to Portland in one or two days.
Providence Bridge Pedal
Every year in the late summer, fans of cycling come together to walk or bike across Portland's streets and Willamette River Bridges.
Portland Book Festival
This annual festival features everything from readings by authors to delicious food and activities for the entire family - as well as a book fair, of course.
Corks and Carts
Hosted by iHeartRadio, this annual event celebrates the best in Oregon wines, paired with great entertainment and tasty food from a variety of food trucks.
Rose Festival Opening Night & Fireworks
Experience the exhilaration of the opening night fireworks display at the Portland Rose Festival, which kicks the Festival off in style!
Portland Vintage Racing Festival
Car racing takes center stage at this fun three-day festival, which is held at the Portland International Raceway and showcases everything from prototype to vintage cars.
Flicks on the Bricks
Watch some of your favorite films in the open air at this fun outdoor event, which is held on Friday evenings in July and August at the Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Oktoberfest Portland Maine
The original Bavarian beer carnival, Oktoberfest Portland Maine showcases 40 brewers and about 100 different brews and ciders.
Portland Greek Festival
Enjoy Greek food, crafts, music, and dance at this yearly festival.
Northwest Food and Wine Festival
With hundreds of wines and delectable cuisine from over 50 local restaurants, this annual festival is a can't-miss event for food and wine enthusiasts.
The Holiday Express - Christmas Train
Celebrate the festive season in Portland with this special event with Santa and his elves! Hop aboard a vintage rail car and ride along the river.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
This event in Pioneer Courthouse Square is an annual tradition to celebrate the lighting of the city of Portland's Christmas tree.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Sip and sample 18 winter ales at the St. John's Winter Beer Fest, located at StormBreaker Brewing.
Seafood & Wine Festival
If you like great wine and great seafood, you'll love this week-long festival, which features Oregon's freshest local fish, shellfish, wine, beer and more. There are tons of activities for the children, too.
PDX Jazz Festival
Held in venues across the city, PDX Jazz Festival presents dozens of performances by internationally renowned jazz musicians, as well as exciting local talent.
Thanksgiving Dinner at The Benson
Join us at the hotel for our delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Gingerbread Unveiling
The Benson's annual Gingerbread unveiling is a long-standing tradition in the community, with holiday music, cookies, cocoa and Santa!
Holiday Toy Drive
Gifts of new, unwrapped toys are accepted at The Benson starting the weekend of Thanksgiving through mid-December, benefiting a local charity.
Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Vote on your favorite pumpkin at The Benson's annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, and win prizes ranging from cash to concert tickets!
Waterfront Blues Festival
2021-07-02 00:00:00 - 2021-07-05 00:00:00
Oregon Food Bank's largest annual fundraising event features world-class blues performances, and is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.
Scooperfest Ice Cream Festival
2021-07-24 00:00:00 - 2021-07-25 00:00:00
If a festival dedicated to ice cream sounds like a dream come true to you, you're not alone. This annual two-day event, held in the summer, features over 40 flavors of delicious ice cream
Oregon Brewers Festival
2021-07-28 00:00:00 - 2021-07-31 00:00:00
Celebrate craft beer at this annual festival, which features over 80 different brews from all over the country.
Oregon International Air Show
2021-07-30 00:00:00 - 2021-08-01 00:00:00
Held at McMinnville Municipal Airport, the Oregon International Air Show offers everything from airplanes on display to a beer garden and a kids' zone.
Pearl District Art Festival
2021-09-04 00:00:00 - 2021-09-06 00:00:00
The city's annual festival celebrating the fine arts and crafts, Art In The Pearl is held over Labor Day weekend and features art, theater and activities for the whole family.
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A Century and Counting: The Historic Benson Hotel in Downtown Portland
The Benson, a Coast Hotel, is a AAA, 4-Diamond property with 287 luxury-appointed guest rooms in downtown Portland. Built in 1913, the hotel embraces its rich history with traditional European styling coupled with upscale modern amenities such as Tempur-Pedic Sleep System beds, organic bamboo robes, and 24-hour room service. Bring Fido too, because The Benson is pet-friendly.
