Signature City Portland

Activity note: Hotel check in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program schedule and any changes. We will also discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods labeled as "Free time" and "At Leisure" offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy a 3-course plated dinner with salad, entreé and dessert, plus water, coffee, and tea; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We will begin our exploration of Portland with an overview of the city's culture and history.

Activity note: Walking up to two miles on the bridge walk with limited breaks. There may be opportunities to sit on public transit if seats are available. Closed-toe shoes are required for the bridge walk. Getting on/off a motorcoach.

Breakfast: At the hotel, enjoy a breakfast buffet with choices such as eggs, breakfast meats, cereals, fresh fruits, juices, milk, coffee and tea.

Morning: We'll start our day exploring the bridges of Portland with one of the city's outstanding bridge experts, including a trip up into the tower and down into the bascule. This field trip will help us learn how Portland became "Bridge Town" and how engineers have kept the spans functioning for a century.

Lunch: Because Portland is situated at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, river culture plays a big role in the community from Rose Festival dragon boat races and Fourth of July festivities to biking and art along the Esplanade. Enjoy the sights of the city from our vantage point aboard the Portland Spirit as we cruise on the Willamette River. We will savor our lunch as the beautiful waterfront slowly passes by and the sites are narrated by riverboat staff.

Afternoon: After our cruise we will head to a nearby bookstore for an expert-led discussion about the city's - and perhaps the world's - largest new and used bookstore. We will learn about the history of Powell's City of Books as well as local lore and legends of this celebrated establishment.

Dinner: At a favorite neighborhood restaurant, a local expert will provide an educational lecture on Portland architecture that will focus on Portland's Gilded Age, Portland's rise to wealth, and the prominent families of Portland.The lecture will be followed by dinner at the restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Downtown walk is approximately one mile at a leisurely pace, with some periods of standing. Use of some public transportation.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: We'll stretch our legs this morning with an expert-led walking excursion through Portland's historic downtown. We will discover delightful public art, intriguing architecture and experience the history of the City of Roses "on the street."

Lunch: We're in for a treat as we dine at one of the city's most popular restaurants while soaking in spectacular views from the 30th floor of one of Portland's tallest buildings. Afterwards, we'll take the MAX train back to our hotel.

Afternoon: Native American culture is central to the Oregon experience and can be seen in the naming of mountains, rivers, cities and streets to the Maya Lin Confluence Project documenting the journey of Lewis and Clark. Back at our hotel, we will listen to modern and historic stories of Native experience as told by a local storyteller and history keeper of Kalapuya/Coos heritage.

Dinner: We'll enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Evening: We'll wrap up our day with an expert-led presentation on Portland and Pacific Northwest artists. A member of the Regional Arts and Culture Council will give us context for some of the work we may see at the Portland Art Museum.

Activity note: Standing for extended periods in museums, use of public transportation.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: This morning we will take the MAX train to stroll through the authentically built, awe-inspiring Suzhou-style Lan Su Chinese Gardens. The Gardens were created as a collaboration between the cities of Portland and Suzhou, Portland's sister city in China's Jiangsu province that's famous for its beautiful Ming Dynasty gardens. A docent will guide us through this experience, which is based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition that melds art, architecture, design, and nature in perfect harmony. Afterwards, we'll ride the MAX train to the cultural district and visit the Portland Art Museum, the oldest art museum on the West Coast. It features Native American, Northwest, modern, contemporary and Asian art as well as an outdoor public sculpture garden. A docent will be available to narrate a portion of the museum, followed by time to explore on your own.

Lunch: From the museum, we will ride the MAX train to one of Portland's popular food halls. Vouchers will be provided to choose what you like from a variety of vendors, including a beverage, entree and dessert. Following lunch, you may return to the hotel by MAX train, or stay downtown for further adventures.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal exploration to see and do what interests you most, or relax at the hotel. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking on unpaved paths at the Gardens. Periods of standing at the historic home and museum. Getting on/off a motorcoach.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: This morning’s field trips feature docent-led explorations of two exceptional gardens in Washington Park. We'll depart by motor coach to the International Rose Test Garden overlooking the city. Known simply as the Rose Garden, it covers 4.5 acres in Washington Park and features more than 650 varieties of roses, producing more than 10,000 flowers each year. The Portland Rose Society was established in 1888. In 1915 as World War I raged in Europe, newspaper editor Jesse Currey persuaded city officials to establish a “test garden” to protect and preserve European hybrid roses in danger of being destroyed. Fortunately, the roses outlasted the war. Portland today is known as the City of Roses. The primary purpose of the garden today is to serve as a testing ground for new rose varieties. The City of Portland Gold Medal Awards are issued annually to the best introductions. Afterwards, we’ll continue to the Portland Japanese Garden, acclaimed as “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.” There are five distinct areas that establish a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility. A docent will lead our exploration of the garden that includes a Japanese Tea House as well as arbors, bridges, pagodas, stone lanterns, water basins, and an unsurpassed view of Mt. Hood.

Lunch: Following our visit to the gardens, we will enjoy a boxed lunch in Washington Park with sandwich, water and dessert.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will continue our morning with a visit to Pittock Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which was the magnificent home of Oregon Pioneers and owners of Portland's newspaper, "The Oregonian." Located on a cliff overlooking the valley, we will have another opportunity for fabulous views. We will then head back into downtown Portland, where we will discover an expansive collection of artifacts and exhibits at the Oregon Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve and interpret Oregon's past in thoughtful, illuminating and provocative ways.

Dinner: Enjoy a delightful dinner at a neighborhood restaurant in the Pearl.

Evening: At your leisure.

Activity note: Hotel check-out is by 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast: Full buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: The Group Leader will lead a wrap-up session to review program highlights, share favorite experiences, and say farewell to Road Scholar friends. This concludes our program. Have a safe journey home!