Richard Knight, a seaman turned pharmacist and private animal collector donated his two bears and animals to the city of Portland in 1888. What was once a collection of a few animals is now a 64-acre park receiving about 1,600,000 visitors per year. Located inside Portland’s Washington Park, the zoo’s collection grew to include multiple exhibits. Major exhibits like the Great Northwest, Predators of the Serengeti, Africa Rainforest and Stellar Cove have made this zoological park the state’s largest paid and most popular attraction.

Have some time? Hop aboard the Washington Park & Zoo Railway. Either of the two primary trains, Zooliner or The Oregon, provides transportation between the zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, and Portland Rose Garden. Budding biologists and leisure travelers alike will also enjoy a train stop at the World Forestry Center, located just adjacent of the zoo.Add some more adventure to your day by making a trip to downtown Portland, located just two miles from the zoo. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has a planetarium, an Omnimax theatre, a retired navy submarine, and other hands-on exhibits perfect for you and your kids to enjoy.

Portland also hosts a Saturday Market where you can enjoy creative crafts, handmade art and jewelry and other unique finds. With a variety of exhibits that evoke savannahs, rainforests and the Great Plains, it’s no surprise that people start their trek at the Oregon Zoo. Hotels in the area are a convenient way to access everything the zoo and Washington Park have to offer. When you stay with Choice Hotels near Oregon Zoo, you can enjoy affordable rates and make lasting memories of unforgettable adventures. Reserve online now!