aloft to the MAX: jamison square and tanner springs park

One of Portland's greatest hallmarks is its urban parks---and with the MAX light rail just a hop-and-a-skip out our door, easy access to them is all yours!

Today, we take a look at two of the famous Pearl District's shining highlights: Jamison Square and Tanner Springs Park! Each offers a taste of the Portland vibe in its own unique way...

Jamison Square

The more urban of the two, Jamison Square is a lovely patch of city zen. A famous rock fountain---with a 'tidal pool' that kids love to play in---traverses its width, and a number of interesting art pieces mix-and-mingle with fresh grass, and array of trees, and even a delectable french restaurant (Fenouil) to create a complete experience.

Situated right in the heart of the Pearl District (with stylish condo towers all around), Jamison Square's got your dose of Portland's hip urban style :)

Tanner Springs Park


If you're looking for a unique respite from all that urban Pearl style, though, look no further than Tanner Springs Park, only one block north of Jamison Square. Tanner Springs presents an interesting contrast---versus Jamison's stone-built peace, the heart of Tanner Springs is composed entirely of native plants, recreating the riverside of old. Earthen paths lead you into a pad of wafting reeds, and to a pond brimming with fish species.

Situated within one city block, Tanner Springs has a power all its own to transport and relax you without miles of hiking to get away. Portland (and Oregon) embrace their natural spirit, and nothing calls to that in the city more than Tanner Springs. It has its share of art and architecture, as well, striking an interesting balance.

Once you've refreshed yourself with the park's unique natural touch, there's plenty of great dining with a few blocks---including custom gelato shakes across the street at the charming Via Delizia! :)

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To reach both parks from the aloft Portland, catch a MAX Red Line train to downtown, and get off at Galleria/SW 10th (about 40 minutes). Hop on the bright-and-happy Portland Streetcar heading north, and get off directly adjacent to Jamison Square at 10th and Johnson, or Tanner Springs Park at 10th and Northrup (either being ~10-11 minutes).

To return, catch the southbound streetcar on 11th, getting off at Taylor and walking a block north-and-east to the eastbound Red Line MAX stop at Yamhill and 10th, by the Central Library :)

aloft to the MAX: PGE Park

In town here at the aloft, and get the sporting-events itch? You're in luck, as a stylish and cozy park is just a quick jaunt on the MAX away: PGE Park!

With a Fenway-esque wall (and Wrigley-esque urban backdrop), an old-fashioned scoreboard, ivy, signature art, and one of the best walking neighborhoods (Nob Hill/NW 23rd) just steps away, PGE Park's a true classic experience!

Whether it's catching the San Diego Padres' prospects slugging their way to the Majors with the Portland Beavers, joining the famous Timbers Army for a raucous soccer experience at a Portland Timbers game, or touching down for some Portland State University Vikings football, there's plenty of events and variety for any given trip.

To get to PGE Park, simply hop on the Red Line here at Cascade Station and take it to the PGE Park station (about 35 minutes). There's tons of food and other hot spots near it's downtown location, so you can make it a full day! :)

aloft to the MAX: portland saturday market

A famous stop for all visitors to Portland is the Portland Saturday Market---and your quick-connect to its shopping wonders is just a hop-and-a-skip away!

The newly-expanded Saturday Market features a renowned range of crafty vendors, selling everything from beads, ceramics, and shirts to "Keep Portland Weird" stickers and elephant ears! Now spilling out from Ankeny Park over down to the Waterfront, there's plenty of food, shopping, and music to give you a great Portland day to remember :)

Best thing about the Market is easy access---just hop on the Red Line here at Cascade Station, and ride it to Skidmore Fountain, right in the thick of the Market! It's about a 25-minute ride, and it's virtually door-to-door :) So, should you find yourself with a Saturday free here, get your urban-adventuring shoes on and check out this steadfast Portland staple!

aloft to the MAX: the green line

Portland's world-class MAX light rail system is just a hop-and-a-skip out our door, and our already sweet proximity just got better with the addition of the MAX Green Line!

Extending from the urban Portland State University, up through the heart of downtown (via 5th and 6th avenues) and all the way out south to the Clackamas Town Center (complete with Century Theatres), the line greatly increases options for the on-the-a-go-go aloft Portland traveler!

Check out the spiffy route map and the Trimet site for the full slate of savvy opportunities!

To catch the freshly-minted Green Line, take the Red Line from Cascade Station to Gateway Transit Center (about 10 minutes), and transfer to the Green Line going west to downtown (~30 minutes) or south to Clackamas (~15 minutes).

aloft to the MAX: Washington Park

here at the aloft, we're just a hop-and-a-skip away from one of the nation's savviest transit systems---the MAX light rail! This opens up a world of quick on-the-go discovery to our guests, and few hot stops in Portland are as a-bursting with options as Washington Park:

With 400 acres of green, 15 miles of trails, and more family-friendly options than you can shake a stick at, Washington Park's an inexhaustible go-to destination.

In addition to all the green, there's attractions including the International Rose Test Garden (with famous views of Mt. Hood and the city); the Oregon Zoo; the tranquil Japanese Garden; the Portland Children's Museum; the World Forestry Center's Discovery Museum; and the Hoyt Arboretum, almost all within a quick walk of the underground MAX station. There's enough in Washington Park to keep you busy for a week, nevermind a day :) And it's all close to downtown, too---only about a 5-10 minute ride.

To adventure over to Washington Park from the aloft, simply hop on the Red Line at Cascade Station (adjacent to the hotel) and get off at Washington Park, about a 40-minute ride.

aloft to the MAX: Pioneer Courthouse Square

The aloft Portland at Cascade Station lives up to its name---we're only a few hundred feet from a MAX Light Rail station! With one of the best light rail systems in the world just a hop and a skip out our door, I'll be featuring go-to spots that the MAX can take you to in a jiffy...

First up is the iconic Pioneer Courthouse Square! A brick paradise, "Portland's Living Room" is widely considered one of the best public spaces in the world, and is the ideal place to catch a wide variety of Portland's culture on any given day (not to mention neat events like Flicks on the Bricks).

Being square in the middle of Downtown, there's tons of shopping and dining all around: from the stylish Pioneer Place mall, to the ultra-hip lounge Departure and the venerable Jake's Grill, a quick jaunt in any direction from the Square gets you the satisfaction of a great day.

You can reach the Pioneer Square station by the MAX Red Line in about 35 minutes. And remember---all transit in Downtown's fareless square is free, so feel free to explore around!