Portland, Oregon, Attractions

\"Keep Portland Weird\" isn't just a bumper sticker for many Portland residents. It's a way of the life. The city is home to many artists, writers and creative types, some born and bred in Portland and others who came in search of like-minded folks. Many of Portland's attractions reflect the creative and offbeat bent of the \"Rose City\" and also attract thousands of visitors each year.

Shanghai Tunnel Tours

From 1850 to 1941, Portland was known as the \"Unheavenly City\" due to the illegal practices to which policemen often turned a blind eye. One of these crimes, known as \"shanghai-ing,\" involved the kidnapping of men--including sailors, loggers and vagabonds--for use as slaves on the high seas. <br /><br />To achieve this end, many watering holes, such as the infamous Valhalla Saloon, had trap doors; a drunken cabin boy might stand one moment swilling a pint of ale and the next wake up in a dank cell in a vast underground network of tunnels, awaiting shipment to the Orient. In addition, many speakeasies popped up in the Shanghai Tunnels during Prohibition.<br /><br />Cascade Geographic Society (CGS) offers 90-minute tours of these tunnels, which give insight into the buried history of 19th-century Portland as well as slavery, prohibition and maritime crimes. Northwest Paranormal Investigations claims the tunnels are one of the most haunted places in Oregon, and CGS offers special ghost tours upon request. All tours begin at Hobo's Restaurant in Old Town.<br /><br />Shanghai Tunnel Tours<br />120 NW Third Ave.<br />Portland, OR 97209<br />[phone]<br />shanghaitunnels.info

Chocolate Waterfall at Candy Basket Chocolates

For a much a sweeter attraction, stop by the Candy Basket, a confection factory and shop, where you'll find one of the world's largest continuous chocolate waterfalls. This 20-foot marble-and-bronze fountain pumps an astounding 2,700 pounds of chocolate and has delighted visitors since 1903.<br /><br />Visitors can also take a factory tour, complete with samples, to get a close-up look at how chocolates, taffies and other confections are made. Tours must be booked in advance over the phone.<br /><br />Candy Basket Chocolates<br />1924 NE 181st Ave.<br />Portland, OR 97230-6902<br />[phone]<br />[phone]<br />candybasketinc.com

Woodstock Mystery Hole

While the entrance to Portland's most famous hole in the ground may look more like a cheesy 1960s motel (except for the huge placard featuring a mole wielding a shovel), proprietor Pastor Barron, founder of the Universal Church O' Fun, takes this perplexing hole, discovered beneath his suburban blackberry patch, very seriously. Adding to the mystery is how the Mystery Hole came to be (although experts tend to agree it was man-made) and exactly how deep it is (probably very deep).<br /><br />Visitors are encouraged to climb into the hole via a secured ladder, but first they must sign a waiver that states, “I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I must be out of my mind to climb down into a damp, dark hole when I'm perfectly safe where I am.” Once inside, they can study Portland's cryptic history from what appears to be laser-etched glyphs and try as they might to open \"The Door That’s Never Been Opened.\"<br /><br />The Mystery Hole's other fun--and befuddling--attractions include a Mystery Tower, Mystery Hedge Walk, Mystery Pole and a game of Zombie Croquet. If it all sounds very mysterious, well, it is.<br /><br />Woodstock Mystery Hole<br />SE 56th Ave.<br />?Portland, OR 97206<br />(?503) 775-7909<br />barronmind.com/wmh.htm

References

• Shanghai Tunnels
• AtlasObscura: Chocolate Waterfall
• Woodstock Mystery Hole

Resources

• TriMet: Portland Transportation
• Travels: The Best Portland Hotels