Portland, Oregon
You may not have heard Portland, Oregon compared with Paris before, but I think they have some similarities.
Paris has the “Left Bank”, the south side of the River Seine that bisects city. It is said to be quieter and more chic than the northern side, even while hosting marquee main attractions like the Musée D’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. While in Paris, you can cross over the Seine via 37 bridges.
Like Paris, Portland has a river flowing through the center of the city, dividing it in half. In Portland, with a population of only 635,000 compared with 2 million for Paris, there are only 12 bridges to cross the Willamette River between the downtown core on the Right Bank (or west side) and the Left Bank (the central eastside).
Along the Left Bank of the River, Portland has built the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, named after former Mayor Vera Katz. Tucked between the river and the Interstate Highway, Portland created a wide pathway for bikes, roller skaters and pedestrians to enjoy the river on a daily basis. Starting on the south end at the Hawthorne Bridge, this path continues north along the river 1.5 miles, passing by the Morrison and Burnside bridges until it connects with the Steel Bridge.
Each of these bridges were built in different decades and offer their own unique design, along with ways to access the river path. Whether it be a circular “round-and-round” or zig zag ramp, they offer accessibility to people walking and people on wheels. Once on the Esplanade, keep your eyes out for the small, beautiful sights. From birds flying in formation just over the river to art installations scattered periodically along the path. Like Paris, you might even find everlasting love with locks placed on fences and bridges.
While many cities have river pathways, what sets this trail apart is the floating walkway. For 1,200 feet, you can have the sensation of walking on water. The path leaves the river bank through a set of overlapping ramps down to the water. These cascading ramps slide up or down based on the water levels throughout the year. As you walk or ride on the floating walkway, you can feel the wind and boat waves as they roll across the river and lift the structure under your feet.
The floating pathway has other features to enjoy while you’re walking on water. Sit on benches to enjoy watching boats and kayakers as they meander up and down the river, watch the big industrial trains and city transit trains crossing the Steel Bridge, or just sit back with a picnic to enjoy the late evening sunset during summer. Along with the benches, there is a separate boat dock and swimming area connected to the path. Summer sunbathers enjoy a quiet space off the main corridor to soak up those rays or cool off in the Willamette.
Close to the pathway, there are a few large concrete pillars supporting a Highway ramp overhead as well. So, while folks above may not be enjoying themselves in the stop-and-go traffic, those below can soak up the sun and the tranquility of the river.
You may not find the Eiffel Tower or a world-famous museum, but Portland’s Left Bank offers recreation, dining and shopping options. Whether you are out for a summer stroll along the Esplanade, commuting home on your bike, or running laps from one side of the river to another, Portland’s Left Bank offers a convenient and serene path for all ages and abilities to enjoy the scenery. There’s something to see year-round, including the cherry blossoms in Spring and Naval ships docked during Rose Festival Week. Just like Paris, come out and get a taste of history while out on this Left Bank.
Planning Resources
| Location | Portland, Oregon (Airport = PDX) |
| Visitor Resources | Travel Portland: https://www.travelportland.com Travel Oregon:https://traveloregon.com |
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