Plus: Read about our Drippy Bears experience.
 
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Sunrise 6:36 a.m. | Sunset 7:41 p.m.
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Soothing sanctuaries within city limits

5 places to find peace and quiet in Portland
A Japanese garden with a large pond and arched bridge during autumn.
The Portland Japanese Garden was born out of commitments to peace and healing post-World War II relations between the US and Japan. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Portland is a bustling city, and when tourist season hits or when the Blazers have a big win, it can get even noisier than usual. Based on research conducted by Earth.FM, the City of Roses is ranked the No. 23 loudest city in the US — but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some peace and quiet.

The study also found places where locals can escape noise pollution by identifying the top quiet places. To do this, researchers assessed 3,000+ parks and nature spaces across 245 cities with populations over 250,000 and assigned them “Quiet Scores.” The methodology considered:
  • Reviews of the attractions that include words like “quiet,” “peaceful,” or “tranquil”
  • The average visitor rating at each location
  • The attraction’s popularity and how that impacts its peacefulness
So, where can you go in Portland to find tranquility? Here are the five best spots to get some peace and quiet.

The Grotto | The historic, 62-acre campus is busiest during the Christmas Festival of Lights; the rest of the year, you can wander the lower level’s tree-lined walking path, tranquil gardens, and outdoor cathedral for free. Or pay a small fee to take a cliff-side elevator to the trails, chapels, and views of the upper level.

Lan Su Chinese Garden | Clamoring inner monologues are hushed while slowly strolling the meticulously maintained pathways that inspire reflection + meditation in this traditional Ming Dynasty-style garden. Pro tip: Polish off your soothing experience at Yun Shui Teahouse.

Pink, peach, and purple rhododendrons frame a view of a large pond surrounded by trees.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden’s namesake flowers are typically in bloom from early spring through early summer.

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Photo by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden | When you long to sit on a bench surrounded by flowers but the International Rose Test Garden is too packed for comfort, escape to this spot and while away the hours with a little waterfowl watching. Pro tip: There is an admission fee to visit.
2 more serene spots
 
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • Hanabi Japanese Film Festival | Wednesday, Sept. 4-Friday, Sept. 13 | Times vary | Clinton Street Theater | $0-$50 | Catch one (or more) of these Japanese films spanning the 1950s to present day, from animated children’s flicks to critically acclaimed works of art.
Thursday, Sept. 5
  • Volunteer Expo | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square | Free | Connect with nonprofits supporting the arts, humanities, animal welfare, and more to discover service and donation opportunities for a range of skills and interests.
  • First Thursday Street Gallery | Thursday, Sept. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Northwest 13th Avenue between Irving and Lovejoy streets, Portland | Free | Artists display their works in the street giving community members the chance to immerse themselves in Portland’s vibrant creative culture.
  • Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival | Thursday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | Locations vary | $0-$500 | “Encounter the unexpected and experience what you haven’t before” at the 21st edition of this all-encompassing celebration of contemporary art.
Friday, Sept. 6
  • Rose City Comic Con | Friday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 8 | Times vary | Oregon Convention Center | $50-$775 | Meet other passionate fans, show off your epic costumes, meet celebrities, and more at this comic con with unique, PNW-centric flare.
Saturday, Sept. 7
  • 12th Annual Catio Tour | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Locations vary | $15 | This self-guided tour features 10 stops showcasing a variety of outdoor enclosures for cats that fit any budget and backyard.
Sunday, Sept. 8
  • Dancing in Director’s Park | Sunday, Sept. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Director’s Park | Free | Move your feet to ballroom, Latin, and swing music with Portland Dance Eclectic and Dance with Joy Studios.
More mid-week fun
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News Notes
Weather
  • September’s cool start is taking a sharp U-turn. Today is expected to reach the high 90s, with Thursday, Sept. 5 and Friday, Sept. 6 hitting around 100 degrees — and potentially breaking records set in 1944 + 1958, respectively. This could be just the third instance of triple-digit September heat in Portland history. (KOIN)
Civic
  • Up to 500 Level 2 EV chargers will be installed at 125 sites across Oregon with the help of a $15 million federal grant awarded to the city of Tualatin and its neighbors. Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said the funding “will help the city make significant strides on climate goals.”
Cause
  • The upcoming Portland Film Festival will draw filmmakers and crew members from around the world — many of whom need a helping hand when it comes to a place to stay. If you have a spare bedroom and a welcoming heart that beats for the arts, apply to be a host.
Seasonal
  • Good grief. The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island is celebrating the 75th anniversary of “Peanuts” with a corn maze design that incorporates Charles Schulz’s beloved characters. It’s the second “Peanuts"-themed year for The MAiZE since 2016. Visitors can explore all 8 acres now through Thursday, Oct. 31. (KOIN)
Number
  • Seven years ago, the Eagle Creek Fire sparked in the Columbia River Gorge. The inferno blazed for months, scorching 50,000+ acres, threatening Portland’s drinking water source, and closing roads and hiking trails. Some experts estimate that it will take 50 years before the land looks as it once did. (OPB)
Sports
  • What does longtime NBA contributor Ben Pfeifer think of Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara, and the Trail Blazers’ overall restructuring? Get the biggest stories every day from the local Rip City experts with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Arts
  • If you’re looking for ways to tap into your artistic side, this creative organization might be for you. One River School Lake Oswego offers an innovative curriculum featuring art and design camps + classes led by world-class educators. Start crafting your vision.*
Finance
  • It’s almost fall — that chill you feel should be from the air, not your credit card bill. Experts recommend these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months (almost two years) on qualifying balance transfers.*
 
Try This

🎨 Fun ‘til the last drop

Drippy Bears is Portland’s newest paint-and-sip experience
People sit around four folding tables and drizzle paint on bear figurines.
We weren’t sure what to expect beforehand, but the 21+ Drippy Bears event we attended was oddly trendy in a Banksy-meets-Beanie-Babies sort of way. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Sip-and-paint experiences typically leave you with a piece of two-dimensional art to hang on your wall — or stuff into a forgotten corner of your closet where no one will ever see it. But a new experience is leaning into creative freedom and sending people home with… paws for emphasis… bear figurines.

The experience is called Drippy Bears and the concept is simple: you pick a posable plastic, cartoon teddy bear-esque figurine (there are different sizes) and drizzle up to three shades of acrylic paint over it. Whether you choose to fully cover the statuette, swirl colors together to achieve a marble effect, or flick paint at it with a brush is up to you — and the lack of rules results in creations that express their makers’ unique personalities.

Drippy Bears events are held at various locations around Portland with upcoming dates announced on Instagram. Some are family friendly — like the Sunday, Sept. 8 event at Factory PDX — while others are 21+ and feature DJ’d music sets, cocktails, and small plates.
City Editor Cambrie's creation
The Buy
Bring on all the cozy fall vibes. Here are five seasonal must-haves that scream luxury (without the hefty price tag):

🍁 A pair of fleece-lined memory foam slippers for less than $25.
🍁 This textured, oversized pullover that’s perfect for layering.
🍁 An ultra soft blanket available in 35+ different colors and patterns.
🍁 These sleek, water resistant men’s joggers made for all things outdoors (or just lounging).
🍁 A portable mug warmer so you can enjoy your favorite cozy beverages all day long.
More worth The Buy
Answered

Why did you move to Portland?
A view looking over a river toward a city at sunset with a bridge and a pedestrian pathway jutting out over the water.

There are so many good reasons to move to Portland — stunning sunsets from the Eastbank Esplanade included.

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Photo by @irenemayphotography

Here’s a breakdown of how your fellow PDXtoday readers responded:
  • 36% wanted to be close to family
  • 17% moved for work
  • 15% were drawn by the climate
  • 13% craved better access to the outdoors
Others cited reasons like “livability, beauty, culture and same values as me,” “the charm and vibrancy of Portland,” “to live near the water and look at it all day,” and seeking better wages.
 
The Wrap
 
Cambrie Juarez headshot

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie
From the editor
I moved to Portland to be closer to family. This was back in 2013 — I had been living in the Bay Area, spinning my wheels and missing the PNW’s unique vibe and landscape. Returning home to Oregon was a true breath of fresh air.
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