Boasting about 7,000 rose plants in 550 different varieties, International Rose Test Garden helps Portland live up to its nickname "the city of roses." The city set up the rose test garden during World War I to protect hybrid roses grown in Europe, which rose lovers feared would be destroyed in the bombings. You can see roses from all over the world, as the public garden receives a steady stream to test. Explore its 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres) and discover the amphitheater, Shakespeare garden, and Gold Medal garden of award-winning plants. If it is a clear day, you can admire superb views of the Cascade Mountains. Bring along a picnic to enjoy in the spacious grassy area; the gardens do not have a restaurant. Make International Rose Test Garden a centerpiece of your Portland vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Portland road trip planning tool.
Create an itinerary including International Rose Test Garden
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
International Rose Test Garden reviews
-
Nice place to stroll. Not very big so it is easy to do other nearby parks on the same visit. Lots of colours and photo opportunities. more »
-
Will add my accolades to this Amazing Rose garden. Over 1,000 plants lovingly tended in a 4 acre park. As an out-of-state visitor, this was my first time to the garden. Will be back! The gift shop was also very nice; I picked up some gifts for my friends who tend the community garden where I live. I also spent some time chatting with one of the volunteers, tending the roses is a labor of love.
-
This is a garden of fragrant dreams. All the roses in all kinds of gorgeous colors. Its such an amazing array of the most classic of blooms. Row upon row of elegant roses, all labeled & dated with the year created. I have visited twice, observing a photo shoot featuring a young woman modeling, then, next time, a wedding. Also, both times, lots of group & solo photos being taken of visitors by their companions. My companion is a gardener by hobby & it was an absolute joy to watch him snapping photos almost the entire time we were there. Its free to visit, the fresh air is fantastic & there are areas you can sit to reflect. The public bathroom located at the entrance appears to have built in 1917, or so, when the garden first opened. It is a beautiful structure.
Plan your trip to Portland
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Portland
Side trips from Portland
Hidden gems in Portland
Parks in Portland
Shopping in Portland
Nearby attractions in Portland
Trips to International Rose Test Garden by other users
11 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
Big Sur
56 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Gainesville
Atlanta
Nashville
8 days in San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley & Portland
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
San Francisco
Sonoma
Calistoga
13 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Salt Lake City
Jackson Hole
Grand Teton National Park
9 days in West Coast
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Yosemite National Park
Bend
Portland
57 days in United States
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Seattle
Mount Rainier National Park
Spokane