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International Rose Test Garden
Categories: Local Flavor Arts & Entertainment Botanical Gardens Local Flavor, Botanical Gardens [Edit]
400 SW Kingston AvePortland, OR 97255
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
(503) 823-3636
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
145 reviews for International Rose Test Garden
145 reviews in English
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Review from Rachel M.
1/21/2012
Roses are not a flower I care for - they are cliche and they smell bad, but the International Rose Test Garden is really something else. It was my boyfriend's idea (!!) to go here, so we walked here from downtown (we're from DC - we love walking crazy distances) and I don't suggest you do that because it's very far and pretty much all uphill. I think there is a bus or just take a cab. Anyway, the day we went was the only sunny day of our 10 day trip, and you can catch a great view of Mt. Hood from here, so go for that if for no other reason.
Onto the roses! There are roses for what seems like miles - but really it's just many many plots of roses of every color, shape, and size under the sun. Also, it stinks like roses, but you already knew that. They have award-winning roses, loser roses, and run of the mill roses, but it's certainly a sight to see. Also - it's free!!
There's some other stuff around the gardens, I think a zoo and a Japanese garden, but they are pay, and did I mention I'm from DC (the land of all things free)?? -
Review from Jason P.
Stop to smell the roses. The International Rose Test Garden is a treat to see. It's open 7:30 am to 9:00 PM daily, and best of all, it's free!! Visit April through OCtober, and walk among thousands of roses. The best time to come is the beginning of summer, around June, when the roses are blooming and makes for a beautiful view. You can also get a great view of Portland below.
When you're done taking in the views, take a seat at one of the many benches or on the grass area to have yourself a snack or picnic. There's no other place like this. After, you can walk across to the Japanese Garden (entrance fee), take the Zoo Railway to the Oregon Zoo, or just take a leisurely stroll in Washington Park. -
Review from Amanda s.
Las Colinas
12/19/2011 12 photos
the roses are absolutely beautiful here..i never knew there were so many different types and color of roses...
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you can avoid the parking hassle by taking the free shuttle...the japanese garden is just across from the rose garden at the top of the hill... -
Review from Kathleen Y.
Portland, OR
2/5/2012
Me and my friend wanted to have a nice leisurely walk thru the rose garden. We were hoping to see at least one rose, but they were all pruned. I'm sure it will be beautiful in the spring time. It was a great walk though!
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Review from Don B.
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stop and smell the roses.
No seriously.
You don't even really have to stop and smell the roses here... you just walk in to the garden and the floral perfume overwhelms you. Well at least when the roses are in bloom, that is. And the roses they do bloom (when they're in season, that is). Hundreds of varieties, a rainbow of colors (not including blue), and that beauty is all backed up by a sweet view of downtown Portland with Mt Hood (on a clear day) grandstanding in the background.
There's a park, trails, an amphitheater, a gift shop, bathroom, tennis courts and some parking. All up at the top of Washington Park. It really is a great place to show off the City of Roses and its Roses.
As long as you go when they're in bloom. Which is pretty much summer and in to fall.
Don't be a tool like me and send your visiting family members up there in early spring with grandiose stories of gorgeous beds of verdant greenery topped by clouds of pink, red, yellow, white and all colors in-between. No, they'll just laugh at you. And they'll never let you forget it. Oh no.Listed in: Westsiiiide, Local Flavor, PDX Venues, Parks!
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Review from Caryn W.
10/25/2011
Visited the Rose Garden during a trip to Portland in late May of 2011. HC and I walked from the Lewis and Clark memorial, past the statue of Sacajawea, and up the hill through the Shakespeare garden to find...
NO ROSES! We were somewhat disappointed because we had hiked up all that way. However, we were able to walk around and I thought everything was landscaped beautifully. There was even a little gift shop on site to buy souvenirs. We were told by the store worker that the roses were blooming later than usual this year and that they'd probably be in bloom within the next week or so.
We are probably going to return to Portland next year in June, so I'm hoping we will be able to see some roses next time. -
Review from Mikhail H.
Beaverton, OR
8/21/2011 4 photos
I had not been here since I was a teenager and began wondering why. It is stunning. We went on a Portland Walking Tour called Roses Gone Wild which I highly recommend to anyone! We learned so much about the history of the gardens.
Parking is horrific as always but well worth the effort to visit.Listed in: The Best of Portland
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Review from Michael W.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/10/2011
PRO:
+ Beautiful
+ Free
+ Lots of varieties of rose
+ Clean and well maintained
CON:
- Parking is difficult
WOW! What a great rose garden. There are so many varieties of roses to see. Bring a camera to take some photos. The place is huge and there is an amphitheater which is a great place to have a picnic. The parking is pretty bad, but be persistent, this place is worth it. It is a must see for visitors. -
Review from Lily J.
7/13/2011
Love it here... so pretty!
I love having a pick nick at the amphitheater (make sure to pack lunch because there isn't a lot of options for food is & it is overpriced there) and wondering around smelling and taking pictures of the roses.
Parking can be challenging at times but so worth it. Great free place to to take out of towners. -
Review from Elaine W.
8/30/2011 8 photos
Worth the visit when the roses are in full bloom. This past summer was gloriously beautiful. Fat happy roses everywhere you looked. Definitely wear a good pair of walking shoes -closed toes, since you'll be trekking on grass and dirt paths some of the way. And bring bottled water - after all the walking and the hot sun, we were exhausted! We took the bus from the city center which was smart because on talking with some of the other visitors who drove, EVERYONE was complaining of finding parking.
Best part about coming here too is that admission is free! -
Review from Mandy C.
6/30/2011 5 photos
PORTLAND MUST SEE.
I mean, it's called "Rose City" for a reason!
The air smells pretty when the roses are in bloom (summertime), and remember to pack a blanket and a couple sandwiches with a good book to take to the amphitheater afterwards for an afternoon lunch.
Fortunately, the garden is also close to the Japanese garden and the Zoo if you're looking for more fun within the area, and don't forget to take the obligatory goofy tourist picture (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) next to your favorite rose, when you happen to find one out of the BAJILLION that are there. :)Listed in: Oregon, WHAT?!
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Review from Lindsey F.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/11/2011
When I was in town for my friend's wedding, she was sweet enough to give us welcome bags that included a list of "musts" in Portland. The Rose Garden's were high up on the list and after reading the raving yelp reviews, I knew that this must be the main touristy thing we did while in town.
We decided to walk...yes walk...from the river to the gardens. Three miles later, but also a gorgeous walk later, we found out way to the Rose Garden. I will say this. I can see how these gardens can be gorgeous. I can see how they resemble a scene straight out of the Queen of Heart's Garden in Alice in Wonderland. I definitely see why this is a tourist-must. However, I suggest that if this is on your list, visit when the roses are blooming. Otherwise, it's a huge test of imagination to think about how gorgeous the rows must be in bloom.
Needless to say, I left the Rose Gardens slightly disappointed since we weren't there when they were blooming, but the experience is still worth it. The park itself is gorgeous and there are so many other attractions inside the park, this is just one of the spots you should walk through as you explore...blooming or not. -
Review from allison l.
San Jose, CA
9/28/2011
Every tourist book/website I looked at for my trip to Portland said that this Rose Garden was a must see. I have to say that I definitely enjoyed coming here and would do it again - especially because entrance is free (I mean...I won't say no to essentially anything that is free...maybe it's just me.)
We actually had no trouble with parking when we came, but we came on a weekday morning/afternoon in summer. There were a lot of other people there, but we ended up driving (semi-accidentally) past the garden and then parking on the road. The one thing was that it was freakin' HOT outside. I was glad to have a water bottle with me and A/C in my car for when we did leave.
The roses are beautiful, we took about a million pictures. I liked how they were organized and labelled so that you could easily see which were award winners, etc. I also loved the Shakespeare garden. There was also a large amphitheater where people were just sitting and relaxing, I'm not sure if they have shows there or what. I think that virtually anyone could spend a lovely hour or so here. -
Review from Will W.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2011
A must visit place in Portland!!!
Maybe you will get an idea why Portland is also called "Rose City" after visiting this beautiful Rose Garden. The garden wasn't very big, but there were tons of different kinds of roses. -
Review from Olivia T.
6/27/2011
Finally....
I visited the Rose Garden and all those pretty Roses are blooming. After more than 10 years, I've lived in Portland, I experienced the Rose Garden in the right way. Apparently, all these years I've visited in wrong months. If you want to see some Roses, make a visit at the end of June. You will see these beautiful flowers there.
I love all of them, from the White ones to bi-color ones. They all smell wonderful and I wish I have a garden like this one. Maybe someday, till then I will make more visits here. :). -
Review from Carrie S.
8/5/2011
A definite must see if you visit Portland.
There are thousands of roses and too many variations. I'll be honest, after awhile, a rose is a rose.
This is a beautiful garden to walk around, with a lot of little hidden spots and shaded benches that allow you to truly enjoy the smell and views.
My only complaint is handicapped access. My father has limited mobility, and with only 2 handicapped spots on a really busy sunny summer day, it doesn't work. They should have 4 spots available. Especially since my father only grows roses in his garden, he was thrilled to be here. It would have been nicer if access had been more accommodating for people with disabilities. -
Review from Mandy K.
Mission Viejo, CA
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a Portland must! There are so many roses, you wont know where to look first. The garden features aisles and aisles of ever size, shape and color rose imaginable! And just when you think you've seen it all, you walk through a vine covered arch into another area filled with roses!
This is a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy a sunny day. If you have a fancy camera... this is the place to bring it! -
Review from Jen C.
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Gorgeous, and not many of the roses were in bloom when I was there (late Oct). I would love to see this place in spring or summer. I'll be going back. The smell is so wonderful!
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Review from Rebecca W.
Hillsboro, OR
7/17/2011
It's time to stop and smell the rose's people! Thousands, upon thousands of them! Ahhhhh, so heavenly! Since walking the cliff walk in Newport, Rhode Island on my honeymoon where the fragrant aroma of fresh blooming roses fills the air, I have grown a deep appreciation for this old adage. The smell of these delicate flowers always brings good memories.
Here, at the Test Garden, there are so many different roses, all carrying slightly different fragrances. It's is amazing how different they can be. I prefer this one big yellow rose...didn't take note of the name of it though. Doesn't matter, whenever I go back, I'll try to smell each rose again.
The grounds are very well kept, green, and lush. A stroll though the linear rows of flowers with spectacular views of Portland below, and Mt. Hood beyond, has a grand tranquility to it. I recommend that you take the time to slow down and enjoy the moment! There are benches to sit and read or reflect, as well as a water feature to add to this whimsy of this location. The view of Portland below is one of the best views of the city you will find. Postcard picturesque!
The gift shop, though small, is jam packed with really nice mementos...all in some way or another associated with roses. What better way to remember your visit to this grand city than a trip to the Rose Test Garden than a rose scented soap, lotion, paper...you name it! Have your camera out and ready; you will be taking pictures! I guarantee it!
If you brought your young kiddos on the trip, don't miss the ginormous playground just down the hill a little. It is amazing! -
Review from Chris M.
Portland, OR
Oh how beautiful! This is the mascot for the City of Roses. Obviously in the spring...no blooms, but in the summer it's completely amazing. Plenty of benches to sit and get your vitamin-D.
Great view of the City, close to the Japanese garden, Vietnam memorial, Holocaust memorial and the Zoo. Great place for a stroll, a picnic or some tennis. One of Portland's best places to visit. -
Review from Andrew K.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2011
Stunningly gorgeous, out of a fairytale - and FREE. Go - if you don't, your loss, buddy.
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Review from Joanne S.
Sacramento, CA
This is a lovely place. You can smell the roses even before you step foot into the garden. Right when you walk in you feel like you're in another world. I'm not so huge on flowers and roses, although I do think they're beautiful. But when I walked in the garden, first thing I was thinking "I really want some roses". There were so many different roses, the colors and the wonderful smell. They were so beautiful, I wish I was able to pick one.
To top it off there was no cover charge, which was nice for a change when you're traveling. Great place to take pictures. What also nice about this place you're able to have a picnic here.
This is a beautiful place and I would recommend anyone that is traveling in this area. There is one problem, PARKING! It is very difficult to find parking. Aside from that I think it's a wonderful place. -
Review from Erin D.
10/1/2011
I'm not so much into roses or rose gardens but thought we had to at least make a quick stop while in Portland since we were already at the Japanese garden anyway. I was surprised so many flowers were still in bloom in September and many were very pretty, but was really only interested enough for a quick walk through. If roses are your thing this must be wonderful, but I didn't find it to be terribly interesting.
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Review from Jacquee p.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2011
It's a good walk from downtown Portland and a lovely walk in the park even when the roses aren't in bloom.
Hi Katie and Matthew! Thank you for adopting me for 30 minutes. -
Review from DJ H.
Santa Rosa, CA
6/18/2011
Incredible. The Beauty Queen and I spent a chilly Pre-Summer afternoon here last weekend. We were both blown away by the hundreds of perfect little beauties we saw.
My tip is to see it at the end of the day. We arrived at around 6 and were able to park right at the entrance. The place was still packed with dozens of groups. I never did get to see the tiny gift shop as it was packed. But neither the Beauty Queen, nor myself were much interested in that.
The Rainbow Sherberts were our favorites. Many of the roses hadn't yet bloomed. Well worth the trek up there. -
Review from Lauren L.
9/23/2011
I really don't know what more I can say about this place that hasn't been said before. It's such an amazingly beautiful and unforgettable experience, even outside of peak rose season. I have never in my life smelled roses like these before, and with thousands of them, you can easily get lost in the beauty of the Rose Garden. I hope I can go back when they are in their prime, because I can't imagine how breathtaking it would be.
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Review from Mei Mei S.
Happy Valley, OR
Lovely place to take a walk at and photos. Doesn't hurt that it is for free. It has a variety of roses to look at as well as smell :-) love the rose garden!
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Review from Val Y.
Honolulu, HI
9/8/2010 3 photos
Once upon a time there were three kanaka's from Hawaii that visited Portland. One was a Queen, the other a Princess and their slave. The Queen and the Princess were a bit disappointed with Portland; so it was the duty of the slave to find someplace that would make their royalty happy. So he Yelped and found this place called the International Rose Test Garden.
After a drive across the bridge, the slave drove their rental car to this magical garden. But the first thing the Queen wanted to do was use the bathroom. The slave searched and found this fairytale looking structure that housed a Queen's throne. And the slave went to tell his Queen of this cute little structure where a Queen could sit and carry on her business.
The weather was a bit nippy and there was a slight drizzle as the Queen and her court walked to the garden following this pleasant scent of roses that was in the air. They stepped down to these terraces with thousand of blooming roses in beds and rose covered arches. The Queen was happy with her slave and the Queen enjoyed the experience forgetting how unpleasant Portland seemed compared to Honolulu.
The Queen and all of us felt like we were in a rainbow. A rainbow of red, pink, lavender, white, orange, purple, yellow and a multitude of other colors of roses that were here, there and everywhere. There were some big roses and some small roses; some roses with dots and splashes of color. The Queen proclaimed that all of the roses and this place were so very beautiful.
The Queen, the Princess and the slave were so very happy to visit this place that is perched high in the hills of Portland. They spent a couple of hours, viewing, smelling, touching and appreciating the roses.
There is this very beautiful side of Portland that must be seen. The Queen in this Alice in Wonderland kind of place commands everyone that goes to Portland visit and appreciate this spectacular International Rose Test Garden; and they too will be transported into this fairytale place of Queen's, King's, Prince's, Princess' and slave's. -
Review from Jason G.
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow. Pretty. Enough said.
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Review from Catherine D.
Huntington Beach, CA
9/12/2011
Lovely grounds and amazing selection of roses. Beautiful views of Portland and Mt. Hood.
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Review from Grace T.
1/25/2011 2 photos
GORGEOUS roses and flowers and gardens and a def must see if you're in portland...easy to get to via public transportation from center city (the public transit in portland is awesome!) and the garden is free! what could be better?
and if you're lucky enough to hit a gorgeous summer day (much like bf and i were) then what a day you'll have! -
Review from Erin K.
Berkeley, CA
9/8/2011
What a beautiful place to have a sit down in the shade. It was fairly populated when we went on a Sunday afternoon, but I liked the concept of a public rose garden, and the fact that it's free is cool as well. We rode our bikes from downtown, which I would recommend if you're in shape and you're not riding a 1970s lead sled as it's a lot of uphill on the way there (too bad I'm dreadfully unfit and have an old school steel hunk of a bike), but sitting in the shade and smelling the roses was a nice recovery) and it's all downhill in the way out.
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Review from Formicas ..
New York, NY
8/21/2011
Most amazing rose gardens you will ever see! We loved it.
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Review from Nicole A.
8/15/2010
Did you guys know that I'm getting married here?
It doesn't really matter that I'm single which means I am without a boyfriend. Which means that I do not know anyone who likes me enough to ask me to marry them.
Either way...
Details forthcoming! -
Review from Don S.
Lake in the Hills, IL
Very impressive. Beautiful scenery, fantastic scents
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Review from Jennifer C.
Seattle, WA
6/25/2011
We had the good fortune of being able to visit the International Rose Test Garden on a very sunny Tuesday, which I am sure only enhanced the experience. The crowds were minimal, and the combination of sunshine and gorgeous roses? Sublime. It was a very enjoyable time, comparing the various fragrances, colors, and petal compositions. The people-watching wasn't too shabby, either! We were pleased to have kicked off our Washington Park visit at the Rose Garden and the friendly ladies at the garden shop gave us a map to explore the rest of the grounds.
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Review from Cheryl T.
Los Angeles, CA
8/14/2010 2 photos
My friend told me that Portland is "not very lush" in late summer so not to expect much when I visit the Rose Garden. I'm from LA so our standards are, apparently, very different. The air is sweet with the scent of 10,000 roses! The garden itself is not very big, but the many varieties can be a bit overwhelming. There are many benches scattered around the garden so it's the perfect place to read a book or take a nap.
A woman was sitting in the pavilion next to some lovely roses and sketching something on a pad. She was very into what she was doing and I crept up, very slowly and quietly, so as not to disturb her. Turns out she was sketching from a cellphone picture of a dog!
On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Hood! Oh, and finally, the whole time I was here I had Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden" stuck in my head....Listed in: PDX
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Review from michella s.
Austin, TX
8/18/2010
smells so amazing. I could just walk around here all day and smell the air.
gorgeous landscape and view. walk around and admire all the different varieties and hold hands with your sweetie. -
Review from Bobbi H.
Vancouver, WA
8/14/2010
This has been an annual tradition of visiting for with my family as long as I can remember. I still uphold the tradition with my own kids and friends.
I love this spot in Portland. This is what Portland is meant for....the city of Roses. What a beautiful place to see views of the city.
The aromas are amazing, especially at the end of the rose season in August. The roses are absolutly beautiful....every color imaginable and even more that amaze the eye. Today I saw roses that looked like striped candy canes....how cool is that!
I take in the gardens every year and enjoy the life that these roses share with it visitors.
The heart of Portland and a favorite of mine!Listed in: Portland, OR
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Review from Helena B.
3/27/2010
Today I saw Reba McEntire, Marilyn Monroe, and a Playboy, all lying in the same bed.
What? Get your minds out of the gutter you dirty birdies! Those are all names of rose varietals found at the International Rose Test Garden.
Even if you hate roses (wait, people can hate roses?) come up here for the view. Framed by conifers, Downtown Portland is breathtaking.
OK, seriously, if you hate roses (again, do you have a soul?) there are amazing flowering trees in the Shakespeare Garden. Plus, I promise you will have a fun (and educational?) time reading about all the different kinds of roses found in this garden.
Men of Portland, bring your girlfriend and stroll hand-in-hand. I promise it will score you points.Listed in: Portland Calling
