A waterfall in the lower garden at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon

Photos by Cheryl Landes

The Grotto, a 62-acre shrine and botanical garden in northeast Portland, is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of Oregon’s largest city. Although it’s near busy Interstate 205, you can’t even hear the traffic.

Trails pass tall Douglas firs, flowers, reflection pools, and gently flowing streams and waterfalls. More than 100 bronze, marble, and wooden sculptures blend into the landscape.

Join me on a stroll through the lower and upper gardens in today’s armchair photo tour.

Giant Douglas fir trees along the lower garden trail at The Grotto in Portland

A fern frond on the lower garden trail at The Grotto in Portland

A sculpture of Saint Philip Benizi praying in the lower garden trail at The Grotto in Portland

The entrance to the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

A rose in the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

The chapel in the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

Lilies in the Peace Garden at The Grotto in Portland

A reflecting pool in the Peace Garden at The Grotto in Portland

Waterfalls in the Peace Garden at The Grotto in Portland

The Dambana (Filipino) Shrine in the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

An overturned flower pot in the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

Saint Francis of Assisi statue at The Grotto in Portland

Saint Anne’s Chapel in the upper garden at The Grotto in Portland

Hours to the gardens vary. Check the latest schedule.

Admission to the lower gardens is free. Access to the upper garden costs $8 ages 13-64, $7 ages 65 and older, $4.50 ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. Tickets are available in The Grotto’s gift shop and visitor center.

To reach the upper garden, take the elevator across from the chapel in the lower garden.

The Grotto is located at 8840 NE Skidmore Street. The main entrance is at NE 85^th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard (get directions). Parking is free.

The Meditation Chapel on the upper level of The Grotto in Portland

The view from the Meditation Chapel at The Grotto in Portland

The Grotto hosts a holiday light display and the world’s largest choral festival every year from the day after Thanksgiving until December 30. Read more at:
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights a retreat from the holiday grind