There are a large number of exotic species on show at Oregon Zoo, such as fearsome big cats from Africa. Being located in such an environmentally-aware city, the zoo also takes its conservation responsibilities very seriously. For example, it has a highly successful breeding programme for its Asian elephants which has been in operation for over 50 years.The 26 hectares of the zoo demand a full morning or afternoon to explore properly. It is divided into five distinct areas: the Great Northwest, Pacific Shores, Fragile Forest, Asia and Africa.Check out the Fragile Forests area to see the predatory anaconda in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit. This area is also home to screeching howler monkeys, stealthy ocelots and toucans with their oversized, often multi-coloured bills.Stroll through the Asian area to see the friendly elephants and unusual island pigs of this continent. Try ZooSnooze if you'd like to see the Malayan sun bears, who only come out after dark – you can stay overnight with this option which is available between September and mid-June, from Tuesday to Saturday.Polar bears and penguins can be found in the enclosures at Pacific Shores, with this area also home to the weird and wonderful Insect Zoo. Some of the most unusual species found here include the Madagascar hissing cockroach and the Australian walking stick.Take the weight off your legs with a short trip on the Zoo Loop train, which follows the 1.6-kilometre circumference of the zoo's 26 hectares though, unfortunately, you can't see the animals from the train. You can also hop on the Washington Park and Zoo Railway from here to the nearby International Rose Test Garden.Zoolights brightens up the long winter nights by draping lights from the zoo's many trees, while the summertime sees regular concerts on the lawn – check the website to see what's going on when you're planning your visit.Oregon Zoo is found in Washington Park on the West Hills about five kilometres from central Portland. The entry price is discounted on the second Tuesday of every month. These days are, unsurprisingly, very busy.
Oregon Zoo Tours and Activities
Visit Oregon Zoo
History & culture
See all 81 activitiesOpens in new tabHalf-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 62 activitiesOpens in new tabPortland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour
Private & custom tours
See all 32 activitiesOpens in new tabCity centre Portland's Outdoor Sculptures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
See all 13 activitiesOpens in new tabAerial adventure above Portland, Oregon
Classes & workshops
See all 5 activitiesOpens in new tabPortland: Sushi Scene Walking Tour
Popular places to visit
Portland Children's Museum
Kids and adults can enjoy the interactive exhibits of this museum, which encourages creativity, exploration, imagination and expression.
World Forestry Center
Get insights into all aspects of forests and trees, learning how they grow and how they are used around the world.
Hoyt Arboretum
Explore the lovely green spaces of Hoyt Arboretum and also enjoy the cycling trails in Portland. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed art galleries.
Washington Park
In addition to its lovely natural park grounds, this site has numerous man-made delights, from gardens to historic memorials to a zoo.
Rose Garden Children's Park
Explore the lovely green spaces of Rose Garden Children's Park and also enjoy the cycling trails in Portland. Discover the area's acclaimed theatre scene and shops.
Portland Japanese Garden
This relaxed oasis of calm is the perfect escape from the city, and an opportunity to learn about the culture of Japan.
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