Pioneer Courthouse Square

If you come during one of the many event days, you'll see the crowds. Otherwise, the square is pretty chill with a few folks sitting while resting from shopping and enjoying food carts and the sun. These photos and videos are from the recent Indian Holi festival that happened yesterday

First time attending starlight parade. Would absolutely go back and recommend to others. Lots of family friendly choices and ample security. It's been a long time since I've seen pioneer courthouse square tidy relatively litter free.

Downtown Portland surprised me with its charming, almost European vibe—walkable streets, cozy cafés, and beautiful old buildings. There’s a laid-back energy, lots of greenery, and plenty of spots to sit and people-watch. It feels both relaxed and cultured, like a little slice of Europe in the PNW. It seems cleaner and safer now than few months and even years before. But not quite pre covid though.

I went there on a lovely afternoon. There were tents out but nothing was happening. Very laid back. Restaurants all around the area and a mall just down the street.

Fun having coffee ,people watching.dunaway hotel was great,taylor st.super service great food,good accomidations.we had a great time

Love this place! My boyfriend and I were in town for new Year's Eve. Our hotel was downtown and we found this place taking a evening walk. It's a large really pretty courtyard type park. They were having a event for new Year's Eve. There was A really large Xmas tree with lights, drone show, music videos projected on the walls and a new Year's Eve countdown. It was a very fun well organized event. The courtyard is a nice place to visit no matter what day it is. It's clean and has interesting architecture. There is also a Starbucks literally adjacent to the square. I highly recommend!

The courthouse area is a pretty cool place to hangout and chill. All the lines go through there so it’s easy transportation.

Downtown Portland. It's very quiet, lot of homeless ppl. out here. A few good restaurants, very expensive and mediocre food. Thank GOD I won't be here long.

This is a decent public space that has a lot to offer. It's kind of like an oasis in the city where you can take a few minutes to just sit and relax. There are chairs that you can move around the space to allow for you to either soak in the sun or escape the sun. There is also amphitheater styled seating if you can't find a seat. This place has a waterfall fountain, Starbucks for your caffeine, several food trucks for your appetite and some art to distract you. Food truck area has limited seating, but on a nice day it is a nice area to take in your lunch. One thing that I noticed while here that that it pays homage to what once stood on this spot. It is kind of a prominent spot in the downtown area in front of the Pioneer Courthouse. Prior to it being a public square it was a few things before becoming what it is today. Most notably was the Portland Hotel. After attempts to save the building it was tore down. But there are a few nods to the hotel if you look, mostly notable are the iron fencing facing the courthouse. There are plagues that can guide you as to what they are and the time period of the hotel. Mostly this is a nice place to sit and take in the day. A nice escape from your busy day that can reenergize you.

So I visited this centrally-located "square" (it's actually more circular in shape) twice, on two consecutive days, July 7 and 8 of this year. And both times, I was so impressed. (I had lived in Seattle for 25 years prior to moving to Canada, and I can't help but compare this square to Seattle's Pioneer Square. This Portland square is, hand's down, superior in every way). This square was pristine and clean, had a TON of seating available on the cantilevered brick steps, had a DJ playing music from a booth in the center of the area (and he was quite good!), and there was an acapella group also present, to the side, singing Christian songs (interesting.....but good harmonies!). There were signs advertising "Flicks and Bricks", so I gather they present free movies here during the summer months. Nice! And other signs advertised free music in the square: "Noon Tunes" and "Opera à la Carte". I just love this so much! They had a few food carts present, and I read some of the reviews, below, where people blasted some of the carts' fares' quality. I can't speak for all the carts, but my daughter, who lives in Portland, says the breakfast cart "Fried Egg I'm in Love" is unbelievably good, and she has referred a ton of people to this food cart and everyone loves it. She's gone here tons of times and says it's consistently delicious. So... that particular food cart definitely has my kid's stamp of approval (and she's fairly picky). One of the prettiest Starbucks I've ever seen is located at the top of the brick steps on one corner. Its walls are smokey glass, and there's a lovely patio overlooking the square, with wrought iron gating and the lushest hanging baskets of vibrant flowers. Very very pretty. On one side of the square, the main Portland courthouse is located. It is a beautiful, stately stone building. I didn't get to venture inside, but the façade is quite striking, and it provides a wonderful backdrop to this lovely downtown square.

The primest positioned plot of real estate in the PDX and it is a public courtyard for the community! Food trucks daily on site for breakfast and lunch or grab a to-go meal nearby and enjoy stadium like steps to sit and people watch. If you are lucky, there might be a special event to draw in curiosity and crowds ~ once the host site if Portland Feast, Indian Festival, but always the winter holiday centerpiece with the annual Christmas tree. The MAX light rail makes regularly runs alongside to make it an easy drop stop for high-end retail shopping at Pioneer Place. It befits Portland to guardsafe one area for the public in downtown from the mass development of high rises. It is just a square, right?

The Pioneer Courthouse Square was hopping on the first day that my daughter and I visited. There were folks playing chess circled by spectators, venders selling all sorts of things and people flying kites. I could see why it is nicknamed Portland's living room. After the first visit the crowd died down and it was mostly people just relaxing on the amphitheater type steps enjoying the outdoors while maintaining social distancing. Covid precautions seems to have tamed down the area somewhat. While there look for the tall bronze weather machine that predicts the weather and performs a little show each day, historic gates that are the remnants of a old hotel and some cute animal statues by the courthouse.

I have to admit this is a square that I walk by rather than one that I specifically go to hang out. Other reviews mention events, farmer's markets, and fairs happening here. I tend to be a daytrip visitor to Portland, and I have never seen any of that at this square. What a bummer. Every time I walk by, I see mostly homeless people relaxing here. I honestly don't mind it. I'm glad they have a place to go. It does mean I am unlikely to rest my feet here. It's December during this latest visit (or walk-by). Their Christmas tree is up. Yay! We all need some Christmas spirit in 2020.

It's billed as "Portland's Living Room" (even though it sometimes feels like Portland's bathroom), because the 40,000 square feet of outdoor space serves as an informal gathering place for 11 million visitors each year. Though the website claims 340 events a year, they are probably counting informal ones, like "Depressed Underemployed Man Hunt" or "Dodge the Homeless Guy That Smells like Bolonie Shoes" Day. Local businesses sponsor free shows in warmer weather. Political organizations meet for rallies, demonstrations, or vigils, the largest being 12,000 Gulf War protesters in 1991. The more unique events have included a pillow fight and even a slumber party, which is everyday for some unfortunate people. Annual events include New Years Eve, the tree lighting, and over 200 instrumentalists playing carols for Tuba Christmas. Now a city park which is mostly empty space, the area features a semicircle of stepped seating for outdoor performances, some art installations (like the towering, toppled classical columns in the north, or Seward Johnson's "Allow Me", aka Umbrella Man), chess tables, a cascading waterfall fountain, a public information center, a light rail ticket office (sheltered stops on the north and south), remnants of the Portland Hotel, food trucks, the state's first Starbucks (open since 1989) and an assortment of sad people, including beggars. A little person asked us for money (I guess he was a little short). Look for the 33 foot tall metal "Weather Machine". Installed in 1988, the installation announces the weather every day at noon with trumpets, flashing lights and mist, with light bulbs that serve as a visual "mercury" thermometer, followed by the revelation of a golden leaf (clear), copper dragon (storms), blue heron (misty/overcast), or purple horseshoes (wait, that's Lucky Charms) The park opened in 1984 History: IN 1849, Elijah Hill purchased the entire block for $24 and a pair of boots. In 1856, the School Board bought it for $1000, and two years later opened Central School (280 students, 3 teachers, 1 whipping stick). It wasn't eligible for state funding for another year because it wasn't a state. By 1875 a courthouse opened (the second oldest federal in the West) opened. In fact, it was Judge Judy's first job. In 1883, Phillip Marquam bought and moved the school a block north. The block was bought by Henry Villard for $75,000 with intentions of building a hotel next to his newly owned railway. In 1890, the eight-story Portland Hotel opened, with 328 rooms, restaurant, morphine room, etc. By 1951, Meier & Frank purchased the block (no dollars or boots data available). Though it had been the center of the city's social activity, the 61 year old hotel was razed and replaced with a two-level parking structure for a place for their customers to shop. 1969- Meier & Frank were denied the right to build an 11-story parking garage (which sucks). But, these heated public hearings prompted the business community to do some group planning for a public space. 1975: The city promised street parking in order to get Meier & Frank to sell the block back. 1980: The city offered an international design competition. That would have been fun to see in person, all the tiny little figurines of homeless people. Of 162 entries, the Portland team won. Their design received an "Architectural Design Citation" from Progressive Architecture magazine in 1981 and "Best Place to Sit For Hours Contemplating One's Bad Life Decisions" by the ADAA in 1985.

Pioneer Square should have higher standards for the few food carts that are allowed. They should secret shop each Food cart to do some type of quality check. Amelia's Food cart is terrible, everyone else hits it out of the park! Isn't there anything you can do to have a better quality Mexican food cart there or at the least, talk to the owner and ask them to use spice or salt to season their very bland food and not serve it cold with very runny re-fried beans? Show the tourists that Portland is known for their great food carts! There is a reason why they never have a line to order their food.

This is a bad venue when packed. No one here knows what the rules are, lines are mixed while fighting people who are standing for the show. I honestly wouldn't come back here again for a sold out show. Hopefully they'll find a better way to control everything versus just having overly aggressive security telling people to move everytime he swings by. So many better outdoor venues artists can play at and they know what they're doing.

Great open space for cultural events. I came here for the Pan Africa Festival. They had a stage in the middle. The surrounding tents were selling food and merchandise. Always a fun time at these places.

A really nice and peaceful place to sit at in the evenings. Quite an aesthetic photo spot too with all the flowers on the upper level. Thought it would be busy on a weekday evening, but not at all.

A bunch of food trucks and a free concert? Yes, I suppose I'll stop right here. Rae Gordon was singing swing today, and man, she can really hit the high notes. Lots of people but not crowded, and you're free to come and go as you please. All the trucks looked like they had great food too. Come one, come all to one of the best places in Portland!

Pioneer Square is a popular spot amongst locals and tourists alike. There is a Starbucks here as well as several food trucks. There is some outdoor seating available in addition to the step seating. This is a great place to sit back, relax and people watch. The max blue line and red line stop right here and all other max lines stop nearby. A wide variety of events take place at Pioneer Square. I visited today for the India Festival. It was very nicely done.

Good spot to take a break and grab a quick bite from the various food trucks. If your spouse or significant other is shopping across the way at Nordstrom's, this is good spot to chill out and relax while she gets her tax-fee shopping on. The Square featured the Festival of Flowers the past couple weeks. The 2019 theme was "Paint the Town" designed by Walker Macy (Floral Installation: May 22 - June 4). Flower Sale: June 5-7. The Square is apparently referred to the "City's Living Room" which back in the 70s was a mere parking lot. Say what?! A national design competition in 1980 resulted in a group of five Portlanders painting their winning design directly onto the parking lot deck. This year's design by the firm Walker Macy was a tribute to the late Doug Macy who was a member of the Square's aforementioned original design team, as well as being contributor to the Festival of Flowers and long-time supporter of art and artists. Anyway, I'm sure how much is left of the design since the flower sale ended today - June 7th. I hope you had a chance to check it out earlier this week!

Pioneer Courthouse Square is a total gem for all of the foodies. It's like a permanent Off the Grid location with tons of food trucks and food stands. Many of them stay open late into the night too which is a plus. I came across this square after leaving Target a few blocks away. I saw some food trucks down the street and decided to do some investigating. And lo and behold; a little foodie's paradise was right before me. The actual park is nice too. It's a large open amphitheater where many special events and local festivals are held year around. When there aren't events going on, it acts as a popular lounge and hang out spot. There are plenty of places to sit in the amphitheater and you can do some people watchin' if you're into that kind of thing. What's nice is that many of the food vendors in the square are reasonably priced. So if you're looking for a quick and cheap spot to eat at (or multiple), Pioneer Courthouse Square is definitely for you.

If there is any public plaza that truly captures the essence of Portland, it is Pioneer Courthouse Square. Located in the center of downtown Portland, the "square" has been a fixture in the city for 35 years and counting. (#1) It is one of the few places downtown where there is almost *always* something happening. During weekdays, this square serves as a defacto tourist attraction and a place for people grab lunch and people watch (#2). On the weekends, it's almost a guarantee this is the home of some kind of festival or special event. The space is perfect for outdoor events and is ideal for not just its location but people traffic as well. I've attended many festivities here over the years and most have done a good job at transforming the space. In addition to all of that, there are also political rallies, concerts, and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. If one sticks around long enough, someone from KGW TV will pop out and start randomly interviewing people. This usually happens during the afternoons. On a seasonal basis, PCS is also the sight of various art installations. There are also permanent public art fixtures like Umbrella Man and the Weather Machine orb. It's not crazy at all. People do it all the time. ___________ (#1) However, the area dates as far back as the mid 1800s. (#2) Well, for me.

Sometimes Portland does things right. This tradition is one of those times. Let's get real. Expect the crowds. Shit down the roads from people driving through. Control the crowds so the Trains can get through and not have to avoid people not paying attention. All the things that could go wrong were essentially prevented from happening. So what went right? The music was fun and got people involved. I heard a lot of singing along. It was festive all around with the businesses. People had room to move around and get a good view. The lighting happened early. Didn't make us wait till the end of the show. Tips People don't bring your giant stroller to an event you know is going to be crowded. Why do you have to smoke a cigar in a big crowd? Learn some spatial control allow everyone else to keep moving. Chairs ??? Really?? Close the food carts. People can't get to them. You are not getting any business. Just let it go. Personally I would stop the trains for three hours while the event is going on. People seem to be too dumb to not want to jump in front of trains Just my two cents

Beautiful place to view the city's Christmas Tree! I don't usually attend the lighting because it is super crowded, but it is so beautiful to see while driving around this area. There are a lot of events that take place in this square throughout the year...live music, food festivals, and other activities. They even have a large chess set you can play. There's a Starbucks and a few food carts available. Great place to sit, have a bite, and people watch! It's right on the MAX line.

We were at the food carts grabbing lunch, and asked the Frying Scotsman to recommend a place to chow down. He pointed to this direction and said there's places to sit, eat and people watch. He forgot to mention there's a Starbucks here, too! This square is the hub for the bus / trolleys and pretty much every pedestrian in the downtown area. There's shops nearby and plenty of vendors to grab anything from a snack to flower for your sweetie. They also have concerts and events there, and I heard I missed it by one day (Tuesday). Bummer.

If your own living room gets boring, come hang out at Portland's living room instead! Rich with a storied history, including the community triumphing over corporate interests, the current square was opened in 1984. Its design was chosen out of 162 submissions from a design competition, and bricks for the initial construction were inscribed with the names of those who donated $15 to fund the square. Today, bricks can still be purchased for $100 and go to supporting the city. The square is home to hundreds of events during the year, including free movie showings. There's always a reason to come hang out with the local community, hence the living room nickname. On the lower level of the square is a visitor's center, with a walkway leading into it flanked by some cool-looking water fountains. There's information at the visitor's center about tons of things to do around PDX. And you can always count on the locals to bring a bit of weirdness of their own. The first day we were here, we saw two groups of people, red shirts and blue shirts, raising war cries and charging at each other gladiator-style, armed with swords made of PVC pipes. Awesomeness!

This would be a beautiful central location were it not for the profoundly mentally ill, drug addicts, and vagrants. I do not consider this place to have a homeless problem. This place has a problem with vagrancy and drugs and mental illness..

This is a place to go if you like to people watch! While we were here a band full of little kids were playing rock music as though they had been playing for 60+ years. There is a Starbucks here, but I don't recommend going in it because it smells like human waste. All in all, I love this little part of Portland. I even liked the crazy guy that was having a full on conversation with himself. He seemed to be having fun chatting with himself.

We were entertaining visitors and riding the MAX when we spotted the Italian Fiesta at Pioneer Square. On our way back we decided to stop and check it out. Vendors were set up offering different Italian food choices and entertainment was on the stage. Tables were set up folks with plenty of chairs for everyone. It was fun and we enjoyed our stop here. I believe this area is used for different venues during the year. We're hoping to catch it again when the next group sets up. What fun!

My boyfriend and I ended up at Pioneer Courthouse Square while visiting Portland. More specifically, at the Fried Eggs I'm In Love truck at Pioneer Courthouse Square. But we had some time to look around this park area downtown while waiting for our food. There were a few tables that we used to eat our breakfast, and lots of "seating" on the tiered stairs surrounding the main plaza area. For anyone familiar with Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, this is very similar, just larger. There was a big Wahl experience setting up while we were there -- they were doing a beard competition and free shaves later on in the day. I'm sure there are special events that happen here often, which would make it a fun place to check out frequently. The sun was rising over the city and we really enjoyed just hanging out people watching with our breakfast. We were approached by a couple people asking for money. If I worked nearby I'd come here a lot!

This is Portland's backyard. My current favorite thing about the square is the Allow Me statue: https://www.yelp.com/biz/allow-me-sculpture-portland. There are many things to enjoy about this square. Once upon a time, Powell's Bookstore had a travel store inside where a television studio is now that also had a kiosk to for Tri-Met and a currency exchange. There are plenty of food carts around, and a Starbucks. During Christmas, there is the tree, and during the summer, I understand that there is a farmers market here that is small, but worth a visit. This is the perfect spot to stop for a few minutes, sit down to have a bite to eat, people watch, read a book, soak up the sun on a nice day, whatever. I have seen people get in trouble for smoking while in the square, so be aware of your surroundings. On my most recent visit, there was a gentleman on a ladder with blue hair speaking unintelligibly into a bull horn. I am unsure what his purpose was. There are always people begging, some eating meals, walking through, taking pictures. One fall, there was a flash mob dancing to Micheal Jackson's Thriller: https://youtu.be/cSTGWG03ozY which is cool. There was also a flash freeze mob as a YELP event: https://www.yelp.com/events/portland-flash-mob-freeze-pioneer-square which would have been cool to participate in. I always like to stop here whenever I am downtown, as it just makes my soul feel at peace.

Once upon a time, I spent the night on the south steps on Pdx's living room before . Why? Cuckoo Kone and the LRA, Invisible Children was campaigning across the country--- civilians took a stand! The simple fact is that here, we gather. Here we also get on and off the MAX, true-- but this hub of familiar brick is for community to assemble and enjoy the out of doors. Wired and available for many a community event. Feast takes place here each September---- the Voodoo mobile parks it here, facing west on Wed n Thursdays so you don't have to queue up for donuts! But the most recent interesting run-in for me: super early morning Tillamook sponsored Great American Food drive. They cook you a cheese omelet and you defy the ease with which the individual lives selfishly, & become a bit others-centered while you nosh on morning brekky before work. A landmark gathering place--- also home to the tourist info center and PDX perks guys.

Many fun events happen on the square. There are summer time concerts. Summer time movies on the bricks

If you're visiting Portland and don't know what to do I think this area is a good spot to start. We walked around at night and passed by this area. They had a huge christmas tree and some other Christmas decors.

Main picturesque spot to take a snapshot in Portland! I like the post of the many signs at this central square! It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland when visiting Portland! You can sit on stone seatings on the side and just chill if you like!

If this is "Portland's living room", I'd hate to see its bathroom. I imagine I would have to run around in a "2001: A Space Odyssey" spacesuit with a giant Airwick and spritzing everyone with a barrel of Fabreze. Don't get me wrong...the square is a nice, encouraging concept, especially the minimalist contemporary design of the spiraling brick-laid patterns which allows any number of people to park their derrieres for a momentary respite. But would you really invite the Card Trick Guy into your living room? And while I like the wide-open space of the plaza - which I assume they left open for concerts, festivals, speaking events and such - it does seem barren when nothing is going on. Not to sound hoity-toity, but it reminds me a bit of the Piazza del Campo in Siena....only without the 700 years of history and the Palio. I keep wanting to see a big fountain in the middle or some Egyptian-style obelisk with Portlandia on top. It's good to see the visitors center well placed underneath, though I think they could have done better than a Starbucks as the only permanent kiosk anchoring the square opposite the actual historic courthouse. There are food carts full of the odor (or aroma - depending on your perspective) of heaping mounds of greasy food, and I can do without the temptation myself. A very good thing is that the Tri-Met light rail stops in both directions at opposite sides of the square. Hey, it's better than seeing a parking lot...which was its previous incarnation.

Pioneer Square! Small seating area with tables, but lots of room on steps. We got food from 10th & Alder and walked here to eat. There are also food trucks and a Starbucks here. The fountains are in front of the Visitor's Center which has a clean free public restroom. FYI...the bathroom is for both genders, but it wasn't a big deal. The courthouse and surroundings offer pretty views!

Pioneer Courthouse Square is the hipster city's central hub. It's perfect for people watching, and a relaxed spot. It hosts a farmer's market, food carts, you name it. It's a place to sample the essence of Portland. For a hectic, busy city, it's a relatively quiet oasis. It's the equivalent to a New England town green or a New Mexican/Californian plaza. The water feature does make this a picture-perfect place. Pioneer Courthouse Square is where you can watch quirky Portlandia in action.

On our walk through downtown Portland, we came across the courthouse square. They were having their Monday Farmers Market from 10-2 PM. Despite being a Monday, it was super crowded. The square was spacious with plenty of places to sit on the benches or stairs depending on how much sun exposure you wanted to get. Most people were eating lunch but this is a great spot to people watch and enjoy the scenery. We got a slice of pizza and the pesto vegetable salad from Tastebud (one of the food vendors) which was delicious. They have a fire oven in the back of their truck and make all their pizza fresh! In addition to the many food vendors, there is a Starbucks in the square to grab your favorite hot or cold beverage.

Maybe I came here when there was literally nothing to see, but it seemed like it was important to walk through during my visit to Portland . Basically a big open plaza, across from the courthouse, and surrounded by some stores.

This is a cool little spot in the heart of the city. I have a brick here with my name on it, but have yet to find the dang thing. There was a massive Pokémon meet up here the day I ventured out. The park was jam packed as it was a nice day. Would love to come back when I have more time to find that brick!

One of the best parts of downtown Portland! It's easily accessible and even though it's so popular, you really don't have to deal with a ton of people in the middle of the day. The brick is such a nice color pop against the cloudy skies you typically see in Portland, and it has plenty of background options for photos!

Like any great park or public center it is mostly magical based on the people who are interacting within it's boundaries. This is a very blank slate kind of space. Which is a big factor in how much I love it. Don't get me wrong, there's one of our most charming Starbucks on the block, as well as an amazing array of steps which make you lovingly hope that someone doesn't try to enforce handrail codes someday, an amazing water feature and the visitor's center. But where the magic comes in is on a nice day during lunch, or Flicks on the Bricks events and other things that bring people together in this massive city center open space. I for one am glad Portland set aside some of these places early on as infill has already taken so many amazing spaces away. It's important to preserve some of them and know they all have social value. Obviously this is an oven of a space on a hot sunny day, but it's Portland so most of our time is lovely... shhhh, don't tell the tourists that ;) If our secret gets out more folks will want to live here. It's a nice break from what "normal" folks do downtown with lots of shopping and things to do around. Take a moment and just enjoy watching those folks from a great perch here... on the bricks.

Apparently this is a great are in downtown Portland for people to congregate. Events take place here and we were in this area two days in a row and two differnet things were going on. The first day was a farmers market and that was great. Veggies, vegan chocolate, jellies and jams, cookies, food vendors with burritos and Asian dumplings, Voodoo Doughnuts, lavender sea salt, sauces, cured meats, ice cream, kale chips, free farmers market reusuable bags to carry everything and even a cooking demonstration. And that was just day one. Day two was live music sponsored by Ikea(Tues and Thurs) (but I think the whole summer events at the square are sponsored by them). It took place during lunch and there were people sitting everywhere and listening. Kids dancing, Ikea furniture set up right in the front. Free hand fans and chocolate from them and a local radio station was giving away free stuff as well. There were also food vendors scattered about and a pink trolly hawking tours of the city. Very enjoyable place. We need more of that here in Texas. And we have Ikea too.... they should get on that.

If you enjoy people watching this is the place for you. At all times you can expect extreme Jesus bible lovers, homeless folk, lots of tourists, typical Portland natives, and the occasional "normal" person. But seriously it's a nice place to just sit back and relax. It's very accessible because it's right near major tram/bus lines and it's very centrally located in downtown Portland. I have been here in the spring when there are tons of beautiful flowers everywhere and I just went during Christmas time with a huge decorated tree and pretty lights strung up everywhere. It's a very picturesque square which lots of attractive architectural buildings. It also has a poll with all the distance signs of places and what direction they are in. I'm not really sure what to call it but that's my favorite thing in the square.

Its hard to imagine downtown with out Pioneer Courthouse Square. It fits in so well and just sense. There are always events taking place here. Every year I come here to see Portland's main Christmas tree and once I listened to the annual Tuba Christmas when a couple of hundred tuba players show up;. It is a great space. It is shaped like a large amphitheater. There office space for Trimet and the space where the Powells travel store used to be under the upper level and a restaurant space up top in a corner. Near the restaurant there are some chess boards and a smaller speakers bowl. There are columns at the edges defining the space. I am here often, and have seen: rallies, sand castle competitions, concerts and many other events;. There several pieces of art and a large fountain. It is surrounded by some great architecture and the steps are a popular spot for picnics and just hanging out. It attracts all kinds of people.

This is as centralized as the Trimet MAX goes in terms of downtown. It's as iconic as say...American and Apple Pie for Portland. The only thing is, it takes up a whole block here. So if you are meeting up with someone, make sure you specify exactly what corner you are meeting up. What I really like is the amphitheater type seating here. It's quite easy to see and it doesn't really hold that many people. So for a small venue space that can accommodate easily over 2,000 people, this place is great! One thing I don't quite like here are the pigeons. I was holding a open cover drink when all of a sudden, I was almost sucking on a feather. Yuck! But that's what happens when people openly feeds the birds here. I was here for the Grand Tasting for Feast Portland. Super spread out (well, not quite the tents people) but I there were plenty of spaces as the festival and many other festivals and events often held here.

If you check out the Portland Food Carts like my family did, this is a short walking distance away and a great place to go and enjoy your food. There are some steps to sit on with some decent shade. (I also found some outlets to charge my phone while we ate) There's also a visitors center with some pamphlets for tourists, as well as nice clean bathrooms! There's also plenty of shops nearby and a Starbucks to quench your thirst. Not the absolute cleanest, but good enough for me! :)

Portland's living room! I have to say I really like this space...the brick, the transients, the art, the coffee shop, the train connections and the vibe! In the winter there is a Christmas tree other times its beer fest or a summer concert or impromptu speach or just happy Portlandians enjoying being outside when it doesn't rain. Shopping, hotels, culture are all close by...a quick walk to anywhere. Next time you are in town, drop in, relax and enjoy!

A big, iconic Portland landmark. I was thinking about Pioneer Square the other day and realized it's essentially our town square. How has that never occurred to me before? Anyhoo, I went to an Feast Portland event here recently. This was the first time I'd ever been there for an event closed off to the general public and wasn't sure how well it would work. A lot of this is props to the event planners, but it worked out great! The amount of space is perfect when you have a crowd of ~1000 hungry people. Plenty of space for lines, chairs, and where there aren't chairs to sit on there are steps! On a nonevent day, it's also just a cool place for tourists to check out. It's so Portland.

An open-air expanse of brickwork against a backdrop of freaking downtown Portland, Oregon. In the daytime it is s nice place for an urban picnic or a cup of coffee.

Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as Portland's living room. The square is named after the Pioneer Courthouse, an 1875 federal building occupying the block directly east of the square. The square itself dates back to 1856, when the city purchased land which included the site as the location for Central School. On Morrison and Yamhill streets MAX Light Rail stops provide shelter. On the north side is an artistic feature, consisting of towering classical columns which progressively topple over like those of an ancient ruin. There are outdoor chess tables on some of the toppled columns; chess players frequently congregate there during the day. A cascading waterfall on the west side of the square frames the entrance to a public information center. The center of the square is arranged like an amphitheater, with a semicircle of approximately two dozen steps serving as seats when the square is used for musical performances or other events. And consist with the culture of Portlandia, the area is completely non smoking. Dozens of events are held here each year, including free shows during spring and summer, sponsored by local businesses. In 2006 the square played host to an all-city pillow fight, and later an all-city slumber party. Pioneer Courthouse Square is also a venue for speeches, political demonstrations, rallies and vigils. By Thanksgiving, a tall Christmas tree occupies the center of the square, with a tree-lighting ceremony held each year on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. Another Christmas event in the square is Tuba Christmas. This is a celebration featuring nearly 200 tuba and euphonium players who perform a medley of holiday songs. An annual New Year's Eve celebration is also held there. The last time Gayle and I were in Portland, we stayed right across the street at The Nines. We witnessed a local band and dance performance, a charity run-walk the next Sunday Morning, and the energy of various folks passing through and hanging out. It's great spectator sport and I can't wait to discover what I'm going to see next.

After grabbing a nice big cup of coffee to go from my new favorite folks at Stumptown, I quickly drove over to get a glimpse at what downtown Portland looked like, by stopping to check out Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was suggested by several people as a great place to do some people watching, but I'm guessing the fact I showed up on a Sunday sort of diminished the usual optical enjoyment visitors here experience. Even though there was a general lack of other human life around (except for some seemingly homeless/doped up guy, who for some strange reason was doing a news interview), there was still plenty of good natural and manmade landmarks to snap some interesting photos of, and at the very least develop a sense of what downtown life in Portland might be like on a busier day. The old building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324977078/) itself is pretty cool, but I thought the Square (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324235997/) was equally as impressive architecturally, and I really love the contrast of old and new that surrounds the area. That theme really carries through in the surrounding design as well, with old shacks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324267227/) and antique looking water fountains (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324345683/) juxtaposed by ultra-modern benches (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4325145850/) and refreshingly clean looking public transit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324160473/) waiting areas. The unique sense of "art" that filled the area was also really interesting. With statues (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4325131858/) filling the downtown area in this little block, I had to stop and really appreciate the animals more than anything. The bears (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4325021454/) and beavers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4325125046/) were cute, but for me the otters (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324316381/) displayed the most realistic animal curiosity. The shops (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4325043450/) in the area were also really neat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324184185/). I'm just bummed that none of them were open for me since it was Sunday. But at least I found out how far (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedoitforlove/4324965898/) it is to a huge variety of major landmarks throughout the world, just in case I was about to start on a really long walk and needed some discouragement. Overall I would say this was a somewhat interesting stop in a very busy day, but in hindsight completely not worth it given how deserted the place turned out to be.

The Portland City Building (designed by Michael Graves) opened in 1982 to rave and not-so-rave reviews from all over the world. So, when Pioneer Courthouse Square opened in 1984, the international attention returned. It was so nice to see Portland getting attention this way. Those of us who lived here already knew most of Portland's charm and quirkiness already knew that Portland rarely got mention in the press (San Francisco and Seattle ALWAYS mentioned in west coast stories, never Portland), so it was a thrill and vindication to get all the attention from these two architectural events. Besides all that and a lot of civic uproar over cost, I've always loved that the square was very much a product of local participation. People bought printed bricks to help finance it, and it was a big adventure to go out and find your brick the day the square opened. Another fun thing was that a friend of mine had her wedding reception there soon after, and the wedding guests danced out on the square. I think hers might have been the first wedding reception there, but I don't have any evidence to back that. No matter, it was a really great place for the reception. Fast forward to today, Pioneer Courthouse Square has weathered lots of fun and Rose Festivals and other events, but most importantly dodged the bullet of the 2010 Christmas Tree Lighting explosion. The Powell's Travel Book Store morphed into KGW's Studio On The Square. One of my favorite things is the current Portland Farmer's Market that sets up once a week, and I also enjoy the Sand In The Square in the summer. On the other hand, it's pretty nice to find a place to sit down and just take a load off and people watch on a hot day with a cold drink in hand. You just never know what you're going to see. So glad and proud to have this fine venue to enjoy as the "living room" for our city.

There's always something fun going on here during the summer. The past couple days have been the Italian fest and it has been a fun experience "sampling" parts of another culture. I get excited when events like this popup because it's fascinating to watch the reactions of other people to the same experience, to see them dance and laugh with other strangers as they enjoy good food and lively music-- I love it! On days when the festivities are no longer taking place and it's quiet, this is a great, clean place to have lunch on the steps (while tapping Starbucks wifi) and just take in the scenery full of awe-struck tourists, people off to work, and other fellow observers. Definitely a Sam approved location.

I live within a dozen blocks, and find myself walking by the square three or more times most weeks. For me (and I think many) it's the center of downtown, regardless of the SW designation. The square can be a nasty sore on downtown at times, but more often it is a great example of what makes Portland great. There are a ton of different activities over the year, from garden exhibits and beer festivals to sand sculptures and tuba concerts. It reflects the planning and thought that goes into Portland: it doesn't always work, but when it does it works very well. Among many awards, Pioneer Square was named Project for Public Space's "4th Best Public Space in the World." Although there are tons of lists and it seems everyone makes it onto at least one of them, it is nice to know a prestigious organization ranks our square up there with Central Park or Paris' Luxembourg Gardens.