Pioneer Courthouse Square

Pioneer Courthouse Square is the center of Portland. Nearly everyone who lives or visits Portland has come across it at one time or another. It is the nexus of culture and commerce as well as being on the steps of civic life and the nearby shopping center. It is truly a spot which has something for everyone.  

Located directly downtown, Pioneer Courthouse Square is wonderful place to gain your bearings if visiting for the first time. From Washington Square, you can walk in any direction and enjoy your day. South of the park is more shopping and Portland State University. To the west is PGE Park, the Art Museum, and other great attractions. East will get you to the banks of Willamette, while heading north will run you smack dab into the Pearl District.

Expect a crowd during the weekday lunch hour and weekend afternoons. Otherwise, the large park is wide open for enjoyment. It makes a perfect spot to sit down and take in downtown Portland. It can be quite colorful at times, especially around major holidays. Pioneer Courthouse Square also hosts impromptu concerts and organized rallies. On these days the park can be filled with quite a lot of people.

Directly across the square is the Pioneer Courthouse. Currently being renovated, the courthouse is a beautiful example of a 19th century courthouse and has been named a National Landmark.

Unbeknownst to some, it is Portland’s most visited site. According to its website, the square hosts more than 300 events a year. The first thing you will notice when walking in are the bricks that “symbolize the people that make Portland such an extraordinary city.” In fact, you can purchase a brick for $100 and have it inscribed with your name.

There always seems to be something going on in the square, but the holiday season is the best time of all to visit. It is located near all the major stores and starts with a tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving. Through the month of December, the square features concerts, carolers, and even a Santa Claus for young children.

While many places claim to be the center of life in Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square easily wins that title. It provides a great, open space to see the colorful community of Portland.

HelloMetro Tip: In the mood for live TV? You can watch as they broadcast the news from local Portland station KGW Channel 8.

- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

William Crane

William Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues. Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.