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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 1.14mi , Attraction : Public Square (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
700 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Pioneer Courthouse Square – Portland’s Living Room
Alright folks, welcome to the beating heart of downtown Portland: Pioneer Courthouse Square, affectionately known as “Portland’s Living Room.” This is where the city gathers—whether it’s for live music, protests, food festivals, or just to sit on the steps and people-watch.

Take a look around and you’ll see more than just a plaza. Those bricks beneath your feet? Over 70,000 of them were individually purchased by Portlanders to help build this square back in the 1980s. Each brick is engraved with a name, so you could spend an afternoon searching for yours—or someone else’s—if you like puzzles.

Don’t miss the Weather Machine—that 33-foot column with a globe at the top. Every day at noon it puts on a quirky show to announce the forecast, complete with trumpets, mist, and flashing lights. Only in Portland, right?

Over there is the famous bronze “Umbrella Man” statue, officially called Allow Me. He’s been tipping his hat and umbrella to visitors since 1983 and is one of the most photographed figures in the city.

The amphitheater-style steps make this space feel like a cozy outdoor living room, and trust me—it fills up. From summer concerts to the annual Christmas tree lighting, more than 300 events are held here each year.

  https://thesquarepdx.org/
Place #2
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : History Museum
Map Pin
1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Oregon Historical Society – Oregon’s Story, Unfolded
On your right is the Oregon Historical Society, the keeper of the state’s stories since the late 1800s. Think of it as Oregon’s attic—but way more organized. Inside, you’ll find everything from pioneer wagons and Native American artifacts to historic photographs and quirky relics that shaped life in the Pacific Northwest.

The star attraction is the “Experience Oregon” exhibit, where you can walk through a covered wagon, step into a canoe, or lose yourself in giant panoramic displays that bring the state’s landscapes and cultures to life. It’s interactive, immersive, and a great way to see just how far Oregon has come.

The building itself is right in the middle of Portland’s South Park Blocks, across from the Portland Art Museum, so it fits right in with the city’s cultural core. If you’ve got the time, step inside and take a spin through the exhibits—you’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for the pioneers, dreamers, and innovators who built this place.

And hey, even if museums aren’t your thing, the gift shop here is worth a peek. Oregon-themed books, maps, and keepsakes make for great souvenirs that you’ll actually want to keep.

  https://ohs.org/
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Pioneer Courthouse Square – Portland’s Living Room
Map Pin Place 2 Oregon Historical Society – Oregon’s Story, Unfolded
Map Pin Place 3 Portland Art Museum – A Cultural Cornerstone
Map Pin Place 4 Three Kings Historic Landmark Building
Map Pin Place 5 The Benson & U.S. National Bank Building – Broadway’s Showstoppers
Map Pin Place 6 Powell's City of Books - World's Largest Independent Bookstore
Map Pin Place 7 Providence Park – Portland’s Soccer Cathedral
Map Pin Place 8 Washington Park – Portland’s Backyard Playground
Map Pin Place 9 International Rose Test Garden – City of Roses in Bloom
Map Pin Place 10 Portland Japanese Garden
Map Pin Place 11 Pittock Acres Park Viewpoint – The Postcard Shot
Map Pin Place 12 King’s Heights – A Hidden Hillside Viewpoint
Map Pin Place 13 Northwest Industrial District and Forest Park
Map Pin Place 14 Forest Park – Portland’s Green Giant
Map Pin Place 15 St. Johns Bridge & the Willamette River – Portland’s Gothic Beauty
Map Pin Place 16 Cathedral Park - Under the St. Johns Bridge
Map Pin Place 17 University of Portland
Map Pin Place 18 Overlook Park – A View That Lives Up to Its Name
Map Pin Place 19 Lan Su Chinese Garden – A Little Piece of Suzhou
Map Pin Place 20 Ankeny Street & Ankeny Square – Old Portland’s Crossroads
Map Pin Place 21 Mill Ends Park – World’s Smallest Park
Map Pin Place 22 Tom McCall Waterfront Park – Portland’s Front Porch
Map Pin Place 23 Hawthorne Bridge
Map Pin Place 24 Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Map Pin Place 25 Ladd’s Addition – The Rose-Trimmed Maze
Map Pin Place 26 Lone Fir Cemetery – Portland’s Outdoor History Book
Map Pin Place 27 Burnside Bridge & the White Stag Sign
Map Pin Place 28 Farewell – Until We Meet Again



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 28 stops, covering top attractions such as Pioneer Courthouse Square – Portland’s Living Room, Oregon Historical Society – Oregon’s Story, Unfolded, Portland Art Museum – A Cultural Cornerstone, Three Kings Historic Landmark Building, The Benson & U.S. National Bank Building – Broadway’s Showstoppers.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Pioneer Courthouse Square – Portland’s Living Room (Address: 700 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!