Sylvan-Highlands Travel Guide

Portland

Golden Breasted Starling From the African Rainforest Aviary.
Golden Breasted Starling From the African Rainforest Aviary.
I'll post other photos from the zoo from time to time, but, for now, I'll leave you with this story. While heading for the exit after a long day of walking, and looking, and taking pictures, I was drawn to something out of the corner of my eye. A female mallard was calmly sitting in the waters of a rushing fountain, the kind of thing wild fowl generally tend to do. Standing by the fountain was a boy, and sitting a few feet away, his mother. The boy was doing everything in his power to bother the duck. -- splashing it, yelling at it, jumping up and down. His mother sat by, watching mutely. On the pretext of setting up to take photographs, I walked over and began to focus. In as polite a voice as I could manage, I told the boy that it was probably best to stop bothering the duck, that it wasn't a particularly nice thing to do, and, after a pause, I asked him, with a pointed glance, how much would he like it if someone did that to him. Emerging from her seemingly somnambulistic state, the mother urged the boy away, and the two left quickly together. It is not always easy to tell the difference between the animals and the noble souls in a place like this, or perhaps anywhere, for that matter. Wild animals behave the way they do because they have to. To see a crane dancing alone in a field, completely in thrall to its instincts, without even a partner to make sense of the thing, is to understand just how little choice it has over what it does. But we do have a choice. We are the creatures who invented choosing. That we have chosen to set aside places to preserve and protect some of the rarest animals on earth is a testament to our most noble faculties, and to our ability to choose well when the right choice presents itself. I hope we can continue to choose well, that our less noble faculties don't get the better of us, and compel us to make choices that those judging our actions on some future date consider only with confusion and despair. Perhaps it was a little less than noble of me to school a small boy in the humane treatment of animals, but judging from the context, that lesson might never have come. Chances are it went into one ear and right out the other. But if he had grown up without ever hearing those words, he might never have had the chance to learn the lesson they attempted to instill. Moreover, and more sadly, he might never have cared. As I dismantle my soapbox and walk away for the evening, I will leave you with a modest bit of preaching: to my mind there is really only one choice when it comes to that lesson. We all need to learn it. We all need to care.
A pair of Sacred Ibis battling over a scrap of meat. Actually the battle is over, and the one flying away has claimed the spoils.
I believe this is an Emerald Starling. The zoo lists all of its animals on its web site, though I've found the list to be incomplete. This resembles most closely the photo they have for that species, though not entirely, I'm afraid.

Popular places to visit

Oregon Zoo showing landscape views and zoo animals as well as a large group of people

Oregon Zoo

Visit the animals who call Oregon Zoo home during your travels in Portland. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Oregon Zoo
Portland Children\'s Museum showing signage

Portland Children's Museum

Enjoy a trip to Portland Children's Museum and popular activities such as cycling in Portland. Stroll along the area's riverfront or experience its acclaimed art galleries.

Portland Children's Museum
So much #Green for March. Awesome trails throughout the Hoyt Arboretum made for a fantastic day. Best city park I've ever seen.

Hoyt Arboretum

Enjoy a stop at Hoyt Arboretum, an entertaining place to visit in Portland. Discover the area's top-notch restaurants and its acclaimed art galleries.

Hoyt Arboretum
World Forestry Center featuring signage

World Forestry Center

You can spend time studying the exhibits at World Forestry Center during your trip to Portland. Make time to visit the area's shops or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

World Forestry Center
Moda Center

Moda Center

Catch an event at Moda Center and enjoy other activities in Portland such as cycling.Wander the riverfront or discover the area's beautiful waterfalls.

Moda Center
Aerial View of Portland Cityscape with Solar Panels and Highway

Oregon Convention Center

Learn about the events happening in Oregon Convention Center during your trip to Portland. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Oregon Convention Center

Top hotels in Sylvan-Highlands

Park Lane Suites and Inn

Park Lane Suites and Inn

2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue Portland OR
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,627 reviews)
The room we were assigned was fairly obviously converted from an apartment complex. It had all the amenities one would customarily expect from a condo rental. It was great.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

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Park Lane Suites and Inn
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is 2.440.661 ₫ per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
2.440.661 ₫
2.844.754 ₫ total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,212 reviews)
The staff and service was exceptional. High level of care and cleanliness.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

The Paramount Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is 2.604.791 ₫ per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
2.604.791 ₫
3.151.407 ₫ total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,986 reviews)
Room was clean and new, staff were quick and nice. I’ll definitely be staying here again in the future. Especially since it was only 9 minutes from the airport

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

4 out of 5
319 SW Pine St Portland OR
The price is 3.074.848 ₫ per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
3.074.848 ₫
3.638.241 ₫ total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 restaurants and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,422 reviews)
Beautiful rooms and staff

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is 3.082.120 ₫ per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
3.082.120 ₫
3.592.829 ₫ total
20 Feb - 21 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Everything was wonderful. Very clean hotel, not in the greatest of areas but inside you wouldn’t know it. Wait staff in both restaurants and coffe shop were awesome. Would definitely stay again.

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Heathman Lodge

Heathman Lodge

3.5 out of 5
7801 NE Greenwood Dr Vancouver WA
The price is 2.921.625 ₫ per night from 21 Feb to 22 Feb
2.921.625 ₫
3.712.672 ₫ total
21 Feb - 22 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Vancouver. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,639 reviews)
Yes room was clean and space. Staff was very nice and courteous. We will stay again.

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Heathman Lodge
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sylvan-Highlands

About 30 minutes east of Portland on Hwy 84 are a number of waterfalls, none more visible or famous than Multnomah. Hardly hidden but a gem nonetheless.

Goose Hollow

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Goose Hollow, check out sights like Providence Park or Artists Repertory Theatre and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Goose Hollow-SW Jefferson Street Station or Kings Hill-SW Salmon Street Station.

Goose Hollow
Aerial drone view of Northwest Portland, Oregon, showing Forest Park, Nob Hill, and Willamette Heights with greenery, homes, and industrial areas along the Willamette River

Nob Hill

While you're in Nob Hill, take in top sights like Trevett-Nunn House or Mission Theater, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at NW 23rd & Marshall Stop or NW Lovejoy & 22nd Stop.

Nob Hill
Nob Hill showing signage and outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Alphabet Historic District

5/5(1 area review)

Spend some time visiting places like Trevett-Nunn House while getting to know Alphabet Historic District, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at NW Lovejoy & 18th Stop or NW Lovejoy & 21st Stop to see more of the area.

Alphabet Historic District
Downtown Portland featuring boating, picnicking and a bay or harbour

Downtown Portland

4/5(42 area reviews)

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Portland. Check out top attractions like Portlandia and Portland City Hall, and jump on the metro at City Hall-SW 5th and Jefferson Street Station or SW 6th-Madison Street Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Portland
Pearl District which includes outdoor art

Pearl District

4/5(4 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Pearl District. Spend some time visiting top spots like Broadway Bridge, and catch the metro at NW 10th & Johnson Stop or NW 11th & Johnson Stop to see more of the area.

Pearl District
Sunrise from the upper tram terminal at Oregon Health Science University. Timing is everything in photography. I have waited a year to get the right timing and weather for this shot. For those fortunate enough to ride the tram daily this is a common sight. Mount Hood in the background.

Southwest Portland

Southwest Portland is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Sellwood Bridge and Portland Aerial Tram. See more of Portland by jumping on the metro at Bancroft St Stop or S Lowell & Bond Stop.

Southwest Portland

Sylvan-Highlands Travel Guide

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