Take A Self-Guided Tour of Pittock Mansion in Portland

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Welcome to the historic splendor of Portland’s crown jewel - Pittock Mansion. Perched atop the West Hills, this elegant chateau beckons visitors with its captivating architecture and breathtaking views.

Embark on a journey through time as we delve into the rich history and opulent charm of Pittock Mansion, offering a glimpse into the lives of Portland's most influential family.

Join us as we uncover the fascinating stories and hidden treasures that await behind the doors of this iconic landmark.

As I usually am with these types of posts, I’m going to be vague when discussing the tour and what you’ll see as I don’t want to spoil everything.

I’ll first go over the parking situation at Pittock Mansion, as well as tours offered and admission fees. Then, I’ll discuss the history of the mansion and its former owners, while showcasing photos I took that’ll provide a glimpse into what you’ll see on the tour.

Let’s get into it!

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Pittock Mansion Location, Parking & Admission Fees

Pittock Mansion (pronounced Pit-Tick) is located within one of Portland’s Forest Park, and is near many popular attractions such as the Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, and the Wildwood Trail (which will also take you to the famed Witches Castle).

For GPS purposes, its address is:

• 3229 NW Pittock drive

 

Parking at Pittock Mansion is easy with its large, paved lot near the mansion’s entrance. The mansion is part of Portland’s “Pay to Park” program.

The parking rate here is $2 per hour with a daily maximum of $8. The enforcement hours are between 9:30am - 8:00pm, inclusive of holidays. You can see up to date rates and additional information at Portland.gov.

Currently, the only tour offered is self-guided and you’ll need to pay for admission. Pittock Mansion tour prices (as of July 2023) are:

• $14.50 (Adults)

• $12.50 (Seniors 65 & up)

• $10.50 (Children 6 - 18)

• Free (Children 6 & under)

During the self-guided tour, you’ll have access to the mansion itself and the grounds. Currently, there is no access to the Gate Lodge. You can check the status of that here.

Tour tickets can be purchased on site (not recommended during summer months) or online. You’ll be asked to choose your date of visit and an entry time.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to purchase a ticket in order to visit the grounds. You’ll only need one if you actually want to see the interior of the mansion.

Pittock Mansion History & Tour Photos

Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 by Henry and Georgiana Pittock, who are considered to be the founders of Portland as we know it.

Henry and Georgiana would arrive to Portland (separately) in the mid-1850’s. Henry would go on own the successful newspaper, The Oregonian (which prints to this day), and become a savvy investor in industries such as real estate, silver mining and the railroad.

Georgiana would become an influential leader and figurehead in Portland, founding many local charities and organizations, such as The Ladies Relief Society, Women’s Union, and The Martha House.

The 16,000 square foot, French Renaissance style home was designed by architect Edward T. Foulkes with all the latest (of the time) technology.

As you’ll likely notice, the mansion was built in an oval shape with 45 degree angled wings. This was done to enable a commanding view of downtown Portland and the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

There are 23 rooms contained within the mansion, of which include; a sewing room, smoking room, music room, library, five large bedrooms and two sleeping porches.

You’ll have access to view many of the rooms listed above. You’ll also ascend the multi-level dueling grand staircase, with marble flooring throughout, as part of the tour.

Henry and Georgiana weren’t the only two that lived here. In fact, many members of their extended family moved in with them when construction completed.

This included their two daughters and their husbands, as well as their three grandchildren, Rhoda, Georgiana, and Peter (who was born in the mansion). Their two orphaned nieces also took up residence in the hilltop home.

As fate would have it, Henry and Georgiana would only enjoy the mansion and its splendors for four years. Georgiana would pass away in 1918 from stroke complications, with Henry following suit just a few months later.

The family continued to live in the mansion well into the 1950’s, with grandson Peter and his father, Edward, being the final residents.

In 1958, they moved out of the mansion and put it up for sale. After sitting empty for four years, the mansion was heavily damaged by a hurricane-like storm and consequently fell into disrepair.

By 1964, developers set their sights on the mansion, wanting to bulldoze it to make way for a new housing development. Portlanders, however, had something else in mind.

Citizens rallied against the idea of a development and instead demanded the mansion be repaired and preserved. The city agreed, paying a cool $225,000 for the property ($67,500 of which was raised by citizens).

Repairs took fifteen months to complete but by late 1965, Pittock Mansion opened to the public. The transformation from a private, luxurious residence to a historic museum was complete.

Today, the Pittock Mansion Society, a local non-profit, manages the day-to-day operations of the property and ensures it’s preservation for all.

I hope you’ll consider visiting and taking a tour of Pittock Mansion during your trip to Portland. It’s truly a beautiful property and a classic Portland experience.

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Complete Guide to Visiting the Seattle Space Needle

The Emerald City has so much to offer. With many parks, museums, coffee shops and more to choose from, you’ll never be able to see it all in just one trip. There's one attraction however, that stands out from the rest. That attraction is the 605-foot tall, historic Seattle Space Needle.

Initially constructed for the World’s Fair in 1962, millions of visitors have stood atop its 520-foot indoor/outdoor, saucer-shaped observation deck that offers an unparalleled view of Seattle, the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, cascade mountains, downtown Seattle and the Olympic mountain range.

I visited it for myself for the first time in 2020 (just before covid began to run rampant) to document and gather all the necessary information to help you plan a visit to this historically significant Seattle landmark. So read on below to find out how you can experience it for yourself.

Seattle Space Needle Tickets and Location

The Seattle Space Needle is located within the grounds of Seattle Center, which is an arts, entertainment, tourism and education center spanning 74 acres housing several attractions, such as the needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Popular Culture. If you’re driving, the needle’s address is 400 Broad Street.

If you’re walking from your hotel, utilize Google or Apple directions on your phone and hit the walking tab for step-by-step directions. Likewise, if you’re using Uber or Lyft, simply punch, “Space Needle”, into the search bar.

Purchasing tickets is a simple endeavor at the needle. Your first and best option would be to purchase tickets online in advance of your trip. Just go to the official website, select your date and time of arrival, pay and you’re done.

Conversely, you could also purchase tickets at the kiosks on site at the ticket window. Keep in mind, if you wait until the day of, you may experience a lengthy wait or even worse, no availability. This is especially true in the summer months when demand is high, as it’s a popular tourist attraction.

Space Needle General Admission Price

If all you’re looking to do is the Space Needle, this is the ticket option for you. It comes with access to the observation deck, the Loupe with glass floor and the ground level. Prices range depending on season and are as follows:

• $35-$42 (ages 13-64)

• $29-$37 (ages 65 and up)

• $26-$32 (ages 5-12)

Space Needle/Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket

This is my top recommendation as it grants you access to not only the Space Needle, but the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum as well. You save twenty percent versus buying them separately and since they’re right next to each other, it makes perfect sense to see both. Prices are as follows:

• $64 (ages 13-64)

• $55 (ages 65 and up)

• $48 (ages 5-12)

Hours of Operation

The Space Needle is open year-round, which includes all major holidays. The best time to visit, in my opinion, is on a weekday during the off-season. The weather may not be great, but you’ll experience the least amount of crowds and still get breathtaking views.

It opens everyday at 10am, but the time it closes varies. As of 2025, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays the needle closes at 7pm. On Thursdays it closes at 8pm, followed by 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Seattle Space Needle Observation Tower

With tickets in hand or on your phone, you’ll arrive to the entrance on the date and time you selected. If your visit is outside the busy summer months, chances are good that you'll experience a minimal wait. 

Shortly after entering the building, you’ll go through a security check point where they’ll check for prohibited items such as weapons, drones, etc. In my experience, the process was quick and painless. It isn't as stringent as airport security, for example.

If you end up having to wait, there are informational boards throughout the queue detailing the Space Needle's history, its construction and milestones, accompanied by photographs. There’s a lot of interesting information here so be sure to check them out even if there's no wait.

The end of the queue is where you’ll enter the elevator. This is an experience all itself especially, if your operator has a sense of humor. The first couple hundred feet or so is enclosed but before long it’ll open up to clear glass, giving you an amazing view as your ascent continues.

The Top House

At the end of the ride, you’ll step out of the elevator and into what’s referred to as The Top House. Here, you’ll find an abundance of seating throughout and viewing areas for those who don’t want to go outside or if the weather isn't favorable. There’s also a refreshment stand featuring select snack items and Starbucks coffee.

Outside on the observation deck is where you’ll get those breathtaking, 360-degree views of downtown Seattle and beyond. There are benches all along for those brave enough to lean back on, in addition to automated camera stations where you can snag souvenir photos from.

For first-time visitors, the top of the Space Needle is quite a unique experience with multiple interactive exhibits, including a digital guestbook, high-definition screens detailing the history of the needle, and virtual reality stations.

The Revolving Glass Floor at ‘The Loupe’

The observation deck is cool and all, but perhaps the best feature of the needle is The Loupe, featuring the world's first rotating glass floor. If you’re afraid of heights or prone to vertigo, you may want to skip this as it's quite jarring.

If you’re not, then definitely do it as it's one of the coolest experiences you’ll ever have and alone is worth the price of admission on its own. Also here is the Loupe Lounge, a unique dining experience featuring a multi-course meal, crafted cocktails and delicious desserts.

To get to the Loupe from the observation deck, simple use the staircase adjacent to the refreshment stand. Called the, “Oculus”, this grand staircase is beautifully made with wood, steel, and glass. By the way, the area in between these two floors is where you’ll find the rest rooms.

Once you're finished with your visit at the top of the tower, consider heading next door to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. From there, be sure to experience the many other great Seattle attractions, such as Pike Place Market, the famous waterfront, the Gum Wall at Post Alley, the Original Selfie Museum, and more.