Sylvan-Highlands, OR

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.
This species goes unidentified on the zoo's web site. It lives in the African rainforest aviary.
African Red-billed Hornbill With a disposition to match its countenance. Hoo boy!

Popular places to visit

Visitors enjoy a sunny day at Oregon Zoo in Portland with family and friends exploring the lush surroundings

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4.5/5(610 reviews)

Awesome beasts native to America have a home alongside exotic and endangered species from around the world at this picturesque Portland attraction.

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Portland Children\'s Museum showing signage

Portland Children's Museum

4/5(9 reviews)

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

Hoyt Arboretum
World Forestry Center featuring signage

World Forestry Center

Get insights into all aspects of forests and trees, learning how they grow and how they are used around the world.

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4.5/5(1,165 reviews)

See sporting teams do battle and rock out to musical legends at one of Portland’s major venues for sports and big-ticket entertainment events.

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Sylvan-Highlands Hotel Deals

The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,894 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
NT$2,894
NT$3,373 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,175 reviews)
The rooms are large and spotless, the front staff could not possibly be more accommodating and helpful, and it is walking distance to absolutely everything.

Reviewed on 2026/2/2

The Paramount Hotel
The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
545 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$4,697 per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
NT$4,697
NT$5,449 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Excelent service

Reviewed on 2026/2/1

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is NT$2,794 per night from Feb 10 to Feb 11
NT$2,794
NT$3,399 total
Feb 10 - Feb 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,966 reviews)
Very clean room. Super friendly staff! Really fun coffee machine in the lobby. Restaurant food was not good. The front desk graciously refunded the meal.

Reviewed on 2026/2/3

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
Mark Spencer Hotel

Mark Spencer Hotel

3 out of 5
409 Sw 11th Ave Portland OR
The price is NT$2,255 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
NT$2,255
NT$2,615 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,988 reviews)
Amazing

Reviewed on 2026/2/2

Mark Spencer Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center

Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center

3.5 out of 5
550 SW Oak Street Portland OR
The price is NT$2,921 per night from Feb 5 to Feb 6
NT$2,921
NT$3,422 total
Feb 5 - Feb 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,324 reviews)
The room was very clean and the staff was awesome! I would stay here again

Reviewed on 2026/2/1

Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
The price is NT$3,741 per night from Feb 6 to Feb 7
NT$3,741
NT$4,361 total
Feb 6 - Feb 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,010 reviews)
Nice and quiet. Friendly staff

Reviewed on 2026/2/2

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
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Other neighborhoods 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(275 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 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 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

4.5/5(136 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Trevett-Nunn House and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Alphabet Historic District. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at NW Lovejoy & 18th Stop or NW Lovejoy & 21st Stop.

Alphabet Historic District
Relaxing afternoon by the waterfront in downtown Portland with views of boats and the city skyline

Downtown Portland

4.5/5(4,488 area reviews)

Explore the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park in this central business district with high-rise buildings. Enjoy walkable streets, and easily access public transportation like MAX light rail and Portland Streetcar.

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Pearl District which includes outdoor art

Pearl District

4.5/5(527 area reviews)

Discover art galleries like Elizabeth Leach Gallery, dine at diverse restaurants, and unwind in public plazas such as Jamison Square. Easily navigate with the Portland Streetcar and explore nearby iconic Powell's City of Books.

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

Downtown Portland boasts cultural, educational, and retail hotspots, with attractions like Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland Art Museum, and Pioneer Place mall. Enjoy pedestrian-friendly streets and unique residential areas in Southwest Portland.

Southwest Portland

Sylvan-Highlands, OR