The Grotto - National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother Reviews

By far the most beautiful outdoor garden area I have ever seen. A must stop for anyone wanting a spiritual experience surrounded by nature at its best.

We travel here for the special Saturday Mass. This is held on the 1st Saturday of each month. The service is short and the place itself is wonderful and relaxing. Walking in the gardens or sitting on a bench one can pray and meditate in a blissful environment.

The Grotto, with its shrines nestled on 60 acres with nature as its backdrop 120 feet in the air offered a relaxing and spiritual (even those that aren't Catholic can appreciate its beauty) experience. Reccomend seeing the upper gardens with its reasonable fee.

Great holy place for Roman Catholics.
All are welcome.
Free parking and lower level garden.
Upper level has fees.
They also have a conference centre for arranging retreats,meetings ,team building etc.

Must visit

The story of this place is very interesting. Only regret is that they charge to go upstairs. Calming place for pray.

I love this place. I return to it whenever I am in Portland. It is off the beaten track in NE Portland but not much of a drive. You enter a wooded sanctuary that transports me in time. People are quiet, respectful, and reflective. Staff are helpful but unobtrusive. As a Catholic, it is nice to see multiple cultures represented and how they revere Mary in different but similar ways. Walking here makes me calm and stimulates prayer.

This is not in downtown Portland and I wouldn't recommend making a special trip unless you happen to also be a devout Catholic who would likely have an additional ability to appreciate the place from that perspective. The pictures on here are amazing, but the actual place is fairly understated and there really isn't much else to see other than what is in the main picture for the attraction. There is an elevator that takes you up to see what is likely a great view of the city, but I chose not to purchase the tickets for that.

If you have a few hours in Portland and want to get a peaceful moment or simply taking a walk around the place, this is the place to be.. Even if you’re not a Christian, you can appreciate the well-kept lawn & landscaping. There are a few paths you can take and some nice views above. Such a beautiful place.

The Grotto is a religious place but it is also a pleasant place to stroll around and see interesting buildings, structures, plants, trees and sculpture. The upper level is well worth the admission fee. The cliff wall is wonderful. The Rose City food carts are nearby for a quick bite after.

The Grotto, The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, located in Portland, Oregon has a beautiful, tranquil garden located by taking an elevator to the top of a hill. You can purchase an entrance ticket at the gift shop. Allow time to linger in the garden. I came with my partner; however, I think it would have been a lovely spot to have gone by myself as well and spent longer meditating/praying.

Fee:
The lower garden, Grotto, and Chapel are free, If interesting in the higher garden (which is lovely/tranquil) admission is $8 (there are discounts for military/seniors and children).

There is a 12 minute movie in the visitor center that describes the history of the property.

Hours: 9am-6:30pm 7 days a week
Check the website if interested in Mass times and events

A great place to visit if you love nature, regardless of your religious affiliations. A great place for admiring nature and meditation.

I can spend the entire day here and I have. This is a must stop when I come to Portland. It truly is peaceful. The serenity of the pathways to different cultural stops and the meditation room with floor to ceiling glass windows is just amazing. You can really get some good meditation in at this place. The alter is just so beautiful and peaceful and reminds me of Europe. This place has the best energy ever.

It's a lovely, peaceful spot. The homeless in tents around the area try to panhandle, but they were mainly polite.

The Grotto is a true Portland treasure. Hidden within the city. It’s perfect for quiet reflection and a peaceful walk to take in a natures beauty.

A lovely adventure! Easy paved paths. A true Sanctuary. Kids friendly. Views at the meditation chapel are breath taking.

It seems a bit odd that a Catholic sanctuary and conference center would be a tourist attraction. But they welcome visitors; and the place is beautiful and peaceful, with well cultivated grounds and many statues and displays. It's worth a visit.

The Grotto is beautiful. Just walking the grounds is an experience. You have to watch the video in the visitors center because it gives you the history and makes walking the grounds more of an experience.

This place is good to excellent depending how religious you are. There is a visitor center, gift shop, open and close in chapel along with some beautiful statues and art. The lower level is free but you can buy tokens to go to the upper level (we weren't too compelled to go up the mountain). This was nice, but if you are not overly religious, this won't do much for you.

I'm not Catholic and the Grotto is. I frankly did not enjoy the Catholic-specific icons, art and so forth, but it is a truly beautiful setting with nice landscaping. I was there at night while it was raining and I don't recommend that, but I do want to return sometime to wake the shady paths during a nice summer day.

The Grotto is a beautiful and peaceful place with fabulous gardens and wonderful contemplative opportunities. Roaming through the upper and lower gardens provides spaces for prayer and meditation, like the labyrinth, chapels and outdoor grotto with the Pieta, We enjoyed every minute despite the rain! Highly recommend a visit to this site!

I visited The Grotto twice because it was so wonderful. There is a church, many different shrines and statues of saints and our Lord. There are also Stations of the Cross and a monastery and it was developed by the Servite priests.

Was a nice place to walk around. Quiet, well kept. Even outside of the “prettier” seasons, it was nice.

The grotto is a must see when visiting Portland. The gardens offer a quiet place where you can stroll and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Been here before but recently went to the lights of Christmas. So impressive. Many different choirs and also Carolers, so many volunteers to help make this happen. Thank you.

So very glad that we included this in our sights in/around Portland. As a devout Catholic (though it is not necessary to tour this site), I have a strong devotion to Mother Mary. This place is BEAUTIFUL! Even at the end of winter, when little is in bloom, you can still grasp the beauty and reverence. Quiet, contemplative place, includes many shrines and places to stop and peacefully pray or just walk and take in the sites. Beautiful view of Portland high above the Grotto on the cliff.

Whether you are religious or not, this is a great place to visit. Beautiful nature, engaging outdoor sculptures and a perfect place for contemplation. The admission price to the upper gardens is worth every penny. The gift store has some unique items too.

I absolutely loved this sanctuary. It's very peaceful. It's not crowded. I visited the Japanese Gardens, the Test Rose Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. This is my favorite because of the calmness. You have the beauty of nature in a serene meditative sound of water flowing.
We even sat in the meditation room and watched the planes takeoff and land at the airport.
The people that were there seemed to receive the same sense of prayerful calm. I would do all of the gardens again; they all have their unique qualities and beauty.
In the Grotto, I cast all my cares away and relaxed.
The parking is free. There is only admission for the upper gardens.
We came back to the lower gardens, since we had time before a late flight out of PDX. The Grotto is only a few miles/minutes from the Airport.

Great place to attend Catholic mass on a Sunday morning since mass is outside. Love the feeling of this outdoor community celebrating together at mass.

Very nice and relaxing area,there is a Church where they have a Daily mass,Gift Shop and of course The Cave which are all Free to see and for $7 more you can take a Elevator to the Top of the Grotto where they have a Reflection Building that has benches and comfortable chairs and while sitting quietly you can have a 180* view of portland.Also there is Various Religious Sculptures and Gardens to see.

We were not expecting much, but were pleasantly surprised. There is a trail with stations of the cross. The property is basically a forest in the city. There is also a Catholic Church in here as well. It was beautiful here.

We went out of our way to stop here. It's a lovely natural area but the Shrine itself is underwhelming and has a strange juju about it. The gift shop and their friendly staff was the best part.

We happened to stumble across this gorgeous place on our way to the airport. It was just lovely, peaceful, and the gardening impeccable. We enjoyed strolling thru both upper and lower levels. Our time ended with some prayers.

Beautiful chapel built in large open cave. Lovely grounds and trails. There are benches at the chapel. Perfect to sit and sense God's Presence. So glad we came.

We love the Grotto, a sanctuary of peace and spirituality. The Christmas Season Festival of Lights is not expensive but it is packed with people. The choirs that sang were very good, the lights (millions?) were exquisite. My wife and I were there for two hours , got there early, and enjoyed it but it is really for kids and family. I would say see it once, that's fine unless you have young kids. They would enjoy it again and again.

Statues throughout the park. Easy walking. Beautiful. If you are catholic its a must see. If you arent its just beautiful here. And its free. A must see.

This is a beautiful place to pray and contemplate. The upper gardens are worth the small fee to visit. And the meditation chapel is incredible. Well worth the visit.

Beautiful gardens, uncultured on the lower level and cultured on the upper level. Wonderful collection of art of various mediums. So beautiful and peaceful. Just to wonder the gardens is a delight. Can't believe it is so close to freeway and airport. The meditation room is definitely a place to be. The church is gorgeous and open for viewing. The gift shop is filled with items of all price ranges. All the items are attractive, well-made and gift-giving worthy. I've done a fair amount of gift shopping there! I always take out-of-town visitors there.

The Grotto was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Not because I’m a religions person, which I’m not, but because you can see and feel the love that went into creating this beautifully place. As we walked it it did feel like you were connected to God.

Wonderful place to relax in the midst of busy travel. Not to down play the religious aspects, the views and ambience should appeal to everyone.

This area is a very tranquil spot where you can sit and relax, meditate, or pray. It is nestled against the cliff and lush vegetation. It's a good place to visit even if you aren't Catholic.

So many place for prayer. The Vistor Center and Gift Shop are a must, you can buy candles for 7.00. Sure beauty in the area it takes more than 1 hour to see. Inside the church is the best to pray due to weather on this day. I will try to come back.

I have been in different seasons, but the Christmas light display that they have during the holiday season is a joy to see. There is an entrance fee and parking can be difficult. There is an overflow lot with a shuttle back to the Grotto. The website has additional details

We go by here every year at the holidays to walk around, see the lights and hear the wonderful choirs. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. Well worth a visit.

If you are religious or not this is a great place to take a stroll. I love walking around the trails and seeing how pretty this place is.

The Grotto is a beautiful place to spend time in meditation and reflection. Take the elevator to the upper gardens and you'll find paths to shrines, a labyrinth, and the chapel overlooking Portland. It's a breathtaking place!

This was a wonderful much-needed respite from a busy summer road trip. It was so peaceful and serene.

This place is breathtaking, I was not too sure what to expect but my girlfriend made me come here when we visit Portland and my god it has to be the place that made my Portland experience. The paying extra few bucks to go on top is worth it. Get to see very beautiful statues and alters. The view is to Amazing in the meditation room. Please be quite when in there because when I was there there was people talking and someone chewing with their mouth open like common be quiet and close that damn mouth 10/10 place

They also take Military Discount here

The very first thing you notice on arrival is the fresh pine fragrance surrounding you.

The Grotto is a serene and reflective environment, well designed for easy navigation.

Staff extremely well-versed in providing information to ensure a delightful visit

Even if you are just walking the paths below, the Grotto is one of the best kept Portland secrets. Pay to go up the elevator and be transported to another world - a sanctuary in the middle of a city. The Grotto lights at Christmas are so magical. Bit crowded, but worth it!

I enjoyed this garden so much I wished I could take every one of my friends and family members here. It was more than I could have even hoped for.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit..it is beautiful and peaceful. I’m sure that when the gardens are in full bloom it’s even more beautiful! Plan to spend 1 to 1 1/2 hours here.

We didn’t expect how beautiful and peaceful the Grotto was, especially since it seemed to be nestled in a residential area. You don’t have to be a practicing Catholic to feel the peace and good energy emanating from The Grotto.

We decided to go to the Grotto on a whim. It was fantastic. It rained while we were there but it did not stop up. You need to take the elevator to the meditation chapel. It is amazing.

As a none Christian, I can, say without hesitation, that the Grotto is simply a beautiful retreat that anyone in the Portland area, no matter what your religious beliefs are, should run to visit. Luckily my hotel was close to The Grotto, so, my brother and I decided to give it a quick look. well, it was anything but quick. We spent hours here taking in all the peaceful, tranquil and beautiful surroundings. There are two levels. The lower level is free. The upper level requires a token that must be purchased to use the elevator to the second level. Trust me, you want to visit the upper level.

When we came here it wasn't what I expected. It's very peaceful that it makes you not want to talk or make a sound.

What was scheduled to be a worthwhile annual Christmas attraction was compromised by not-so-great weather, too many visitors, and lack of food vendors. We were looking forward to this and bought tickets online. The location is remote, and access is tortuous using GPS. Parking is near impossible but thanks to the parking attendants we got one of the last spots without walking too long (in the rain).
The activities are clearly scheduled and on time. We saw the carolers, puppets, but no food booths because of COVID. The hot cocoa line was long.
We left early and didn't get the maximum or minimum benefit. That's too bad because of the obvious efforts by volunteers -- just to string the millions of colored lights.

I used to hike here when I was in high school and this is the first time that I have been back since the 80's. It is so much better. There is an elevator now up to the upper level and the trail was beautiful.

The Grotto is an amazing stop with beautiful gardens up above and the serene church plus gift shop down below. If you wish to seek some peace, religious harmony, or just get away from everything for a few hours this is the place. You need not be religious but a lover of gardens is helpful (for the upper level, plus views).

Just a nice place to visit and inexpensive.

It never ceases to amaze me. No matter how many times we have visited here, I always feel this overwhelming sense of peace & tranquility. Of course this visit was a bit different because of Covid. Everyone was wearing mask & everyone in the gift shop was respectful of the 6ft. There was a gal sanitizing the elevator in between each family. Doing their best to keep everyone safe!

The grounds are just gorgeous and the outdoor Mass in front of the Grotto is special. They have a lovely gift shop and a separate visitor's center (where you buy tickets for garden tour) but the wax statue of Our Lady that I was told to go see was not on display currently. Guess I'll just have to go back!

I'm not very religious, but this was still a really lovely walk through a big hillside garden. Everything was very beautiful even though it was the end of winter and slightly raining. The Meditation Building is really gorgeous and shows a great view of Portland.

Visited The Grotto is such a beautiful, peaceful Catholic Sanctuary that is definitely worth the visit.
Expect to be there at least 2 to 3 hours and that's not accounting for attending mass if you are there for mass.
The grotto or cave that has the statue of Mother Mary holding Jesus after the crucifixion is beautiful.
The church is very beautiful.
The stations of the cross nestled in a nature walk is very peaceful.
Such a blessing to be able to experience this gem

Lovely, peaceful and beautiful place!!! Perfect to go in the afternoon during the week. Super quiet to walk and meditate.

We were very impressed with our visit through the gorgeous gardens and the various statues. The grotto is breathtaking and the church is beautiful. Happy we visited!

If you love nature then perhaps you’ll like this place. In my humble opinion the place is very underwhelming, but I didn’t have super high expectations for it in the first place, so I gave it four stars. The staff was very friendly and there is a heavy catholic touch on it, but overall worth doing once I suppose.

My wife and I were in Portland for a four day vacation. We rented a car to go out and visit the Columbia River Gorge. On the way back to Portland we decided to stop at the Grotto. Wise decision. It was without a doubt the highlight of our trip. Upper garden is worth the price.

My wife and I discovered this distination on TripAdvisor. We attended the noon mass followed by a leisurely walk through the upper gardens. The entry fee was well worth the cost of admission. Great views to the north.

Beautifully decorated for Christmas. Get your warm jacket, boots, hat, and a hot cocoa and enjoy a peaceful night out with your family

I've visited The Grotto on a previous trip to Portland and it is so beautiful and peaceful to walk the grounds. This trip, we chose to attend The Festival of Lights there and it was fabulous! After checking all of the displays out we listened to a lovely children's choir that was performing in The Chapel of Mary. I'm so glad we made it to this year's event.

For $10 a person it was worth the money to see the beautiful elevated gardens. The meditation building is quite stunning. It is a religious sanctuary. It was very peaceful

The Grotto is magical. You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy (I am Christian, btw). A place of holiness, peace, and beauty.

I stop here first thing every time I land at PDX. Peruse the grounds on your own, they are complimentary. There is also a church to go inside. A beautiful bronze statue of Jesus is also central to the Grotto.

Going to the top of the mountain via elevator does cost money.

Quiet and peaceful! Easily accessible by car or bus. If you’re religious, it’s definitely worth the visit.

I visited the Grotto on Easter Sunday. It was a rainy day, but it didn't spoil the spiritual experience of being there. I went up to the higher level and peacefully walked the paths that winded around various statues, a labyrinth, and prayer spots. The gift shop had a host of religious and spiritual objects, books, candles, etc.

I love botanical gardens but as far as plants go when we were there there was not much out of the ordinary. It was more of a religious setting.

The first time I visited the Grotto was during lunch hour on a Wednesday. It was so beautiful and peaceful that when I went back to Portland with my mom this last week, I had to take her with me.
While definitely a Catholic place, this amazing sanctuary is exactly that. A sanctuary for all. You feel a deep sense of peace and quiet, as well as the joy that comes from being in nature and knowing that you are not disturbing anything, just experiencing.
There will always be people with too loud children, and irritating other little things, but the Grotto manages to make that seem very, very far away.
I would recommend visiting here over any of the other garden spots in Portland, simply because the access is easy, they are welcoming and kind, and it will definitely calm the soul.

They did a lovely job of Christmas lights with choirs singing. Very Hallmark-y. Little pricey but I'm sure it's not cheap to put all those lights up!

If you've never been, you should go if you're up for a quiet meditative retreat in a beautiful park-like setting. The fee is about $7.00 for seniors. There is a walking labyrinth for those inclined.

If you are in Portland in December make it a point to visit the Festival of Lights. The experience is very enriching. The lights and music was joyous. Make a point to stop at the visitor center as they have a short movie about the grotto's history.

Rather than drive to a faraway destination, I chose this place to relax from the hectic pace of a tourist trying to cram every attraction into a few days. Just a nice place to slow down and meditate on what's really important in life.

This is a must see in Portland for everyone.
Pay to view the upper level!!! Don’t miss it. I took so many photos here.

We usually visit here at Christmas time when the choirs are all singing. It is a special place and a must visit.

Absolutely beautiful. Feels like you’re in another country. A must visit whether you are a religious/spiritual individual or not. It’s similar to a Japanese garden- tranquil and peaceful.

A great little escape just outside of the city.
Well worth the couple of dollars to take the elevator to the top to explore the gardens and get the fantastic view over the city.

This is nice tranquil and serene place; suitable for meditation. Just walking around the grotto makes one feel good and refreshed. The place is clean and well maintained.

This is a very solemn place of prayer and worship.. We love to go to this place every year during this Lent.. A lot of people and believers are coming over from different part of the world. Not just from North America but all over to witness the solemnity of the area wherein you can feel the peace and you can meditate while walking the path going to the Grotto shrine of the Virgin Mary.. You can hear the songs of the monks from the seminary that added more holiness of the place. Church is jam pack of devotee and celebrate Masses most of the hours.. All the staff from the souvenir shop are very helpful and kind they are always ready to help giving direction and answers questions patiently.. And the one catches my attention most is the Mother and Child from the display made of wax which is really looks so real.. That was very touching..! A must come place to go to if you happen to be in Portland Oregon.. not just in this season but all the season.

The Grotto is a unique experience. It is dedicated to St. Mary, mother of Jesus. The grounds are beautiful, complete with a shrine to our Blessed Mother as well as smaller shrines to several saints. There is a beautiful chapel for quiet prayer and contemplation. The gift shop is extensive and items are reasonably priced. It was cold and rainy the day I visited (early November), but even so, I stayed until nearly closing time and took numerous cell phone photos. If I return to Portland, I will definitely visit again.

They light up the trees and the hills. It is wonderful. There are musicians playing, animals for the kids to pet and choruses in the chapel. Visit in December for a great experience

I came here with sister and mother. There was a ceremony going on and it was something I have never expierenced. I am a open minded human being, and we sat there and watched the ceremony. It was beautiful, dont know the language but I liked everyone singing in harmony. It was below and we were unable to go up top, think it was like $10 to get the view, but being around the singing and nature surrounding us, was pleasant . thanks

We went in the fall. The leaves were turning and it was beautiful and quite meditative. The meditation chapel was breathtaking as was the view from there. Walking around the grounds was wonderful. Great visit!

The Grotto is a wonderful and peaceful place to simply walk the grounds and enjoy the natural settings. The chapel is wonderful and as that home feel. We visited before Christmas, and they had a small petting area: there was a donkey in the manger area, a small calf, and of course the LLAMA (did the wise men ride them???) - - but the nativity scenes in the Grotto were breath taking. HOW much does it cost??? How about FREE ! ! Take a few minutes from your busy travel and stroll under the beautiful trees and if you are inclined to mediate and pray, THIS is the spot.

We went this past Christmas with family, and what a joy to find someplace to feel the true meaning of Christmas. Will forever recommend The Grotto.

a very beautiful and quiet place, check the weather before going to visit because we were there the week of January 10 and they closed as a precaution

Read that it was one of the places to visit in Portland, so we went the last day just before leaving. Easy to get to. Admission was free. Nice little walk around the grotto area. Nothing special, but very relaxing.

This is called the Grotto of Our Lady of Sorrows for good reason. In this quiet setting, you can follow a path along which are stations of the 7 Sorrows of Mary represented by the 7 swords that pierced her heart. But that is not all. There are 2 Masses on Sunday, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. which you can attend in the beautiful artistically painted chapel. The surrounding grounds have paths dotted with statues of Jesus, Mary, and some of the saints. Most of the time all is peaceful and you can spend some time meditating on the various scenes. The gift store has an extensive choice of religious items. Plan to spend some quiet peaceful time here.

Beautiful and peaceful walk through the gardens and pathways. Well maintained and great place to have Bible study.

GREAT PLACE RECONNECT AND RECOLLECT SPIRITUALLY. It was very detailed, has a great ambiance to relax AND just feel the vibe. They also have the 12 stations of the cross. They held some mass in the morning which is very fulfilling to attend. Very religious and peaceful. The place is Huge enough to walk around and smell the fresh air. They have an elevator to bring you to the upper level of the sanctuary. Must consider the time to see everything its all worth it!.

** They also sell some souvenirs and holy water if you want to some home for your family and friends. It's worth the trip.

Lights, music shows (Included in the admission fee). It's a beautiful place for everyone to go during the CHristmas time.

We stopped in here for a nice walk and enjoyed the great features and history. You pull into the parking lot and step into a deep forest of beauty and Church history.

I was quite surprised to find this place in Portland near some busy streets and rather close to the airport. I would have expected to find it in the countryside or mountains in Europe. The Grotto is much larger than I expected and is very beautiful. There is a large statue of Jesus carrying the cross in the area near the Grotto. Currently, that area is covered in Christmas lights which is a special treat. A church with beautiful paintings and large windows overlooking the nature is near the Grotto. There are two gift shops, one near the church and one closer to the parking lot. You can purchase a ticket to take the elevator (the only way up) to the top of the Grotto, but unfortunately when I arrived, the elevator was already closed for the day. If one walks away from the Grotto, back in the direction of the parking lot, there is Stations of the Cross, which I also, unfortunately had to miss. If I visit Portland again, I will definitely come back to the Grotto to see the sections I was unable to see on this past trip.

This has many places where you can sit and reflect. And then around each corner is a bit of commercial religion. A beautiful setting in the middle of a metro area.

We decided to stop at the Grotto during our stay in Portland. I can say we were not disappointed. It is breathtakingly beautiful and so incredibly peaceful. You do not have to be Catholic to enjoy this treasure.

Have come here many time to hear my daughter's choir sing at Christmas time. This place is absolutely beautiful. Has many things for young children in addition to the lights and entertainment

Great place to see a concert and check out the little grotto. Very nicely manicured and wonderful during Christmastime. Beautiful light displays. Very cool chapel and ample parking.

My first thought of doing a 3 hour drive from Seattle to Portland is "Why? No offense to the good people of Portland and a very nice place actually, which I found oit recently.

But once yoi get to the Grotto, that 3hour drive was worth it. The place is what yoi would expect from a sanctuaty. You could spend the whole day there sitting, meditating, or walking around the beautiful garden on the upper level, which you must go to since you're already there. But don't take my word for it. If you have the opportunity do go there just to relax and breath in Nature.

Beautiful garden with trails and best of all it was so peaceful. The weather was perfect (July 26) lots of shaded areas throughout the grotto.

We went for the Christmas lights ceremony. Beautiful. Choir singing in church. A bit pricey for an adult ticket but a very nice atmosphere and less expensive for children, and a good cause to contribute to. Beautiful grounds.

Does not matter what your religious preference is. This is a beautiful place to visit.Christmas lights are gorgeous. Always wonderful music . We have also visited in non Holiday times. A place to feel peaceful and grounded

YOU MUST GO TO THE GROTTO! Whether you are religious or not, anyone, in my opinion, would be in awe of this point of interest, even if it's to attend service or to just stroll the grounds.

It was spiritually uplifting, motivating, captivating, and humbling. The way that the statues are captured, the grandeur of the location, all equates to a very moving, awe-inspiring, and jaw-dropping visit.

I highly recommend visiting and touring the grounds. Stop in at the church, and check out the upper level gardens, especially the Meditation center which has an AMAZING view of Portland and Mt. Hood.

Make sure to visit if you are in Portland. I feel refreshed every time I visit this serene place. The entrance is free unless you go to the gardens or during the light festival (Nov/Dec).

The place is beautiful and peaceful. We attended 8am Mass there - it worth visiting just to experience the place with or without attending one of the Masses. There is an upper garden which I have not yet visited but have heard is very nice. I've wandered the lower grounds many times and it changes with the season and is very well kept. The gift shop is nice if you are looking for religious items. You can buy a long-lasting candle for $7.95 to put on a stand that is near the grotto of The Grotto, to honor someone's memory.

Independent of your religious beliefs, this is a really nice place to visit. Many people have come here over the years and it vibrates with good energy. It is a good place to pray, heal, or enjoy the scenery with a nice walk. I found the observatory which had tall beautiful windows and I got to enjoy the sunset. Would recommend!

This spot was off the beaten path. I wish there was somewhere to put more candles. I'm of the belief that you never blow out someone else's candle to light one up for yourself. We paid the extra donation to take the elevator to the top. It was tranquil. Not that many people did it, so it made the place feel even more secluded.

Built in the early 1900s, you either KNOW about The Grotto or you don't! It's just this unique sanctuary, built again a cliffside, in Portland, OR. If you've never been there, I know it sounds weird, but it is a truly beautiful and peaceful place to pray and enjoy nature. While it's Catholic based, anyone can go, explore and attend one if their many masses/celebrations.

The Grotto, was more then we expected.
A holy, inspired, beautiful mega site in Portland , for vocal prayer or contemplative.
There are Roman Catholic priests that will hear your confession.
The staff at the grotto are kind and friendly.
You can have Masses offered for your loved ones.
A church with daily Mass and Rosary on site.
The book store is amazingly supplied with tasteful religious items.
We are going back before we fly home.

We were counting on this to get us into the Christmas spirit on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Big crowd that skews older and clearly is popular among the locals. Lights were pretty but not overwhelmingly great.

Your experience here is likely to be very dependent on which choir/singer is performing while you are there. We weren't impressed with ours (the Grotto Carolers in a nearby tent were better and more fun/energetic) and thus perhaps have a little lower opinion of the Grotto overall than we might have in a different situation.

Side note: there was a lady doing personalized Christmas ornaments in the gift shop who was amazing. That alone was worth going.

Nice but didn’t find it inspiring. Glad to see it busy, but that took away from the solitude. The meditation chapel was standing room only.

A sanctuary for our Catholic faith. We just wanted to reflect and have a quite moment at the Grotto where the “Pietà “ statue stands. A moment of prayer for our loved ones. There is a gift shop of just religious items plus candles to purchase. Here you can also purchase tickets to go up and admire the gardens. We decided not to go but we did purchase two candles that we put at the Grotto in remembrance of our lost ones.

Beautiful Gardens, quiet walking paths, opportunity to meditate and reflect in a picturesque setting. If you're Catholic, even more impressive due to the statues and their significance. The story behind the construction of the grotto is inspirational. Great way to recharge during a long road trip!

I was looking for a place to fill my cars gas tank when I noticed a sign for The Grotto. I did a quick check on trip adviser and since it was a Sunday morning I decided to do the self tour and attend church services. The Grotto was beautiful but since it was a wet and raining day they had the church service in a beautiful church. Surrounding the Grotto and church there were beautiful gardens.

If you're ever in this area, near Portland, OR airport, stop here to relax, enjoy nature and take a moment for yourself. It's very renewing for your spirit.

Wonderful place for contemplation and renewal. Well-cared for grounds and friendly staff make for a very pleasant day-trip.

Peaceful and serene. Go for Mass outdoors in the summer, but don't miss the the walk above the the cliff.

Lovely place to visit any time of year. Especially during holidays - regardless of your spiritual inclination, you will find peace, beauty & a sanctuary far away from the city's busy life

This has been on my list for years. I love the history and the beauty of this area. It is something that doesn’t take long yet transports you into peace and history

We paid to do the upper gardens and it is worth it. Very beautiful gardens and lots to look at it. This time of year some things were in bloom but I bet it’s pretty in the spring when the roses and other plants bloom as well. We did the labyrinth which was fun. Takes no more then 1 1/2 - 2 hours to see everything.

Wonderful place to visit. Hidden in a neighborhood street there’s a gift shop and a movie playing in there. There’s also where you can pray outside. It cost a little to go up where y can find nice views of the city. There’s also many nice statues and the garden is nice. Definitely peaceful place I enjoyed walking and seeing everything here.

I'm not religious, but it was nice seeing the grounds at the top of the escalator. Since I'm not religious, it would have been nice to have a bit of story behind some of the statues. I'm not familiar with the new testament so some of the meaning was lost on me.

This is a great way to boost your Christmas spirit. The lights are very nice and there is moderately priced food available. The big attraction for me is the music inside the church. You can sit as long as you like as different groups perform.

Whatever one's religious belief or non-belief, the Grotto is a lovely site to visit. Take the elevator to the upper level and walk beautiful paths which feature sculptures and shrines dedicated to various Christian saints. The old growth trees are amazing and the piety of other visitors insures a quiet, peaceful visit. Don't miss the glass-walled meditation chapel. Even if you are not a religious soul (pun intended), the grotto is worth a visit.

This Grotto is stunning and the story behind it is absolutely amazing. Sheer determination and the will to succeed.
A great view and a super place for reflection regardless of you beliefs or non belief. We all need time alone and the Grotto is not just for one faith.
Well worth a visit.

One hundred years ago a grotto was created into this incredible rock face where soon later was installed a beautiful reproduction of Michaelangelo’s Pieta. This beautiful work of man’s craftsmanship stands today amidst an inner-city secluded area inspiring meditation and solemnity inspiring self-contemplation and thoughtful introspection in nature’s beauty within a 62-acre ecological enclave. One can leisurely, yet wondrously meander the walk paths of this remarkable garden/park to quietly ponder, picnic or serenely contemplate the open seclusion of nature’s marvelous wonder. When visiting Portland, this is a must visit – enjoy a couple of hours of tranquility. It is truly a gem and isolated treasure within the bustle of the city.

The Holiday Lights are up and beautiful. Varying and a really good Grotto Carolers perform live Christmas music nightly in the chapel and outdoor tent. Lovely spot outdoors in Nature with a charming Friar Catholic Chapel. A large basalt cliff holds a shrine alter and daytime can take an elevator or wooded trails to gardens and a meditation area with large cross overlooking a North view to Washington State.

It was lovely even 3rd week of October. Be prepared to stroll at your own pace. Nice paved trails with something beautiful around every corner. Parking was free and street level is free but if you want to go up on the 100 foot cliff to more beautiful gardens and mediation spots is 6 dollars a person and you take an elevator up the side of the cliff. Beautiful statues and bubbly ponds and flowers. There are nuns walking around and smile and speak pleasantries. There is daily mass in the cathedral and on ground level there is outdoor seating looking inside a cave area in the cliff with
Virgin Mary inside the cave. Was beautiful

A place for pilgrimage on christmas season with a festival of lights. I enjoyed the serenity of the place. It was a beaitiful meditative experience on Christmas season

Have visitied here several times and enjoyed the Christmas holidays and concerts in this inspirational environment.

My mom loves churches, so I decided to take her here on her 1st Portland trip. The church itself is beautiful

I took a couple of visiting students from Vietnam who are Catholic here to experience the grotto. Too bad it was pouring down rain that day but the service was quite nice.

We followed TA reviews to this beautiful wooded area with trails and places to sit and admire the forest. High above lower ground level. Peaceful, natural trees, bushes, flowers, water features.

Lovely area to stroll around and enjoy a spiritual and serene experience. The gardens are lovely and the art very interesting. Would highly recommend seeing this gem in Portland

Beautiful, peaceful place for a walk. I loved the upper gardens, especially the "wayside shrines" from different countries. Also, the white pine carvings of the Sorrows of Mary were gorgeous. Well worth a visit.

This is a beautifully kept, fully accessible, sanctuary with two levels. The first level, which has a beautiful sanctuary and lovely grounds, is free to visit. You must pay a fee to take the elevator to the second level. The second level is absolutely lovely. There are several places where you have a fantastic view of Mt. Hood on a clear day. The pathways are all paved and marked for direction, so walking is easy. If the sun is out in Portland, get there early before it fills with people.

We loved this place. Mass was holy, church gorgeous! Gardens worth every minute. Make sure you take the elevator. Great parking lot! Go! Go! Go!

we are Catholics so we try to visit almost every Christmas-time. it's usually freezing cold but they do sell hot chocolate. the lights are beautiful and being there reminds me of goodness in the world.

Located close to busy roads and highways, once you enter the area all outside noise seems to dissipate.
A nice place to come for a quiet, reflective respite from the outside world.
There are 2 gift shops located on property for your religious icon needs.

The upper level gardens are great for a walk immersed in peace and spirituality. The Grotto itself is a divine place with a beautiful chapel in it.

We stumbled upon the Grotto and have been back every visit to Portland. The Grotto is incredibly beautiful and well maintained. The walking paths are so well groomed and beautiful and PEACEFUL! Don't miss the Meditation Center which is a perfect place to go and meditate and get your inner self regrouped! Beautiful flowers, trees and buildings. Very small sur charge to go to the upper level, but well worth it. The Church is wonderful and has daily masses. The outside Grotto has many Masses and special services. At Christmas the lights are just magical. Gift shops and wonderful staff. Very clean restrooms. Don't pass this place up.

Beautiful! $7 to go up to the top gardens (really cool) or free to walk around and check out the ground level. There's an informational video to watch for free in a small theater room behind the desk of the welcome center

We enjoyed 10am Mass in the church and then the Upper Gardens. There is a cost for the Upper Gardens which is very worth it. The Grotto is beautiful and there is no cost to visit it.

Such a beautiful place to visit. Make sure you set aside enough time to really take your time to walk through it all. You want to be able to sit and enjoy the views.

Although this is a Catholic shrine, anyone of any faith (or none) will find walking through The Grotto a soothing, meditative experience. The Lower Gardens are lovely, and the art in the Upper Gardens is more than worth the modest entrance fee.

This was our first trip to the Grotto. We brought some out of town family. The history about how The Grotto came to be in nicely captured in a short documentary you can view within the visitor center. You can buy a token to take the elevator up to the second level (also purchased from within the same visitor center). Otherwise you can do a short trek around the Stations of the Cross. It was a nice tourist option to share with visitors without committing to have 1/2 day jaunt.

Beautiful scenery and peaceful. There is a chapel, stations of the cross outside, and a gift shop. There are so many trees covered in green moss that it looks enchanted.

This is a sanctuary and place for meditation. Hard to believe such a place is so close to a large, important city. While it may not be terribly interesting to followers of other religions, but a real “must see” for Catholics.

It's so peaceful up there. Stroll around and relax in the quiet beauty of the gardens. The maze will allow you to free your mind and be in the moment.

Where do I start? When I was putting together my itinerary, The Grotto has always been the number one place I wanted to visit. It did not disappoint for sure. The upper garden is amazing. I was at 180ft above and it was beautiful and peaceful. It is a perfect time to reflect and appreciate the solemnity of this place. Your $8 is so worth it.

We like to wander outdoor gardens in new places we visit. This one was over the top in natural outdoor beauty with massive trees, flowers, waterfalls, ponds and trails on a 26 acre site that was established in 1924 by Catholic Friars. Many of the trails and shrines are on top of a 110 foot high cliff. There is a meditation chapel in one area where the views are fantastic overlooking the areas of Portland below. There are many religious shrines along the paths, but this park was established as an outdoor Catholic shrine and sanctuary, so that is to be expected. I'm neither Catholic or very religious, but the hour plus we spent here was comforting.

The Grotto is decorated beautifully in Christmas lights this time of the year. You stroll through the paths which are surrounded with decorations. There are several areas with choral entertainment and there is a petting zoo for little ones.

We came here on a rainy day (shocking, I know), but were pleasantly surprised by all the beauty. There are trails to walk with some tree cover and lots of statues and neat areas to see. Make sure you go to the visitors center and pay the $6 to see the upper garden. We had such spectacular views from the meditation chapel and the garden is very peaceful and beautiful. Parking is free and you can definitely spend a couple hours here.

I'd always heard about The Grotto and I'm glad that I finally made it there as it is a special place. Be sure and take the outdoor elevator to the top for a nominal fee as it is worth seeing the gardens and walking the well-maintained rails on the bluff.

We came here because it looked interesting, we are Catholic, and we are big fan's of Mary. Gardens are beautiful and serene. Enjoyed walking around with my daughter and viewing the art made by local artists. The church was beautiful also and just a peaceful place to walk and meditate. You can walk around the lower level for free, but pay to view the upper gardens. The grotto itself on the lower gardens are impressive with outdoor seating.

The Grotto is located in eastern Portland, close to the airport. Big free parking lot within the premises.
The whole complex consists of two parts - lower and upper. Lower part is free, the upper paying.
The main star - Pieta in the Grotto is in the lower part and looks majestic. Also, in the lower part is the Way of the Cross - beautiful path through the woods, as well the Cathedral and visitor center.
Kind lady at the visitor center played a movie for only two of us explaining the Sanctuary history, which was interesting and informing. Here you can buy big dedicated candles to light them by Pieta.
The upper part is reachable via elevator and consists mostly of international shrines.
Our visit was very spiritual and interesting and took us slightly over an hour, highly recommend.

The Grotto is a lovely oasis of calm. The lower gardens, chapel, conference center, visitor center and gift shop are lovely, but when you take the elevator to the upper gardens, the peace is incredible. The chapel that overlooks Mt. St. Helens, the Gorge and the airport is a stunning space, the gardens are beautiful, there is unique art at every turn, and the monastery looks like a small, stone castle overseeing the grounds. The labyrinth is a peaceful prayer walk opportunity. We bought an annual pass that allows six people to visit at one time. We’ll use it a lot!

Though their website said they were open they were not. You had to somehow know to click the Christmas Festival link to find there were different hours. We planned to see it in the daytime as I have had my fill of Christmas lights by December 30th. When we arrived at 3:45, after a 24$ Uber ride, we were told they were closed until 5:00! We were told we could hang out in the gift shop. The employees we showed the conflicting information on the website could do nothing about it. We chose to not give them our money and left.

Very quiet and peaceful place for prayer...even with all the people around....beautiful grotto and stonework and right in the middle of the city. Amazing...great place to take a break from the busy touristy activities and slow down and contemplate life...or whatever.

This is a must see if you are in Portland in December. I have not yet seen the Grotto in daylight, but I will. This is a lovely display of Christmas lights and music. Local bands and choirs perform. It doesn't take but about a half an hour to stroll though.
It drizzled the whole evening but just go prepared it's worth it.

You would have no idea this place was there unless you were looking for it. It is in a rough part of Portland. Once you enter though, it is like the outside world does not exist. We were not prepared for the wet weather so we did not venture to the upper level, but the free area below is still beautiful. There are many things to look at, ponder at, pray too and just explore. We really enjoyed the path showcasing the Stations of the Cross. The gift shop was very nice as well. We hope to go back again when more prepared for the weather or just on a nicer day. True beauty at its best.

Not being Catholic, or even particularly religious, we weren’t sure what to expect. However, we thoroughly enjoyed walking the grounds and absorbing the quiet. We attended on a gloomy, drizzly winter afternoon but this did not diminish the beauty of the place. If you enjoy gardens, cultural nuances or artwork, you might find something to appreciate. There is a reproduction of the labyrinth of Chartres which was neat. We would like to return in the morning to view the sunrise in the meditation room.

The Grotto is beautiful and inspirational, but at Christmas, it is magical! The awesome lights, the nativity, the lovely music offered a feast for the senses. I loved it!

Don't have words to describe how this place make you feel. You will feel inner peace, doesn't matter if you're religious or not.
You will be amazed about the beauty of this place, and what has to offer.
Great place to meditate and pray.
Take the chance and pay for the token to take elevator to visit upper gardens and enjoy meditation chapel with the view of the city and all the shrines and what has to offer.
Everyone is quiet there , if someone wants to talk is with soft voice or whispering. Everyone is very respectful with this and expect the same.
I'm very happy to see we preserve and still have places like this to share grace.

Found out about this beautiful church during my research prior to my Portland visit. Was fortunate to have opening during my schedule and decided to come by. It is one thing looking at photos from TripAdvisor or Yelp, but it is definitely a different experience when visiting this park in person. The towering trees and the quaintness of the whole place is just breathtaking!!!

Aside from the Grotto, there is a small walk path that depicts the life of Jesus Christ. I am not Catholic but it is definitely peaceful being in this place! If you are, even better than you can consider attending the mass or pray at its church itself.

Beautiful place to spend some quiet time, contemplating God and simply walking through nature. The grounds are very pretty. We came during Christmas but missed seeing the lights. Even still, we and our 12 years old daughter enjoyed the time we spent here. Great little gift shop, informative movie about the creation of the Grotto, and the mass was serene, I'm sure we will be back.

this is such a quiet and peaceful place, I think I am going to come back here more often. I can imagine the gardens in full bloom, wandering the paths and just taking in all this beautiful place has to offer. The meditation chapel is most impressive with contemporary lines and a view to just sit and take in! Worth the $6 price for the use of the elevator up to the upper gardens. If you are in Portland and haven't been here, I highly recommend!

The Grotto is a fantasic and spiritual place with a lot of history in Portland, it is known for the fabulous christmas lighting and choirs during the holiday season

We went to the Grotto for the Christmas celebration. All the lights were fantastic! The tree covered in lights was my favorite. I loved getting to hear choirs singing carols inside the chapel and the small groups singing outside. This is the place to go to get in the holiday spirit!

Such a peaceful, restful, moving. A sanctuary located right in the middle of a busy area. From inside you would never know there was a world out side.

This is a must see, even if you are not practicing Catholicism you can appreciate the sheer beauty of the site, and the grounds. We go every year at least once a season. Can't be missed at Christmas for the choirs, and the lights displays.

Displays and lighting were tastefully done and quite beautiful. Pausing in the church for quiet reflection of the true meaning of the season further enhanced my experience.

Me and my wife plan to come here for a long time even though we have to drive for nine hours. Our tiredness is worthy seeing The Grotto is a Beautiful and Peaceful place to visit and meditate on your self, it’s a very nice religious place. The chapel is lovely, nice place to sit, have some quiet time and we even attend a mass.
The sanctuary is beautiful and very peaceful to pray. We love and enjoy our visit to The Grotto 🙏🙏🙏

The Ghotto is peaceful and calming. The surrounding are beautiful. This is a special place for everyone. If you want to purchase a candle for lighting, you can in the Visitor Center for $7.

Loved it! Parking was free and easy and though crowded we managed a great spot. There are attendants to assist. Admission is $11 each and I felt it was worth it for all there was to see and explore. Paved trails flanked with many beautiful Christmas lights on both sides, trees along the trails light up. There are a three main buildings to go inside and warm up. (the gift shop sells handwarmer and 3D glasses to give the lights special effects) The chapel/cathedral is gorgeous, a choir signing almost always in the evenings. There is an animal tent, vendor selling hot drinks, cocoa and something else that smelled wonderful. Indoor art display with sculptures and historical artifacts, photos, etc. A priest available to the public for discussion or blessing items. The gift shop is large and full of really beautiful and unique Christmas gifts for all ages and Catholic items. Very enjoyable time had by all!

My husband and I are not generally religious. He'd never been to mass and I hadn't since I was a kid. We thought the outdoor mass at the Grove could be a nice experience. It was! The location is just breathtaking. The service was lovely and inclusive. Not like the sermons of my youth. We also checked out the lower level free areas and upper level paid areas. Everything was beautiful!

The Grotto is a beautiful sanctuary owned by the Catholic Church, but open to everyone. It is an oasis of lush gardens, walking trails, a beautiful glass-walled chapel with a view overlooking the mountains, trees, and vistas. They hold a Saint Peregrine Mass, as St. Peregrine is the Patron Saint of cancer and life-threatening illnesses, and people often go to these masses that are looking for solace, peace, spiritual healing, and support. We first heard of it from my uncle who was battling cancer.

When visiting relatives from out of state, we came here to look around. We came in December, so it was cold. At night they have a Festival of Lights, but the group I was with were all too cold to want to stay at night. In December, they also had a life-sized nativity scene outside, in front of the rocks.

It just all gives a sense of beauty and peace, and is a great place to go if you are needing some quiet introspection, want to have a peaceful walk, meditate, or, if battling an illness and want to attend the masses, to feel some uplifiting support. There was even a proposal happening, with flower petals strewn into the shape of a large heart while we were there, as the ambience is so serene.

People travel from far distances to visit the Grotto. It gives you a sense of peace, serenity, and nature. It is good for the soul.

We visited the Grotto before Christmas. Dances of the lights, concerts and candles are unforgettable.

All faiths will enjoy this peaceful place. We didn't know what to expect but were delighted with the serenity and beauty that surrounded us as we meandered around these grounds. If you are looking for bells and whistles, go elsewhere :-)

Perched on a bluff above an open-air Catholic chapel, this lovingly-maintained park feels both secluded and sacred. Exquisitely hand-carved wooden sculptures depict episodes from Jesus' life and death. Groves of tall pines surround charming reflecting pools.

This is the Time to think about making a night trip to The Grotto.
Been there on several occasions through the years, but the best time is always around Christmas time to see all the Lights that are put out for the special occassion ..... a nice easy stroll through The Grotto makes it very comfortable and enjoyable ..... if you can schedule it to coincide with one of the Choral groups' Christmas presentations, it would be that much enjoyable. Great Place to spend a family time or with that someone special ..... Very Nice!

We were in Portland and it was a beautiful day so we decided to go to The Grotto. It's a beautiful place to visit and you can take the elevator up to the top where there are Gardens, a pond and monastery. There is also a very nice glass meditation room with a great view.

Be sure to watch the free movie of the history of this breathtaking place.

Church service (mass) was much to Smokey for me, so I waited outside.

Visited the Grotto on a recommendation of a friend. Glad we did. Wasn't overly crowded and we went early on a Sunday morning. There was a senior discount for the upper level and we were glad we went up to view this area. The gardens are well maintained and very lovely. The meditation chapel had an awesome view but there were some who did not respect the posted request for quiet and talked while there. There is definitely more to appreciate as a Catholic but I could see how anyone with an open mind could enjoy themselves here. The grounds can be viewed in less than an hour but to appreciate all the art and do some quiet meditation, allow more time. It is also helpful to read about the Art and the different areas before you go so you will know what you are looking at. Had a great visit.

This is a beautiful spot for quiet contemplation, especially for spiritual seekers of any persuasion. Gorgeous plantings everywhere, a sacred atmosphere, and a spectacular view of Portland.

I’m not catholic or especially religious, but it’s was really interesting. The main attraction is the grotto-cum-altar, but the top of the bluff has a great garden and some exhibits of the major elements of Christ’s life.

This Catholic Church sanctuary is a surprising quiet place when we visited on a weekday afternoon.. Perhaps it was not a religious holiday or Feast Day.
The upper gardens are well tended and is a treat for the senses. Good queit place for contemplation and reflection.

The Grotto is a must for any pilgrim or traveller visiting Portland. The whole area is filled with towering trees, bushes, flowers, etc. There is an elevator that takes people up to the Grotto Gardens. There are also Stations of the Cross where one can meditate on the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. There is the Chapel of Mary where one may go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will experience peace, relaxation and closeness to God and Our Lady. We attended the Healing Mass of St. Peregrine and we were blessed with the relic of St. Peregrine. The Servant Friars of Our Lady have done a wonderful work taking good care of the Grotto and of the people visiting the Grotto.

We stopped here on our way to the airport. It was a good way to spend an early morning, in the company of birds and nature. The grounds are immaculately kept and it seems like a great place to spend some spiritual time.

Beautiful peaceful place! Many spaces for quiet time among the sculptures and statues. The grounds are beautiful and perfect for a stroll. I hear it’s stunning at Christmas time. I may be back!!

I had to come back here while visiting Portland. It is so beautiful and peaceful, you can get lost in the serenity and absorb the quietness but also the subtle sounds.
A must place to go!

This is a working worship area. Although Catholic/Christian based, the spiritual aspect is still there. It's 2 levels of statues and structures with a hand made tile labyrinth. Its a must check out.

Ok, we're catholic so this is right up our alley. But heard about the gardens so that's why we came and glad we did. Enjoyed noon Mass in chapel on ground level. Took elevator (yes you pay but so worth it) to upper level and it was the most peaceful beautiful grounds. Lots better than Rose garden in May. View from the cliff side Madonna chapel is incredible. Come regardless of your beliefs, linger, restore yourself. Thank you for those who keep this place!!!

2nd time here, different time of year. Beautiful, peaceful, and free. Loved praying the rosary with my family. Winter is not as colorful and the cold air made for a quick trip but still very worth it.

For several years we have wanted to visit here but until this month, the timing of our trips. didn't make it happen. We made a point of stopping an extra day in Portland on our way from AZ to WA and stayed about a mile away at the Nordic Inn. We had nice weather to go. Parking was great except I was a little uncomfortable with all the signs stating not to leave valuables in your car. (When you are on a long trip you always have stuff in your car) We parked in the lot as close to the offices as we could an hoped for the best. When we returned there were no problems. Heard later it is because of all the drug problems. The Grotto grounds are beautiful. We did not realize before getting there the the only way to the upper gardens ( which is a lot to see) is by was of an enclosed elevator up about four or five stories. My husband is claustrophobic, so was unable to go up. Asked if there was a walking path and informed that there was not. The open air church amongst the forest setting is beautiful. We attended the noon mass at the chapel. There are buildings with exhibits and pictures. My husband stayed sitting in the outdoor pews while I went up in the elevator. There is much to see up there. Stations of the cross, the first small chapel, statues dedicated to other cultures and a monastery The grounds are beautiful. Definitely a place to see and to go to relax. A nice gift shop also. Apparently beautiful at Christmas time.

My 13 year old daughter and I travelled to Portland and visited The Grotto. We attended noon mass then toured the beautiful grounds and meditation chapel on the hillside. Absolutely beautiful setting and amazingly meaningful in our journey of prayer with the Blessed Mother. Very easy walking and nicely paved fir wheelchairs or strollers.

Nice but nothing to write home about. I've driven past it many times before deciding to go in. The Grotto is a laid back place that I would maybe take a date on just to get to know them better, because there's really not much to see as far as the place is concerned tbh.

The cathedral is beautiful, I really enjoyed the hiking trails and the peaceful feeling while in this sacred space.

Took the entire family a day or 2 after Christmas, was very festive, and you could really feel the spirit of Christmas still. The spectacular lights, the singing in the chapel, the candles at the outside alters- it was very moving, members of our family were moved to prayer- even the little ones! There were trees that you can write prayers and tie them on- everyone was moved to do so!!! Very sweet.
The kids also enjoyed petting the animals, and especially the cocoa and waffles that were available for purchase!
The kids loved the lively Christmas Carollers as we are leaving that lifted everyone’s spirits !

What a beautiful place, pay the entry fee take the elevator up and sit in the meditation room, it’s spectacular! The Labyrinth is a wonderful moment to reflect, prayer or meditate while walking. The Gardens are beautiful, this is a very special place - don’t miss it!

My favorite part about Christmas is seeing the different light displays. After moving out to Portland, I naturally I had to explore the lights! I came across the grotto and decided to take a solo trip to go explore. It was totally worth it! The lights were beautiful the music was great and the atmosphere was full of Christmas spirit! Highly recommend to go and reflect on your own and to be surrounded by people.

The Grotto in Portland Oregon is a must see. There are two levels
On the 1st there is the information building , Altar in the rocks , statues and a separate church. On the way to altar rows and rows on very tall trees .Magnificent! An elevator takes you to second level that takes you to several meditation chapels and many altars for different countries to our Lord and Mary. So green and serene. There is also a meditation labyrinth as well. Definitely a wonderful experience.

Very Blessed and Beautiful destination in Portland, Oregon. We love visiting the Grotto whenever we are in the city. You do not have to be a Catholic in order to appreciate this peaceful area.

The Grotto was off the beaten path and worth the stop. We came across it from word of mouth and once there, it was so relaxing and peaceful. It was during the weekday with few people around, the gift shop was also nice. A beautiful place to relax even in a big city for Catholics and non Catholics a like

This was an impulse stop, recommended to me by a friend that was here 30 years ago.

It's located less than 5 minutes from the Portland Airport and well worth the side trip. What a picturesque area in the middle of commercial development.

If you just have a few minutes, park the car and stop to see The Grotto itself - an altar carved from a huge granite wall with sculptures set back in the niche. It's very impressive and the photos on their website don't do it justice.

If you have more time, and don't mind paying a few bucks, take the elevator to the Upper Gardens and wander - especially lovely in spring and summer!

Secret hideout outside Portland that is amazing. Such a quiet reflective, respectful place. It served as a lasting memory from our trip to Portland. The views were a little smoky due to the local fires but well worth the visit.

Independent of your religious belief, it is an amazing place to visit. Sanctuary in a cave is really nice, and the view is amazing, the gardens are super quiet and peaceful, great for meditation/pray or just walking

It was raining off and on when we visited a couple of weeks ago but still a great place to visit. You don't have to be catholic to enjoy it.

Portland abounds with wonderful areas for walking. The Grotto is high on our list. Green and serene.

We arrived just at opening time, but parking was several blocks away. It took us nearly an hour from arriving to entry. The neighborhood was dark and has no sidewalks, making it unsafe as we walked around incoming traffic. We came to hear choirs, but found a bluegrass band while we were there. The sanctuary was standing room only. Bathroms were inadequate.

Outside, displays were of good quality. Walk through was limited. Carolers in a tent were mixed in skill level. At $44, I would not pay for this experience again.

The Grotto is a national treasure and is a must visit for those visiting Portland, especially for those who are Catholic. You are immediately surrounded by a sense of peacefulness and serenity that is lacking in the modern world today. There are two levels of The Grotto, in order to get to the garden you have to pay to take the elevator, well worth it! I would recommend you take your time when visiting this place, budget at least 2 hours to allow yourself time to take in everything the place has to offer. From the beautiful garden path, to the interesting stations of the cross, and the highlight for me: the meditation chapel. I am envious that Portland has a place like this, I wish I had something similar back home. Take time to unplug from our busy world and visit The Grotto to recharge.

My 100yr old aunt recalled the Grotto she visited with friends 50 some yrs ago. Many things have been added but there are things that she remembers that were the same. The Grotto & some of the things up are right where she said. The admission to go up is $7, $6 for seniors & $4 kids. It’s worth the money. They have made various shrines to Mary from different cultures. If you fill out the survey you’ll get 25% off in the gift shop. Don’t miss it, I would like to go back for the Christmas lights celebration.

Toured here with friends. This is a very peaceful, tranquil and inspirational outdoor Catholic shrine and sanctuary constructed in 1924. There is a spectacular glass meditation hall at clifftop level and extends down to the foot of the cliff. There are several thousand feet of trails throughout the 62 acre complex. The Smithsonian Institution has 23 statues and memorials registered at The Grotto. The day we attended there was a wedding in progress. Beautiful setting.

Although I’m not Catholic I wanted to check this stop out. I’m so glad I did, it’s stunning. The massive forest combined with the rocks in mountains and the statues...I was awestruck. There is a ten minute video in the gift shop that explains the history of this sanctuary and you are welcomed to light a candle for a loved one. My son and I ended up staying and exploring for a few hours. Best part of my trip.

This place is a unique place to visit. You will need to buy a ticket to take the elevator up the rock to walk and see the gardens and monastery. Take about 1 1/2 to see. Great view once you are on the high rock.

This is a beautiful, serene, quiet, clean christian themed park. It has 2 levels. The lower with the amazing grotto and an elevator to the upper level with meandering paths and viewing chapel. A must see.

Whether or not you are religious, The Grotto is a beautiful place to visit. The view from the top of the Grotto is picturesque and so peaceful. All of the art is amazing.

The Grotto is lovely. I feel at peace every time I visit. I buy and light a candle or two, and sometimes stop in the church and say a little prayer before leaving. I absolutely love the gift store.

Go there every Sunday or visit any time to see the beautiful scenery! Take the elevator up to walk the grounds!

This is a free place to see courtesy of the Catholic Church. There is a charge if you ride up the elevator to the other paths, but it is sufficient to visit below and grotto is right there.

Very beautiful. Lower level is free. Upper level is well worth the price.

My visit was towards the end of the day during the week so I did not experience the crowds some people have mentioned. I even ended up in the breathtaking Sanctuary alone. Bonus was spotting three deer.

Would definately have an annual pass if I lived here.

In the middle of a hectic graduation weekend we spent a couple of hours at The Grotto. What a refreshing, relaxing, restoring few hours.

Regardless of your faith, the Grotto is an amazing retreat of peace and serenity located right in the heart of the city of Portland. You would never know it! Quiet, lovely, well manicured and all around serene and peaceful. The lower levels are free to visit and it is easy to access via mass transit (Tri-Met). Wonderful in all seasons and I actually recommend visiting in a light spring rain. A delightful respite for the mind and spirit. Well worth a break in your day!

Who knew. I've lived in Portland for 40 years and have been to The Grotto a number of times, but like everyone else, I only went at Christmas when the full display of lights turns it into a magical place. I knew nothing of the upper garden, a beautiful place with meandering pathways, chapels, shrines, ponds and a world away from just outside The Grotto's gates. Although it was a nice day on our visit, it was still winter. Yet, I can imagine what a great place it would be to escape to in the heat of summer as its towering fir trees provide infinite shade. Walk the circular maze in sheer contemplation. You don't have to be religious to enjoy this hidden gem.

What an amazing place to see. The energy you feel is unreal. To sit and meditate in the meditation center was all I needed for the day. The peace garden was a surreal and worth every minute, just wish we would have more time. A good couple of hours is what you will want exploring the grounds. We will definitely be back when we are in town.

My wife told me about The Grotto and so we decided to visit during our recent Portland trip. "The Grotto" is much more than the Grotto itself. There are many acres of beautiful, fully accessible forest through the Servitian monastery grounds and it's an ideal self-guided tour. You can pass slowly through the peaceful woods on paved walkways and there are plenty of resting places where you can sit and experience the cool breezes and the beautiful views. A major part of the grounds is located at the top of a cliff that is accessible by elevator. If your travel schedule in Portland has been intense, then the Grotto and its environs is a perfect place to relax and restore. It is clearly Catholic, but there is much that will appeal to non-Catholic visitors including the forest walks and also the beautiful facilities on site. General admission is $7.50. Seniors, military, and children 6-13 are discounted. Children under 6 are free.

I *always* take visitors to Portland to see the Grotto. It's one of the most amazing attractions in the Pacific Northwest. It's peaceful, beautiful, and astounding, especially in the summer.

These gardens are a must see. It was nice and cool when we went since it’s in the woods. The lower level is free to explore and the upper level is $8. Admission to the upper level can be purchased at the visitor center. They give you a token to take the elevator up. The upper level is definitely worth the admission fee. It’s a great place for quiet, peace, meditation, and reflection. Make sure not to miss the Meditation Chapel once you go up to the upper level. You take the path to the left when you get off the elevator. The stations of the cross on the lower level were also worth exploring. Lots of flowers were blooming when we went which made it even more beautiful. I am Catholic so I was aware of all the religious shrines and other sculptures. But I think this garden is a place anyone can come and enjoy.

Attain true peace at this Sacred Place. There is so much to take in with the beautiful scenery. Take a long walk and journey into your soul as you observe this Miraculous Place.

We visited The Grotto over the Christmas holiday season. We took in joyful choirs, beautiful Christmas lighting, delicious warm drinks and snacks, and the even a petting zoo filled with gentle animals. Dress warm because the evening winds can be chilly.

If your into very cool religious places, this one is for you. The outdoor Grotto is beautiful and worth seeing. If your in Portland during the Christmas season then you need to go and see the festival of lights. I have been there a few times and I always come away with a calm feeling. I enjoy this place a lot.

My friend collects religious items so for her first time being in Portland I set up a short excursion based on religious things of interest. The Grotto didn't disappoint. We all found it to be much more than anticipated and quite serene. Great place to take pictures.

Beautiful place to spend some quiet time, contemplating God and simply walking through nature. The grounds are very pretty. We came during Christmas but missed seeing the lights. Even still, we and our 12 years old daughter enjoyed the time we spent here. Great little gift shop, informative movie about the creation of the Grotto, and the mass was serene, I'm sure we will be back.

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We’ve probably come here once a year for the past few years. It’s always nice to come to a peaceful place to pray and take in the serenity of this place. Their garden is about 62 acres and has a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà . They also offer mass everyday. We’ve always missed the mass tones prior to this visit but it was nice to finally attend one this time. I will most likely come here again.

The chapel is nothing special to look at, but the grotto and the upper garden are beautifully stunning areas! Definitely recommended anytime the sun is out.

The Grotto is inexplicably stuck on a major street between strip malls, but as soon as you park, pay the nominal fee and take the elevator to the walking paths, you would swear you were out in the country. High above street level, walk into the chapel and look at the vista in front of you. Then leisurely follow the walking paths that are beautifully laid out for your enjoyment. This is a wonderful place to go to escape noise and stress for a little bit.

We've visited this place in good weather and greatly enjoyed the contemplative, spiritual atmosphere, the flowers and the trees. Then we went on Christmas Eve night for the Festival of Lights, and the experience was totally different. The Grotto itself did da good job: beautiful lights, exhibits here and there about the real meaning of Christmas, carolers, etc. But the crowds were overwhelming, and it seemed as if most of the visitors were there only for the light show, and didn't care about the Christian emphasis on the birth of Christ. It wasn't the festive, Christmas-focused experience that we expected.

I'll start off by saying I'm a Catholic, so visiting this place was more than just a "tourist destination" for me. That being said, there is a BEAUTIFUL garden at the top that is worth the walk through - there is a nominal entrance fee to go see it. It is immaculately maintained and the walk around was quite serene & peaceful. Good for doing personal reflection - which is what I think the point is (a meditation/prayer garden). There is also a special prayer room, that has an incredible view of the mountainous landscape of Oregon. Inside, there is a replica of the Pietà sculpture (the original is in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican). Silence is required in there, so a family may not want to bring young children that are full of energy into it. Just outside the prayer room are lovely water fountains that provide such a calming effect to your mood. Throughout the garden there are numerous benches that you can sit to ponder, or rest! There is also a designed pathway that follows the Rosary (free!) on the lower level, which is very nice too! Aside from the garden and the Rosary path, there is an outdoor chapel, which is where the Sorrowful Mother in the Grotto is located. Simply touching to be able to see it. There is an indoor chapel as well, which has beautiful stained-glass! Both offer Mass. Unfortunately, timing didn't allow for me to attend service during my visit to Portland, and the Grotto. The gift shop has some great souvenirs and some other items for sale. All in all, this is worth the visit, and it's good for all ages, so long as the more energetic ones can be respectful of their surroundings. The garden is wheelchair accessible (elevator up, and then paved path), but the Rosary path is not really good for anyone in a motorized or manual chair. It's also probably a bit challenging for those with walkers and canes. Just something to keep in mind.

Nice peaceful area to pray, walk, meditate and do some soul searching :). There's also a chapel / resting room with full view of the city.

Wonderful place that invites reflection and gathering. We had the opportunity to participate in a very special celebration. There is a very organized community that should be supported. Don’t forget to respect ceremony times and not consume food. Every corner of the space is amazing.

Outstanding display of light with different choir's singing in the church and on the grounds. A gift shop and food available for purchase. strolling along the trails with sacred statues and prayers recordings.a very spiritual place to rejuvenate the soul.

This was my 2nd visit - once in the summer when we went to the upper level and saw the Portland skyline. Serene and restful - beautiful! This trip was to see the Christmas lights and listen to a choir singing the chapel! Beautiful lights display and the singing was beautiful - truly a Christmas event worth visiting every year.

Nice step out of the chaos of the season to remind us what it is about. Music, religious encounters.

Each year we attend at least one concert at Christmas. Our grandgirls never tire seeing the beautiful displays of lights. They ask wonderful questions about the significance of the displays. All the attendants are gracious and courteous. If I were to give advice to first timers.....Expect your visit to take time...time to find parking, time in line, time to drink in the lights and time to see all the exhibits...

A well-maintained peaceful sanctuary. Whether you're religious or not, the property is worth a visit. Great views on the upper grounds, interesting little religious exhibits, beautiful chapel, and fascinating cultural shrines. A place we take family when they visit.

Arrived early, guided parking, easy to get tickets in lines that moved fairly quickly for this Christmas light show. The light show was wonderful...a lot like Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC. The grounds looked magical by night. A couple days later we bought tickets for the upper gardens that are only viewable in the daylight. Up the long elevator and walk the trail. Wonderful.

My wife and I spent the day here in quiet meditation, with many troubles filling our hearts about family and friends. We have been doing a Mary Undoer of Knots novena and we just completed day 4 the day we visited here. Mind you, this is the middle of Jan and essentially nothing is in bloom. However, true to Her words, our faithfulness paid off as the most powerful scent of roses touched my wife and me at the exact same moment. We fell to our knees in praise and worship. What a blessing for the Almighty!!!! Thank you Mary. Despite the graces, a wonderful place to visit with many things to see and experience. Please go here and feel the love!

There is absolutely no place like this anywhere else. In half a second, you drive out of the city and next you know, you’re surrounded by trees and serenity.
I love this place to get away, have some quiet spiritual time and get a blessing or two. I’m not what you would refer to as a practicing Catholic, but I am spiritual in my own sense. There is a church on property where they conduct masses. The parking lot is not immense so I don’t know where one would park if attending a Sunday mass amongst travelers such as myself.
There is also a gift shop and a room where you can get blessed or an object blessed. My daughter got her necklace blessed.
I did not take the huge elevator up to the top of the mountain as I didn’t want to pay $10 honestly. There is enough on the grounds itself to view and many areas to pray or take in the statues.
This is a place of tranquility that I try to visit each time I’m in Oregon.

A place of worship and meditation, this is a wonder within the City. The piers in the Grotto is a sight to see, but also pay the fee (around $9) to visit the gardens in the upper level. The sights, statues and another poets is up there. There are wooden stations, a Filipino & a Vietnamese station as well. Take your time, pray and enjoy.

The Grotto is a hidden gem in Portland. It's in the NE corner of the city tucked on top of some cliffs. Lots to see from all over the world. And the meditation building with the big glass view is very peaceful. Gift shop is cool too!

I've visited this beautiful site in the summer and during the Christmas Light Festival. Every time I visit I am inspired and feel closer to my religious beliefs. I am not Catholic, and it doesn't matter. There are several ways to enjoy the Grotto. Music, masses, or just walking through the grounds - both low and high on top. There is also a wonderful chapel up top to sit and just contemplate, pray, and relax for a moment in our hectic life.

We are areligious, however we loved the serenity provided by the virgin forest and protective cliff wall — the trails were still and quiet, supportive of walking or seated meditation. Lovely. Free, unless you want to ride the elevator to the clifftop area, which we did not.

While this is a very religious place, it's very spiritual, calm and peaceful. Portland is green and beautiful but this place really was something we had to see.

Went on a day trip with my teen son not knowing what to expect. The setting is beautiful even before you go up the super cool elevator to the upper gardens. It is a Catholic sanctuary full of religious art and tradition. Though we are not Catholic it spurred a lot of thoughtful conversation about religion. It was a nourishing place and experience.

OK, lived in Portland for 40 years and have only been to the Grotto 3 times. We went the other night for a Grand daughters Concert in the Chapel and decided we need to come back every year. Great place, the lights are fantastic and it is just one of the best places to be in Portland at Christmas.

Whatever religion you may be, it is a very nice religious place. The Grotto of Our Lady of Our Sorrowful Mother is on the lower level and it is free (parking is free as well). The chapel is lovely. To go to the upper gardens requires the purchase a ticket, and it can be purchased at the gift shop. There are amazing views of the area from the top of the cliff. Also we were impressed with gorgeous trees and luxuriant hydrangeas there. We spent quite a bit of time walking through the gardens. The Grotto is a beautiful, peaceful, spiritual place. It is worth the visit.

A beautiful place to visit and only minutes from the Portland Airport. I would recommend paying the 11 dollars to take the elevator to the upper gardens.

We all enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the gardens. They were varied and labeled for identification. The elevator as well as the many resting spots make it enjoyable for elderly and handicapped.

A divine green Zen-like experience. The first day we tried to get the upper levels - they were not open as tree removal was underway. But we went back the next day- and we were glad we did.

There are terraced waterfalls tinkling when you arrive at the Sanctuary at the upper level. The view through the glass wall while you sit in the over-stuffed club chairs is simply heavenly.

We had just had a death in the family and, although we are not Catholic, the Grotto was the perfect place to have a moment of silence to say our goodbyes.

It's hard to imagine that just outside the Sanctuary is a bustling noisy urban area. You feel as though you are under water floating in a green sea as you walk through the lower level. It was just what we needed that day...that moment.

The upper garden was definitely worth visiting. Took about half an hour to walk around and then time to look out from the observation deck. Token for lift up to gardens was $9.95 and you can see the shrine for free.

Beautifully maintained place includes Gardens at lower level and upper level, and church in lower level. To visit upper level, you take an elevator and pay for visiting the upper level garden. Lower level is free. We enjoyed the lower level and church.

Always feels good to show up to places with no expectations. The Grotto, such a gem in the middle of town.
I don’t want to spoil your experience. If you need a place to go, relax, pray, take beautiful photos and find some peace. I recommend the Grotto; especially if you go early in the morning before it gets busier.

Bring a candle if you like to place it with the rest of the candles at the main alter. Or you can purchase one at the Grotto shop.

Happy Travels !

Take the elevator to the top!!! $6 each. Nice long walk around beautiful gardens. The meditation room has a great view!!!

The parkingl ot was full on a Sunday and needed to wait to find a spot. The Grotto is beautiful and serene. The choir was singing in the chapel. Very nice area to come relax .

I visited the grotto in August and it was beautiful. It is a 10 minute drive from the airport, so it is not close to downtown. You can use public transportation to get here from Downtown Portland, but it is very time-consuming. It takes about an hour (outside of commute hours) and involves a transfer. It's easier in a car and parking is free.

It is free to visit the grotto that is built into the wall of the rock cliff facing a large outdoor amphitheater area with bench seating. There is also a small, modern church you can visit near the grotto and visitor center. Regular masses are held here as well. The walk back to the parking lot through the lower gardens leads you down a concrete path in the shade of surrounding trees, past a few sculptures and fountains, and then past the bronze plaques with sculptures depicting each of the stations of the cross.

For a fee of $8, you can purchase a ticket from the visitor center to ride the elevator to the gardens on top of the cliff. Just the views from the top of this cliff are worth the ticket price. Most of the view is obscured by trees, but visit the new, modern Moyer Meditation Chapel to your immediate left to view Portland East and the more distant mountains near the Colombia River The room contains a religious sculpture and a few chairs in which to relax and enjoy the view through the gigantic wall of windows.

Outside, the path wanders by large lawn areas and a small brook, among flowers and trees. One path leads visitors past several wooden kiosk-type grotto displays, which pay tribute the different religious cultures in Portland. Other paths lead past glass-encased wooden sculptures or bronze medallions which illustrate religious events. St. Anne’s Chapel, a small brick building built in 1934, houses several pastel-colored paintings. The stone sanctuary building in the back is not open to the public, but visitors can walk the small rose garden in front it.

If you wander around every inch of the gardens and read all of the signs, you could spend a few hours here. I saw everything at a leisurely pace in about an hour. The flowers aren't as impressive in August, but the indigo hydrangeas were just gorgeous. The gardens at the top close earlier (5pm) than the grotto below (6:30pm), and the ticket sales end at 4pm, so plan accordingly.

If you are looking for some beauty in a peaceful atmosphere and have time to drive about 30 minutes outside downtown Portland (avoid commute hours or it will take 1 - 2 hours), you will enjoy a visit to the Grotto. This would make a great stop on the way to the airport.

Hope that helps. Enjoy Portland!

Memorable and beautiful. You don't need to be religious to appreciate this church. Recommend visiting the second garden up top.

This is located near the Rocky Butte area of Portland (where 205 & 84 cross). There is a small garden oto walk through outside the parking area that is free. Lovely statues dot the garden. Once inside they do have a book and gift shop (catholic associated). The outside 'church' is lovely. A nice place to sit and have some quiet time. The inside church is also beautiful. The ride up the elevator cost a steep $7. I paid to see what was up there. I was very surprised it was as lovely as it was. They worked to make the grounds a sanctuary, and it worked. It felt very peaceful up there. Not only beautiful gardens, but statues or art to look at as well. I am not sure this is big enough to drive a long distance to see. If you are on the East side of Portland, and you like peaceful or lovely gardens, then you may want to add this to your list.

Like the Japanese garden in Washington Park, this is a very peaceful area. I'm a lapsed Catholic, spiritual but not really in line with any religion these days, and my brother is more or less atheist. We still came to the grotto because it had been recommended to me by a friend.

There is ample parking, and the lower level of the grotto is free of charge. The grotto itself is set within a cave in the cliff side, and is quite impressive. Also on the lower level are the stations of the cross, on a meandering path among the trees.

For $6.50, you get a token to use the elevator to access the top level of the grotto (this is the only way to get to the top of the cliff!). On the ride up and down the elevator, you get a brief history of the grotto. There are several areas providing a view of the Portland area, and if the skies are clear, you should see Mt. Hood.

On the upper levels, we found the meditation chapel, statues, shrines devoted to the Virgin Mary (Lithuanian, Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, etc)., plaques depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary, multiples gardens (there's around 1500 plant species here), and a labyrinth that's a replica of one found in the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, take a moment to visit the grotto and admire the natural beauty here.

What an absolutely beautiful place and you feel the peace!!!! Go even if you are not religious. The nature is wonderful and unique with the big trees and the area carved out from the rock. We stayed over an hour and wished we stayed longer - if I were not with a child I would have brought a book and stayed and meditated in the santuary.

Even though my husband and I are not Catholic, this was a beautiful, peaceful place to visit. There are two tiers. You can pay to go up to the top which has a fantastic view. The gardens are amazing. Lots of statues.

this is an incredible garden to tour, with many religious statues, as you follow the paths thru the gardens. Plus has amazing views across the valley, from the cliff-top location.

We chose to spend the few bucks to go to the upper garden. Well worth it! The grounds themselves were beautiful, even though the day itself was a bit chilly and dreary.

The Grotto was so serene and beautiful. I totally recommend paying the $4 to visit the grounds upstairs as well as the downstairs areas.

I have been going to the Grotto since I was a little girl. It was one of my favorite places. Nice little gift store and so very peaceful.

Great place to sit and reflect. They have mass here as well. There is a garden at the top, but you have to take an elevator to get there and the cost is 7/person. There is a gift shop and visitors center, plenty of free parking.

Very serene. Beautiful view from top cliff. Did go during Christmas time few times. Wonderful place. Don’t need to be religious to go.

This is a beautiful place for quiet contemplation and prayer. Wish we could have stayed for the outdoor Mass. However the Chapel of Mary is like a small cathedral...beautiful!

I attend mass and I enjoyed it. If you visit you must pay to use the elevator what you will see is worth the price. Is worth the visit. This is a peaceful place for praying and meditation. I loved it.

I can not believe that this beautiful place is in the heart of the city. The beauty is unreal. We went for a couple hours but could have spent the whole day. Make sure you watch the video at the visitors center so you get all the history. It was worth the purchase price of the token to take the elevator to the top of the cliff. Lots of walking involved but many places to stop and reflect along the way.

We've been told that The Grotto is a must see when in Portland especially at night during Christmastime because the millions of lights are wondrous. We'd like to see that one day, but we're happy to report that a visit during the day is just as serene and tranquil. We are not Catholic but have a great appreciation for it because of family members who are. After marveling at the grotto itself with its gorgeous statues and multitudes of candles, sitting in on mass, and walking the grounds, we perused the gift shop where we purchased a very pretty rosary for an aunt. This place is truly a peaceful refuge from the busy outside world.

My favorite time to visit the grotto is during the Christmas Season. This majestic place is lit up with lights for this magical time. Beautiful music is heard from all the voices of visiting school choirs displaying their talent to sing the songs of Christmas.

Saying this is a unique Catholic shrine doesn't quite do this justice. It is also a beautiful arboretum, a quiet refuge for meditation, and a tourist attraction that takes visitors into quiet grottos and woods atop a stunning rocky cliff on the outskirts of Portland. Buying a token for the elevator is well worth it, whether visiting the stunning meditation chapel, or walking the various paths on the hilltop, some that include stunning views of the northern fringe of the city. While the Catholic dogma is definitely evident here, it is a welcoming place for everyone.

This has always been a place to go to if you wish a quiet, almost meditative spot, in Portland. We went during the Christmas show of lights which is a huge event and a lot of people are there as are vendors and lots of musical groups. But it's also a cool spot in the heat of summer. Lots of shade and a nice short walk around to see interesting items. A bit of religious history of Portland.

What a beautiful grotto to the saints and circles in this secret garden. Quiet walking trails, old grain elevator tot take you up the hill for and overlook of the valley.

We visited from Central Portland by train and bus quite easily. A little bit of a walk from the bus stop. We had been recommended to visit by a lady we met in the Japanese garden in Washington Park. The Grotto itself is free to visit but a ride up to the top for views is $6 for Seniors. The garden, in May, was being redone but it was still an interesting visit

I have been coming to Portland for years but have never toured the Grotto until last weekend. It was "Awe Inspiring".

Im not too religious but i felt refreshed and spiritual after my visit at the Grotto. Its nestled in an urban area with trees and a forest. There is art signifying Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Most of all, its clean and presstine. You feel that you are one with nature. Also the Virgin Marys Sanctuary overlooks Portland and the Columbia River. Its a gorgeous venue that should not be missed.

Back in 2012 on our first visit to Oregon we stayed in the nearby Travelodge and the lady on reception said “There is a beautiful Grotto nearby that is worth a visit even if you’re not religious “. We went and found it incredibly peaceful and like another world away from everything.
So in this trip we specifically came to visit.
It reminds me of a notice in the old Cathedral in Coventry UK that states “you don’t need to share our faith to find peace in our Cathedral “
It’s a great place to remember our passed family and friends and pray for the intentions of the living. Most people have faith, it may not be the same as mine, but we must respect theirs just as the must
respect mine.

I visited during the Grotto's Christmas Light Festival. So many lights and so beautiful. More to see than lights here too ... a great experience!

I shot a newlywed’s wedding photos here. GORGEOUS backdrop that doesn’t overwhelm the finished product. Visit while it’s lush & green, & just when the sun is about to set - the lighting will be perfect. Be aware of other brides! And avoid crowds by staying away during church holidays and weekends.

The man at a nearby pizza place recommended we visit the Grotto and as it was in walking distance from our hotel we decided to visit.We were so pleased we did! The weather had been unusually cold so the flowers were not in bloom but that would only of been a bonus to the visit.We watched a short video in the welcome center before exploring and the video was informative and gave us an idea when to visit again..The Chapel is beautiful and the Grotto cave with the main alter was especially beautiful with the ice shining around the alter.For a small fee you can take the elevator up to the upper level.We highly recommend you do this,the views are amazing.The meditation chapel will take your breath away.We all came away with something different that enriched us.Spiritual comfort,the height and width of the huge trees and the views.Great hidden gem

Beautiful area. In amongst the trees, a hidden sanctuary that you'd never guess was in the middle of a busy area. It is free to go into the area on the ground level, go into the gift shop, see that stations of the cross, the sanctuary where they have services and candles you can light for your loved ones. It is worth paying to go up top to see the whole garden area up there. If you don't go up the elevator, you really are missing out on a beautiful area with gorgeous views.

This is a lovely peaceful place to visit. The grounds were so pretty with flowers, trees, statues, fountains, labyrinth (sp) maze and little Chapels. So peaceful to walk around and clear your thought, pray and meditate. The Grotto itself was very impressive cut into a rock cliff. The grounds on the lower level are free to walk and if you purchase about an 8 dollar ticket, you can take an elevator up to the upper level with so much more to see. The gift shop was well stocked with various religious items.

This place is a nice place to walk around the gardens and enjoy God’s creation. Very peaceful to be alone with your thoughts. Extensive gift shop for religious gifts but beware we witnessed cars broken into and windows broken with very little traffic in parking lot. They seemed to have security that followed us around the grounds when perhaps he would have been better stationed in the parking lot guarding the 5 cars that were parked there in clear view of gift shop staff. Don’t leave anything of value behind in your car here.

A nice holiday presentation of decorated gardens and school choirs. Very religious orientation but not disagreeable. There were tents offering food and drink as well.

Best sanctuary place in my life. My family believe catholic. Statutes are great and knew different culture of reiligious
pictures.