Portland River Trade GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game

A vivid walk through Portland's rough-and-rowdy beginnings. Follow the Willamette from docks to depots, uncovering how river trade, lumber wealth, railroads, immigration, and vice built the city between 1845 and the early 1900s. Expect steamships, saloons, Shanghaiing legends, and plenty of frontier swagger. Solve puzzles, explore the city, and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 min

   Explore Portland's historic waterfront at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where the Willamette River powered the city's rise from an 1845 settlement to a major Pacific Northwest port. Discover how steamships, railroads, and later urban renewal reshaped this shoreline.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   10 min

   Walk across the historic Burnside Bridge, opened in 1926 and designed by Gustav Lindenthal. Discover its pivotal role in uniting Portland's east and west sides, observe its bascule mechanism, and reflect on the city's growth and changing urban landscape.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   10 min

   Step into Portland's earliest commercial district at Ankeny Plaza, where muddy riverfront landings became the engine of a booming 19th-century port city. Explore hidden clues in the streetscape, trace the path of steamboats and warehouses, and uncover how this quiet plaza once helped build Portland's future.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   10 min

   Discover the Skidmore Fountain, Portland's iconic 1888 bronze landmark. Explore its historic design, learn about its civic origins, and connect with the city's Old Town heritage.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   10 min

   Explore Portland's industrial heritage at the White Stag Block. Discover the history behind the iconic White Stag sign, a symbol of the city's timber and manufacturing legacy since 1940. Capture the landmark and learn how it reflects Portland's economic transformation.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   10 min

   Pass beneath the iconic Old Town Chinatown Gate, completed in 1986, and explore the historic heart of Portland's Chinese community. Discover how 19th-century immigrants shaped the city through commerce, culture, and resilience amidst adversity. Observe architectural details blending Chinese artistry with Portland's frontier heritage.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   10 min

   Explore Portland's Old Town, once a bustling port district. Discover the real story behind the infamous 'Shanghaiing' of sailors, separating fact from folklore. Find historical markers detailing the city's maritime past and the fight against forced labor.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   10 min

   Discover the origins and enduring legacy of Portland Union Station, a Romanesque Revival landmark opened in 1896. Explore its architectural details, historic clock tower, and the iconic 'Go By Train' sign while tracing the story of Portland's rise as a transportation nexus.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Requires installing a mobile app (instructions in confirmation email)
• Not recommended for visually impaired people
• Not recommended for people with impaired mobility
• Not recommended for seniors over 80

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.