Broadway Bridge: Self-Guided Audio Tours
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAudio tours on your smartphone
After purchase, you will receive the link to download the app to take this tour.
Control your experience
With the in-app audio guide, you decide when to start, pause, and finish your tour.
No internet is required
All audio tours and tickets can be downloaded to your device anytime.
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Top sights near Broadway Bridge
Welcome to the laid-back downtown Portland, Oregon! This in-app audio tour guides you west of the Willamette River, narrating the city's history as you pass by the emblematic bridges, coffee shops, craft beer breweries, and quaint urban spaces. The tour begins in the trendy Pearl District and Fields Park overlooking the second long tied-arch bridge in the world, the Fremont Bridge. From there, you will come to enjoy the artwork at the Jamison Square, famous for its wading fountain. Next, you will drop in the flagship Powell's Books, an iconic local bookstore with the concept of selling new and used ones. After that, you can line up for the off-the-wall treats at the legendary Voodoo Doughnut shop. The ornate Chinatown Gate will catch your eye on the way there. As you walk the riverside next, you will see the Burnside Bridge marking the border between north and south Portland. And then, observe the Hawthorne Bridge, an oldest highway bridge in the city. Back to downtown, you will stroll the majestic twelve-block South Park Blocks park. Passing by the Oregon Historical Society, you will discover the city's foundation plot and get a chance to witness the evidence on display inside if you like. To round up, you will take in the bustle of Portland’s Living Room, as they call the fun Pioneer Square, the most-visited urban site in Oregon. Join this tour to enjoy the unique cityscape and try to grasp the fabled weird vibe that Portlanders are proud of!
About Broadway Bridge
The bridge is open to all traffic every day of the week throughout the year.
We recommend going there during the warmer seasons, like spring, summer, or fall. It’s preferable to visit the bridge before or after rush hour; that way, you will be able to appreciate the view from the bridge at a comfortable pace.
The Broadway Bridge is a bascule bridge built in 1913 across the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Here are some of the things you can do on this bridge:
- Visit one of Portland’s iconic bridges. There are several bridges worth visiting in Portland; this one is unique due to its construction. The Broadway Bridge was the first bascule bridge (also known as a drawbridge) in Portland, and it’s one of the longest bascule bridges worldwide. This bridge is worth visiting if you’re a fan of unusual landmarks.
- Take in the beautiful panorama of the Willamette River. Due to its unusual height, this bridge commands a much better view of the river than its other Portland counterparts. You can admire the terrific views of the river in both directions.
- Walk across a truly unique bridge. We’ve already mentioned that the Broadway bridge is a bascule bridge. However, it is also the rarest type of a bascule bridge – the Rall-type bridge; it means that the counterweights that pull bridge spans are above the bridge deck itself.
You can reach the bridge by bus, light rail, streetcar, or on foot. The closest light rail station is Union Station on the Green Line. Bus routes 17,19, 20, 35,77, and FX2 will take you close to the bridge. Streetcar A is also a viable travel option.