Eastbank Esplanade

The Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade is named after the former Portland mayor whose vision and support helped with the construction of the Esplanade.

The Esplanade is 1.5 miles long along the Willamette River, extending north from the Hawthorne Bridge, past the Morrison and Burnside Bridges, to the Steel Bridge with connections to eastside neighborhoods as well as across the river to Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

It is a perfect place to walk or bike.  The Esplanade begins at SE Water and Hawthorne Blvd. and there is plenty of parking in the area – very close to OMSI.

We chose to ride our bikes along the Esplanade following it all the way down to the Steel Bridge where you can cross over the river and continue along the Tom McCall Waterfront.  If it is Saturday, it will take you right to Saturday’s Market.

If it’s a hot day you can stop and cool off in the Tom McCall Waterfront fountain!

Along the Esplanade you can enjoy the sensation of walking on water as you walk across the 1,200 foot floating walkway which is the longest of it’s kind in the United States.

The view is beautiful as you take in downtown Portland as well as the many bridges crossing over the Willamette River.

For a fun date night as a couple or with a group of friends we have taken a folding table and chairs down to the Esplanade, brought along some candles and treats and played cards – right there along the river!  The lights at night from downtown Portland are amazing!

Enjoy the beauty of downtown Portland from the Eastbank Esplanade.

If you have a favorite place in the Portland to see or play please leave us a comment and let us know!