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Hawthorne Bridge
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Hawthorne Bridge

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Hawthorne Bridge
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What people are saying
backpacker31
By backpacker31
“Unique Bridge”
Oct 2019
It’s rare that I get a chance to see a lift bridge. I was fortunate to be walking along the waterfront and come across this long lift bridge. I watched two bridge operators performing some maintenance high up on the lift portion which was intriguing. The bridge itself made for some nice photo opportunities.
“Run it, walk it, drive it”
Aug 2019
In our first time in Portland we ran along the waterfront and saw several bridges that connect East Portland from West. We stayed in the SW and on a couple of mornnings we ran the waterfront, over the Hawthorne Bridge for a really good look at the Willimett River. After crossing to the East, we thenn went on the river pathway back and made a nice loop run.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,659 within 3 miles
The Waffle Window
330
123 ft$ • Dessert • American • Cafe
Harlow
139
79 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Healthy
3 Doors Down
109
202 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Fried Egg I’m In Love
89
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Bread and Ink Cafe
165
135 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
TarBoush Lebanese Bistro & Bar
66
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Lebanese • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
36
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Bagdad Theatre and Pub
106
173 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
The Hazel Room
41
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Salt & Straw
1,740
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
399 within 6 miles
The Hawthorne Theatre
4
0.2 miTheaters
Laurelhurst Park
258
0.7 miParks
Bitterman Salt Co.
270 ftFactory Outlets
John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor
8
0.4 miState Parks
Peacock Lane
5
0.5 miHistoric Walking Areas
Movie Madness Video and More
12
0.5 miSpeciality Museums
Mount Tabor Park
282
1.7 miMountains • Parks
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
445
2.3 miGardens
Tilikum Crossing
178
2.3 miBridges
TriMet- Portland Streetcar
361
2.1 miPublic Transportation Systems
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
71 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
31
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
1
chiangmaicharlies
Chiang Mai, Thailand5,650 contributions
It interested me
May 2016 • Friends
Pretty central so you're likely to see it if in the area. Certainly a piece of history and an icon for Portland. Sadly I didn't find the walkway across. Better signposting please.
Written July 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pookala
Philadelphia, PA4,636 contributions
Cool Scenic Stroll
Jan 2018 • Friends
I loved walking across this 100 year old bridge with its openwork fencing and steel construction. It's not exactly peaceful, being one of the busiest bridges in the state but
this bridge is an especially nice spot to get some good Willamette River and city photographs.

Be aware that bikes and pedestrians share a path so awareness is required.
Written January 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RalphM33
Stockton, CA122 contributions
Run it, walk it, drive it
Aug 2019
In our first time in Portland we ran along the waterfront and saw several bridges that connect East Portland from West. We stayed in the SW and on a couple of mornnings we ran the waterfront, over the Hawthorne Bridge for a really good look at the Willimett River. After crossing to the East, we thenn went on the river pathway back and made a nice loop run.
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RSNN
Portland, OR6,303 contributions
If You Don’t Raise the Bridge– You’ll Have To Lower The River!
Mar 2017 • Solo
I was out for a very long stroll crossing bridges and looking over the waterfront. My gaze took in the Hawthorne Bridge and the Portland Spirit. The span was starting to raise and the Ship was leaving the waterfront. It was clear that it was heading south and passing under the bridge was the only way it was going to do this.

With all the rain we’ve had in abundance, the level of the river is getting very high. The bridges are raising more than they normally would in order for ship traffic to be able to make their passage. If you don’t raise the bridge, you’d have to lower the river. And that ain’t happening anytime soon.

I was on the south side of the Morrison Bridge with a great view of the Hawthorn Bridge. And damn lucky to be here right when the Portland Spirit was heading south. I got to watch the bridge raise and lower. And I just happened to have a camera with me to capture the image. If you happen to make a note of the sailing times for the Portland Spirit you could do the same thing that I was.

The Hawthorn Bridge is a steel truss bridge with a vertical lift span. It has been in operation since 1910 and is the oldest truss bridge in operation in this country. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2012. The bridge connects Hawthorne Boulevard on the east side of the Willamette River to Madison Street on the west side.
Written March 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BakerStreetInn
McMinnville, OR133 contributions
Takes you to fantastic and quirky shopping!
Sep 2016 • Friends
I love the Hawthorne bridge. I leads to amazing restaurants, quirky shopping and a wonderful yarn shop!
Written November 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
heumanntouch
Huntington Beach, CA1,178 contributions
Busy
Sep 2016 • Couples
This is an interesting bridge as they do not built them like this anymore. It is however a very busy bridge so plan according.
Written September 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TnEShlaes
Portland, OR271 contributions
A fun place to ride your bike, take a walk or watch the fireworks!
Jul 2016 • Couples
Historic Bridge, read about it in the Portland Bridges book. Take a walk across it, or bike it. You can do a loop from the waterfront park to the eastside esplanade. It is fun viewing the fireworks in the summer from the bridge.
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bryan H
Portland, OR1,771 contributions
It still goes up midday, stopping traffic for ten to fifteen minutes at a stretch!
Jan 2016 • Couples
This bridge takes a lot of bicycle and pedestrian traffic, especially in the warmer months. The sidewalk is marked one side for bicycles, the other for pedestrians, but it can kind of get a bit congested out there with not that much space to maneuver. I would recommend doing a circle, crossing the Hawthorne bridge to the east side (if you start on the west) walking along the east esplanade to the steel bridge and then crossing over. It's not a short walk, so you have to be in the mood for significant exercise. As others have pointed out, this is a city of bridges, and I find this one to be the best -- since it is the one built close to human proportions. As you walk across it there are beautiful views of the river and city.
Written April 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dragonflytw65
Palm Harbor, FL2,930 contributions
Glad we walked this bridge!
Jun 2015 • Friends
We walked across the Hawthorne Bridge and enjoyed fantastic views along the way. The bridge itself was interesting to view as well while walking on it from the many different angles.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnnArborMiBob
Ann Arbor, MI1,702 contributions
One of a string of interesting bridges you can view from Waterfront Park
Aug 2014 • Solo
This bridge is one member of the eclectic collection of bridges you can see from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This one looks for all the world like a collection of standard railroad bridges strung end to end, with a couple of lift towers in the middle to haul a span up for ships to pass. It is actually a vehicle and pedestrian bridge, and is one of Portland's busiest bridges. Completed in 1910, it is the oldest vertical-lift bridge in the U.S. and has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since 2012.
Written November 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Hawthorne Bridge (Portland) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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