Ours is an open, welcoming community with a walkable Downtown, fun activities, unique shopping opportunities and staggering natural beauty. Lake Oswego boasts natural tree cover over 53 percent of the city, the highest canopy cover in the Portland region for cities our size. The City has an active Heritage Tree program which protects and preserves many of these irreplaceable beauties. There is so much to see, do and explore. Here are some highlights:
Collector Car & Classic Boat Show – August 27
Join us for this year’s Collector Car & Classic Boat Show! Each August, the Oswego Heritage Council invites car and boat owners from all over the region to showcase their unique cars and boats in Lake Oswego. Last year’s show had over 6,000 visitors who had the chance to see over 200 cars and 15 boats at this event. Whether it’s as a sponsor, hosting an exhibitor booth, or joining as a participant, all proceeds from this event go towards helping the Oswego Heritage Council fulfill its mission of preserving and promoting the history and culture of Lake Oswego. Click here for more information and to get your tickets!
Summer Movies in the Park
Join us on Thursdays (July 20, July 27, August 3) and celebrate our warm summer evenings with the Lake Oswego community. Movies start around dusk (8:30-9:00 pm) and are free and open to everyone. Click here for what’s showing!
Summer Concert Series
Bring your low-sand lawn chair and your picnic baskets, or patronize the on-site food vendors at some events, and enjoy a warm evening at a free summer concert. Beginning July 4 and continuing through the end of August, this year’s concert series will celebrate music of the 70s, 80s and 90s – from rock and roll and blues to country, folk and honky-tonk, there’s something for everyone! Note the concerts are alcohol free. Click here to see the great 2023 lineup!
Don’t Miss the 2023 LO Downtown Wine Walk!
Make a day of it, and spend Saturday, October 7 with us to enjoy wines, food, entertainment and community! Details are available here. Note the 2022 LO Wine Walk SOLD OUT – don’t miss your chance to participate in this fun event – “early bird” tickets are available only through July 31!
Planning an LO visit in Spring 2024? Don’t miss the Lake Grove Wine Walk in May featuring outstanding Oregon wines!
Willamette Shore Trolley
Learn about the Willamette Shore Line’s historic past while enjoying a relaxing ride along the shore of the Willamette River. This scenic 10.5-mile round trip ride runs from Lake Oswego to Bancroft Street in SW Portland and features spectacular views plus several unique railroad attractions. Rides take about 90 minutes.
The Willamette Shore Trolley departs from the depot at 311 N. State Street on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the summer. Winter excursions are also offered. Free parking is available at the recently improved Trolley Station, the public lot next door to the station and at Lake View Village.
The Trolley is operated by the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society under a contract with the City of Lake Oswego. For the trolley schedule and price rates call 503-697-7436, or visit wst.oregontrolley.com.
Rogerson Clematis Garden
Come here to check out “the most comprehensive collection of clematis within a public garden in North America.” The Rogerson Clematis Garden is home to 1900 individual clematis, representing over 850 distinct species. The garden is located in Luscher Farm, a farm-park on the outskirts of the city and part of Lake Oswego’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection’s (FRCC) mission is “to preserve and foster the Rogerson Clematis Collection in a permanent home, observing its longtime objectives of assembling and maintaining as comprehensive a collection of the genus Clematis as possible, for the advancement of botanical and horticultural research and education and pleasure of all who visit.” Visit their website here.
Luscher Farm
Luscher Farm, once a dairy operation owned by Rudie and Esther Luscher, was purchased in 1990 by the City of Lake Oswego. The property and buildings are maintained as an agricultural example with the intent to interpret and educate interested visitors in local food and organic plant production.
Today, Luscher Farm is home to a variety of organic and sustainable gardening and farming programs.
Lake Oswego Lake Run
Scheduled in early May, this is a chance to run or walk around or along our scenic lake! Runs include 10k, 5k and a short “kids” run. The 5k is also available to those who wish only to walk. The Lake Run is a benefit for Northwest Housing Alternatives which builds new homes and new opportunities for seniors, families, veterans and people with special needs across Oregon.
Note that registration costs go up a bit after March 31. For more information on this fun event, please click here.
Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts
Join us in late June every year at George Rogers Park and the Lakewood Center (368 S. State St). This year’s Festival featured artist demos, music, food, youth activities and so much more! Don’t miss this signature Lake Oswego event next year!
Click here for the schedule of 2023 Events.
Veterans Memorial
Visit the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial at the Southwest end of Foothills Park. The site honors the service of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and as First Responders. It includes a stone wall and reflecting pond to provide an “artistic setting” for tributes. The Memorial’s mission is “to partner with the City of Lake Oswego in the creation and development of a memorial for historic preservation of the service of all U.S. military veterans and first responders with strong association to Lake Oswego.” Visit their website here.
4th of July Parade!
Downtown Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego’s Downtown is a beautiful, walkable lakefront business district with an estimated 747,000 square feet of ground floor space with specialty shopping, dining, and entertainment, as well as office and service uses. Located along State Street (Highway 43) and between A to B Avenues from 6th Street to State, downtown has several connected nodes.
- Lake View Village, at State and A, is a mixed-use redevelopment with several restaurants and local and national specialty retailers including Sur la Table and Chico’s. The residential/commercial hybrid environment gives the Village a modern, active feel. The fact that there are three sushi restaurants located within five blocks of each other (Bamboo Sushi, Tada Sushi Studio, and Kurata) is a testament to how densely packed the Village is.
- Oswego Village is an 86,000 square foot center on State Street just south of A Avenue. Anchored by Whole Foods 365 Market and Ace True Value Hardware, it includes a mix of food-related and specialty retail shops.
- Lake Place shopping center, further south along State Street, adds Petco, U.S. Bank, and small specialty and service businesses to the downtown mix.
- Civic and community uses include City Hall and a fire station, the post office, the Lakewood Center for the Arts, the Gallery Without Walls, and the Lake Oswego Public Library in the adjacent First Addition neighborhood.
- Downtown’s Millenium Park is home to the popular Farmers’ Market and many community and entertainment events throughout the year.
Where to Stay
Lake Oswego has plenty of choices for your visit, from traditional hotels to those designed for longer stays. Depending on the purpose of your visit and length of your stay, our City offers many convenient options:
Downtown Lake Oswego
- Lakeshore Inn – 503-636-9679
Near I-5/Highway 217
- Best Western Lake Oswego Hotel & Suites – 503-624-7400
- Crowne Plaza Portland – Lake Oswego – 503-624-8400
- Hilton Garden Inn – 503-684-8900
- Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites – 503-670-7557
- Residence Inn By Marriott – 503-684-2603
Near I-5/Boones Ferry Road
- Holiday Inn Express – Portland South – 503-620-2980
Where to Eat, Drink
Looking for the perfect spot to grab a bite or a sip in Lake Oswego? Take a look through our comprehensive list of Lake Oswego restaurants & coffee shops!
Wander Willamette
In addition to the fun and beauty that is Lake Oswego, visiting our neighboring communities and areas will be a rewarding experience. Whether you want to stroll the banks of the Willamette River, take in historic downtowns or just relax with a glass of wine on a summer’s evening, you’re welcome here!