A few years ago I had the pleasure of visiting The Grotto in Portland. I’d heard great things, but never paid the spot a visit because Portland has no shortage of great parks and green spaces.
Amateur move, turns out the Grotto is one of the most peaceful places in the city. Portland is a popular place, so I’m always eager to learn about spots where solitude (or some semblance of solitude) is still possible. Allow me to share some photos, history and tips for visiting the Grotto in Portland, Oregon.
Visiting The Grotto in Portland, Oregon
(Click here for the table of contents)
What (exactly) is The Grotto?
It might be helpful to explain what the Portland Grotto is to help avoid confusion. The Grotto is a forested 62-acre outdoor shrine and sanctuary associated with the Catholic faith (although everyone is welcome to visit).
The official name of The Grotto is the “National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother,” but that’s a mouthful so locals just call it “The Grotto.” It’s part of the ministry of the Servite Friars (known as the Order of Servants of Mary), one of the five original Catholic orders.
If you’re looking for more peaceful places in Portland, check out: 12 Stunning Parks in Portland (Local’s Guide)
Is there a cost for visiting the Grotto?
Understanding the lay of the land is important before visiting the Grotto in Portland. Divided into two areas (upper level & lower level), there’s two parts to this adventure.
The upper level is only accessible via elevator and admission is required ($9.95 per adult, $8.95 seniors 65+ & $4.95 kids aged 6-11). The lower level is free to explore.
If you’d like to explore the lower area, park the car and head right into the sanctuary. The iconic church and cave are located on the the lower level, you might notice folks meditating at both.
Reaching the upper level requires an elevator ride to the top. If you’re interested, pop into the Visitor Center (near the Chapel of Mary) and purchase a token for the elevator. I visited both levels during my last visit and highly recommend visiting the upper level too.
If you’re keen on visiting the Portland Grotto often you have the option to purchase an annual pass ($50 per individual, $75 for individual + one guest and $100 for a family of up to 6 people).
Things to Do at the Portland Grotto
The Grotto is a 62-acre outdoor shrine, there’s a lot of ground to cover! Full of meandering paths, beautiful forestland and a scenic botanical garden, there’s a few key areas to explore.
Things to Do at the Portland Grotto’s Lower Level (FREE)
- Enjoy the Grotto. This is the cave with the statue of Mary holding Jesus’ crucified body. Ample seating is provided, if you’re like to sit down and reflect for a while feel free to do so.
- Visit the Chapel of Mary: With a seating capacity of 600 people, the church offers warm vibes for all that visit (regardless of religious affiliation). You’ll see a small selection of artwork and a lot of marble.
- Walk the Stations of the Cross: A circular path leads visitors to 14 bronze sculptures known collectively as the Stations of the Cross. This is an easy path tucked into a heavily forested area of The Grotto.
Exploring the Upper Level at The Grotto (Admission Required)
As mentioned, the upper level is only accessible via elevator and admission is required ($9.95 per adult, $8.95 seniors & $4.95 kids aged 6-11).
Visit the Meditation Hall. Sitting atop a cliff overlooking the forest below, this unique vantage point provides panoramic views of the Columbia River, Cascade Mountains and even Mount St. Helens (on a clear day).
Admire the international shrines. Take a walk around a peaceful loop to admire five beautiful shrines honoring the Catholic faith in other parts of the world. The shrines are built to represent the cultures and traditions of the countries they represent.
Visit St. Anne’s Church. A charming red chapel built in 1934 in honor of Anne, the mother of Mary. Peak inside to see reproductions of various Madonna paintings from across the world.
Admire the Labyrinth. This is a replica of the medieval labyrinth in France which was used as a mini pilgrimage site for those that couldn’t travel to the Holy Land. Today the labyrinth is used for meditation, start from the center and walk out using the spiral path.
Stop and smell the roses at the rose garden. Maintained by volunteers, the rose garden at the Grotto blooms from May – October. Some are fragrant, all are beautiful.
“Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.”
Archbishop Alexander Christie Prayer at opening of the Portland Grotto
Enjoy the Peace Garden. Spanning 1.5 acres, the Peace Garden was build through a generous donation from Henry J. Casey in memory of his sister Marguerite. The garden features a pond, stream and many bronze descriptive plaques.
History of The Portland Grotto
The inception of the Grotto begins with an interesting story. It all started with a man named Ambrose Mayer, a Friar from Canada whose mother almost died in childbirth.
In desperation, he prayed for his mother to be spared and promised to create a great work for the church if his prayers were answered. His mother (and sister) survived and Ambrose joined the Servite Order.
He was sent to the City of Roses to serve as a Servite pastor for the Archdiocese of Portland. Shortly after settling in, Mayer stumbled upon a heavily wooded area posted for sale by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Enthralled with the area’s beauty (and perhaps reminded of his promise), he committed to the purchase with a down payment and began searching for funding to buy the $48,000 property. A national campaign ensued and the funds were secured in 1923, construction on The Grotto began that year.
The first order of business was carving out a natural cathedral. A cave was carved in the 110-foot basalt cliff and a statue of Mary holding the crucified body of Jesus was installed before being replaced by a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà in 1946.
The shrine at The Grotto was designated a National Sanctuary in 1983. Since then, more than 10 million visitors have paid their respects and marveled at the peaceful gardens. Today folks from all walks of life and faiths (and no faiths!) are welcome to enjoy this sacred place.
The Grotto is found in NE Portland within the boundary of the Madison South neighborhood. The official address is 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR 97220.
Attending Mass at the Portland Grotto
Can you attend mass while visiting The Grotto in Portland? Yes. Mass at the Grotto dates back to 1924. More than 3,000 people attended the first official mass on May 29, 1924. (That was before cellphones, word got around!).
Today the Grotto holds mass every Monday through Saturday at 12pm & Sundays at 8am, 10am and 12pm. Mass is held inside the Chapel of Mary (built in 1955). If interested, more information can be found on the official website.
Visiting The Grotto at Christmas
Visiting the Grotto at Christmas is a popular activity. The area gets decked out in a dazzling display of bright lights that span a quarter mile, called the Christmas Festival of Lights. The festival starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs until December 30.
In addition to the great display of lights, you can also catch performances at the Chapel of Mary. The entire event is geared for the family and features fun activities like puppet shows, caroling and petting zoos.
Visiting the Grotto during Christmas admission: there’s an entrance fee to see the Christmas Festival of Lights. You can save money by purchasing tickets online in advance. General admission is $14 for adults (if purchased in advance), $18 at the door. Kids aged 3-11 are $5 if purchased in advance and $8 at the door. Kids under 2 are free.
Local’s Tip: Visiting the Portland Grotto during Christmas is cheaper earlier in the season and during weekdays. Plus, you’ll get to avoid crowds and kick off the holidays earlier! If your schedule is flexible, time your visit during the weekday in early December.
Looking for more fun activities in Portland during the Christmas season? Read my Complete Guide to Celebrating Christmas in Portland, Oregon
What to Do at the Grotto in Portland (FAQ)
There’s a large FREE parking lot at the Grotto. During peak visiting times (Christmas celebrations, Sunday mass) the parking lot fills up quickly. Thankfully, a free shuttle runs from the Parkrose/Sumner Park-And-ride on Sandy Boulevard.
Yes, restrooms are available on both levels of the Grotto in Portland.
Yes, the Grotto is ADA accessible. The upper level is serviced by an elevator and the wide pathways are paved.
Service animals are permitted in all areas of The Grotto. Leashed dogs may enjoy the lower level of the Grotto but are not allowed on the upper levels or inside the chapel and buildings.
What to See at the Grotto in Portland | Visiting the Portland Grotto (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a roundup of the best things to do when visiting the Portland Grotto.
Things to Do at Portland Grotto’s Lower Level
- Admire The Grotto (cave and statue)
- Visit the Chapel of Mary
- Walk the Stations of the Cross
Things to Do at Portland Grotto’s Lower Level
- Visit the Meditation Hall
- Admire the international shrines
- Visit St. Anne’s Church
- Admire the Labyrinth
- Visit the Rose Garden
- Enjoy the Peace Garden
Map of the Portland Grotto
Getting to the Grotto
Located in Northeast Portland right off Sandy Boulevard, routing yourself to the official address (8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR 97220) may be the easiest way to get to the Grotto in Portland. However, if more helpful, here’s some directions.
If traveling from downtown Portland, take I-84 East and get off at Exit 5 (82nd Ave). Take an immediate right at the light and continue down Sandy Boulevard for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Sandy Blvd. and you’ll find yourself in the Grotto’s parking lot.
From the north, take Exit 23A and follow signs for Sandy Blvd. If you’re visiting the Portland Grotto from the south, take I-205 North and get off at Exit 23B then follow signs towards Sandy Blvd. Continue down Sandy Blvd. until you read the Grotto.
Cheers!
Thank you for such a great explanation of our sanctuary. You did an amazing job capturing the spirit of The Grotto, a place of peace where everyone is welcome. We hope you will return again and again.
Jane Tokito
Deputy Director
The Grotto
Jane, thank you for the kind words. The Grotto is a very special place and deserves some love. 🙂