One of Portland's nicknames is the City of Roses, and this town has long been an incubator for the scented beauties. Nearly a century ago, a farsighted citizen convinced the local government to set up a rose test garden during World War I to preserve the species of European roses that might be decimated by the bombings. Thus, in 1917, the International Rose Test Garden was born, and lives on as the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. What does that mean for you? If you visit from April through October you can walk among 7,000 luscious rose bushes; June is when they're most bountiful. The garden is free, open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and might be a good place to ask someone to marry you. Find walking, driving and public transport directions here.

• 1. International Rose Test Garden
  400 SW Kingston Ave., Portland, OR 97205 45.518153-122.708786 More Info