The Aerial Tram that connects the upper and lower campuses at OHSU is one of the only trams in the world built purely for commuting. It was meant to support the expansion and continued sustainability of the Oregon Health Sciences University and its many interdisciplinary and cross-institution programs, such as the Cancer Research Institute and the Collaborative Life Sciences building.
While it was built for the commute, it was funded partly by the city of Portland, so it has been advertised (rightly so!) as a great option for tourists, both locals and out-of-towners. Of course — one of the most fun ways to visit it is to join us on our tour of the Aerial Tram, which usually takes place early in the morning to coincide with the sunrise, and so naturally includes and opportunity for coffee and doughnuts.
Want to visit on your own, or want a chance to explore the South Waterfront another way? It’s pretty easy! We suggest taking transit, such as the Portland Streetcar or the Orange MAX line, from wherever you are staying to the Lower Tram Terminal, 3303 S Bond Avenue. We suggest putting that in your map software and selecting transit directions to get there; or you can walk from a lot of downtown hotels pretty easily. It is very near the Riverplace complex and the Waterfront Marriott.
Tickets to ride are available by machine right at the tram entrance behind the awesome Go By Bike bike valet parking. Wave your ticket in the gate and wait (up to five minutes tops!) for the next tram car. Wait — bikes board first! — then you can get on. If you’re riding in the morning near commute times, it will be full. Scooch to the window closest to the tram entrance, to the east, if you can — if the sky is clear you will see the mountains in the distance!
Once you get to the top, there is a hospital! Don’t go all the way in, take the first right door out to the viewing platform. Check out the awesome fountain art and wave hello to the tram going by across the way. This is a great spot for photos of you plus the tram behind you — and if the sky is doing something pretty, you will get to have a nice view of that in there too.
Bathrooms are right inside the door, and a wall of photos. You can check those out or hang out inside in the comfy chairs with a few of the river below. Once you’ve soaked up the view, you can turn around and return down; or pull up walking directions to head into the forest in the Southwest trail system or back down the staircases and bridges to the South Waterfront for a visit to a coffee shop or restaurant. We recommend Al Hawr.