The Wishing Tree
4.6(225)4.6 out of 5 stars, 225 reviews Portland, OR
About The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree offers a unique, deeply emotional, and reflective experience often associated with the spirit of the Christmas season, rather than typical festive entertainment. It serves as a community art project where visitors read and contribute written wishes, fostering feelings of compassion, hope, thankfulness, and faith in humanity. It's cherished for its positive energy and ability to bring people together through shared sentiments, making it a meaningful stop during the holidays.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a calm, reflective, and emotionally uplifting activity, especially suitable during the Christmas season.A quick, meaningful stop during a day of holiday exploration or sightseeing.Visitors looking for a unique, non-commercial Christmas-themed experience that focuses on giving, hope, and community.Parents wanting to teach children about empathy, compassion, community, and gratitude during the holidays.Families who enjoy unique cultural or community art installations.
Why families love it
- Fosters a powerful emotional connection and reflection, often bringing visitors to tears due to its heartfelt nature.
- Promotes feelings of compassion, love, hope, and thankfulness for what one has, enhancing the festive spirit.
- Provides a relaxing and wholesome short attraction in a beautiful, relaxed neighborhood setting.
- Supplies writing materials (sharpie, clipboard with instructions, tags) at the base of the tree for convenience.
- Described as well-maintained and respected, indicating a positive community engagement and care for the attraction.
- The inherent magic and inspiring nature of reading thousands of diverse wishes, creating a profound experience.
Insider tips
- Consider visiting as a relatively short stop, as most reviewers note they don't stay long (it's a 'short attraction').
- Be prepared to find street parking, as direct parking near the tree is scarce.
- Feel free to bring a pre-written wish or use the provided materials at the tree to tie your note.
- Approach with an open heart; be prepared for an emotional and reflective experience that can be deeply moving.
- The tree is a known unique attraction, often discovered via platforms like Atlas Obscura or TikTok, implying it's a special find.
Good to know before you go
- Families expecting traditional, high-energy Christmas entertainment or structured activities like Santa visits or elaborate light displays.
- Anyone looking for a venue with extensive amenities like restrooms or food services, as this is an outdoor tree attraction in a residential area.
- If immediate, convenient parking right at the entrance is a critical requirement for your visit.
- Limited parking directly near the tree, requiring visitors to find street parking further away.
- Crowds
- No specific crowd levels were reported, but the description of a 'short attraction' where people 'don't stay long anyway' suggests a steady turnover rather than prolonged, dense crowding.
- Value
- The Wishing Tree appears to be a free attraction, offering a deeply moving and unique experience without any cost. Its value lies in the profound emotional and reflective connection it provides, which reviewers consistently found priceless.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews. As an outdoor tree in a neighborhood, basic access would likely involve navigating sidewalks or potentially uneven ground. No specific details about wheelchair accessibility or sensory considerations were provided.
- Safety
- No specific safety features were mentioned as it is an outdoor, self-guided public attraction rather than a managed entertainment venue.
What parents say
"A heartfelt human experience in a beautiful neighborhood. I saw this on Atlas Obscura and had to come. Many of the wishes are from bleeding hearts which is a reminder that anyone can feel lonely. There are many human beings that just wish to grant other wishes, which tugged at my heart strings. I wrote two little notes myself and hope my compassion and hopes help one of those souls in the universe."
9 months ago
"This is one of the most wonderful ideas I’ve seen in a long time. I was happy to stumble upon this while searching for today’s adventures. This tree holds such strong positive energy, you can feel it walking up to it. Once there, it is very relaxing. There was a sharpie along with a clipboard containing instructions at the base of the tree. Some people brought their wish already written and attached it to the tree, while others used the tags there. Take a moment, visit, make a wish and let the universe work."
2 years ago
"Wholesome and relaxing short attraction. Both writing and reading the wishes really makes you thankful for the world and what you have. In a beautiful, relaxed neighbourhood. Definitely worth it if you can get to it easily. Not much parking near the tree, but you don’t stay long anyway :) Wholesome, funny and some sad notes but hope everyone’s wishes have come true!"
2 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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