The Wishing Tree
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
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.
Key Highlights
- ✓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.
Standout Features
- ⭐The inherent magic and inspiring nature of reading thousands of diverse wishes, creating a profound experience.
- ⭐The availability of writing supplies (sharpie, tags, clipboard with instructions) provided directly at the tree.
- ⭐Its location in a beautiful, relaxed neighborhood, contributing to a peaceful and pleasant visit.
- ⭐The opportunity for visitors to contribute their own wishes, creating a personal and participatory experience.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →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.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Limited parking directly near the tree, requiring visitors to find street parking further away.
Price & 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 & Special Needs
- •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.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not applicable; this is an outdoor public art installation, not a venue with food services or concessions.
🚗Parking Info
- •Limited parking directly near the tree. Visitors should expect to find street parking in the surrounding beautiful, relaxed neighborhood, which may require a short walk.
👥Crowd Levels
- •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.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were mentioned as it is an outdoor, self-guided public attraction rather than a managed entertainment venue.
⏰When to Avoid
- • 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.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Ashley Chmielewski
9 months agoA 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.
Mande B
2 years agoThis 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.
Hugo Perrot-Barnaby
2 years agoWholesome 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!
ShesaMonkey
a year agoMagical! Brought tears to my eyes 🥹. I never realized how many are looking for l-o-v-e (like me) and just how many people care about others. It was inspiring and touched my soul. Thank you to the owners of the tree for giving people this little (but giant) place to feel faith in humanity. To bring people together and feel something and embrace their hearts 💞 XXXXXX
Rosanna Mendoza
a year ago1st time at the wishing tree while in town visiting from California. This is such a special tree full of love & hope. Learned about it from tiktok & had to come see it. We left our wishes tied to the tree & read all the other wishes. Didn’t expect to get emotional but yup that happened. Love that it’s soo maintained & well respected.
Contact Information
2954 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97212, USA
View on Google Maps