Portland has created the perfect activity to ease the transition from summer to fall, offering something special for everyone—art enthusiasts, families seeking whimsy, Tim Burton fans, and adults eager to explore the city.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Coraline,” 31 larger-than-life cat statues have been placed throughout Portland. Local artists were commissioned to hand-paint each statue, creating an experience that guides you through the city’s streets, unveiling its quirks and charm.
Running through mid-October, the trail is free for the public to enjoy and culminates in an auction where all proceeds benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. As a devoted fan of “Coraline” and a parent whose child received care at OHSU twice, this was a meaningful way for me to spend a sunny afternoon.
We began our adventure with lunch at Bamboo Sushi on 12th, then took a leisurely walk to the waterfront and back. Along the way, we discovered 12 cat sculptures, indulged in some donuts, and could have easily popped into McMenamins for a beer or explored Powell’s Books. (As a bonus, we stumbled upon the world’s smallest park—blink and you’ll miss it.)
5 things to know before you go:
- The Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail app costs $1.49 and offers an interactive map that shows which cat(s) are closest to your current location. Once you’ve found a cat, you can mark it off with a code provided in the app. Although there is a free map available online, the app includes additional features such as stories behind each cat, a gallery of fan photos, and the ability to vote for your favorite designs.
- Each cat on the Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail is accompanied by a story written by the artist to explain their design, along with a code so you can check it off in the app. Unfortunately, many of the stories and codes, originally printed on laminated paper and stapled to the bases of the cat sculptures, have been lost. However, you can still get a printed map and codes at the following locations:
- Travel Portland Information Center: Open 7 days a week from 9 am until 5 pm.
- Sidewalk Ambassadors at Director Park: Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am until 5 pm.
- Not all of the cats on the Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail are themed after the movie. Most of them reflect the personal style of the artists rather than scenes or characters from the film, so you don’t need to have seen “Coraline” to appreciate the artwork.
- The cat trail is also popular with runners, especially those training for a half or full marathon. (Speaking from what I’ve read, not from personal experience!) The trail covers 11.7 miles if you start at Pittock Mansion and end at the International Rose Test Garden. If you’re interested in running with friends, there’s a free early morning event on August 28th to run the Curious Cat Trail. You can register here.
- Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail isn’t just for kids! When we visited, we saw people of all ages enjoying the search. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to tour Portland, with plenty of spots nearby to stop for a bite, beverage, or break.
Enjoy your journey along Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail!