Clackamas Town Center — Attraction in Milwaukie

Clackamas Town Center Transit Center: A Five-Star Transit Gem

The Clackamas Town Center Transit Center is a shining example of how a regional bus and light rail station can be clean, efficient, safe, and welcoming. Nestled next to the Clackamas Town Center mall and serving as a vital hub for TriMet riders, this station has earned a full five-star rating from me due to its thoughtful design, excellent maintenance, and overall traveler-friendly environment.

From the moment you arrive at the Clackamas Transit Center, you can tell it’s been built with intention. The layout is easy to understand, with clearly marked signs directing you to the appropriate bus lines or the MAX Green Line light rail platform. The connection between buses and the MAX is seamless, making it an ideal transfer point whether you're headed downtown, across the Portland metro area, or staying in Clackamas.

The station is exceptionally clean and well-kept. Trash bins are placed conveniently, and the platforms are regularly swept and maintained. I’ve never seen excessive litter or graffiti, which speaks to the pride TriMet takes in this facility. There’s also shelter at most of the stops, including benches and covered waiting areas to keep you dry during Oregon’s rainy months. Even during winter weather, the station is managed well with timely de-icing and snow clearing.

One of the highlights of this transit center is its accessibility. Ramps, elevators, and wide pathways make it easy for passengers with mobility needs to navigate. Audio announcements and digital screens provide real-time updates for arriving buses and trains, which is incredibly helpful if you’re trying to plan around delays or transfers.

Safety is another strong point. TriMet security and local law enforcement are visible throughout the day, and there are cameras placed throughout the station. I’ve always felt safe using this facility—even during early morning or late evening hours. It’s also well-lit after dark, making it comfortable for commuters and travelers alike.

In terms of location, the Clackamas Transit Center couldn’t be better situated. Being right next to the Clackamas Town Center mall means there are plenty of options for food, shopping, and restrooms nearby. Whether you need a quick snack or want to spend time browsing stores before your bus or train, everything is within walking distance. There’s even a movie theater across the way if you have a long wait.

Another bonus: bike racks and storage options are available for cyclists, and there’s a large park-and-ride lot, making it easy for commuters to leave their cars and ride public transit into the city.

Overall, the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center is an excellent example of how public transit infrastructure can be both functional and pleasant to use. Clean, safe, well-connected, and thoughtfully located, it earns every bit of this five-star review. It’s the kind of station that reminds you public transportation can be reliable and enjoyable...

Clackamas Town Center

I started the day thinking I needed a quiet space to make some important phone calls. Of course, I went to the Clackamas Town Center outside of Portland where I found joy and the pride of an entire community. What grabbed my immediate attention when I entered the building was the discussion between a mom and her two smiling children. Clearly, the children were very excited to be in the mall because it has a play area for younger children. The disney store, build a bear, and several candy stores cater to young ones. On the second floor there is a food court and a movie theatre. For tots, there is a merry go round and a miniature ferris wheel. Parents and families place children on the devices reliving their past while creating new memories. Teens and young adults enjoy the many amenities the mall has to offer. While sitting in the food court I overheard a conversation between a mom, her daughter and a would be suitor. The young man purchased the food from Taco Time. The taco salad must have been delicious because he never stopped smiling while mom talked. After the meal was finished the group left together smiling. Perhaps, his mission to win mom over had been accomplished. Clackamas Town Center has something for everyone. Coach, best known for its beautiful handbags, was founded in 1941 in NewYork City. Coach has been servicing its clientele at the mall for more than ten years. And it provides luxury leather goods to men: belts, briefcases, etc...Other stores at Clackamas servicing a similar clientele include the powerhouse duo Nordstroms and Macy’s. But Clackamas also includes another giant retailer JCPenney bringing affordability to the hard hit middle class. In fact, clothing options at Clackamas may exist for almost every budget. My favorite get while walking through the mall was seeing the speciality shops and options. Made in Oregon was a state sponsored store that had local vendor provided items. The ginger bread, wine and honey looked especially appetizing. Legends Memorabilia: it had photos, t-shirts, signed trading cards... from various areas of sports and the items were 100 % certified authentic. ThinkGeek: the store had apparel, toys, collectibles, games, electronics for the nerds or other creative thinkers. Unique Imports: an endless supply of statues, buttons, uniforms, dolls…for the traveler or the travel oriented. Eastside distributors, according to its website, is Portland's premiere producer of locally crafted small batch alcohol. I lusted, in my heart, for a bottle of Burnside (whiskey). Lush Fresh Homemade Cosmetics and the ideas that the company operated upon had great appeal to me. Lush opposed animal testing of products, its merchandise was 100% vegetarian and all items were handmade. I was gifted, so I tried the shampoo bar and soap: outstanding! I found Clackamas Town Center to be a wonderful place to visit, don’t believe me then try it yourself. It’s...

My son went missing in the theater here, and the store manager couldn't have cared less. We were the first to arrive this morning and quickly took our seats. My daughter spilled a snack on herself, and I made the mistake of running her out to the bathroom across from us to grab some napkins. We left for maybe 90 seconds, and my son was already gone. I was shouting his name in an empty theater when an employee entered. I quickly explained the situation and said he needed to put out an Amber alert. The employee looked at me sideways and said, "What do you expect me to do about that?" I quickly ran to another employee who took the situation seriously and jumped into action. We soon found my son at the entrance. I explained what had happened to the entrance employee, and he looked shocked by the behavior of his coworker and told me he'd call over his manager. The coworker was, in fact, the store manager. He was covered in piercings, looked like he had just turned 20, and his employees took a missing child more seriously than him. I scolded him for his unprofessional behavior, explained how his location is one of the easiest places for a child to be taken, and how his lack of action could've made it so I never saw my child again. He rolled his eyes, laughed, and walked away. If you value the safety of you and your family, I suggest you keep them as far away from this theater as possible. Wish I knew the name of the manager, but he was careful not to tell me or give me any legitimate information...