Surrounded by natural beauty, Portland offers visitors eclectic arts, music, culinary and outdoor experiences, set against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Hood. With its thriving maker community, DIY drive and passion for sustainability, Portland’s urban buzz is waiting to be explored through every season.
A culinary capital of the US, Portland’s foodie scene is second to none, from award-winning restaurants to artisan coffee and craft beer and the world’s first vegan mini mall.
The city is home to year-round food and drink festivals, including Feast Portland, the Portland Craft Beer Festival and I Love Gamay. A great way to explore Portland’s culinary offerings is to embark on a food and drink tour – on two wheels or walking – visiting food carts, microbreweries, urban wineries, cafés and, of course, doughnut shops.
With more than 200 parks and gardens in the city offering hiking, running and biking trails, Portland is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Also known as the City of Roses, you’ll find attractions such as thePortland International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden and Oregon Zoo in Washington Park just steps from downtown.
The city’s vibrant neighbourhoods each have a unique flavour and a host of independent eateries, bars and cafes. You’ll find contemporary art galleries in the Pearl District, independent boutiques and international chains in Nob Hill and whimsical street art in the Alberta Arts District. Hawthorne’s indie spirit is reflected in its vintage stores and the whimsical Bagdad Theatre and Pub. (Note to shoppers: there’s no sales tax in Oregon!)
Iconic attractions can be found throughout the city. Music venues such as the Doug Fir Lounge, Aladdin Theatre and Mississippi Studios have seen many young bands rise to fame. Downtown, don’t miss Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest new and used bookstore that spans three floors and an entire city block, and the Portland Farmers Market where you’ll find local bounty from the region’s independent farms and food producers all year ‘round.
Getting into and around the city is easy with the MAX Light Rail system running from the airport to downtown and beyond for $2.50. Downtown is completely walkable and bike-friendly with a cycle-sharing scheme.
Portland is a lush, green, gorgeous city filled with parks, art and casual fun. It brews its own beer, roasts its own coffee and boasts some of the finest culinary establishments in the nation. Located between snowcapped Mt. Hood and the unspoiled Oregon Coast, Portland is the perfect year-round destination for enjoying the Pacific Northwest.
- Tax-free Shopping
From upscale boutiques to reduced-price outlet stores, shoppers pay less here because there’s no sales tax. It’s the home of name-brand apparel, from Nike and Pendleton to Columbia Sportswear. Portland’s Pearl and Alphabet Districts are filled with interior design stores and fashion-forward shops; downtown’s shopping area features well-known “High Street” stores as well as local designer shops.
- Tickle your taste buds
The Rose City’s restaurants regularly rate as America’s best. With fresh fish, farm-to-table cuisine, and an appreciation for culinary excellence, diners face a happy quandary of choosing from so many eateries. Plus, you can enjoy some of the finest ales at one of Portland’s many famous brewpubs.
- Getting around Portland is a breeze
One doesn’t need a car to get around the city. MAX Light Rail whisks visitors and residents between the airport and downtown, as well as to attractions like the Oregon Zoo. An all-day ticket costs just $5, and also covers the Portland Streetcar system. Many Portlanders simply ride their bikes, year- round, enjoying the great network of special lanes and bike paths designed for cyclists. Bicycle rentals are easy to come by too.
- A polished winter arts lineup
The winter and spring months are the seasons to enjoy Portland’s stellar performing arts offerings from the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, White Bird Dance Company, and Portland Center Stage. The popular Portland International Film Festival takes place each year in February; followed by the acclaimed Portland Jazz Festival.
- Gorgeous day trips year-round
Just a few minutes out of town is Multnomah Falls, located in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The glorious Oregon Coast is an easy 90-minute drive, where visitors can relish enticing galleries and wonderful seafood, and beachcomb for sand dollars and other treasures. Closer to town, visitors can discover the glorious wine country right next door. And, one doesn’t even have to leave the city to enjoy lush Forest Park and the International Rose Test Gardens, which give Portland its nickname of “The City of Roses.”
- A day of shopping and wine
Woodburn’s 110-store outlet mall is a magnet for shoppers looking for name-brand bargains, located 30 minutes from downtown. Many visitors make a day of it by shopping in the morning, and touring Willamette Valley wineries in the afternoon.
- A winter wonderland
Those seeking a truly memorable winter treat should venture to Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. This historic lodge offers breathtaking views, first-rate accommodations and scrumptious dining. Plus there are a variety of ski resorts, snowmobile rides and even snowshoeing.
Portland, the City of Roses was voted North America’s Best Big City by Money Magazine. The culturally rich downtown is surrounded by small, intriguing neighborhoods, each with a unique flavor and heritage. Accolades have been heaped on Portland with the city dubbed the country’s best eating destination, America’s most sustainable city, one of the “greenest” cities in the world and more.
Downtown Portland is buzzing with activity. It’s not just the coffee. There is an energy here that changes every moment with fun and excitement. Pioneer Place, the heart of downtown is four city blocks filled with tax-free shopping, dining and entertainment. Stores range from American Eagle Outfitters and Ann Taylor to Tiffany and Victoria’s Secret. On the weekends, dash by the Portland Saturday Market for a taste of Portland and locally produced products.
Take some time out from shopping to immerse yourself in the visual beauty of Portland at the International Rose Test Garden, where growers from around the world test their new species of blooms before heading to the Pearl District. Home to great shopping, the Pearl is also the home of the Portland Art Museum, which features an outstanding collection of American works complemented with modern European masters.
Portland’s Nob Hill is nestled in the heard of Northwest Portland. Stretching out from NW 21st and 23rd Avenues, you’ll find many of Portland’s top restaurants and best shopping. Favorite brands like Urban Outfitter and Ellington Leather Goods line the delightful streets. Historic Mississippi Avenue combines originality, variety, and excellence with style and energy. Almost every business here is locally owned, delivering unique products not found in the corporate stories.
Stop into The Fresh Pot for coffee, the Laughing Planet Café for lunch, and any one of the many art shops to browse the treasures.
You’ll find bustling Powell’s Bookstore a complete contrast from the gardens. In miles of aisles, discover every paperback, hardback, new and used book that the Powell’s could get their hands on. A true American success story, the original one room location has grown to six stores and the web.
As you dash between places to visit in Portland, be sure to stop at one of Portland’s Food Carts, delivering unique foods, or consider taking a Portland Sightseeing Cruise for lunch or dinner to view the city from another perspective.
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