Portland - Things to Do

Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is a vibrant city of discreet charms – the shade of the stately elms in the South Park Blocks, the tranquility of the most authentic Japanese Garden in North America, the view from Pittock Mansion, miles of hiking trails in Forest Park, and the largest classical Chinese garden and forested urban park in the country. Visit Portland and you’ll experience why Money magazine proclaimed it as North America's "Best Big City.”

The City of Roses offers a laid-back European character, unmatched natural beauty, a bustling local scene, and sumptuous dining, easily accessed via the light-rail system. From Portland’s excellent art museum and world-class science museum to the colorful rose test gardens, Portland is a charming mix of scenery and greenery. Grab a bite and a microbrew from a myriad of restaurants and brewpubs. There are so many brewpubs in Portland that the city has been nicknamed Munich on the Willamette, and microbrews like Espresso 5555 help the city maintain its mellow character. Shop to your heart’s content in the Pearl District or the Portland Saturday Market, or catch a live show in the arts district.

Portland’s proximity to the outdoors makes it a perfect starting point for exploring the Northwest. Within a 1- to 2-hour drive from Portland, you can be walking a Pacific Ocean beach, hiking beside a waterfall in the Columbia Gorge or on Mount Hood - a dormant volcano as picture perfect as Mount Fuji - driving through Mount St. Helens’ blast zone, or sampling world-class pinot noirs in the Oregon wine country.