Welcome To Portland
What makes Portland, Oregon one of America's most beloved cities to visit and live? Many people are drawn to Portland for its established art and music scenes, a place where aspiring talent hope to get noticed. Others admire the city for its diverse landscape, in close proximity to both the Pacific Ocean and the Cascades as a jaw-dropping backdrop. Still, many people respect Portland for being a city ahead of its time, a eco-friendly place with an unmatched method to sustainable development. Maybe it's in the rain water, or perhaps the roasted coffee, but there's something about Portland that makes the city and its inhabitants undeniably cool.
Tips For Traveling To Portland
There's a familiar joke among Portlanders that their city only has two seasons: Rain and Summer--Rain lasting about ten months out of the year, and Summer, short and sweet, but absolutely gorgeous. A spectacular time to visit Portland and be in the sun is in July and August, however hotels do book up fast in advance for the summer months. Families and individuals planning a vacation to Portland for the spring or fall will enjoy smaller crowds, and cheaper prices for accommodations, transportation and tours. You won't even see too much snow in the city if you choose to visit in the winter, though there' s plenty of it in the nearby mountains. Just remember, if there's one carry-on item you shouldn't leave for Portland without, it's your trusty umbrella.
Top Six Reasons to Visit Portland
1. The Food: Portland has recently earned a reputation for being a culinary hot spot, offering global cuisine created with locally harvested ingredients. Berries, hazelnuts, chocolate and salmon are just a few of the food items native to the area. You'll probably get thirsty after delighting in some of Portland's finest recipes, lucky for you, there are plenty of coffee roasters and microbreweries throughout the city.
2. The International Rose Test Garden: They don't call Portland the "City of Roses" for no reason. Bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the International Rose Test Garden has more than 8,000 roses to view and smell.
3. The Portland Art Museum: Established in 1892, the Portland Art Museum houses a large number of international works, and is famous for its collection of Native American artwork.
4. The Oregon Zoo: Just five minutes from Downtown Portland, the Oregon Zoo is known for its Asian elephant exhibit.
5. Architecture: Portland's bridges and mixture of contemporary and historic buildings will amaze anyone who is marveled by architectural design. The city has numerous bridges including Morrison Bridge, Hawthorne Bridge, and St. John's Bridge.
6. Books Galore: No trip to Portland is complete without a visit to Powell's City of Books. It's the largest independent bookstore in the world, and is home to more than 1.5 million new and used books. The place is so big, it has its own map, and the rooms are color-coded according to genres.
When To Book:
As a major destination in the Pacific Northwest, Portland is a popular place to visit in any season. We recommend booking your hotel accommodations 4-8 weeks prior to your vacation, and strongly urge you to book as soon as possible if you're planning a vacation in July or August. Remember to check for festivals occurring in Portland, as these events may affect the availability of your preferred hotel. The Portland Rose Festival and Parade in June brings a huge crowd to the area each summer. The Bite, which occurs every August, draws people from across the Northwest wishing to sample food and drink from Portland's finest restaurants and area wineries.