| Portland, Oregon is like that kid in high school you | | | | array of things to see and do within the perimeter of |
| wish you would have gotten to know better. A little | | | | this quietly bustling, oh-so-cool hot spot. Hippies, |
| weirder than average but emitting intriguing vibes of | | | | hipsters and green thinkers definitely add their |
| originality and depth, this city has personality to spare | | | | influence to Portland's scene, but it can't be boiled |
| and often turns out to be a much better vacation | | | | down into a few simple labels. Rather, the city exists |
| companion than traditionally popular spots. It takes | | | | as a friendly confluence of progressive ideas, artistic |
| time to become fully acquainted with all that this | | | | endeavors, culinary creativity and open-mindedness. |
| lovely and offbeat place has to offer, but be assured | | | | Portland is very pedestrian friendly and has an |
| that each step is an enjoyable one. | | | | unusually easy to navigate mass transit system. |
| An interesting history is always a good start, as it | | | | Inviting spots like Governor Tom McCall Waterfront |
| provides a solid foundation for all that a city will | | | | Park, which replaced a four lane freeway, and |
| become. Trivia lovers take note: we could just as | | | | Pioneer Courthouse Square, known as "Portland's |
| easily be calling this town Boston right now, as two | | | | living room" are free places to soak in public art, |
| original settlers actually flipped a coin in order to | | | | people watch and further appreciate the individuality |
| determine who would name the place after his | | | | of this fun, fresh-air loving city. Biking is also a good |
| hometown. Luckily, confusion was bypassed when | | | | way to see the sights, both in the city and around |
| the man from Portland, Maine won the toss. Those | | | | the nearby countryside. |
| two probably didn't realize that the modest grounds | | | | As for art and culture, Portland will probably dish out |
| they stood upon would one day be a thriving cultural | | | | more than you can take. In addition to just strolling |
| mecca and haven for nature lovers, beer brewers | | | | through the artsy and colorful neighborhoods (like the |
| and so much more. | | | | Pearl District, Chinatown, Hollywood and Hawthorne |
| Thanks to future-thinking zoning laws, an inherent | | | | Boulevard) and letting fate take its course, there are |
| earth-friendliness and a dedication to preservation and | | | | specific places to visit as well. The Portland Zoo, the |
| sustainability, Portland is consistently ranked one of | | | | International Rose Test Gardens, the Portland Art |
| the country's most livable cities. Skyscrapers will | | | | Museum, Salmon Street Springs and The Grotto |
| never obscure the stunning vision of Mount Hood and | | | | Gardens are a few to get you started, but believe |
| farmland has kept its place alongside the business | | | | that there's plenty more where that came from. |
| buildings. Despite a growing population and high level | | | | Depending on what time of year you're here, you |
| of energy, Portland has maintained an intimate and | | | | might be able to see the vast displays of fragrant |
| small town feeling that locals cherish and visitors soon | | | | flowers that have given Portland its nickname as the |
| fall in love with. | | | | "City of Roses." |
| The wonderful year-round weather (mild winters, | | | | Many famous yearly festivals dot the calendar as |
| warm dry summers) and the surrounding mountains, | | | | well, including the Rose Festival, the Bite of Oregon |
| wilderness trails, lakes and streams make this and | | | | food and music fest, and the Oregon Brewers |
| outdoors-oriented destination. Day trips to Mount | | | | Festival, which showcases another of Portland's |
| Hood, Mount Saint Helens, the Willamette Valley and | | | | talents as a microbrewery capital and beer loving |
| the Colombia River Gorge are easy and tempting so | | | | crowd of folk. Great shopping, a healthy music scene, |
| be sure to pack your hiking boots and a camera in | | | | lots of bookstores and coffee shops and many fine |
| order to fully explore and remember this low-key and | | | | restaurants fill in any gaps, ensuring that every visitor |
| lovely region of the country. | | | | will be able to leave sated and impressed with this |
| Oregon's natural gifts are easily accessible from the | | | | thoroughly savvy town. |
| city of Portland, but don't underestimate the wide | | | | |
