Portland (Oregon)

Understand

Portland is the largest city lying between San Francisco and Seattle, but when compared to those cities, Portland's environment is not as fast-paced. It hasn't yet developed to the point of being overwhelming. Instead, it has a more laid-back, small-city feel. Over 650,000 people live in the city of Portland (2020); including the suburbs the metro area has 2.5 million people, so Portland has its fair share of amenities, including an impressive music and arts scene, and one of the largest collections of zine and independent publishers of any city in the nation. Its relatively large population also means it has some of the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., a fairly high cost of living relative to wages, and chronic underemployment. The city has a lovely blend of historic and modern architecture and many lush parks to poke your toes into. Forest Park and Washington Park in the hills west of Downtown offer a variety of trees, plants, trails, and wildlife near the city. Vistas of Mount Hood and the Willamette River, stately Douglas-fir trees (Oregon's official state tree), and roses and trees at every turn give the city stunning seasonal color. Environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and an extensive public transportation system, are part of the culture and fuel many progressive city planning practices. Portland metro, like all Oregon urban centers, is surrounded by an urban growth boundary. This limits sprawl and helps make Portland a relatively compact city. Unlike most similarly sized metropolitan areas in the country, you can drive about 15 mi (24 km) from Downtown in just about any direction and be out in the countryside, where u-pick farms welcome the public. Portland is a very fun and welcoming city for LGBT travelers. It has one of the largest and most integrated gay and lesbian communities in the United States, supported by two major LGBT publications and other queer-friendly media.

History

The first European contact in the area came from none other than Lewis and Clark, who sailed along the Columbia River just north of where Portland lies today in 1805; after a year of exploration they finally reached the Pacific Ocean just to the west. The reports from their expedition fueled interest in the area, and settlers came to stake their claim. Two of those settlers were William Overton and his friend Asa Lovejoy, a lawyer from Boston, who came across the spot where Portland now sits and jointly began to build a settlement. Later, Overton sold his share to F.W. Pettygrove, a man from Portland, Maine. As of this point, the area was being transformed from a small stopping point between Oregon City and Vancouver, Washington to a formal settlement, and the owners now needed to give it a name. Both Lovejoy and Pettygrove wanted to name the new town after their respective hometowns; so in 1845 they decided to leave it up to a coin toss and Pettygrove won two times out of three. In 1851, Portland was incorporated and was growing rapidly; its proximity to the rivers, which funneled a trade with San Francisco to the south, combined with the local fishing, lumber, and agriculture industries, fueled Portland's early growth. The railroad arrived in the 1880s, and for a time Portland was the largest city on the west coast north of San Francisco; however the Klondike Gold Rush and the arrival of the railroad to Washington state meant Seattle quickly eclipsed Portland's growth. Portland persisted as a booming railroad, lumber and steel town for several decades. During the 1970s, however, Oregon started to gain a reputation for progressive urban planning practices, adopting policies such as an urban growth boundary and constructing new parks in a push to maintain the central neighborhoods as active places in light of suburban development. Through the 1970s and into the 2000s, Portland became a center for counterculture, growing into a hub for punk and indie rock music, zine publishing, and activist movements. The dot-com boom of the 1990s brought an influx of modern tech companies joining the established electronic and computer industry along with the so-called "creative class", who remained even after the economic bubble burst. By this point, the city's progressive policies and politics had won the city a special status among urban designers, environmentalists, and political activists as a very forward-thinking city, which has only fueled further growth and development of the metropolitan area.

Climate

It's said that there are only two seasons in the Portland area: rain and summer. When the summer comes, the clouds suddenly clear and it's hot and sunny, and often quite pleasant. The sun is up from 5:30AM to as late as 9PM in the summer months. Any given day in July through mid-October has only a 10% chance of rain. Typical average summer temperatures are around 84 °F (29 °C) for highs and 60 °F (16 °C) for lows; though some exceptionally hot, sweltering days can see temperatures and heat indices climb upwards to around or even exceeding 95 °F (35 °C), with overnight lows staying above 64 °F (18 °C). With global warming, Portland has had heat waves (temperatures of up to 115 °F (46 °C) in 2021) and fires severe enough to restrict people to the indoors. Despite the nice summers, Portland is really known for its rain, which comes between late September and late June. It is more often a menacing drizzle or mist than a downpour, though. There's a myth that most Portlanders don't use, or even believe in, umbrellas, and instead prefer hoods and raincoats. This has a grain of truth to it, but any stroll through Portland on a rainy day will prove to you that people are not shy about using umbrellas. You shouldn't be shy, either — if it's not summer and you don't want to get wet, pack your umbrella. Although Portland is roughly at the same latitude as Minneapolis, Minnesota (and is in fact slightly further north), snow is uncommon because of Portland's fairly low elevation and the relative proximity of the Pacific Ocean. It does happen around once or twice a year, but rarely persists more than a few days. As a result, many area drivers do not deal with snow very well, especially when attempting to navigate the hilly terrain along many commuter corridors and neighborhoods. Even a light dusting will increase the risk of accidents, and any substantial snowfall or freezing rain can paralyze the city. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -3 °F (-19 °C), though overnight lows are usually above freezing. Daylight in the winter lasts only between 7:45AM and 4:30PM. A sunny day in the rainy season is not typical, but the sun does come out occasionally. The moment it does, some Portlanders may wear summer clothing, even if it's still somewhat chilly.

Getting there

By plane

1 Portland International Airport (PDX IATA), 7000 NE Airport Way (9 mi (14 km) northeast of downtown, near the Columbia River), ☏ +1 503-460-4234. The main aviation gateway for the state of Oregon and southwest Washington state, PDX has been recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the best airports in the United States. While it has grown as the Portland metro area has, it is still a relatively compact and easy-to-navigate airport. The main terminal is finalizing a major multi-year renovation including a nine-acre wooden roof that is worth looking at when you arrive or depart. Most major airlines serve Portland, though Alaska Airlines carries the most traffic through PDX, using Portland as a hub. Non-stop service is available from most major U.S. airport hubs, a lot of smaller cities in the Pacific Northwest (served by Alaska Airlines, Delta/Delta Connection and United Express), and there are a few international flights from Canada (Air Canada and Alaska Airlines), Frankfurt (Condor); Keflavik International Airport (Icelandair); Mexico (Alaska Airlines, Volaris); London Heathrow (British Airways) and Amsterdam Schiphol (KLM). The following airlines serve Portland:

Concourse B:Alaska Airlines Concourse C: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier (C16), Hawaiian Air, JetBlue (Seasonal to Boston) Concourse D: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant (D14), Delta (International & domestic); British Airways, Icelandair, Sun Country, Condor, KLM, Volaris Concourse E: Air Canada (to Vancouver (E13A)), Southwest Airlines, United, WestJet 2 Boutique Air has its own terminal at 7909 NE Airport Way which is connected to the main terminal by a complimentary shuttle. They only fly from Pendleton. 3 SeaPort Air is at 8077 NE Airport Way Suite 102, at the Atlantic Aviation terminal. From here they fly to King County Airport (Boeing Field)(BFI) in Seattle. All international arrivals disembark through Gates D10-D15 where passengers proceed to US Customs & Immigration inspections under Concourse D. After inspection, follow the "Connecting Passengers" signs to the re-check center where you can recheck your luggage. Go up the escalators for security screening and re-enter into concourse D by Gate D9 to access connecting flights. If Portland is the final destination, follow signs reading "Portland Passengers Bus to Terminal", where passengers board an airside shuttle bus which takes them around to the international arrivals zone in front of the United Airlines baggage reclaim (at carousel #10) in the main terminal building. A taxi from the airport to downtown is around $35, but the Portland airport is well connected by public transit, which allows you to save quite a bit of money. The most convenient and least expensive option is the MAX train, TriMet's light-rail system. Just catch the 4 MAX Red Line in the south end of the airport terminal, near the baggage claim area, at lower level. The ride downtown takes about 30 minutes and costs $2.80, which includes a transfer good for 2½ hours with unlimited transfers to any TriMet bus or train, or even to a C-TRAN bus (Route 65 at Parkrose Transit Center & 67 at airport) (except the express buses at the Parkrose Transit Center Stop), which serves Vancouver, Washington. Tickets can be purchased from machines on the train platform, or you can use any contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or contactless card) at card readers on the platform. You can also purchase a prepaid HOP card (see below). PDX opened a new 5 consolidated rental car center on the airport grounds in November 2021. To reach the rental car center, take the pedestrian tunnel on the south side of baggage claim and walk about 500 feet; the escalator to the rental car center is on the right. To get downtown from the airport by car, follow Airport Way to the junction with Interstate 205 south, then proceed to exit 21B to take Interstate 84 west. Follow I-84 until it ends at the junction with Interstate 5, then follow the signs to City Center. Two important notes about returning a rental car at the airport:

As you approach the airport terminal on Airport Way, pay careful attention to the overhead signs for Rental Car Return. After the road splits to the right, there are a number of left exits close together, and it is very easy to take the wrong exit. The rental car return exit is the first left exit after the split. There are no gas stations in the commercial area between the airport and I-205 (Cascade Station). If you have to fill up the gas tank before returning the car, and are driving north on I-205, take the Sandy/Killingsworth exit (Exit 23A) to get to the airport's closest and most accessible gas stations.

Getting around

If you are touring the United States without a car, rejoice! Portland is an easy city to bicycle, walk or use public transport. Portland Streets roughly fall on a grid, though history and topography cause a lot of mismatches and exceptions. You may notice that a street is offset by several meters as it crosses an arterial, or that Boulevards like Sandy and Foster are diagonal due to their history as streetcar lines. In general, north/south aligned streets are numbered, while east/west aligned streets are named. The most visible exception to this is in North Portland where all streets are named. Numbered streets descend as they approach the Willamette River. This is true from both sides, so SE 7th is not the same as SW 7th. If you want to navigate like a local, get to know the "six sextants" which are often referred to oxymoronically as the "six quadrants". These sectors are generally divided by Burnside Street between north/south and the Willamette River between east/west, with a fifth sector (North) between the Willamette River and Williams Avenue, and a sixth sector (South) between the Willamette and Naito Parkway. Portland addresses contain their sector between house number and street name (i.e. 223 SW Yamhill St.). Address numbers increase 100 per block starting from Burnside Street or the Willamette River. This can make it easy to figure out locations from a street address, with practice. On named streets, the address numbers correspond to the nearest numbered cross-street, so 4534 SE Belmont St. is on SE Belmont near 45th Avenue. A handy fact to keep in mind in inner Northwest Portland is that the streets are arranged alphabetically starting with Ankeny, followed by Burnside, Couch, Davis, and so on through NW Vaughn Street making directions easy to follow here. Some older Southwest street addresses may have a leading zero in the street number. The creation of the South sector was driven largely to resolve this anomaly, and these former addresses are now located in South Portland without the leading zero (e.g. 0715 SW Bancroft Street is now 715 S Bancroft Street). Street signs in South Portland may still indicate SW during the transition period. Most of the city (and everything near downtown) is along the northerly flowing Willamette River. However, the airport and Portland's northern neighbor, Vancouver, Washington, are next to the larger west-flowing Columbia. If you confuse the two rivers, you can easily mix up your bearings. Since the Willamette River can be hard to spot on a map of Oregon, many visitors think Portland is along the nearby Columbia by mistake.

By car

Driving around downtown is not recommended. Inconvenient, expensive, and hard to find parking, combined with active parking meter enforcement (8AM-7PM) and non-intuitive street closures, transit malls, and restrictions, make it frustrating even for locals. Cycling is often as fast as driving (or faster) in the city center. In fact, many of the traffic lights, both downtown and in inner Portland, seem to be timed for bike speeds. Uber and Lyft usually provide speedy and inexpensive service, frequently costing for less than a few hours parking. If you must park downtown, the best parking deal is any of the six SmartPark garages maintained by the City of Portland. As of March 2019, rates are $1.80 per hour on weekdays for the first four hours, and $5 flat rate evenings after 5PM and all day on weekends. Also, some businesses can validate ("pay" for some of) your parking. SmartPark locations are:

1 SmartPark Naito and Davis, 33 NW Davis St. 2 SmartPark O'Bryant Square, 808 SW Stark St. 3 SmartPark 10th and Yamhill, 730 SW 10th Ave. 4 SmartPark 3rd and Alder, 620 SW 3rd Ave. 5 SmartPark 4th and Yamhill, 818 SW 4th Ave. 6 SmartPark 1st and Jefferson, 123 SW Jefferson St. Car-sharing is available through Zipcar and car2go on a membership basis.

See

Individual listings can be found in Portland (Oregon)'s district articles Portland has many unique and interesting neighborhoods to explore. One of the most exciting aspects of visiting Portland is the constant possibility of discovery. Rather than containing most places of interest to a few busy streets, Portland has food, shopping, parks, and other activities sprinkled all throughout the city. Here are just a few notable neighborhoods:

Southwest

Downtown Portland is the heart of the city, centered around Pioneer Square and home to modern commercial towers, new condominiums, and converted lofts, along with several museums and urban parks of interest to tourists, including Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the river. To the immediate south of Downtown is the campus of Portland State University and South Waterfront, an urban revitalization area at the southern end of the streetcar line with newly built glass residential towers.

Northwest

Just to the north of Downtown is Old Town, which is where Portland was first settled and which has some historic buildings and is a nightlife center, but also contains a fair amount of social services for homeless and mentally ill. The neighborhood also holds the remnants of Chinatown which, despite a lovely archway entry at Burnside and 4th Avenue and some Chinese-inspired street decorations, is rather desolate and may prove a disappointment for visitors expecting the bustle of San Francisco's or New York City's Chinatown.

Do

Individual listings can be found in Portland (Oregon)'s district articles Portland World Naked Bike Ride. Portland's annual World Naked Bike Ride, held in early June, has many goals: to increase visibility of cyclists; to promote confidence in the beauty and individuality of the human body; to affirm nudity as a legal form of protest; to emphasize the bicycles’s place as a catalyst for change in the future of sustainability, transport, community and recreation; to celebrate the coming summer, bicycles in the urban grid, and the fun of a multi-thousand person bike ride; and to protest the automobile. World Naked Bike Ride is an annual, worldwide bike ride that highlights the vulnerability of cyclists everywhere and decries society’s dependence on pollution-based transport. Free. Portland Rose Festival (Most events located downtown at Waterfront Park). Portland's annual Rose Festival is held every year at the beginning of June. The largest event of the year includes multiple parades, a carnival at waterfront park, and several military ships docked for fleet week. Free. (updated Jul 2021) Pedalpalooza. Three months of community organized (and free!) biking events during the months of June-August. All events are listed on the Shift Calendar. The type of rides are extremely diverse, ranging from rides where you learn about the history of the city, to ones where you bike from one side of the city to another. Or the dance party rides where you bike around jamming out to a certain artist or genre. Others where you bring along your dog and visit dog parks. Really any type of ride you can think of, it's probably on the calendar. The biggest event in the city is the Rose Festival, taking place over several weeks in June. The centerpiece is the Grand Floral Parade, though the festival isn't all about flowers; there's also a fleet week, dragon boat races and fireworks.

Sports

As a major city, there are many venues where you can watch sports.

1 Portland Thorns FC, Providence Park. The Portland Thorns are the local women's' soccer team who play in the NWSL. They are known to draw a consistently sizeable crowd of fans and have performed well in league play since the founding of the club in 2013, winning three championships since. (updated Jul 2021) 2 Portland Timbers FC, Providence Park. The Portland Timbers are Portland's Major League Soccer team. Their most ardent supporters are known as the Timbers Army who sit at the north end of the stadium singing and chanting through the entire match. Visitors are both encouraged and welcomed to join by buying a general admission ticket and lining up hours before the game to get the best seats (if you so choose). If you'd prefer to watch the game and enjoy the energy of the Army from a distance (perhaps if traveling with young children), seating in assigned areas is also available. (updated Jul 2021) 3 Portland Trail Blazers, Moda Center. The Portland Trail Blazers play in NBA. The Moda Center is centrally located near downtown next to four MAX lines for those who are interested in catching a game. Nearly every game is a full house, and there aren't many NBA venues that have the same energy for the same value as a Blazer game. (updated Jul 2021)

Shopping

As in the rest of Oregon, there is no general sales tax in Portland; the price you see on the tag is the price you pay. This combines with the selection of retail outlets in the city to make Portland an ideal city for a shopping spree!

Craft and farmers markets

A visit to either or both of the Farmers Market and Saturday Market downtown is a favorite past time of locals.

Portland Farmers Market, SW Park and Montgomery at Portland State University, ☏ +1 503-241-0032. Saturdays 9AM-2PM. At the markets, farmers, ranchers and nursery growers offer various conventionally and organically grown fruits, vegetables and pre-cut, pre-packaged meats (usually fish, pork or eggs) and live ornamental and food plants for gardening. There are other artisan food producers offering prepared products, ranging from fruit jams to farmstead cheeses, breads and pastries, pickles, pasta, chocolate, and more. They also have additional neighborhood markets in King Market (NE 7th & Wygant), Shemanski Park (SW Park & Main in Downtown), Kenton (N Denver & McCellan), and Lents (SE 92nd & Reedway) at different times. Check website, (updated Jul 2021) Portland Saturday Market, Naito Parkway under the Burnside Bridge. Saturdays 10AM-5PM. A weekly marketplace for artists and craftspeople to sell their handmade products. Goods you can find include jewelry, clothing, body products and pet treats. Saturday Market is the largest continuously operating market of its type in the United States. (updated Jul 2021)

Eat

Individual listings can be found in Portland (Oregon)'s district articles Foodies may find their nirvana in Portland. With its location in one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood raised not far from its boundaries, award-winning wines and beers, and a food culture that supports food artisans and emphasizes local, seasonal food served fresh, it's no surprise that the culinary scene in Portland has received national attention. Restaurants and food carts have popped up in large numbers throughout the city, making it quite easy to enjoy a good meal at a reasonable price. Both the Farmers Market and Saturday Market offer a wide range of cuisines made from healthy, local ingredients, and are great if you prefer to have a variety of choices. Quality restaurants can be found at several price points across town (see district articles for more suggestions), although sudden exposure of popularity of some can cause long wait times. The good news is that there is probably an establishment that is just as good or simply undiscovered just a short distance away if you don't want to wait!

Local chains

Burgerville. The Northwest's own fast food chain with a decidedly NW flavor promoting organic, fresh and seasonal ingredients. Great burgers and traditional fast food fare. Amazing seasonal items including sweet potato fries, asparagus, strawberries, blackberries, onion rings and more. Cha! Cha! Cha!. 'Rritos, 'ritas, and more. Good quality Mexican food at a middling price. Focus on local, sustainable, and healthy. McMenamins. Opening with its original location in 1983, the Barley Mill Pub on Hawthorne, McMenamins now has more than 50 locations in Oregon and Washington. In Portland their locations include historic buildings such as the Bagdad Theater and Pub, '''Mission Theater and Pub''' at 1624 NW Glisan St, and the '''Kennedy School Theater''' at 5736 NE 33rd Ave. While not all locations have theaters the McMennamins restaurants have been a reliable option for locals who are looking for ok food and in-house brewed beer, in a Relaxed, often-rustic atmosphere. The larger locations, such as the Kennedy School and Bagdad Theater, contain multiple establishments within, and can take the better part of the evening to explore. New Seasons Market. Local natural food supermarket chain with fantastic sandwiches and an awesome deli counter. You can choose your bread, meat/tofu pate, veggies, and spreads. Six locations in the city. Nicholas Restaurant. Great value Lebanese food, family owned and operated where everything is made from scratch. Two locations. ¿Por Qué No?. Popular taqueria providing sophisticated but informal food in an evocative setting. Top-notch tortillas that are often purchased on their own. Excellent array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including authentic drinks not often seen north of the border (horchata, mezcal, etc.). Often crowded with lines, especially at mealtimes, but quick service keeps you from waiting too long. Outdoor seating. Kid and bike friendly. Order ahead for take-out and skip the line. Sizzle Pie, ☏ +1 503-234-7437. Su-Th 11AM-3AM, F Sa 11AM-4PM. A heavy metal-themed pizza joint with some of the best pies in town. Pizza is available by the slice or whole, to eat there or to go. The salads are great as well utilizing yummy homemade dressings. Great for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike! Two locations in Portland. Taqueria Los Gorditos. Vegan and non-vegan food, cheap but delicious and with a very expansive menu for a taco cart (they also have three brick-and-mortar locations), including quite large burritos. The ingredients are fresh and the staff friendly. Voodoo Doughnut, 22 SW 3rd Ave. and 1501 NE Davis St.. Open 24 hours. A distinctly Portland spot, where you can get unusual donuts and a marriage while learning Swahili. While they do have the standard cake doughnuts, the real stars are the doughnuts topped with cereal, candy bars, strawberry Quik powder, and the maple bar with bacon (yes, bacon) on it. It's also the place to get vegan doughnuts. While the vibe is cool and flavour combinations and the naming gimmicks are creative, locals often recommend other local spots like Blue Star Donuts if you are seeking top quality. If it's a sugar rush and possibly a free huge doughnut you're looking for, take the Tex-Ass Challenge; eat one of their oversized glazed doughnuts in under a minute and a half and it's free. (Of course, you have to purchase it in advance!). The Downtown location often has long lines, but this is rarely the case just across the river at the Davis St. location. (updated Jul 2021)

Drink

Individual listings can be found in Portland (Oregon)'s district articles

If you're looking for a free drink while walking around downtown, look no further than the iconic Benson Bubblers. These are ornate drinking fountains scattered throughout the downtown area, made of copper and in one-bowl and four-bowl variations. Installed by Simon Benson in the 1910s, the fountains continuously run from 6AM to 11PM daily and offer a cool drink perfect for the summer months. Many cities have asked for Benson Bubblers of their own, but the City of Portland has turned them all down, respecting the wishes of Benson and his family. A single exception has been made, however — Portland has gifted one Benson Bubbler to its sister city of Sapporo, Japan.

Alcohol

Portland is often referred to as "the microbrewery capital of the world", and it's a well-earned title. Take advantage of the Northwest's famous microbrews — small breweries that serve their own (and others') craft beers. They are a world away from the generic beers that are America's mainstay. Portland also has more traditional nightlife drinking establishments, mainly downtown, in Old Town, and in the Pearl. You will find everything from dance clubs, gay bars, and an assortment of karaoke bars. Portland likes its alcohol. Although a handful of Portland's key gay bars can be found in Downtown and Old Town, they are not restricted to any identifiable gay neighborhood. They are found in diverse locations throughout the city, reflecting the fact that the Portland LGBT community is highly integrated into the city overall.

Sleep

Individual listings can be found in Portland (Oregon)'s district articles There are places to sleep all over the city, though somewhat less of them in the city's northwest. As in much of elsewhere in the world, downtown (here: southwestern Portland) is the place to find upscale accommodation and Eastside you will find many mid-range options. Budget lodging is somewhat scarce, though you might find a couple more places in this price range in neighboring cities in the Portland Metropolitan Area.

Stay safe

Portland is generally safe for tourists, but it is still a big city with big city problems. Old Town/Chinatown can be a bit dodgy, but generally not dangerous during the day; at night, you're best off avoiding it or sticking to the well-lit transit stations. Public drug use is not uncommon in many parts of town. People in public states of psychosis (whether due to a history of poor mental health or induced via drugs) may be seen yelling in the street or engaging in other abnormal activities. For your own safety, if you see someone like this, do not engage with them and stay a safe distance from them. Some rougher areas of the city exist in East Portland along NE/SE 82nd Avenue and east of Interstate 205, but they are seldom dangerous and should pose no problem to those who mind their own business while seeing the sights or eating at some of the off-the-beaten-track places that can be found there. Portland has a large homeless population. You may be approached by people asking for food or money while walking in downtown or stopped at a major intersection. A simple "no" suffices as a response, but you may be threatened or cussed at. However, these responses almost never lead to physical violence – just anticipate that you may receive unsavory responses. Portlanders — drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike — generally obey traffic lights and signs, and you should, too. Pedestrians and bicyclists are given more respect and deference here than many other locales in the United States, but don't use that as an excuse to not be safe while crossing the road or riding your bicycle. Be aware that the "Idaho Stop" is legal in Oregon. Cyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as "yield" signs, and traffic signals as "stop signs". Portland has a long tradition of anti-government protests as well as occasional clashes between opposing political camps. These swelled in mid-2020, but have since died down almost entirely with the exception of a few late-night vandals. However, use your common sense and steer clear of any rowdy groups. Oregon had decriminalized possession of personal quantities of hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl from 2020-2024, but they have been re-criminalized since 1 April 2024, with a penalty of 6 months in jail.

Go next

50 mi (80 km) from the Cascade Range and 90 mi (145 km) from the Pacific Ocean, Portland is the perfect home base for day trips to both mountains and sea. There are several options for day trips or next destinations available:

Columbia River Gorge (25 mi (40 km) east of Portland on Interstate 84). For a scenic drive, travel east 20 mi (32 km) on Interstate 84 to exit 22, take the Corbett Exit and follow the road 1.5 mi up the hill to the Historic Columbia River Highway. The windy road travels 15 mi (24 km) parallel to the freeway passing viewpoints, waterfalls and forest hikes. After merging with the freeway, stop at the Bonneville Dam and observe the large locks in action and the nearby fish hatchery. Continue another 20 minutes up the freeway to Hood River for lunch and return to Portland on the Washington side (follow WA-14 west to I-205) to get a different view on your way back. (updated Jul 2021) The scenic Oregon Coast can make a great day or weekend trip away from the city. Seaside and Cannon Beach are common destinations, especially when the weather is nice. Astoria and the surrounding area at the mouth of the Columbia River has a ton of history spanning from Indian Tribes meeting the famous Lewis and Clark expedition to a live fire engagement with a Japanese submarine in World War II! Tillamook is the birthplace of the famed Tillamook Cheese farmer co-op, and Lincoln City is another popular destination. Oregon Wine Country. 25 mi (40 km) or so southwest of Portland lies some of the most scenic vineyards on the west coast. There are over 100 wineries in this area, from small mom and pop operations with tiny one-room tasting areas all the way up to tasting rooms that rival some of Napa's finest. Oregon is particularly famous for its Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris varietals; the climate is considered perfect for these grapes and the area has gained worldwide renown as one of the premier wine regions on the planet. Newberg and Dundee are centrally located between many of the top wineries in the region. Mount Hood is about an hour's drive away and provides limitless outdoor recreational activities year-round including: camping, hiking, mountain biking, watersports, and snowsports. Bend is a 3-hour drive to the southeast in Central Oregon. Bend and the surrounding area is known for incredible scenery and premium outdoor recreation. Seattle is often considered the "big brother" city of Portland, and is just a 3-hour drive or 3.5-hour train ride away. Regular flight and direct bus service is also available (see "Get In" for more information)

More pictures of Portland (Oregon)

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.