Portland Travel Guide
The Rose City, where food carts, craft breweries, Powell's Books, and a forested urban core sit between the Willamette River and the Cascade volcanoes, with Columbia Gorge waterfalls 30 minutes east.
🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Portland
- Pioneer Courthouse Square — Portland's "living room," a 40,000-square-foot brick plaza downtown with events, a waterfall fountain, and the Weather Machine sculpture.
- International Rose Test Garden — A 4.5-acre garden in Washington Park with 10,000 rose bushes of 650 varieties, the oldest public rose test garden in the U.S.
- Pittock Mansion — A 1914 French Renaissance mansion on a hilltop with panoramic views of the city, mountains, and the story of Portland's founding family.
- Portland Japanese Garden — A 5.5-acre garden in Washington Park considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside Japan, with eight distinct garden styles.
- Lan Su Chinese Garden — A walled Suzhou-style garden in Chinatown with a lake, tea house, and seasonal plantings, one of the most authentic outside China.
- Washington Park — A 410-acre park in the west hills housing the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, zoo, and trails with city and mountain views.
- Powell's City of Books — The world's largest independent bookstore, occupying a full city block with 1.6 million books across nine color-coded rooms.
- Portland Art Museum — The oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest (1892), with 50,000 works including Native American, Asian, and contemporary collections.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) — A hands-on science museum on the east bank of the Willamette River, with a planetarium, submarine tour, and interactive exhibits.
- Oregon Zoo — A 64-acre zoo in Washington Park with 2,500 animals, famous for its elephant breeding program and summer concert series.
🥾 Trails and Hikes in Portland
- Forest Park Wildwood Trail — A 30-mile trail through Forest Park, the largest urban forest in the U.S. at 5,200 acres, with 80 miles of trails and fern-covered ravines.
- Multnomah Falls Trail — A 2.2-mile round trip to the top of Oregon's tallest waterfall (620 feet) in the Columbia Gorge, with a 1915 stone lodge at the base.
- Eagle Creek Trail — A 13-mile trail through the Columbia Gorge with waterfalls, viewpoints, and the famous Punch Bowl Falls, 40 minutes east of Portland.
- Tryon Creek State Park Trail — A network of 8 miles of trails through 658 acres of second-growth forest in southwest Portland, with a creek, ferns, and trillium in spring.
- Powell Butte Nature Preserve Trail — A 6-mile loop through 612 acres of meadow and forest on an extinct volcanic cinder cone, with Mount Hood views on clear days.
🍽️ Restaurants in Portland
- Le Pigeon — A 50-seat restaurant in east Portland by Chef Gabriel Rucker, with a French-inspired tasting menu and a James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest.
- Canard — A casual sister to Le Pigeon by the same team, with a fun menu of duck stack, steam burgers, and one of Portland's best wine lists.
- Tasty n Alder — A global-inspired steakhouse in northwest Portland by Chef John Gorham, with a Korean fried chicken and a famous brunch.
- Pok Pok — Andy Ricker's Thai restaurant that introduced Portland to northern Thai cuisine, with fish sauce wings and a James Beard Award.
- Hat Yai — A southern Thai restaurant in northeast Portland with curries, roti, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, named after the Thai city.
- Maurice — A tiny luncheonette in downtown Portland with a French-inspired menu, pastries, and a stylish pink-and-tile interior.
- Lardo — A sandwich shop with multiple locations, famous for the pork belly kimchi sandwich, fries, and a casual atmosphere.
🍸 Bars and Nightlife in Portland
- Multnomah Whiskey Library — A sophisticated bar in southwest Portland with 1,500+ spirits, a clubby atmosphere, and a no-reservations policy that draws long lines.
- Expatriate — A cocktail bar in northeast Portland by Chef Gregory Gourdet, with a Burmese-inspired menu and a James Beard Award-winning atmosphere.
- Punch Bowl Social — A multi-level entertainment venue in the Pearl District with bowling, darts, arcade games, and craft cocktails.
- Clyde Common — A European-style bar and restaurant in the Ace Hotel downtown, with craft cocktails, communal tables, and a popular happy hour.
- Teardrop Cocktail Lounge — A craft cocktail bar in the Pearl District with a 50-foot marble bar, classic and inventive drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere.
🎯 Activities and Tours in Portland
- Portland Explorer | Maine History, Culture, & 3 Lighthouses Tour — Skip the city and head straight to the coast on this dedicated lighthouse tour of Maine’s best lighthouses. Explore three iconic beacons that have guided sailors for centuries, each offering a chance to delve into their rich history. While most lighthouses aren’t open for tours,
- Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River — See the natural wonders that line the Historic Columbia River Highway on this day trip from Portland to Mt Hood. With a guide, you'll be whisked to some of Oregon’s most spectacular sights, including Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge, as you learn about the area along
- Port City Lights Cruise — A fully narrated 60-minute scenic cruise through busy Casco Bay and its innermost islands to see lighthouses, forts, lobster boats, seals, and seabirds. As many as four lighthouses can be seen including a close up view of Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest and most photographed
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River — Delicious Northwest cuisine and beautiful river views provide the perfect ingredients for a Portland lunch to remember. This two-hour cruise on the Willamette River is perfect for Portland natives and newcomers alike. Boarding: 11 am Cruising: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
- Happy Hour Sightseeing Cruise — Take in the sights of Portland, Oregon from a different perspective. Cruise through the heart of Portland on the Willamette River. Enjoy a narration of the sights available on all the decks. A happy hour menu and full bar is available for purchase during the cruise.
- Portland Downtown Food Tour: 6 Tastings of Local & Global Flavors — Join Secret Food Tours through Downtown Portland, Oregon. Delight in the fusion of international flavors with locally sourced and crafted ingredients, showcasing the vibrant diversity of the city. Immerse yourself in our city’s rich history, while capturing the essence of Portla
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour — Explore the essential food and drinks at the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon on this all-inclusive walking tour led by an experienced, professional, Portland-native guide and standup comedian. Meet local vendors and hear their stories while getting inside knowledge about the c
- Walk With Ghosts in Portland — The most immersive way to see Historic Portland is on foot. Our 1 hour 15 minute walking tour takes you down the cobblestone pathways of our historic city in search of spirits that linger from times long past. Our knowledgeable guides will enchant you with tales of Portland’s mo
- Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland — - Portland's culinary culture is made up of many kinds of artisan food and beverage entrepreneurs from bakers, brewers and chefs to confectioners and more - wherever taste and creativity meet! - We combine a unique combination of social history, culinary education, the stories of
- A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland — Curious about Portland's history with railroads, fires, wars, famous poets and Hollywood producers? Join us for a Walk Through Time! This tour begins on Commercial Street and continues for 2 hours through the historic Old Port, downtown and waterfront areas, sharing highlights of
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🏨 Hotels and Stays in Portland
- The Ritz-Carlton Portland — A hotel in Downtown / Pioneer Square, Portland, offering comfortable accommodation and essential amenities at luxury rates. Well-reviewed by guests for comfort and value.
- The Nines Hotel — A luxury hotel in the historic Meier & Frank building downtown, with a soaring atrium, rooftop dining at Departure, and walking distance to Pioneer Square.
- The Benson Hotel — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities. Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available. Prior to your check-in date, you can arrange airport transportation services, guaranteeing a seamless and effici...
- Hotel Lucia — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities. Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available. Experience the wonders of Portland (OR) with ease by utilizing the services provided at taxi.Parking is accessib...
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland — A hotel in Nob Hill / Northwest, Portland, offering comfortable accommodation and essential amenities at luxury rates. Highly rated by guests for quality and service.
- Providence Park Hotel — A modern boutique hotel near Providence Park stadium downtown, with stylish rooms, a restaurant, and easy access to Powell's Books and the Pearl District.
- Sentinel Hotel — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities. Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available.Discovering Portland (OR) becomes even more accessible, thanks to the car hire amenities provided at the hotel. P...
- Heathman Hotel — At The Heathman Hotel, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests.Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit.Discover the wonders of Portland (OR) with ease by utilizing the services provided by tax...
- Hotel Vintage Portland — At Vintage Portland, a Kimpton Hotel By IHG, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests. Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit.Discover the wonders of Portland (OR) with ease by utilizing the s...
- Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center — At Hyatt Regency Vancouver, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests.Amenities at car hire offered by Hyatt Regency Vancouver simplify the organization of your excursions, tourist activities, and other adventures in Vancouver (BC).For guests with their own...
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