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Jan
10
Portland Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under United States
A trip to Portland
Known for its spectacular scenery and unspoilt nature, Portland is Oregon’s largest city. People flock here from all over the world to see the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood and take in the beautiful views over the Willamette River. The city seamlessly blends the old with the new, and boasts a vibrant arts scene, numerous annual waterfront festivals and a microbrewery industry - just a few of the characteristics that make Portland attractive. Reaching Portland is easy via Portland International Airport, located just outside the city centre.
Flights to Portland
Portland’s international airport is a major airline hub and has direct flights to numerous domestic and international destinations. Nearby destinations include major cities in Canada, but cities such as Tokyo (Japan), Guadalajara (Mexico) and Frankfurt (Germany) are also accessible from here. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Portland try Ebookers.
Public transportation is cheap, efficient and reliable in Portland. There is a light rail system called MAX Tri-Net that connects the airport to the city centre, departing every 15 minutes and taking just under 40 minutes. There are also long distance Greyhound buses as well as the national railway, Amtrak, which connects Portland to numerous US cities.
Portland
Sightseeing in Portland
A great day out is to visit Washington Park and its numerous attractions including the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, World Forestry Centre Discovery Museum and the Hoyt Arboretum. Also within the park is the International Rose Test Garden, where visitors can see more than 500 varieties of roses. There is also a Japanese Garden here, considered to be one of the most authentic outside Japan. Don’t miss Mill Ends Park, the smallest part in the world.
Portland is full of things to do with nature. Just a short drive outside of the city, visitors will find Mount Hood, Mount St Helens, and the beaches of the Pacific coast, as well as the Columbia River Gorge. For a rainy day, there are several museums worth visiting. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a great place to visit with children, with many interactive displays and hands-on activities. The Portland Art Museum and Oregon Historical Society are the two other main museums in the city.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Portland is known as the microbrewery capital of the US and no visit to the city would be complete without visiting a brewery or two. Brew pubs, where the beer is actually brewed on premises, are the places to sample Portland’s golden nectar. The most popular is the Laurelwood Public House and Brewery, considered to be the quintessential Portland brewery experience. Here you can eat and drink until your heart’s content. For the most funky and trendy bars and restaurants, head to the Nob Hill district. This is the hippest area of Portland, with many shops, restaurants and bars.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Like most American cities, Portland has plenty of malls to meet any shopping desire or ward off boredom during a rainy day. The most popular are llzod Centre and Pioneer Place. Otherwise, there is plenty of shopping to be had by just strolling around the city centre. Many visitors head to the Columbia Sportwear Company for the best in outdoor gear.
Daytrips
Portland is well within reach of the Oregon coast and there are many fine daytrips to be had in this region of the state. Cannon Beach, just to the northwest of Portland, is one of the most popular coastal areas in Oregon, with its gorgeous sands and charming town. Haystack Rock is a highlight, a photogenic 235-foot high monolith rising out of the water.
If you fancy going volcano trekking then head for the nearby Columbia River Gorge and conical Mount Hood. This 11,000-plus foot monster has many established hiking trails as well as year-round skiing. The renowned Pacific Crest Trail goes right past the mountain and within 20 miles of Portland. Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 and is also nearby.
Oaks Park Amusement Centre is way older than Disneyland and is lots of fun. The park is spread over 44 acres and has traditional and modern rides. For starters, it is home to the west’s largest wood-floored roller skating rink and also has loads of wooden and steel rollercoasters as well as more laid-back rides and games.
Must-see attractions
Lying in the heart of downtown Portland is Pioneer Courthouse Square. Locally known as ‘Portland’s living room’, the square is the focal point of downtown Portland and houses loads of coffee shops, an amphitheatre, a water fountain and a mini art gallery.
Pittock Mansion is one of the city’s foremost must-see sights. It was the home of the founder of Portland’s daily newspaper, Henry Louis Pittock, and is a fine blend of French and British architectural styles. You will find many stunning examples of antique furnishings within, as well as fine art and stunning gardens.
Portland is all about the environment, which is perfectly represented in the Japanese Oriental Gardens. This fine garden is America’s best example in the country of a Japanese garden and the views of Mount Hood from here are stunning. The Portland Classical Chinese Garden is another must-see, encompassing a whole city block complete with lake, pavilions, bridges and pathways.
Voodoo Doughnut, on Southwest 3rd Avenue, is a Portland institution with the best doughnuts in town. You can get all types doughnuts here, from standard ones to whacky ones topped with strawberry Quik powder and even vegan doughnuts. People also come to Voodoo Doughnut to get married.
Best time to go
For the best weather, go to Portland sometime between June and September - early or late is best. Temperatures are warmest in the summer although you may be hit by rain without warning at any time. Spring and autumn are also nice times to visit yet winters are grey sky affairs.
Rainy day suggestions
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is ideal for the obligatory wet weather day in Portland and is a real boon for kids to boot. There are loads of interactive exhibits here as well as an IMAX theatre that covers space travel, race car driving, Africa safari, and scuba diving.
In addition, the Portland Art Museum has a fine collection of regional Native American art and artefacts, and is the oldest art museum in this region of the US. Contemporary art from Oregon artists is also well represented at the museum.
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