Green Portland
When a program to condense the city’s urban expansion boundaries was implemented statewide in 1969, the city established a precedent for state-directed metropolitan planning as a part of its sustainability initiative. The first city to adopt a thorough plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions was Portland.
Portland as a Culinary Haven
Portland stands out as a gastronomic paradise, celebrated for its commitment to fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The city offers a culinary journey like no other, boasting some of the finest seafood globally and irresistibly tasty doughnuts. A standout feature of Portland's food scene is its array of top-tier food carts, widely considered the best in any city. For outdoor dining enthusiasts, Portland surprises with a plethora of patio dining options. Additionally, the city is a haven for drink connoisseurs, famous for its craft beer and artisanal coffee culture. Visitors can explore numerous craft and microbreweries, or discover a favorite coffee roaster. Portland also holds its own in the realms of wine and tea, offering an impressive selection in both categories.
Entertainment and Attractions in Portland
Portland seamlessly blends the charm of a small town with the amenities of a large city. The city boasts an international airport, an efficient public transport system, and major sports teams including the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, MLS's Portland Timbers, and NWSL's Portland Thorns FC. The city's cultural landscape is enriched with numerous museums, art galleries, and unique local attractions such as arts and crafts fairs, independent bookstores, and traditional events like the annual Rose Festival Parade and the World Naked Bike Ride.
Portland's districts invite day-long explorations, featuring a mix of local shops, restaurants, parks, and cultural sites. The city's inviting culture encourages indoor activities like arts and crafts, live music, book browsing, tax-free shopping, brewery visits, and enjoying a range of beverages from tea and coffee to beer, wine, and cocktails. This indoor inclination is partly influenced by the region's plentiful rainfall.
Portland's Climate and Outdoor Activities
Regardless of the weather, Portland's proximity to nature offers endless outdoor opportunities. The city is equipped for aquatic fun in the Willamette River, boasts stunning public parks and gardens, and features an extensive 162 miles (261 km) of bike lanes. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy trails both within the city and in the nearby Columbia River Gorge, making Portland an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) provides a free interactive map citywide for bikes and five neighborhood bike and walk maps. Getting around Portland has never been easier!
With the untamed Oregon Coast, snow-capped Mount Hood, lush wine country, and waterfall-filled Columbia Gorge all within short driving distance of the city, Portland is the ideal starting point for recreation and adventures.
International Rose Test Garden
The oldest continually running public rose test garden in the United States is the Portland International Rose Test Garden. More than 10,000 roses can be seen in the garden, which is unofficially called the Portland Rose Garden. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world enjoy its sights and smells. The garden also provides breathtaking views of Mount Hood and the city.
Jesse A. Currey, the editor of the Oregon Journal, came up with the idea for the garden in 1915, and Portland Parks authorized it in 1917. During World War I, it emerged as a sanctuary for hybrid roses grown in Europe. In 1918, Portland started receiving flowers, and the garden and amphitheater were dedicated in 1924. The Royal Rosarian Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and the Miniature Rose Garden are three of the smaller areas that make up the grounds. The garden is open every day, and entry is free.
From the lush gardens of Pittock Mansion, a historic building constructed in 1904 for Portland business tycoons Henry and Georgiana Pittock, take in a breathtaking perspective of the downtown skyline. The mansion’s vast chambers, which feature revolving exhibits of art, relics, and photographs, offer a look into Portland and Oregon history.
Washington Park, home to the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, is only a short ride on the MAX light rail from Downtown Portland, Oregon. The 2,697 animals of the Oregon Zoo represent more than 215 different species. Over forty percent of the zoo has been restored over the past few years, including rhino enclosures, primate habitats, and a new elephant enclosure.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
This science museum, located in Portland’s Central Eastside on the Willamette River, is a must-visit destination for families.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry appeals to visitors of all ages with its planetarium, which lets you and your children view the stars, giant-screen theater, which shows everything from documentaries to Hollywood blockbusters, retired navy submarine docked outside, and “After Dark” events, which pair science talks with alcohol for those over 21.
However, kids and STEM enthusiasts continue to make up the majority of OMSI’s audience. These individuals can get their geek on by experiencing an earthquake, learning about physics in Turbine Hall, conducting experiments in interactive labs, or watching storms develop on a massive globe. OMSI is conveniently located in downtown and is reachable by car, train, or bicycle.