Portland, Oregon, is a vibrant mix of stunning natural beauty, progressive culture, friendly locals, and delightful cuisine.

Located at the confluence of two great rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette, Portland has been a magnet for both early native tribes and European pioneers.

Although Lewis and Clark didn't end their famous journey here, they came close enough to pave the way for future settlers. Portland was officially incorporated as a city in 1851. Read more about Portland’s history here.

Interesting Facts: Before Portland's incorporation, land claim holders Pettygrove and Lovejoy disputed the city’s name. Lovejoy preferred "Boston," while Pettygrove favored "Portland," after his hometown in Maine. They settled the debate with a coin toss, and the famous Portland Penny is now on display at the Oregon Historical Society downtown.

The city and its surrounding areas offer so many activities, adventures, and dining experiences that it's impossible to see and do everything in one visit.

I only had one week in Portland, so I made the most of it. I walked and biked through downtown and the four main Portland neighborhoods sampled the eclectic food scene at restaurants and food trucks and ventured out to nearby rivers, valleys, forests, and mountains.

Having experienced the wonders of this delightful city, I intend to return for many more visits.

Where to Stay

Portland offers a wide range of accommodations. I stayed at an Airbnb in the Northeast neighborhood, which was pleasant and close to attractions. However, renting a room or house means missing out on hotel services like a maid or concierge.

Downtown hotels are at the heart of the action, within walking distance of restaurants and attractions. Some excellent choices include the Sentinel, Embassy Suites by Hilton, The Heathman Hotel, and The Nines, though you’ll pay a premium for the location.

Interesting Facts: Portland is home to the world's largest independently owned bookstore, Powell's Books, with over 4 million books in stock.

Hotels outside of downtown are quieter and more affordable. If you have a car or are willing to use Portland’s excellent public transit, these can be great options. Top picks include DoubleTree by Hilton, Hotel Eastlund, and Comfort Inn.

Getting Around

Portland is consistently ranked among America's greenest cities, partly due to its excellent public transit system.

The city’s neighborhoods are connected by buses, streetcars, and light rail. The MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) light rail system links downtown with the suburbs, while streetcars serve the downtown area and nearby districts.

For a fun ride, try the Portland Aerial Tram, which connects the South Waterfront district with Oregon Health & Science University. The views of Portland, the Willamette River, and Mt. Hood from the top are spectacular.

Portland is also bike-friendly, with many streets featuring dedicated bike lanes. If there isn’t a bike lane, bikers have the same rights (and responsibilities) as cars. There are also a few designated “Green” Lanes for bikes, designed to minimize stops with special bike-only traffic lights. Biking on these lanes is a delight.

Tip: When biking, look for a green box at intersections. If you stop in the green box, cars will yield and let you pass safely.

The city, in partnership with Nike, has created a bike-share program called BIKETOWN. You'll find bike pickup stations throughout Portland, with very reasonable fees for renting a bike by the trip, day, or month. Get program details and pricing here.

Things to Do Around Town

Take a Walk

The best way to experience a new place is to park somewhere and start walking. Walking gives you a more personal encounter with the city, allowing you to discover its landmarks, shops, restaurants, and people.

Be sure to stop at the food truck pods. Portland’s food trucks are regulated and inspected, so there’s no need to worry about health issues. They offer an eclectic variety of international cuisines. Ever tried Mauritian or Norwegian food? This is the place to do it.

Interesting Facts: Portland is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest rose garden in the United States. The garden features over 5,000 rose bushes and more than 10,000 roses in bloom during the summer.

Portland is considered one of the most walkable large cities due to its grid plan, short blocks, and safety. While there is no serious crime in Portland, you may want to avoid the Northwest side of downtown if you have young children, as the area is known for adult entertainment establishments. On the other hand, if you’re looking for adult fun, this is the place to be.

To help navigate Portland, remember that the Willamette River divides the city into East and West sections. Most of downtown, including hotels, shopping, entertainment, and dining, is on the west side of the river.

Interesting Facts: East and West Portland were once separate towns, with the Willamette River running between them. Ferries were the only way to cross the divide until bridges and streetcars connected the two sides, eventually merging them into one large city.

The west side of the river features Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a beautiful spot to relax with splendid views of the river and the many bridges that cross it. The park also offers bike rentals and several beautiful fountains, including “Salmon Street Springs,” a fountain with variable water and color displays. It’s a wonderful place for kids to cool off in the summer.

Further south, make a left turn on SW Clay Street and walk about three blocks to the Keller Auditorium and its amazing fountains.

The Keller Fountain is built from tall concrete blocks, creating man-made waterfalls that cascade into pools, some of which are deep enough for swimming.

The fountains are open to the public, and many Portland families enjoy playing in the water during the warmer months.

Bike Around Town

Another terrific way to enjoy Portland is to bike through its mostly flat streets. Many streets have dedicated bike lanes and traffic signals.

You can bike around downtown or venture further into Portland neighborhoods. For a collection of bike route maps, go here.

For the adventurous, try the Columbia River Gorge trail for a great workout and breathtaking scenery.

Guided Tours

When visiting a new place, I like to rely on professional local guides to provide a proper introduction. During my visit, I went on several tours. Here are some of the best:

Portland Walking Tours

Portland Walking Tours offers many walking and foodie tours. I chose the “Best of Portland” tour as my first introduction to this beautiful city.

The tour started from a convenient location under the Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Interesting Facts: The Pioneer Courthouse building is the oldest federal building in the western United States, built in 1869.

Our tour guide, Alexis, was knowledgeable and entertaining. During this tour, I learned about the city's history, visited important landmarks, and got a good workout after walking for two hours.

Highlights of the tour:

• Visiting the Portland Penny that decided the city's name at the Historical Society
• Learning about the history of microbreweries and coffee roasters
• Visiting Tom McCall Waterfront Park and its ever-changing fountain
• Admiring the numerous public art exhibits throughout the city
• Learning about the eleven bridges that cross the river
• Strolling through the South Park Blocks, a contiguous greenbelt spanning twelve city blocks

Interesting Facts: In the early days of the Park Blocks, one square was set aside exclusively for women and children to protect them from drunk men.

Eat Adventures Bike Tour

To discover Portland's culinary delights, I joined the “Best of Portland Food Tour” with Eat Adventures.

During this tour, we visited a microbrewery, a winery restaurant, a food truck, and a creamery. Along the way, we learned about Portland’s neighborhoods and their history.

Our guide, Angie, was a wealth of information. She drove us around in her comfortable minivan to cover more of the city.

Our first stop was “South Park Seafood,” where we tried cold-smoked trout. I never knew you could eat cold fish, but it was superb. The place also has an oyster bar with a fresh, ever-changing selection of oysters and clams.

At Ecliptic Brewery, we enjoyed a plate of delicious snacks and a few beers. My favorites were the beets with sharp white cheddar and the porter beer. The décor was out of this world.

Interesting Facts: Portland is renowned for its microbreweries, thanks to the abundance of hops, barley, and fresh water nearby. It's often called the beer capital of the world.

At Tessera Winery, the hostess was generous with samples of both white and red wines. We also enjoyed a selection of cheeses and cold cuts.

Angie then took us to a food truck pod to try new cuisine. The Viking Soul Food truck offers Norwegian comfort food. Their specialty is a potato-based crêpe called “Lefse.” I chose the smoked salmon wrap, which was light and tasty. The portions were large, so I saved half for later.

We ended our foodie tour with “Ruby Jewel Ice Cream Sandwiches,” a fantastic way to end the day.

See more tours at Eat Adventures website.

Cycle Portland

On the day of my “Foodie Field Trip” with Cycle Portland, the weather was cold and rainy. I expected the trip to be canceled, but we donned our rain gear and ventured onto the wet streets.

I'm glad I didn’t chicken out because I ended up with a private foodie bike tour with Neil. He was an excellent guide, taking me through the most interesting bike paths and stopping at some great food and drink establishments.

We started with a visit to the “Cup and Bar” coffee shop, where I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a fudge bar.

Interesting Facts: A lot of coffee beans pass through Portland on their way to other states. It's no surprise that coffee roasters flourish here, with more than forty specialty coffee roasters within the city limits. Portland might just be the coffee capital of the West.

Next, we biked along a long stretch of the “Green Way” to a food truck pod hidden in a residential neighborhood. There, I tasted Poutine for the first time at “Potato Champion.” It’s a Canadian dish made with fries and a variety of toppings. Mine was “Palak Paneer Fries,” with spinach, cheese, and curry.

After another bike ride in the rain, we stopped at “50 Licks Ice Cream” for a sampling of intriguing flavors. I settled on the Rumid Razin, with rum and raisins. It was a delicious way to end our food tasting, though we still had to bike back to the bike shop.

On the way back, we rode along the waterfront trail, passed by the Museum of Science and Industry, and crossed over a floating bridge.

Thanks, Neil, for a great bike tour through Portland.

See more Cycle Portland tours here.

Where to Eat

Portland takes pride in its foodie culture, offering an abundance of local and ethnic choices. Many restaurants feature seasonal “Farm to Table” menus with ingredients sourced from the fertile Willamette Valley.

The city's proximity to large farming communities and natural clean water also makes it ideal for winemaking and beer brewing.

And, of course, you can’t miss the food trucks. Regulated and inspected, they offer a wide variety of world cuisines.

Here are some of my favorites:

Breakfast

Voodoo or Blue-star? You must try the donuts at “Voodoo Doughnut” and “Blue Star Donuts.” There's a long-standing debate among locals and visitors about which is better. Both are delicious, but I preferred Blue Star.

Bijou Café: An excellent spot for a sit-down breakfast, offering basics plus French favorites. I tried the mushroom & Tillamook vintage cheddar omelet. They also serve brunch daily.

Pine State Biscuits: If you love biscuits, this is the place. Freshly made biscuits with your favorite toppings. I tried the Regina, which came with over-easy eggs and braised greens with hot sauce. Delicious and filling.

Their most famous creation is the Reggie (or Reggie Deluxe), but I wasn’t in the mood for fried chicken for breakfast that day.

Lunch

Food Trucks: I really love Portland’s food trucks. They offer a convenient way to sample many ethnic cuisines at reasonable prices. You’ll find Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Greek – just to name a few.

One day, I had a sampler of dumplings at the “Dump Truck” downtown. My favorites were Mr. MA’s Special and Potato Curry. I wasn’t as fond of the bacon dumpling.

On another day, I tried Mauritian food for the first time at “Chez Dodo.” Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean between Africa and India, and its cuisine reflects those influences. At this food truck, you build your meal by choosing the base (rice or noodles), meat, toppings, and spice level. For sides, try one of their samosas. They are huge, so you might want to have one as your main dish.

While on tour, I got to try Norwegian food at “Viking Soul Food” and Canadian cuisine at “Potato Hiro.” Both were new experiences, and both were delicious.

Dinner

Portland offers many great dinner options, both downtown and beyond. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any chain restaurants downtown, and the only fast-food place I saw was a McDonald’s. This is a good thing because it encourages you to try new things.

Here are my favorites:

India House: A small place serving delicious traditional Indian dishes and bread. I ordered the Lamb Combo, which included Lamb Kari and Lamb Kofta with many side dishes and naan bread. The rice pudding was an excellent finish to a great meal.

Le Pigeon: With an ever-changing menu of creative French dishes, you’ll always find something new to try. During my visit, I sat at the bar and watched the chef prepare my dinner. I decided on the “Beef Cheek Bourguignon,” and it was amazing. The meat melts in your mouth, and the side of mac and cheese was nostalgic. I was tempted to try the “Honey Glazed Lamb Shoulder” but saved it for another visit. I ended my sumptuous meal with a Crème Brulee.

Sizzle Pie: A great place for unique pizza creations. The place is simple and casual, but you go there for the food, not the ambiance. I picked a slice of “Swamp Wizards” and “Vegan Angel of Doom.” Strange names, but great tastes. The Swamp Wizards had chicken, spinach, butternut squash, dried cranberries, and mozzarella, while the Angel of Doom had mozzarella, jalapeños, pineapple, and almonds. You won’t find these combinations at a chain pizza store.

Hoda's: A Lebanese restaurant offering traditional Middle Eastern fare and homemade pita bread. The friendly, attentive staff and great-tasting food make you feel right at home in this two-story establishment.

They have a wide selection of kebabs, kafta, and rice dishes. You can also order Mezza, a large selection of small plates. The Mezza for two includes tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanouj, grass-fed kafta kabob, basmati rice, and meat pie.

I chose the Lamb Kabob, served with rice and pita bread. The meat was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I finished my meal with my favorite dessert, the Kenafeh. I will definitely return to Hoda’s.

Departure: This restaurant sits atop the luxury hotel “The Nines,” offering a commanding view of Portland’s skyline. You can choose indoor or balcony seating. I would have preferred the balcony view, but the weather didn't cooperate.

The restaurant offers the best of Japanese cuisine, with a variety of seafood, chicken, and steak dishes.

Check out Chef Gregory Gourdet's recommendations for special treats.

Departure also offers vegan and gluten-free menus.

Melting Pot: You start with cheese fondue, then choose your vegetables and meats to dip in a savory sauce. You end your meal with a chocolate fondue. The possibilities are endless.

By the time we received our main course of meats and seafood, we were almost full. We’ll definitely return, but next time we'll focus on the cheese and chocolate fondues.

The service was excellent, and our waitress was attentive and friendly.

Away from Downtown

Just a few blocks from downtown, you’ll find many shopping and entertainment venues.

The Lloyd Center

The Lloyd Center is just east of the Willamette River, a few blocks from downtown, and accessible via streetcar and light rail. It houses Oregon’s largest mall, a movie theater, an indoor ice skating rink, and hotels.

Interesting Facts: For several years, Southeast Portland was home to some unusual residents. A development company brought a herd of goats to a vacant lot to help with weed control. These goats soon became Portland celebrities and social media darlings, known as the Belmont Goats. They even had Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest accounts. The Belmont Goats recently moved to a new home when construction began on new condominiums.

A nice park sits between the train station and the mall, featuring interesting fountains and statues.

The mall itself has large department stores like Macy’s, H&M, Guess, and The Gap, along with unique boutiques and souvenir shops. You can find a large selection of gifts at the “Made in Oregon” store.

Pittock Mansion

A short, winding drive west of downtown brings you to Pittock Mansion, which sits atop a hill offering a great view of the city, the river, and the Cascade Mountains to the east.

The mansion itself is worth visiting to see how Portland’s rich and famous lived in the early 1900s. It was built in 1914 as a home for Henry and Georgiana Pittock and eight family members.

In 1958, the last family member moved out, and the city of Portland later purchased the property, which it has since operated as a museum and park.

Interesting Facts: Before becoming wealthy and building this mansion, Henry Pittock took a job at the Weekly Oregonian newspaper, where he slept on a cot for several years.

The mansion features 23 rooms in a French Renaissance-style chateau with elegant decor and furniture. But the best feature is found outdoors, in the well-landscaped gardens, hiking trails, and breathtaking views.

Many Portlanders and visitors come just for the view and maybe some hiking. There’s no fee to visit the outdoor areas, but the museum fee is $10, with children under six admitted free. Read more about Pittock Mansion here.

Places to See Near Portland

Just an hour’s drive from Portland, you’ll find an abundance of natural wonders.

Follow the Columbia River along the Historic Columbia River Highway, and you'll come across popular waterfalls like Multnomah and Bridal Veil Falls. You could easily spend days traversing the many trails.

Almost anywhere in Portland, you can see Mt. Hood with its snow-covered peak. Mt. Hood is a fun destination year-round.

To the southeast, visit the Willamette Valley with its wineries and the Cascade foothills, which boast their own collection of waterfalls.

The Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge was formed eons ago by catastrophic events. After the glaciers began to melt, large volumes of water were held back by natural ice dams. When the dams broke, torrents of water and boulders came rushing down to carve this beautiful gorge.

The Gorge has 26 waterfalls, some on the Washington side. The most popular ones include Multnomah, Wahkeena, and Bridal Veil Falls. Read the full article about the Gorge here.

Willamette Valley and Silver Falls State Park

The Willamette Valley is a 150-mile stretch of fertile land bordered by three mountain ranges. The Willamette River runs through the entire valley, with many tributaries and streams crisscrossing the region.

It is home to Oregon’s largest cities, where 70% of the state’s population lives – including Portland, Eugene, and Salem, the state capital.

Today, the Willamette Valley is renowned for its numerous wineries (more than 500 and counting) spread across 19,000 acres of fertile land.

The Cascade Mountains form the eastern edge of this valley, with lush forests and roaring waterfalls. A visit to the valley is incomplete without a visit to Silver Falls State Park to enjoy the falls and hiking trails.

The best way to enjoy the state park is to hike the trails that connect to ten amazing waterfalls. 

Willamette Valley and Waterfalls Guided Tour

I recently went on the “Willamette Valley Wine & Waterfalls” Tour with Evergreen Escapes and enjoyed every minute.

The tour was well planned and took the entire day to complete. Our guide, Adam Sawyer, was wonderful. He’s also an author of travel guidebooks, so he really knows and loves this area.

We started with a morning visit to Silver Falls State Park, where we explored three beautiful waterfalls. We ended the day with a picnic lunch and a wine tasting tour.

The tour was full of activities and interesting facts. Read the full story about the Willamette Valley here.