Welcome to Portland!
Portland is the largest city in Oregon with over 500,000 residents in the city and 2 million in the greater metro area. It sits at the crossroads of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, right on the border with Washington State with views of Mt. Hood to the east and Mt. Saint Helens to the north.
You can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor and urban activities in and around Portland. Portland has a great transportation network, which will take you to many of the places you want to go. Foodies will love the fantastic restaurants and food carts; beer fans will discover why Portland is called Beervana; and shoppers will go crazy over no sales tax. The New York Times is obsessed with Portland, and you may be too by the end of your visit.
September is a great month to visit Portland. Average highs and lows are 75° and 52°, respectively. In the past, the Portland Dragon Boat Festival has enjoyed sunny pleasant weather, although it sometimes can get a little cool and drizzly, especially in the morning.
You can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor and urban activities in and around Portland. Portland has a great transportation network, which will take you to many of the places you want to go. Foodies will love the fantastic restaurants and food carts; beer fans will discover why Portland is called Beervana; and shoppers will go crazy over no sales tax. The New York Times is obsessed with Portland, and you may be too by the end of your visit.
September is a great month to visit Portland. Average highs and lows are 75° and 52°, respectively. In the past, the Portland Dragon Boat Festival has enjoyed sunny pleasant weather, although it sometimes can get a little cool and drizzly, especially in the morning.
Where to Eat
Bacon Maple Bar from Voodoo Doughnut
So many choices, so little time...
Be warned that group dining is not the easiest thing in Portland. Calling ahead to see if your group can be accommodated is always a good idea.
That being said, Portland restaurants are very accommodating to restricted diets. Call ahead or ask your server, but vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are all widely available.
A few suggestions if the listings on Yelp are overwhelming:
Near the Race Venue - The RiverPlace Promenade has several places to eat, from casual to fine dining. Places include The Little River Café (paddlers' favorite breakfast spot), Three Degrees (in the RiverPlace Hotel), Pilsner Room (at McCormick & Schmick's), Pizza Schmizza, and quite a few other places whose names we can never remember.
Brewpubs - Many of the brewpubs listed in Where to Drink Beer section are good places to eat, especially with a group. The Pearl District brewpubs are easy to get to and pretty reliable.
Portland Scene - So you've been sucked in by the New York Times, etc., waxing on and on about the food in Portland. You're wondering, can I sample any of this while not veering too far from the race venue? Fortunately, most of the restaurants mentioned in the national press are in the downtown area or a short cab ride away.
Food Carts - Portland is famous for its food carts. Many are owned by trained chefs with dreams of opening their own restaurants but not enough capital. Portland food carts tend to cluster in pods and represent a vast array of cuisines. While many food carts cater to the weekday lunch crowd, quite a few are now open weekends, especially in the evenings and later.
Be warned that group dining is not the easiest thing in Portland. Calling ahead to see if your group can be accommodated is always a good idea.
That being said, Portland restaurants are very accommodating to restricted diets. Call ahead or ask your server, but vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are all widely available.
A few suggestions if the listings on Yelp are overwhelming:
Near the Race Venue - The RiverPlace Promenade has several places to eat, from casual to fine dining. Places include The Little River Café (paddlers' favorite breakfast spot), Three Degrees (in the RiverPlace Hotel), Pilsner Room (at McCormick & Schmick's), Pizza Schmizza, and quite a few other places whose names we can never remember.
Brewpubs - Many of the brewpubs listed in Where to Drink Beer section are good places to eat, especially with a group. The Pearl District brewpubs are easy to get to and pretty reliable.
Portland Scene - So you've been sucked in by the New York Times, etc., waxing on and on about the food in Portland. You're wondering, can I sample any of this while not veering too far from the race venue? Fortunately, most of the restaurants mentioned in the national press are in the downtown area or a short cab ride away.
Food Carts - Portland is famous for its food carts. Many are owned by trained chefs with dreams of opening their own restaurants but not enough capital. Portland food carts tend to cluster in pods and represent a vast array of cuisines. While many food carts cater to the weekday lunch crowd, quite a few are now open weekends, especially in the evenings and later.
Brewery Sampler
We are fond of our beer here and believe it merits its own category.
Portland has more brewpubs per capita than any other U.S. city, and you should not leave without sampling. For more, check out this brewery map or try any of the following, which are not too far from the race venue:
In the Pearl District - Take the streetcar to get to Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House at NW 11th & Davis or 10 Barrel Brewing and Rogue Distillery & Public House, both at NW 13th & Flanders.
Across the Rriver - Walk, bike or catch a bus at SW 1st & Main across the Hawthorne Bridge to the following:
Portland has more brewpubs per capita than any other U.S. city, and you should not leave without sampling. For more, check out this brewery map or try any of the following, which are not too far from the race venue:
In the Pearl District - Take the streetcar to get to Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House at NW 11th & Davis or 10 Barrel Brewing and Rogue Distillery & Public House, both at NW 13th & Flanders.
Across the Rriver - Walk, bike or catch a bus at SW 1st & Main across the Hawthorne Bridge to the following:
- On Hawthorne - For these, you can catch the #14 Hawthorne bus, if you don't want to walk. At SE 9th & Hawthorne is the Lucky Lab where dogs are welcome. Continue to SE 16th to visit McMenamin's Barley Mill Pub or SE 37th for McMenamin's Bagdad Theater and Pub.
- Slight Detour - Go left at SE 9th and continue a few blocks to the Green Dragon, which is part of the Rogue family and has a vast selection of interesting beer and a great patio. Cascade Brewing and Barrell House is a few blocks away and Hair of the Dog is also closeby off Water Avenue at SE Yamhill.
Where to Shop
Powell's Books
Ahem, no sales tax. Here are some places we like:
Powell's Books at W. Burnside and 10th, right on the streetcar line. Legendary. Do yourself a favor and pick up a store map at the entrance.
Gear Up! Portland has tons of sportswear and sporting goods stores including Nike and Nike Outlet, Columbia Sportswear and Columbia Outlet, Adidas and Adidas Outlet, REI, Icebreaker, Title Nine, Lucy, and Lululemon.
Portland Saturday Market on the waterfront near the west side of the Burnside Bridge. Eclectic. Hippy.
Malls - You can get your mall shopping fix at Pioneer Place (downtown) or Lloyd Center (near the Convention Center). There are also some fixtures of commerce located around Pioneer Courthouse Square, like Nordstrom.
Outlet Malls - you will need a car to get to Woodburn (south) or Troutdale (east).
If you like browsing neighborhoods, try the Pearl District. Once a warehouse district, it is now home to art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. The Pearl District is just north of downtown, west of Broadway. You can take the streetcar to the Pearl, which is where many of the shops, restaurants and brewpubs we mention are located.
Keep going on the streetcar and you will arrive at NW 21st and 23rd, also with many boutiques and restaurants. It's sometimes also called Nob Hill, and the street signs refer to it as the Alphabet District.
Powell's Books at W. Burnside and 10th, right on the streetcar line. Legendary. Do yourself a favor and pick up a store map at the entrance.
Gear Up! Portland has tons of sportswear and sporting goods stores including Nike and Nike Outlet, Columbia Sportswear and Columbia Outlet, Adidas and Adidas Outlet, REI, Icebreaker, Title Nine, Lucy, and Lululemon.
Portland Saturday Market on the waterfront near the west side of the Burnside Bridge. Eclectic. Hippy.
Malls - You can get your mall shopping fix at Pioneer Place (downtown) or Lloyd Center (near the Convention Center). There are also some fixtures of commerce located around Pioneer Courthouse Square, like Nordstrom.
Outlet Malls - you will need a car to get to Woodburn (south) or Troutdale (east).
If you like browsing neighborhoods, try the Pearl District. Once a warehouse district, it is now home to art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. The Pearl District is just north of downtown, west of Broadway. You can take the streetcar to the Pearl, which is where many of the shops, restaurants and brewpubs we mention are located.
Keep going on the streetcar and you will arrive at NW 21st and 23rd, also with many boutiques and restaurants. It's sometimes also called Nob Hill, and the street signs refer to it as the Alphabet District.
What to See & Do in Portland
View of Mt. Hood from the Portland Aerial Tram
Washington Park is a huge park overlooking downtown from the west hills with a myriad of parks within it. From downtown, take the MAX Red or Blue line west towards Beaverton or Hillsboro and exit at the Zoo Station or take the #63 bus. You can visit the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden (great views over downtown), Portland Children's Museum, World Forestry Center, Vietnam Memorial and Holocaust Memorial.
PSU Farmer's Market - Saturday morning at SW Park (8th) and Columbia. Rated the 2nd best in the country by Travel and Leisure. While there, check out the Portland Art Museum and Oregon Historical Society.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden and Old Town/Chinatown are just north of Burnside.
Portland Aerial Tram - Catch it at the South Waterfront and travel up to OHSU on "Pill Hill". Take the tram back down or take an urban hike back down.
PSU Farmer's Market - Saturday morning at SW Park (8th) and Columbia. Rated the 2nd best in the country by Travel and Leisure. While there, check out the Portland Art Museum and Oregon Historical Society.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden and Old Town/Chinatown are just north of Burnside.
Portland Aerial Tram - Catch it at the South Waterfront and travel up to OHSU on "Pill Hill". Take the tram back down or take an urban hike back down.
Day Trips from Portland
Multnomah Falls
If you are planning to enjoy our fair city a little longer, here are some day trips you might consider:
Wine Country - The Willamette Valley is well-known for its delicious Pinot Noirs and other varietals. Head south on I-5 and southwest on 99W. In about 45 minutes, you'll arrive in the towns of Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville in the heart of wine country. Look out for blue road signs directing you to wineries.
Columbia River Gorge: Classic, stunning Oregon scenery, just outside of town. Drive out east along Highway 84. You can detour to the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 22 for a more scenic drive with ample opportunities to pull over to view a waterfall or go on a short hike. Don't miss Multnomah Falls and the Crowne Point Vista House. Finish your trip in the pleasant town of Hood River with lots of good places to eat and sample microbrews. For a longer trip, you can overnight in Hood River, continue south on Highway 35 through the orchards of the Fruit Loop and around Mt. Hood, and return to Portland via Highway 26. The complete loop is doable in one long day.
Mt. Hood: That lovely mountain you see on Portland visitor's brochures is also a recreational playground. Make Timberline Lodge (where The Shining was filmed) your base to explore the area. Hiking is a favorite summertime activity up at the mountain.
Oregon Coast: It's about an hour and a half drive to the Oregon coast, but well worth it. Think waves crashing against rocks, not sunbathing. Your route depends on your destination. Take Highway 30 to the Goonies/port town of Astoria, Highway 26 to the boardwalks and salt water taffy of Seaside and the artsy community of Cannon Beach, or Highway 26 to Highway 6 to Pacific City with long sandy beaches and a great brewpub.
Wine Country - The Willamette Valley is well-known for its delicious Pinot Noirs and other varietals. Head south on I-5 and southwest on 99W. In about 45 minutes, you'll arrive in the towns of Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville in the heart of wine country. Look out for blue road signs directing you to wineries.
Columbia River Gorge: Classic, stunning Oregon scenery, just outside of town. Drive out east along Highway 84. You can detour to the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 22 for a more scenic drive with ample opportunities to pull over to view a waterfall or go on a short hike. Don't miss Multnomah Falls and the Crowne Point Vista House. Finish your trip in the pleasant town of Hood River with lots of good places to eat and sample microbrews. For a longer trip, you can overnight in Hood River, continue south on Highway 35 through the orchards of the Fruit Loop and around Mt. Hood, and return to Portland via Highway 26. The complete loop is doable in one long day.
Mt. Hood: That lovely mountain you see on Portland visitor's brochures is also a recreational playground. Make Timberline Lodge (where The Shining was filmed) your base to explore the area. Hiking is a favorite summertime activity up at the mountain.
Oregon Coast: It's about an hour and a half drive to the Oregon coast, but well worth it. Think waves crashing against rocks, not sunbathing. Your route depends on your destination. Take Highway 30 to the Goonies/port town of Astoria, Highway 26 to the boardwalks and salt water taffy of Seaside and the artsy community of Cannon Beach, or Highway 26 to Highway 6 to Pacific City with long sandy beaches and a great brewpub.