Portland, OR

Take time to smell the flowers in the City of Roses
Portland is not one of those cities that hang out a neon sign screaming for tourists to come visit. Instead, it has sat back and let people discover its charm all by themselves. And discover they have. Today, Portland has been ranked as both USA’s "most livable city" and North America’s "best big city."

Portland’s tourist attractions are subtle but Mother Nature makes quite an appearance. Situated at the meeting point of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, this city is home to an unrivaled number of open spaces (37,000 acres to be exact). Even in the heart of downtown, you’re sure to see more green than concrete as you invariably stumble across grassy oases. Portland also has another unique bragging right — the longest ski season in North America. Only at Mt. Hood can you ski 345 days a year… that includes most of the spring and summer seasons.

Ultimately, this is an area where you can simply enjoy the basics… the great outdoors and plenty of brew. Portland is known as the motherland of microbrews. Of course, what probably has helped add to its attractiveness is that the city has brought culture to both of its strong points. Where else could you experience a pub theater; that is, a movie theater showing second-run, classic, or cult films for $2 or $3, where you can buy a pitcher of good locally brewed beer and a slice of pizza to enjoy while watching? Here, you can also find the most authentic Japanese Garden in North America, and the largest classical Chinese garden in the country. Talk about accentuating your best features.

Anyway you look at it, Portland is not your run-of-the-mill city. An effervescent arts community, dozens of urban parks and green spaces, a lively downtown, and a world-class public transportation system are just few of the reasons that make this a great city to experience.

Portland Transportation

Two wheels beat four any day in Portland. This town is about as bicycle friendly as a city can get. In fact, Bicycling magazine has named Portland the number one cycling city in the United States. Of course, if your calves can’t take the heat there is also great public transportation and streets that are easy to navigate. The city blocks in Portland are actually half the size of most city blocks elsewhere, and the entire downtown area covers only about 13 blocks by 26 blocks. So if you’re not up for cycling but still want the exercise, walking is a great option too.

Airports
Portland International Airport

Railroad
Amtrak

Local Transportation
TriMet Bus
TriMet MAX Light Rail
Portland Streetcar
Fareless Square

Car Rentals
Avis
Thirfty Car Rental
Triangle Rent a Car
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
Hertz
National
Alamo

Parking
SmartPark

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Portland Attractions

Portland doesn’t offer attractions that are as in your face as say Seattle, New York, Vegas or other big cities, but there is still plenty to see that will leave a lasting impression. Staying with the toned-down theme you can start by taking in one of the city’s stunning gardens: the Leach Botanical, Classical Chinese, Japanese, or Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens. Then if you’re ready for a bit more thrill you can visit Forest Park, where you can bike ride up the excellent Leif Erikson trail then zoom downhill all the way to the flats. No matter what time of year you decide to visit, the great part about Mother Nature’s attractions — they never shut down. There’s always something new to see, share and experience in Portland.

Portland Saturday Market
Museum of Contemporary Craft
Portland Spirit
International Rose Test Garden
The Grotto
Willamette Jetboat Excursions
Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Oregon Historical Society
Portland Art Museum
Pittock Mansion
Portland Japanese Garden
World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
Portland Children’s Museum
Oregon Zoo
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
The Berry Botanic Garden
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
Leach Botanical Gardens
The Hoyt Arboretum
The Pearl District

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Portland Shopping

There are two words to describe shopping in Portland — TAX FREE! Once again it’s back to basics because what you see is what you get. Whatever number is on the price tag is the price you are going to pay, now that makes shopping even more fun. From crafts to fashion to unique gifts — you’ll find everything you could want and more in this city.

Just Be Complex
Upper Playground
Ground Control
Finnegan's Toys and Gifts
Norm Thompson
Portland Saturday Market
Oregon Wines on Broadway
Pioneer Place
The Real Mother Goose
Washington Square
Powell's City of Books
The Fossil Cartel
Rose Garden Store
Ten Thousand Villages
Columbia Sportswear Company Flagship Store

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Portland Nightlife

With Portland being the world’s home to Microbreweries, it’s easy to assume that their take on the bar scene would be well… rather beer basic. But that’s not the case… at all. In reality, this city offers up a mind-boggling array of culture that varies from traditional to bohemian. From sidewalk musicians to public sculptures to a symphony orchestra, ballet, and opera company, Portland’s art scene is well regarded. Downtown, take a stroll past more than 100 works of art, including Portlandia, the largest hammered copper sculpture since the Statue of Liberty. Once the nice, warmer weather rolls into the area so do the many festivals that you can add to your list of day or night things to do.

Oregon Symphony
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
The Old Church
Portland Opera
Portland Center Stage
Oregon Ballet Theatre
Imbibe
Sauce Box
Doug Fir Lounge
Imago Theater
!Oba!
McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom
BridgePort Brewpub
Aladdin Theatre and Performance Center
Widmer Brewing and Gasthaus
Horse Brass Pub
Berbati's Pan

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Portland Healthcare Facilities

Although this city has made "basic" an art form, its healthcare is anything but. With hospitals that appear on the Solucient Top 100 and US News & World Report’s America’s Best Hospitals — Portland offers state-of-the-art patient care that is second to none.

Adventist Medical Center
Oregon Health & Science University
Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center
Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Doernbecher Children's Hospital
Physicians Hospital
Providence Portland Medical Center
Shriners Hospitals For Children

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Portland Nursing Resources

Oregon Nurses Association
Oregon Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ORANA)
Oregon Partnership to Immunize Children
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Oregon Student Nurses' Association
Oregon Legislature
Oregon Center for Nursing
Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education

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Portland Weather

Some will say that summer is when Portland is at its best and other will swear that winter is the time to go. But overall, thanks to the fact that the city is nestled between two mountain ranges, the weather is quite mild all year round. Snow falls seldom and winter low temperatures average less than 50°F, which is generally mild. June though September are the warmest months in Portland with highs averaging above 68°F. Rain falls heaviest between November and March, so if you don’t like getting wet wait until the showers pass.

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