Why Portland?

It’s the little things that give a place its soul – the cafes and markets, the art, parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries.” Portland’s districts do indeed possess distinct personalities, which is perhaps unusual for a relatively small city. Within these districts, the “Rose City’s” culture simmers in coffeehouses, art galleries, ubiquitous bookstores and lively brewpubs. Like much of Portland, these areas encourage exploration on foot.

A slow, relaxed pace is the best way to people-watch, window shop and see the sites. Built on a European model, Portland is indeed a walker’s paradise. The city’s streets, which feature statues, fountains and half-size city blocks, prompted Portland’s selection in 1998 as one of America’s best walking towns by Walking Magazine.

For visitors covering a larger portion of the city, public transportation is both accessible and user-friendly. MAX Light rail trains, the Portland Streetcar and an easy-to-navigate bus system move riders through town efficiently – and all offer free service within the downtown area.

Feel like a relaxing cup of coffee and a good book? Look no further – Portland, Oregon, is home to countless one-of-a-kind java joints. Or perhaps you prefer another type of beverage. The city’s love affair with beer stretches back more than 100 years, when Henry Weinhard proposed pumping ale through the Skidmore Fountain. Today, more than 25 craft breweries have earned Portland the nickname "Münich on the Willamette."

Speaking of traits Portlanders are extremely proud of, you don’t have to be in town long to hear locals bragging about Powell's City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore. Housing more than a million volumes, Powell’s occupies a full city block and boasts one of the world’s only three-door elevators.

Powell’s eccentric elevator is just one of the whimsical touches that make Portland special. Add that to the nation’s smallest dedicated park (just 24 inches in size), Stark’s Vacuum Cleaner Museum, and a sculpture that daily predicts the city’s weather, and you’ve got a destination of unusual appeal.

And Portland’s appeal isn’t limited to summer. The city’s annual “Big Deal” program offers terrific off-peak hotel rates (October-May) accompanied by a full menu of cultural events, tax-free shopping, dining discounts and more.

Rivaling the city’s manmade art are the spectacular masterpieces by Mother Nature. Crowning the city’s skyline is Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon’s Cascade Mountain Range. Within the metro area are 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces that include sizeable chunks of prime downtown real estate, fabulous rose gardens, waterfront promenades and the Portland Classical Chinese Garden.

Oh, yeah, here’s a pretty good reason to visit Portland - the Goth and Industrial scene is thriving here. Almost any night of the week you can dance at a different club, hear a different band, or both – Portland has one of the highest concentrations of DJ’s and Musicians per capita in the country.