Portland

Oregon's largest city, celebrated for its quirky culture, food scene, and progressive vibe along the Willamette River. Portland offers excellent breweries, bookstores, parks, and is a cultural hub with street art and unique neighborhoods like SE Hawthorne.

Things to do

• Powell's City of Books — The world's largest independent bookstore spanning an entire city block with over a million books across all genres.
• Forest Park — One of the largest urban forests in the US with over 80 miles of trails offering hiking, running, and nature walks within the city limits.
• Portland Art Museum — A major art institution featuring contemporary and traditional works with a focus on Pacific Northwest artists and Native American art.
• Hawthorne District — A vibrant southeast neighborhood lined with vintage shops, street art, independent cafes, and eclectic boutiques along SE Hawthorne Boulevard.
• Brewery Tour — Portland has more breweries per capita than any US city; popular stops include Cascade Locks, Hair of the Dog, and Deschutes Brewery.
• Portland Saturday Market — An iconic outdoor craft market under the Burnside Bridge featuring local artisans, musicians, and food vendors every weekend.
• Japanese Garden — A serene 12-acre traditional Japanese garden in Washington Park featuring authentic landscaping, stone lanterns, and peaceful water features.

Food to try

• Food Carts — Portland's famous mobile food carts offer affordable world cuisine from Thai to Korean to Mexican, particularly concentrated around SW Alder & 10th.
• Marionberry Desserts — The state berry of Oregon features prominently in local bakeries and restaurants, from marionberry pie to marionberry cheesecake.
• Pok Pok Thai Street Food — An iconic Portland restaurant serving authentic northeastern Thai cuisine with dishes like som tam and chicken laab in a casual, communal setting.
• Voodoo Doughnut — Portland's most famous doughnut shop known for creative and playful flavors like Bacon Maple Bar and Grape Ape, often with long waits.
• Fish & Chips — Fresh Pacific salmon and halibut prepared with local beer batter is a regional specialty found at waterfront restaurants and casual seafood spots.
• Farm-to-Table Dining — Portland's progressive food scene emphasizes seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients with restaurants like Bing Mi and Namu leading the movement.

Local customs & good to know

• Keep Portland Weird — The city's unofficial motto celebrates individuality and quirkiness; expect unconventional art, fashion, and lifestyles to be embraced and encouraged.
• No Sales Tax — Oregon has no sales tax on purchases, making Portland an unusually affordable place to shop compared to neighboring states.
• Biking Culture — Portland is one of America's most bike-friendly cities with extensive bike lanes; many locals commute by bicycle and respect for cyclists is paramount.
• Progressive Activism — The city has a strong culture of social and environmental activism; expect to encounter political street art, protests, and community organizing throughout neighborhoods.