| Portland, Oregon is like that kid in high | | | | confluence of progressive ideas, artistic |
| school you wish you would have gotten to know | | | | endeavors, culinary creativity and |
| better. A little weirder than average but | | | | open-mindedness. |
| emitting intriguing vibes of originality and | | | | |
| depth, this city has personality to spare and | | | | Portland is very pedestrian friendly and has |
| often turns out to be a much better vacation | | | | an unusually easy to navigate mass transit |
| companion than traditionally popular spots. | | | | system. Inviting spots like Governor Tom |
| It takes time to become fully acquainted with | | | | McCall Waterfront Park, which replaced a four |
| all that this lovely and offbeat place has to | | | | lane freeway, and Pioneer Courthouse Square, |
| offer, but be assured that each step is an | | | | known as "Portland's living room" are free |
| enjoyable one. | | | | places to soak in public art, people watch |
| | | | and further appreciate the individuality of |
| An interesting history is always a good | | | | this fun, fresh-air loving city. Biking is |
| start, as it provides a solid foundation for | | | | also a good way to see the sights, both in |
| all that a city will become. Trivia lovers | | | | the city and around the nearby countryside. |
| take note: we could just as easily be calling | | | | |
| this town Boston right now, as two original | | | | As for art and culture, Portland will |
| settlers actually flipped a coin in order to | | | | probably dish out more than you can take. In |
| determine who would name the place after his | | | | addition to just strolling through the artsy |
| hometown. Luckily, confusion was bypassed | | | | and colorful neighborhoods (like the Pearl |
| when the man from Portland, Maine won the | | | | District, Chinatown, Hollywood and Hawthorne |
| toss. Those two probably didn't realize that | | | | Boulevard) and letting fate take its course, |
| the modest grounds they stood upon would one | | | | there are specific places to visit as well. |
| day be a thriving cultural mecca and haven | | | | The Portland Zoo, the International Rose Test |
| for nature lovers, beer brewers and so much | | | | Gardens, the Portland Art Museum, Salmon |
| more. | | | | Street Springs and The Grotto Gardens are a |
| | | | few to get you started, but believe that |
| Thanks to future-thinking zoning laws, an | | | | there's plenty more where that came from. |
| inherent earth-friendliness and a dedication | | | | Depending on what time of year you're here, |
| to preservation and sustainability, Portland | | | | you might be able to see the vast displays of |
| is consistently ranked one of the country's | | | | fragrant flowers that have given Portland its |
| most livable cities. Skyscrapers will never | | | | nickname as the "City of Roses." |
| obscure the stunning vision of Mount Hood and | | | | |
| farmland has kept its place alongside the | | | | Many famous yearly festivals dot the calendar |
| business buildings. Despite a growing | | | | as well, including the Rose Festival, the |
| population and high level of energy, Portland | | | | Bite of Oregon food and music fest, and the |
| has maintained an intimate and small town | | | | Oregon Brewers Festival, which showcases |
| feeling that locals cherish and visitors soon | | | | another of Portland's talents as a |
| fall in love with. | | | | microbrewery capital and beer loving crowd of |
| | | | folk. Great shopping, a healthy music scene, |
| The wonderful year-round weather (mild | | | | lots of bookstores and coffee shops and many |
| winters, warm dry summers) and the | | | | fine restaurants fill in any gaps, ensuring |
| surrounding mountains, wilderness trails, | | | | that every visitor will be able to leave |
| lakes and streams make this and | | | | sated and impressed with this thoroughly |
| outdoors-oriented destination. Day trips to | | | | savvy town. |
| Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, the | | | | |
| Willamette Valley and the Colombia River | | | | Letting Portland rub off on you is always a |
| Gorge are easy and tempting so be sure to | | | | pleasant experience, and can be enjoyed even |
| pack your hiking boots and a camera in order | | | | more by renting a vacation home in one of the |
| to fully explore and remember this low-key | | | | funky neighborhoods or near downtown. Living |
| and lovely region of the country. | | | | like a local allows for all the secrets of |
| | | | the city to more easily be revealed, and |
| Oregon's natural gifts are easily accessible | | | | having the comforts of home in a |
| from the city of Portland, but don't | | | | home-away-from home lays the foundation for a |
| underestimate the wide array of things to see | | | | relaxed and rejuvenating trip. Explore the |
| and do within the perimeter of this quietly | | | | Portland Vacation Rentals available and |
| bustling, oh-so-cool hot spot. Hippies, | | | | prepare to enjoy an enlightening trip to one |
| hipsters and green thinkers definitely add | | | | of the country's coolest cities. |
| their influence to Portland's scene, but it | | | | |
| can't be boiled down into a few simple | | | | contains thousands of vacation rental |
| labels. Rather, the city exists as a friendly | | | | listings in destinations all over the world. |