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