Portland,
"The City of Roses", is the largest city in Oregon and one of the major
cities in the Pacific Northwest. Had a coin flip gone the other way, the
largest city in Oregon would be called Boston, Oregon. From that fateful
coin flip on, the city of Portland has, for the most part, been the
recipient of great fortune. Portland lies about 70 miles from the Pacific
Coast on the northern border of the state of Oregon, straddling the
Willamette River just south of its confluence with the Columbia River at
Vancouver, Washington. About 50 miles to the east lies majestic Mount Hood,
which forms the perfect backdrop for Portland's skyline. As the largest city
between San Francisco and Seattle, Portland vies with those cities as the
spiritual capital of the laid-back northern Pacific coast. However, it does
so in a way that mixes big-city dynamics with small-town friendliness. In
contrast to rapid-growing Seattle, until recently Portland avoided the
problems that come with fast growth. Although now Portland is experiencing
the same rapid growth, it has been able to keep its unique character.
Progressive city planning practices such as an urban growth boundary have
made Portland a very compact and user-friendly city. Unlike other
metropolitan areas, you can drive 20 miles from downtown Portland and be out
in the country. Environmentally friendly practices such as recycling are
part of the culture here. It is also known for taking creative and
unconventional ideas to solve its problems. For instance, it tore up a
downtown freeway and transformed it into Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Its
light rail system, originally built in the late 1980s and subsequently
expanded, has won nationwide acclaim. In recent years, the city has become
known as much for its microbreweries as Seattle is for its coffee houses.
There are many microbreweries around Portland, many of which have won
nationwide and international acclaim. Portland is one of the most beautiful
cities in the world with an exciting blend of historic and ultra-modern
architecture. The scenery can't be beat with views of Mt. Hood and the
Willamette River, stately pine trees, roses everywhere and stunning seasonal
color. Combine this with great art, waterfront festivals, a diverse
population and you have one very exciting city.
Shopping
• Powell's City of Books,
1005 West Burnside, 503-228-4651. 9AM-11PM every day. Powell's is a landmark
in Portland, and most residents are proud to let you know that this is the
biggest independent bookstore in the entire world. Covering an entire city
block, the store stocks over a million books in 3500 sections. And that's
not counting the 5 other branches in Portland (travel bookstore at Pioneer
Square, technical bookstore in the north Park Blocks, the airport bookstore,
and...)! The store can be imposing (get a map from the front desk), but it's
a don't-miss for anyone who loves to read.
• Sellwood One word, Antique, if you love old vintage furnishings
than you need to head towards Sellwood. Plus there are some great new
restaurants that serve fancy Thai or Indian food without breaking the bank.
• NW 23rd, north of Burnside. Mostly (not completely) yuppie junk,
but one of the most densely populated shopping/eating districts in Portland.
• Columbia Sportswear Company,
911 SW Broadway or 1323 SE Tacoma Street (outlet store, much cheaper
prices). Columbia produces outdoor sports wear with an emphasis on cold and
rainy weather clothing. You may need some sort of rain protection if
visiting during the fall, winter or spring. Portlanders look upon umbrellas
with mild disdain.
• Hawthorne District, east side of the Willamette. Head shops,
microbreweries, and craft stores.
Lodging
Budget
• Portland has two hostels.
Hostelling International-Portland, Hawthorne District is located at
3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 503-236-3380
Hostelling International-Portland,
Northwest Neighborhood is located at 1818 NW Glisan St. 503-241-2783
Mid-range
• The Kennedy School is a decommissioned elementary school
converted into a hotel. On site are a restaurant, a number of bars, a movie
theater, and a soaking pool. 5736 NE 33rd
Splurge
• Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is in the renovated Multnomah
Hotel and boasts good location and nice decor for the money. 319 SW Pine
St., 503-279-9000,
www.embassysuites.com .
• Riverplace 1510 S.W. Harbor Way. Four star hotel overlooking the
river. Rooms start at $150.
• The Governor
Hotel [www.govhotel.com/] 614 SW 11th Avenue, 224 3400. Historic
Four star hotel.
Cope
As in other places in the Pacific Northwest, there is abundant rainfall
in the autumn, winter, and spring. However, the rain is usually a fine mist
or fog; total precipitation in Seattle and Portland can be less than other
cities on the East Coast. Nonetheless, a sunny day in the rainy season can
seem to be very rare. Bring or buy an umbrella if you're in Portland between
September 25th and June 25th. Wear a rain jacket if you don't want to stand
out so much as a tourist.
Lifestyles
Gay & Lesbian
Portland has a pretty vibrant lesbian and gay community. Most of the gay
bars are found either in Oldtown/Chinatown or along Stark Street between SW
12th and 10th, but Portland gays and lesbians aren't really cooped up in a
ghetto like in most other cities. Try counting the number of rainbow flags
or HRC stickers you see while you're in Portland. |
|
• Neighborhoods
• Get Around
• Attractions
• Activities
• Education
• Dine
• Drink
Work
"We want you to visit our State of Excitement often. Come again and
again. But for heaven's sake, don't move here to live. Or if you do have to
move in to live, don't tell any of your neighbors where you are going."
-Former Governor Tom McCall, 1971 interview
Contact
Portland is home to one of the largest community wireless networks based
on the works of The Personal Telco
Project . Check to find one of nearly 100 spots you can log onto the
Internet free of any charge. Many major attractions such as Pioneer Square,
PGE Park and many local parks are covered.
Stay safe
While not overly dangerous, you should still be cautious and keep your
street smarts with you, especially if you're a young woman out at night. Old
Town-Chinatown, North Portland and outer Southeast Portland can be bit
sketchy. In general, though, coming from most other big American cities,
Portland will feel about as dangerous as Mayberry.
Get out
Located just 50 miles from the Cascade Range and 90 miles from the
Pacific Ocean, Portland is the perfect home base for day trips to Mount
Hood, Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, the northern part of the
Oregon Coast, or the wineries in the Willamette Valley.
|
