Portland, Oregon goes by many names—City of Roses, Bridgetown and even Park City USA. It's easy to get lost in the green here, from over 10,000 acres of city parks—like Tom McCall Waterfront Park with its expansive lawns, shade trees and fountains—to the wide ribbon of the Willamette River, to the "green" attitude that makes Portland one of the most bike-friendly places in the nation.
Forecast Figures
Portland's temperate climate brings a bright parade of heavenly days starting in late spring and stretching through September. This is live-outdoors weather, with temperatures in the 70s or low 80s—perfect for family picnics in the temperate rain forest of Portland's 5,100-acre Forest Park. Fall and winter bring the precipitation that keeps the city green, but the wet winters are liberally sprinkled with days clear as jewels. Gather your family here in winter to shred the snow pack on iconic Mount Hood. Spring tiptoes onto the scene in April, as extravagant blossoms deck out the cherry trees, azaleas, dogwoods and magnolias.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Get dazzled by Portland's kaleidoscope of natural beauty, including Washington Park—with Japanese Gardens, International Rose Test Gardens and Hoyt Arboretum—a vast temperate rain forest and the rolling hills of nearby Willamette Valley wine country. Explore the compact downtown on foot, then cross the shining Willamette River to dive into the eclectic neighborhoods that give this city small-town charm. Round out the afternoon with an unforgettable latte or a cold beer from one of Portland's signature coffee houses and microbrew pubs.
Boats, Brews and Business
Because Portland sits on the banks of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, you’ve got lots of riverfront parks to play in, but its status as a major port also provides jobs. The beautiful location and fine business climate attract technology firms to Portland, and high-tech companies like Intel are big employers. The myriad of microbreweries and micro-distilleries you enjoy in Portland also employ its residents, as do the multitude of colleges and universities located here, including the University of Portland, Reed College and Lewis and Clark College.
Getting Around
You'll zip around Portland rapidly and cheaply on the light rail, buses and streetcars in its excellent public transport system. Or use pedal power to explore the more than 300 miles of bike trails. But you'll need a car to take the family to Mount Hood or adventuring to the Columbia River Gorge. Take your pick of car rental companies at the Portland Airport. If you need a cab, call one; you won't see them cruising Portland streets looking for passengers.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Portland.