Big city excitement and small town charm make Portland, Oregon, known as "the City of Roses", one of the favorite destinations in the West. Portland is situated approximately 70 miles from the Pacific in a magnificent setting between the sparkling waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Portland's historic old town, galleries and museums, Saturday Market, and theatre companies will keep visitors busy for weeks! Its lush green parks are perfect for a picnic or an afternoon stroll. Also, Portland is just a short distance from Willamette valley wineries, skiing at Timberline Lodge and all of the excitement and beauty of Oregon's spectacular ocean beaches.
Portland's award winning mass transit system is one of the most extensive and advanced in the U.S. The transit system includes buses, streetcars, historic trollies and the MAX, an urban light rail line. There's also a downtown transit mall and Fareless Square, the downtown free-ride zone. It's fun to take a relaxing ride on the MAX train and watch the Portland world slide by.
Portland was built with walking in mind. The short blocks, combined with public art and old fashioned statuary, fountains, bridges and parks offer opportunities for leisure and contemplation for the casual stroller. Walking tours of the downtown area focusing on the best of the city's art, architecture, urban parks and fountains are available. For the more adventuresome walker, Forest Park has over 70 miles of trails.
Nightlife in Portland is excellent and varied. This includes the world class performances of the internationally-known Oregon Symphony. Performing arts in the area offer ballet, Shakespeare, Broadway musicals, modern dance and much more. Oregon Zoo concerts are a summer treat, with music for all kinds of listeners. See art up close at the First Thursday art gallery walks in Westside Portland or in Northeast Portland galleries during Last Thursday walks. Portland has many local pubs and brewhouses, where tasting local microbrews is considered a fine way to spend an evening. The Rose City is the home of the Trail Blazers basketball team, and also has hockey and baseball for sports fans.
A splendid location, relaxed respectability, and an urban lifestyle that is unsurpassed for its livability makes Portland a city to visit and remember. |
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