McCollom - Moon Portland

HOLLYANNA McCOLLOM

The rain may fall and the skies may be gray, but still they come to Portland. Every day the city swells in numbers thanks to the influx of people seeking an answer to the question, Why is everyone so in love with Portland?

The truth is that this place inspires passion because its creative lifestyle amid natural beauty is contagious. Collaborative energy and unbridled playfulness make for happier living. With its vibrant and hospitable personality, Portland has all the stimulation and excitement of a big city and all the charm of a small town. Its hard not to feel like a local when you visit.

Artists, playwrights, actors, and musicians have made Portland a bohemian playground, rich with color, opulence, and activity. The culinary scene continues to explode, with food lovers flocking to sample the flavors of the Pacific Northwest by chefs and master mixologists who are finding their way onto the pages of the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, and Bon Apptit. Portland also has quite the backyard, perfectly nestled between green forests and snowcapped mountains, with a river running through it and in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

Whether you call it P-Town, Bridge City, the City of Roses, or Stumptown, Portland is what you make it. From the urban delights of the downtown Cultural District to the unspoiled wilderness of Forest Park, each corner of this DIY-centric city is bursting with that distinctive Portland spirit. From the coffee shops and thrift stores of Hawthorne to the lounges and boutiques of the Pearl District, each neighborhood possesses its own voice, part of the whimsical carnival choir of this dynamic city.

Portland food cart

iconic Old Town stag sign

Portland Japanese Garden

mural created by Forest for the Trees

Paleys Place

downtown Portland

Wander Green Spaces: Portland is a lush urban paradise with great escapes right in the city, like

: Bibliotourists, rejoice! More than one million books occupy an entire square block of the city.

: Portland is known as Beervana. Youll understand why once you taste some of its many local brews.

Bike: Portland has ample bike paths, a city bike share program, and celebrates its love of cycling with bike-centered events like Pedalpaloozaincluding the World Naked Bike Rideand .

Enjoy Nearby Adventures: Portland has quite the backyard. Drive the Oregon Coast, hike the Columbia River Gorge, go wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, and ski on ).

Experience Live Music: Portland is favorite stop for touring indie bands thanks to unique spots such as the .

Take an Art Walk: Celebrate art at First Thursday in the Pearl and , when galleries and shops serve beer and wine and street vendors show off their wares.

Fulfill Your Foodie Dreams: From pizza and poutine at , Portland sates your cravings.

THE THREE-DAY BEST OF PORTLAND

Portland has a lot to offer, and it can be hard to pack all of the citys charms into a weekend. Stick to one area a day and you can save money by skipping a rental caryou can access most of these places using public transportation or your own two feet.

DAY 1

Start your day with a hearty brunch downtown at Tasty n Alder to prepare yourself for some walking. Fill up on French toast, charcuterie, and Bloody Marys, and dont forget to try the chocolate potato doughnuts.

When youve had your fill, head to Pioneer Courthouse Square, where you can meet up with the Best of Portland Walking Tour to learn about the city. Continue your education at the Oregon Historical Society, where you can see the very penny that decided the fate of Portlands name. Or pop over to the Portland Art Museum, which is just steps away and the home of more than 240,000 square feet of art.

For a quick lunch, head over to the food cart pod at SW Alder Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, where youll find a variety of delicious options.