DK Eyewitness - Portland Like a Local: By the People Who Call It Home (Local Travel Guide)

Oregon is famed for its snowcapped volcanoes, dark-green forests, and rugged beaches. And tucked away among all this eye-popping natural beauty, right on the banks of the winding Willamette River, is super-cool Portland. This is a city thats always shaking up the norms, which is no surprise for a place whose unofficial motto is Keep Portland Weird. In fact, while almost every city and state in the US purports to live by one quirky slogan or another, in Portland they really are a kooky bunch. Here youll find rogue taxidermists and bagpipe-playing unicyclists, bondage-wearing bartenders and tattooed comic book fans.

Countless free-spirited folks have been lured here over the years by the promise of such creative self-expression. Actually, theres a well-worn clich about Portlanders: that none of them are actually from Portland. But whether born-and-bred or a transplant, locals are united by their liberal views, unabashed individuality, and laid-back love of life. Theyre also all about community support, whether thats buying from local makers, sampling beers at a craft brewery, or picking up the latest read from an independent bookstores.

No wonder, then, that the city has such a friendly neighborhood feel. And thats where this book takes you. To the hip food cart where folks make friends in the line and the trendy coffee shop serving up locally roasted coffee, to the cozy bars fueling catch-ups over Oregon wines and the board game stores hosting friendly tournaments.

We cant pack all of Portland into these pages, but we can guarantee youll find something special, whether youre a local looking to learn more about your city, or a visitor after inspiration for your first trip. So strap in, and get ready to explore Portlands creative and kooky heart.

Portland | WELCOME TO THE CITY

Liked by the locals

Portland likes to pretend its a large city, but in reality its a small town with big aspirations. Theres a really strong community vibe here and locals try hard to support each other. Plus, put one foot out the door and youre guaranteed to bump into someone you know.

ALEX FRANE, FOOD AND DRINK WRITER

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Portland

THROUGH THE YEAR

Costumed bike rides in summer, foodie festivals in fall, and festive fun in winter theres always something afoot in Portland.

SPRING

ROSES IN BLOOM

Portland lives up to its City of Roses nickname come the spring, when these flowers blossom in parks and along sidewalks, filling the city with color and scent.

SHEBREW

Locals sip craft brews at this festival celebrating female-identified brewers and their beers and ciders. All proceeds go to the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for LGBTQ+ equality.

TIME TO HIKE

As the days get warmer, Portlanders dust off their hiking boots and head to the Columbia River Gorge or Oregon coast to clear the cobwebs on a day hike.