Portland Hotels and City Guide

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Portland is one lively city. Well known for the many festivals it hosts throughout the year, you’ll find it to be a great place to explore and enjoy the sites it offers. Portland is filled with natural beauty. The rivers that run through it have given it the nickname Bridge City. Although there are only eight, the bridges add a wonderful touch to the city’s skyline. The most stunning view though is of the Mount Hood glacier. During the winter, this glacier becomes a snow lovers dream vacation spot. Throughout the year, it stands as a fantastic backdrop for Portland. One of the many scenic sites in Portland is the amazing Multnomah Falls. Standing at over 600 feet, this waterfall is a great demonstration of natural power. Although a large city, you’ll be able to make your way around quite easily. This city has nature on its mind and has a great reputation for being clean and green. The transit system is no exception. And to top it off, you can get a free ride when you’re in the appropriately named Fareless Square.

There are many great parks, public squares, and walkways throughout the city. The Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park is located along the Willamette River. It’s a great place to go for a stroll or catch one of the many festivals that call it home. The Chinese Gardens spread over a city block and is filled with beautiful landscapes and ponds. Forest Park has over eight miles of wilderness trails all within the city limits. Filled with streams and natural beauty there is lots to see and do here. Other great parks worth exploring are the Leach Botanical and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens. A fantastic site worth seeing is only a short drive away from Portland. The Multnomah Falls is the nation's second-highest year-round waterfall. And even though the drop is 620 feet, the cold winter air can freeze the water into a huge icicle. And for those who love to fish, the area surrounding Portland is well known to have a fantastic selection of trout and sturgeon. Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, also known as Portland's Living Room, is a beautiful area where the locals and visitors come to enjoy a nice day outside. You’ll find two interesting art sculptures here. The bronze statue, titled Allow Me, is a businessman holding an umbrella who welcomes you to the square. The other is a unique Weather Machine. The square also acts as a music venue. You can enjoy a concert, sitting on its steps, which create an amphitheatre. There are buskers around to entertain as well.

In the 1900s you’d want to avoid the Shanghai Tunnels, but today you can explore these infamous passageways. Also known as the Portland Underground, these alleys connected the basements of the hotels and bars in the area. Those who chose to walk here took the chance of being drugged, kidnapped and sold to ships needing slaves to help with their loads. But don’t worry. Today the tunnels are open for tours with no ships in sight. Not too interested in retracing the steps of the unlucky? Portland has many fantastic galleries worth seeing. The Portland Art Museum has the honor of being the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1892, it holds an impressive collection of 32,000 works of art covering 240,000 sq. feet.

There’s no excuse not to go shopping in Portland. They have no sales tax. That’s right, no sales tax. With all that money you’ll be saving, make your way to the Pearl District for the high-end fashions. It’s also the place to find a fantastic restaurant and explore funky art galleries. You’ll find lots of great shops considering it covers 50 city blocks. If you’re here during the summer months, make your way to the Cultural District where you’ll find a huge farmers market. Enjoy tasting fresh cheese and fruits as you make your way around this fantastic site. Prefer to have your food cooked for you? No worries. Portland has a wealth of amazing restaurants. Whether it’s a light lunch, appetizers and dessert or a full out dinner, you won’t be short on options. Enjoy a great meal with a local wine to make it the perfect experience.

Portland has something for everyone to enjoy. Choose to explore the natural beauty and visit the beautiful gardens located throughout the city. Go for a stroll along the Waterfront or through one of the many great shopping districts. Explore its history and learn how Portland is moving forward with ‘green’ on its mind. With all these options, this fantastic city has everything you’d like for a great holiday.