Portland Oregon – Keeping it Weird!
Portland, Oregon is the place to go with its magnificent green areas to keep you hiking within the city, river sports, the fantastic food scene, and vintage shops, in a setting with Mount Hood in the background. If you are looking to stay 1 day or 3 days in Portland Oregon there is something for everyone in this eclectic west coast city.My recent visit to Stumptown made an impression with its still-growing food scene. While some say it can be rainy at times, I found it manageable. They say you can tell a tourist if they are carrying an umbrella.
Portland is probably more overlooked than Seattle to the north, but there are many great places to see in town, including a burgeoning food truck scene offering various food types, coffee shops, microbreweries, and more. The city has a great walkway along the waterfront and many bike paths. Portland is a bit unique or as they say, “Keep Portland Weird” with an eclectic mix of stores, parks, and art scene. I don’t think I have been to a city with more of a concentration of food trucks in numerous food truck blocks throughout the city.
Portland has the largest bookstore and the smallest park in the country. It truly is an eclectic mix. I loved the many great cafes, donut shops, and restaurants. While not a drinker, they also say they have the most microbreweries in the country.
Last, don’t forget to “take a pic” of the Portland Oregon, “White Stag” lit sign. It is a national landmark in the Old Town area of town.
Read more: 3 Days in Portland Oregon: For Foodies and Adventurers that love to keep it weird!Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Travels of Sarah Fay is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.
A Brief History of Portland
Portland Oregon is the state’s largest city with a population of 635,000 (2022) and the metro area totals 2.2 million people and became a city in 1851. The city was founded on what was previously known as “The Clearing” by American, British, and Canadian fur traders, trappers, and settlers. It was located on the west bank of the Willamette River. The Willamette and Columbia Rivers come together at the northern part of the city making it an important stop on the rivers. This made the city good for docking with its deep water. The river is great for water sports like kayaking too. Later in1859, Oregon became the 33rd state of the US in the country’s Pacific Northwest region.
The city has many nicknames including The Rose City which dates back to 1888 by visitors to the Episcopal Church Convention held in Portland. Other nicknames include Stumptown, when trees were cut to build new houses, etc. Other nicknames include Portlandia and PDX. People from Portland are known as Portlanders.
Portland has been fortunate to have professional sports including the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA basketball), Portland Winterhawks (junior ice hockey team), and Portland Timbers (Major League Soccer).
Note: The city had negative press after issues in 2021 with George Floyd protests and now more issues with the“unhoused population”. You may see various tents in town in some locations. The city does need to address this issue, but I didn’t feel it to be a problem for me while I visited. I did notice that some tents came down during the day. But the nearby areas like the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood took my mind off of it. Portland is also known for its wonderful parks and green areas.
How is the Weather in Portland, Oregon?
Portland is known for being a bit rainy, but that is the case for other areas in the Pacific Northwest. It does provide for wonderful waterfalls, green trees, and grasses. Portland does have four seasons, and July and August can be hot and average 80 degrees. Spring and fall seem like perfect weather, I recently went in the spring and while some days can be cool, it was great for bike riding, etc. The coldest times are from December through February, but all average temps remain above freezing. December is also the most rainy month.
Best Time to Visit Portland, Oregon
The best time to visit Portland is in the summer from June through August. But if you want to get the best deals on hotels, beat the crowds, etc., the shoulder season is better. The shoulder season runs from April to June and from September to October. The weather is still a bit cool, but not as hot or busy as the summer. I recently went in the Spring and it was a great time to visit and go outside.
How to get to Portland Oregon
The primary way to get to Portland for many is via the international airport or a road trip through the state. Many highways are available.
- Portland International Airport (Code- PDX) – I found PDX a very manageable airport and there are direct flights with reasonable prices. The airport is 11 miles from downtown and costs about $35 via Uber/Lyft. Notably, PDX is a nickname for the city too.
- Roads – There are major highways in and out of Portland so you can drive, which is one way to see the wonderful forests, mountains, etc. The three interstate highways are I-5, I-84 and I-205.
- Train – Another great way into Portland is via the Amtrak train. On this trip, I took the train from San Francisco via Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Train. There was great scenery of the coast, mountains, etc. I loved eating in the dining car on the train. What a great experience! (I later flew back home from PDX.)
How to get around Portland Oregon
The Portland area, especially the old town, is rather compact and easy to get around walking, and there is public bus transportation. Parking can be tough if you plan to rent a car, especially in older parts of the town. We found that some hotels and garages charge $40+ to park. Remember to keep your valuables in the car hidden, since petty crime can be an issue.
- Bikes / Scooters / Rental Cars:
- Walking: Depending on where you are staying, you may be able to walk around part of the city, depending on your interests. The city also has many eBikes and great bike paths.
- Public Transportation: Portland has a good public transportation system, including TriMet buses, Max Light Rail, Portland Streetcars, and even the Aerial Tram (a good way to view the city).
- Uber / Lyft: Both ride services are available in Portland.
Best Things To Do in Portland Oregon
There is so much to do depending on your interests, from visiting museums and eating delicious food to visiting the beautiful green parks and nature that’s in the city. Plus, there are many day trips from Portland such as Mount Hood, Columbia Gorge, the Oregon Coast, and Bend Oregon.
- Food Tour: There are numerous food tours in Portland, including some specialty ones. I took an eBike food tour. It was a great way to see some of the city and riverfront, as well as eat along the ride. My favorite stop was the Hawthorne Asylum on our Cycle Portland food tour.
- Walking Tours: There are both free tours and paid tours. It’s a great way to learn more about the area, especially the history and culture of the city. If you want to do a 2 hr free tour, which is based off of donations Secrets of Portlandia is a tour great for those on a budget. However, there is also a promising one called the Soul of the City that I found on GetYourGuide for $29 USD.
- Hop on hop off bus tour– In many cities, I like to take a hop on hop off bus tour that helps especially with no car. This time I did have a 2024 Mazda CX-50 (#MazdaUSA) car so I didn’t take the tour bus. The tour is run by Gray Line and they have two main tours one that goes around the city, and one that goes along the Columbia River Gorge to the waterfalls.
- River sports: Kayaking or canoeing. Another unique option is to take a Yacht Tub, an immersion into a personal floating spa on the river via a yacht.
Places to See and Experience in Portland Oregon
Powell’s Bookstore – Visit the largest bookstore in America. They have a great selection of new, used, and rare books and a great cafe if you need a good cup of joe. Powell’s also hosts author events. www.powells.com
Visit The World’s Smallest Park and Other Green Spaces in Portland
Portland has great green areas in its 200+ parks. Some to visit include Tom McCall Waterfront Park(near the White Stag sign), Mill’s End Park – the World’s Smallest Park (1 tree), Cathedral Park & Saint Johns Bridge. I also loved biking along the Waterfront Eastbank Esplanade for amazing views of the Portland Skyline.
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is a 12-acre traditional Japanese garden in the Washington Park neighborhood. It has 8 different garden types and an authentic Japanese Tea House. Note to check the operating hours. The urban oasis was to promote peace and healing after World War II. Tickets approx. $22 www.japanesegarden.org
International Rose Test Garden
Started in 1975, between May and October, the IRTG has over 10,000 bushes in bloom with over 610 different rose types. The purpose of the garden was to test new varieties. It is only 1 of 6 testing facilities for the American Rose Society (ARS). It is free to enter and near the Japanese Garden.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
The garden opened in September 2000 with the assistance of artisans from Suzhou China, Portland’s sister city. It is reported to be the most authentic garden outside of China. They do have various events, self-guided tours, and a tea house. Prices range from $13-16 and kids are free under 5 years old. www.lansugarden org
Oregon Historical Society Museum
Founded in 1898 it houses many historical facts and items regarding the state’s history, including the penny from the “naming of the city”. This is great if you want to learn more about Oregon’s history. It costs $14 a person and kids 17 and under are free. www.ohs.org
Pioneer Courthouse Square
This Pioneer Square is in the heart of the city and is considered the living room of Portland. It is centrally located and has over 300 events for the community each year. www.thesquarepdx.org
Vintage Stores
The city has various vintage stores. Some include Northwest Union on NW 23rd Street (www.sellwoodunion.com), Red Fox Vintage, and Magpie Vintage.
Visit Great Neighborhoods
Explore the neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon, like the Northwest District, Pearl District, Nob Hill, Sellwood District, etc. You can see some of the housing from earlier periods like craftsman-style homes, etc.
Nearby Longer Day Trips
- Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls and The Vista House – The Columbia Gorge has numerous waterfalls and hikes. Multnomah Falls is the tallest fall on the river gorge at 620 ft and an iconic picture spot. There are several falls and hikes in the area and it’s about 30 miles outside of Portland on I-84. Parking can be tight. The Vista House at Crown Point is an octagonal building. It stands 733 ft above the gorge and you get marvelous views of the river, mountains and landscape, etc. It’s about 5 miles from Multnomah Falls.
- Tour the Oregon’s Coast – Either see a few cities like Cannon Beach (80 miles away), Astoria (90 miles away), or more. See my articles on both towns. It is a reasonable day trip from Portland. There are also guided tours you can take.
- Mount Hood National Forest – Mount Hood is about 70 miles from Portland. While you may want to see it closer, a day trip may be worth it. But remember the scenic loop likely takes 3 hours to go around it, plus check in advance if the road is open. Mount Hood also offers skiing for you ski buffs, as well as mountain climbing.
- Bend Oregon – If you have more time in the state, you may want to take a day or two to get to Bend Oregon. It is much more unique, with a desert climate with snow-capped mountains in the distance. It was such a unique place and I likely will go back.
Food, Restaurants, and Cafes in Portland, OR
There are many restaurants, food trucks, cafes, and dessert treats in Portland. There are enough restaurants to keep you busy during your 3 days in Portland Oregon. Here are some of the favorites:
- Voodoo Donuts www.voodoodonut.com Try the Maple Bacon Bar
- Pip’s Original Donuts & Chai www.pipsoriginalonline.com
- Artly Coffee (fall in love with the Robot Barista and art) www.artly.coffee
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters (a Stumptown favorite) www.stumptowncoffee.com
- Pine State Biscuits (famous biscuits and gravy) www.pinestatebiscuits.com Try the Reggie Deluxe.
- Pok Pok (Thai Restaurant) www.pokpokrestaurants.com
- Nongs (Thai Restaurant) www.khoamangai.com The Khao Man Gai (chicken & Rice) is a top choice.
- Salt & Straw Ice Cream (small batch flavors) www.saltandstraw.com
- Huber’s Cafe (Established 1879, the oldest restaurant in Portland) www.huber.com
- Caffe Umbria (the lavender with chocolate is awesome) www.caffeumbria.com
- HunnyMilk (great for Brunch) www.hunnymilk.com)
- Von Ebert Brewing (craft brews and scratch kitchen) www.vonebertbrewing.com
- Kells Brew Pub (Irish fare and handcrafted brews www.kellsbrewpub.com
- St. Honore Boulangerie (bakery) www.sainthonorebakery.com
- Lil’ Shalom (Mediterranean food) www.lilshalomrestaurantpdx.com
- Food Pods, also known as Food Trucks – Portland has over 500 food carts located throughout the city in various food pods. Note that they call them food carts.
- Small Pharoah’s Food Truck (lamb gyros, etc.) is located in Midtown Beer Garden located at 431 SW Harvey Milk Street. 27 carts
- Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pod – A food pod with many good food carts, a bar, and clean restrooms. Corner of SE 10th Ave. & 1080 SE Madison Street.
- There are so many throughout the city and some carts are closed on certain days.
Hotels and Accommodations in Portland
Portland is a unique vacation destination with hotels, inns, hostels, and AirBnBs for all budgets. Many can be found at www.booking.com Suggestions for high, medium, and low budgets are below for your 3 days in Portland Oregon stay.
- The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown This hotel is located in the heart of downtown. I was here for a conference and it is a beautiful place for guests and conferences.
- The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton This is voted one of the top hotels in the Pacific Northwest. It is located in the heart of town adjacent to the Willamette River.
- Hotel Lucia is a boutique hotel in downtown and a 10-minute walk to Pioneer Place.
- Northwest Portland Hostel & Guesthouse www.nwportlandhostel.com started in 1998, with 6 buildings on the same block mostly constructed in the late 1800s. There are 32 private rooms, 160 dorm beds, and 2 apartments in various buildings in the Northwest neighborhood. It is well-located and has a Hostel Cafe that offers breakfast, etc. Prices are reasonable and it’s in a great location.
Is Portland, Oregon Safe?
Yes, I felt safe traveling around town. Of course be careful, especially traveling at night, and don’t leave valuables in the car. I felt safe as a solo traveler and solo woman traveler. Also, if you are going out at night you can always take Uber or if you arrive late at the airport.
How long should you stay in Portland, Oregon?
Even if you have a day 1 day to visit Portland, it will give you some understanding of this unique city. I recommend a stay of 1-3 days, depending on your interests. Hikes may take you some time, or if you like a day trip or two to the coast, Mount Hood, etc. then you could add another day or so. I personally recommend staying 3 days in Portland Oregon.
Portland Oregon is a wonderful place to experience more of the wonderful Pacific Northwest. From the amazing food scene, waterfront, green spaces, and mountains in the distance, it should not be missed. I know I will honestly return since I have not seen it all, but I would love to see and experience more of what Stumptown has to offer. Remember, Enjoy the Journey!
Fun Fact about Portland
-Portland is known for its many breweries and is also known as Beervana. Also, Portland’s name was determined by a coin toss in 1845 (how odd or “weird”. Quite a unique place.
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Travels of Sarahfay.com
July 2, 2024
Map of Hotels in Portland, Oregon
