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Overview of Portland, Oregon
A city of discreet, laid back, and quiet charms, Portland is a great place for your next vacation destination. This "City of Roses" is just that- a city of matural beauty, wonder, and elegance. It's year round moderate climate also contributes to a soothing and comfortable visit. But this is also a city filled with modern amenities as well. You'll love the recreation, attractions, and events available, as well as the city's fabulous restaurants, shopping, tours, nightlife, and hotels. Seattle may be the big and bustling neighbor, but Portland is a beauty unto itself, and a West Coast jewel not to be missed!
PORTLAND HOTELS
Whatever your lodging preferences, your vacation schedule, and your wallet size, Portland offers an incredible variety of hotels to choose from. And location is never a worry with great hotels, inns, motels, and bed and breakfasts in every section of the city. Downtown has hotels that offer historic charm as well as modern amenities and style. While these accommodations are conveniently located, prices can run a bit higher in this area. If you don't mind a bit of travel time, more moderately priced hotels can be found near the airport, and in the city's closest outskirts. Bed and breakfasts are abundant near the heart of Portland, offering charm and convenience with a lower price tag. As for prices, hotels here run the price range gamut, with everything from presidential suite, to family friendly, and right down to bare basics with one bed. Finding a great place to stay is snap with Portland hotels, and we'll help you get that perfect room for the perfect vacation.
PORTLAND RECREATION
Although laid back in attitude, the city of Portland offers a wide range of recreation. For those outdoor enthusiasts, you'll find biking and hiking, fishing and boating, wind surfing and sailing, horseback riding and world-class golf. With Mount Hood only minutes away, and the Willamette River and Pacific Ocean Beaches readily accessible, there's always great recreation to be found. You'll also find incredible opportunities for activities within any of the city's numerous parks and gardens. And with the region's relatively mild climate, Portland recreation has something everyone year round. You'll get your body moving, and love every minute of it!
PORTLAND RESTAURANTS
In recent years Portland has gained a new reputation for itself: as home to the some of the West Coast's finest restaurants. With numerous sections f the city boasting everything from five-star dining to low-cost ethnic restaurants, you're never far from a great meal in Portland. Seafood here is about as fresh as it gets, but you'll also find a wealth of world cuisines to sample, as well as some of the newest trends in culinary creativity. And no meal here is complete without having a glass of any of the region's fabulous wines. Portland restaurants will be a highlight of your vacation.
PORTLAND ATTRACTIONS
Just knowing that this city's nickname is “The City of Roses” tells much about its attractions. While you will find fantastic art museums, stunning modern and historic architecture and sights, what is obviously most abundant are its natural wonders. From the peaks of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean, the serenity and beauty of both the nationally recognized Japanese and Chinese gardens, to the majesty of Columbia Gorge, Portland is overrun in natural attractions. This is a city that loves and nurtures its landscape, while still showcasing it's history and resources. Portland attractions are unexpected treasures in a natural wonderland!
PORTLAND TOURS
With so much to offer each and every visitor, Portland offers great tours to make sure they get it all! Year round services accommodating every interest, group size, price range, and schedule, you'll always find the perfect tours for your vacation. And whether you prefer to travel by boat, trolley, bus, bi-plane, or on foot, you'll get more than pictures- you'll get stories for a lifetime. Why just take see the sights when you can get the whole experience? Portland tours are the only way to go. But make your plans soon as many of these companies require advance reservations.
PORTLAND SHOPPING
Whether you're a mission shopper or a casual browser, you'll find it all shopping in Portland. Everyone starts at the Saturday Market, just because that's what everyone in the city does. But if you feel the need for name brands and mass produced merchandise, Portland has plenty of big shopping to enjoy. From downtown to the Columbia Gorge, just about every price, and item can be found. Shopping will never be the same for you again once you've done the retail in this city. Keep at least two days set aside for all the great retail adventures you'll find with Portland shopping.
PORTLAND EVENTS
With such a great climate, so many resources, and people that love to party, Portland knows how to put on a celebration. And few cities offer such a grand variety of fabulous events. With year round festivals, showcases, fairs, concerts, activities, and holiday festivities, Portland is always happening. From state-of-the-art conventions to world-class performing arts, music festivals to spectator sports, every interest, schedule, and price range is accommodated. And every season has its own list of amazing events. No one shows its visitors a better time, and no city can claim the same excitement as offered by Portland events.
PORTLAND NIGHTLIFE
For a medium sized city, Portland offers a huge amount of great nightlife options to choose from. Whether you prefer live bands, disco DJ's or the symphony, your music needs will be more than met here. And for entertainment, try first-class comedy clubs, touring Broadway shows, or live classical theater nightly. Of course great city nightlife wouldn't be complete without bars, pubs, and dance clubs, and Portland delivers here in grand style. Every section of the city seems to have a great watering hole and dance floor. Whatever your passion, stamina, speed, and price range, Portland nightlife has a fantastic night for you!
Portland offers the best of natural and man-made, old and new, and your best vacation ever. Get to Portland!
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Portland attractions are as distinctive as the region's wines, and just as much a pleasure. You won't find giant amusement or water parks or mega mall shopping/entertainment complexes. But you will find a city that believes its own natural resources more than suffice for great attractions. This “City of Roses” is all about gardens and parks, flora and fauna. Touring the city's Japanese and Chinese Gardens alone will fill two to three days of your trip. Other great natural attractions include Elk Rock, Washington Park, and the Riverfront Park. For those seeking attractions of the strictly man-made variety try the Steel Bridge, the Pioneer Courthouse, and the one-of-a-kind spiritual experience offered at the Grotto. Of course there are numerous other museums and historic sights, and we haven't room to list them here. But check out our list of just a few of our favorite Portland attractions, and then get set for wonder!...click here for a list of Portland Attractions.
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Portland restaurants are a big delight in this mid-sized city, and dining here is often a culinary adventure. Many of the city's neighborhoods provide clusters of restaurants to choose from, with a great variety of prices and menus. You'll find some of the trendiest dining in the city's Pearl District, in ultra cool renovated warehouse spaces. Prices are a bit higher here, and the menus much more experimental, so you are in for some epicurean surprises. Other great neighborhoods to explore for great dining include the Nob Hill area along Northwest 21st Avenue. For less expensive restaurants, without sacrificing quality and variety, definitely cruise along Northeast Broadway in the Irvington area. And, for some of the hottest spots to get a bite try the Sellwood neighborhood in Southeast Portland. But the city is dotted with every kind of cuisine, price, and experience you could look for at mealtime. Portland restaurants are waiting to give you a great gustatory time!...click here for a list of Portland Restaurants.
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Portland events will take your vacation over the top. Month in and month out, this city has a calendar filled with incredible events, activities, and festivities. The city's climate and amenities lend themselves beautifully to celebrations and occasions of every kind. Portland hosts several music and art festivals both indoors and out. Some of our favorite annual festivals include the Hillsboro Marketplace Tuesday in June, and the Music Fest in September. And, for some one-of-a-kind sporting events check out the World Sport Kite Championship competition in June and the Tony Hawke Boom Boom Huck Jam in July. Other must-attends are the International Pinot Noir celebration in July, and the UFO Festival in May. Oh, and the holiday seasons brings with it numerous concerts, activities, and celebrations as well. The Polar Express train rides are fun for kids of all ages. What are you waiting for? You won't want to miss a moment of any of the fantastic Portland events....click here for a list of Portland Events.
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Portland hotels will make finding the right place to stay at the right price the easiest part of planning your vacation. You'll discover numerous hotels just waiting to take your reservations. If convenience is important for your trip, then the downtown area is a great place to start. With everything from historic inns to ultra sleek modern high-rises, just pick your favorite style. Prices can be higher here, especially during weekdays. Look for weekend stay packages to help lower the price tags. If you want to pay even less, try areas such as the airport, Hillsboro, Gresham, and Lake Oswego for more moderately priced accommodations, and only a bit more travel time to the sights. Another lower priced but still convenient option is bed and breakfast lodging, with Irvington being a nearby area with a number of addresses to choose from. But, perfect hotels can be found throughout the city, and Portland hotels offer all the best options....click here for a list of Portland Hotels.
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Portland nightlife has some incredible nights just waiting for you to pull up a seat. Whether your nightlife favorites include entertainment, pumping up your adrenaline, or just kicking back and relaxing, this city has your favorite night in mind. With some of the country's best classical music, dance, live theater and opera, Portland is a performing arts lover's dream-come-true. Touring Broadway shows also make their way to Portland on a regular basis. The city's Center for the Performing Arts is the busiest entertainment venue in town. If live music is more your speed, you can enjoy jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, the blues, and more on a nightly basis. And for the club crawlers and bar hoppers out there, nightlife was never better than in Portland. Dance floors, discos, pubs, bars, lounges, and karaoke clubs are easily found and readily enjoyed. Variety is the spice of a fabulous night, and Portland nightlife has every flavor. We've listed just a few of our favorites for you to enjoy....click here for a list of Portland Nightlife activities.
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Portland recreation offers a plethora of play for every visitor. Whether you like your recreation indoors or out, fast or slow, wet or dry, Portland has some great action for you. Many come to he city because of its proximity to Mount Hood. Averaging over 345 days a year of great skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, and the mountain draws millions each year. For those seeking the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, this natural wonder is also minutes from the heart of the city. Within Portland, look for great recreation at some of the country's best golf courses and tennis courts. And with numerous parks and green spaces to frolic in with the family, the moderate climate can be enjoyed almost year round. Or take to the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, or the Smith and Bybee lakes for fishing, kayaking, and boating. Portland recreation abounds in all of the city's natural and man-made wonders....click here for a list of Portland Recreation activities.
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Portland tours offer the chance to go beyond ordinary sightseeing; they take you to the best in the best ways possible. Numerous types of tours are available and awaiting your reservations to join the adventures. Many visitors like to start with the city's popular trolley rides along the Willamette River. History buffs love the guided walks, both above and belowground. Don't miss the creepy but fascinating Underground Walking Tours showing the darker and dangerous side to Portland's past. Other all-time favorites are the regional winery trips with many offering daylong excursions complete with wine tastings and samplings, on-site meals. or even picnics. Seeing the city and region by water is easily done with any of the numerous river cruises available. And for the truly adventurous, take to the skies in an old fashioned bi-plane. However you want to see whatever you want to see Portland tours truly deliver the perfect vacation....click here for a list of Portland Tours.
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