Portland, Oregon’s largest city, boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation, with the snow-capped peak of Mt Hood always within view. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, the city claims a rose garden as one of its biggest attractions and has a leisurely pace and friendly locals as well as lots of national travel deals. It is also the nation’s microbrew capital.
Getting there
Portland International Airport is situated beside the Columbia River, eight kilometers north of the city center by rental car to Portland. A light rail system (MAX Tri-Met) runs to and from the airport every 15 minutes, taking 38 minutes. By rail, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train connects Portland with Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The journey between Portland and Seattle takes about four hours, depending on the train. Portland is also served by Greyhound buses, with approximately the same journey time.
For those travelling by car rental, I-5 runs to Portland from the north (Seattle), and continues south as far as San Diego. I-84 runs comes in from the east (Salt Lake City). Meanwhile, I-405 arcs around the west and south of downtown Portland, and I-205 bypasses the city to the east. US26 is a smaller road heading west, to the coast.
Key attractions
Portland’s attraction is its relaxed atmosphere, with activities including strolling along shops, sipping warm drinks at sophisticated coffee shops, savoring fine ethnic cuisine, and sampling beers at the distinctive microbreweries. Chinatown boasts colorful wooded gates opening into a neighborhood dating from the 1880’s.
The International Rose Test Garden is the city’s most popular attraction, offering more than 500 varieties of roses that have been cultivated since 1917. Another beautiful sight, the Japanese Garden is the most authentic outside of Japan. Burnside Bridge is home to the famous Saturday Market, where artisans and craftspeople from all over the northwest sell their unique creations.
Out and about
The city’s surrounding areas are well worth exploring. Within an hour or two by rental car in Portland, you can find sights such as the beaches of the Pacific; Mount Hood, a dormant volcano; the Mount St Helens blast zone; and Oregon, with its wine country. Just 45 minutes outside of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is home to over 70 waterfalls, with Multnomah Falls being Oregon’s tallest. Nearby, Hood River is one of the world’s premier windsurfing destinations.
Leisure options
Tom McCall Waterfront Park stretches along the Willamette River and is popular with joggers and in-line skaters. The northwest section of downtown is a trendy place filled with pubs, coffee shops and eateries. The eastern part of this section, the Pearl District, is a vivacious neighborhood containing art galleries, interior design shops and trendy restaurants. Portland has more brew pubs and microbreweries than any other city in the United States.
Safety
visitors should remain alert for potential dangers when driving car rental across great distances. Additionally, outdoor pursuits can put you at risk of accidents. While visiting Portland and searching for national travel deals, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.