Portland is a place where creativity has no limits — from street art to the pint glass — so no one is really alarmed by dragons racing down the Willamette River.
The annual Portland Dragon Boat Festival is just one way the region shows its originality. Big ideas are always bursting out of this bustling urban core and its surrounding communities. Maybe that’s because there’s so much inspiration wherever you look — in the forests and farms, rivers and rolling hills, skyscrapers and tiny houses, museums and gardens.
So maybe you’re not into dragons. Would paddling a giant pumpkin on Tualatin Lake be more your speed? Perhaps you’d prefer riding in an aerial tram above the city skyline? Or watch an artist in action? You could also take in creative flavors with a farm-fresh feast. There’s nothing quite like the Portland Region, and we like it that way. Here are some suggestions to best enjoy the City of Roses and beyond.
Portland 101
It’s been called the City of Roses, the City of Bridges, Rip City, Portlandia and Beervana. As this wealth of nicknames suggests, Portland has much to offer. Here’s our primer to get you exploring.
Artists Transform Portland’s Blank Walls
Portland lays claim to around 1,000 outdoor pieces, diverse in medium and inspiration. But the Forest for the Trees stands out, with a grassroots ethos and an emphasis on contemporary work.
A Hub for Makers
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Art Design Portland (ADX), a collaborative space at the center of Portland’s crafty maker movement, where the do-it-yourself spirit thrives.
“Our rain is the paint that makes the land lush and the folks unique.” – Esperanza Spalding
The Vineyard and Valley Tour Route
Handpicked produce, carefully crafted wines and bucolic beauty will tempt you at every turn on this 57-mile route through the Tualatin Valley, an easy side trip from the Portland metro area.
Farmlandia Farm Loop Tour
Portland’s urban buzz is surpassed only by its proximity to pastoral beauty. When you’re yearning to explore the tranquil countryside, check out the Farmlandia Farm Loop, where you’ll find farms, wineries and vineyards celebrating Oregon’s rural life and bounty.
Sipping Guide to Forest Grove
Forest Grove has quietly vaulted onto the GPS of craft-beverage quaffers in its own right. First-time visitors may be surprised to learn that the city’s sipping spots include the nation’s top brewer of saké, well-known craft beer and hard cider labels and two distilleries.
