As I often find myself saying to my kids – ‘It’s good to be a little bit weird’. I urge them to think for themselves and to avoid following the crowd. In Portland, there are plenty of free thinkers and they’re proud of their weirdness. No wonder it was the setting for one of the weirdest TV shows in recent years – GRIMM (a personal favourite). Despite some recent gentrification with the relocation of big brands such as Adidas, Nike and Intel amongst others, the city retains its bohemian vibe and independent outlook. The city is easy to explore on foot – or bicycle – and it’s difficult to get lost.
At ground level, Portland is not a photogenic city in my opinion! Its industrial past taints it, or maybe that’s what gives Portland its soul, working-class roots with a touch of the adventurous always ready to kick back at the establishment. Take a closer look with an aesthetic eye, and you will find beauty! There are majestic brick buildings; the stunningly intricate iron fire escapes which resplendently adorn multi-storey buildings; the old warehouses recommissioned into corporate headquarters. There are quirky, bohemian fashion outlets, third-wave coffee shops, affordable boutique dining establishments and breweries and bars offering craft beers and local wines.
With so much local produce available in the fertile valleys of Oregon and neighbouring Washington, the food is always fresh and there is a definite move towards localtarianism! In a city full of hipsters you wouldn’t expect anything else really! And there is some splendid experimentation going on with the boutique food establishments! Voodoo Doughnuts offer a spectacular (and constantly evolving) choice of Doughnuts, and Salt and Straw do the same with ice-cream; these are just two examples of the ‘it’s good to be weird’ attitude that you find in all aspects of Portland life.
Getting There
AIR – at the time of writing, the direct flights from London into Portland have been suspended. This may change in 2021 onwards. But Portland is easily accessible via numerous gateway airports including Seattle, Vancouver, Chicago, Los Angeles plus many more.
RAIL – Portland is served by Amtrak’s Cascades line linking Portland to Seattle, Vancouver (Canada), Salem and Eugene, with connections down to California and across to Chicago.
CAR – Portland is well connected by road with Interstate 5 linking Portland with north and south from Seattle to San Diego, and Interstate 84 connecting with the South East. Just a short 3-4 hour drive from Seattle Airport which is well connected by direct services to the UK.
BUS – Portland is connected by most major cities (changes likely) with excellent and affordable Greyhound Bus services.
Where to Stay
Hotels – There is a wide range of boutique and stylish hotels in Portland as well as mid-range and budget options. If you you are touring and looking for affordable options, your best bet would be to stay on the outskirts of the city, but for those who want to get a bit closer to that Portland weirdness then a couple of nights downtown is definitely recommended.
HEATHMAN HOTEL – an iconic, historical hotel, founded in 1927; the Heathman is more recognisable these days for its association with the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise – the only hotel to feature in the book and the films.
THE BENSON HOTEL – built in 1913 as a statement piece, with a flourishing European style, featuring Italian marble floors, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and Russian walnut wood; this hidden gem exudes elegance and charm yet still manages to offer all modern convenience.
HOTEL LUCIA – well-positioned in the heart of the city, Hotel Lucia is home to an expansive photography collection and offers comfortable accommodation in stylish surrounds. Fine dining is always available at The Imperial – one of Portland’s top restaurants or for a more chilled dining experience, The Crown pub offers pizza and beer!
KIMPTON HOTEL MONACO – with a personality to match the city, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland has its own eccentric boutique style with a touch of class thrown in! Located in the heart of downtown, it offers chic accommodation with modern amenities.
Getting About
Portland is a fairly safe and compact city, so getting around on foot is easy if you are based downtown. A train runs from Portland Airport to the city which takes 40 minutes and costs just $2.50 (at time of publication). There are literally hundreds of miles of cycle lanes/paths in Portland so it is easy to saddle up and explore the downtown area as well as the banks of the River Willamette and the surrounding suburbs.
Weather
The pacific coastal climate brings a fair amount of rain to the city – so having an umbrella on hand is always a good idea. The summers are warm with highs averaging in the mid-20s (celsius) and mostly dry, whilst the spring and autumn are generally mild and seem to meld seamlessly into the grey damp winter months.
The Outdoors
The spectacular scenery that surrounds the city and is only minutes away offers every type of outdoor activity, including hiking, climbing, cycling, white-water-rafting, horse-riding plus much more.
Tours and excursions
Explore beautiful central Portland and sample some of the city’s iconic brews on this afternoon bike tour. Accompany your expert guide on a leisurely bike ride to several classic Portland microbreweries, including Lucky Lab and Rogue, for some fun and informative beer tasting.
Take a spin around the City of Roses with this bike tour of essential Portland. Pedal through the city’s historic Old Town, along the river on the Waterfront Esplanade, through the Park Blocks with their many green spaces and the hip Pearl District. Learn about the spirit of Portland from knowledgeable guides as you see the city as many of the locals do—by bike.
Washington Park
For a break from the urban jungle – Washington Park, located near the Arlington Heights neighbourhood, offers tranquility and charm, with several gardens – including the International Rose Test Garden and the unmissable Japanese Garden. Other attractions include Hoyt Arboretum, Oregon Zoo and Portland Children’s Museum.
Resources
Travel Portland – tourism information
Travel Oregon – state information
