Once known as America's best kept secret, Portland is now one of the country's hottest travel destinations. Money magazine recently ranked Portland #2 among Big Cities in which to live in the U.S., and its unique and thriving festivals, outdoors and dining scenes keep it consistently among the travel hotspots.    Portland has the personality of a small community and the activities and vitality of a large city.

With moderate temperatures and varied and beautiful terrain, Portland is the quintessential outdoor city.  The magnificent waterways overlook the Mount Hood glacier, a backdrop that sets the scene for a spectacular visit at any time of year.   Forest Park offers 40 miles of wilderness trails, streams and woods within the city limits. Hiking, biking and exploring opportunities are always close at hand. Smith and Bybee Lakes display stunning wildlife and have great flatwater paddling in America's largest protected wetland within a city. Just a short drive away, is magnificent Multnomah Falls, the nation's second-highest year-round waterfall. For a mellower outdoors experience, visit one of the city's stunning gardens: the Leach Botanical, Classical Chinese, Japanese, or Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens.

The Portland Art Museum showcases impressive touring exhibitions and permanent collections of American, European, Asian, Native American and contemporary art.  View area history from an environmental point of view at the Hoyt Arboretum, where  trees and plants are protected and nourished for the enjoyment of future generations. For families, there is also the Portland Zoo, the Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

For a change of pace, be sure to visit the numerous gourmet coffee shops, Powell’s City of Books with more than a million volumes, the Brew ‘N View Movie Theaters where comfortable couches, pizza, and beer accompany the movies, the local gardens and galleries:  all of which made Portland famous.

Finally, don't leave Portland without sampling some fine local fare. The region’s renowned seafood, berries, pears, cherries, hazelnuts, wild game and vegetables of all kinds inspired noted chef and Portland native, James Beard.   This in turn laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to fine cooking, simple menus and fresh ingredients.  The tradition continues, and Portland is known for its superb cuisine and exceptional dining.

Culture and art; the Trailblazers and the Hawks; Mount Hood with its tempting menu of year round outdoor activities; fine wines, beers, and restaurants; farmers markets and excellent shopping:  these are just a few of the many reasons to visit and enjoy Portland, Oregon.

Population: 529,121
Time Zone:  Pacific Standard Time
Language:  English

Average Temperatures:

How to Get There:

By Air

Portland International Airport
7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218, 503-944-7000. The airport, located 10 miles east of downtown Portland is served by many of the recognized national and international airlines as well as certain local and regional carriers. 

Ground Transportation
Most of the major car rental companies as well as taxi and limousine service is available both at the airport as well as throughout the city.

By Car
 The major routes to the city are Interstate 5 from the north and south, and Interstate 84 from the east.  I-405 arcs around the west and south of downtown; I-205 bypasses Portland to the east; and U.S. 26 runs west to the Pacific coast.

By Train

Amtrak
800 NW Sixth Ave. Union Station Portland, OR 97209, 800-USA-RAIL

By Bus

Greyhound
550 NW 6TH Ave., Portland OR 97209, 503-243-2310


How to Get Around:

Both walking and public transportation are easy ways to get around this visitor friendly city.  Tri-Met public buses, the MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) light rail system, and the Portland Streetcar are all free within Fareless Square, the area between I-405 on the south and west, Hoyt Street on the north, and the Lloyd Center area, which is also where the convention center is located. 

For schedules and further information call: 503-238-7433

For all activities outside the city, a personal or rental car is recommended.

January

Chinese New Year Celebration
Held in late January – early February, Location:  Classical Chinese Garden, 503-228-8131.
In keeping with over 4,000 years of Chinese tradition, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden welcomes the New Year with an exuberant and colorful celebration. For two weeks, the Garden showcases a number of activities for the whole family which include: lion dances, knot tying and paper cutting crafts, storytelling, martial arts demonstrations, and an art exhibit featuring David Lee. The Garden’s Annual Chinese New Year Plant Sale, its largest plant sale of the year, delights the senses with fragrant orchids, citrus, witch hazel, quince, Chinese paper-bush and more.

March

Spring Beer & Wine Fest
Held in late March, Location: Oregon Convention Center, 503-238-3770. Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest is one of the nation's largest "spring-time" alcoholic events held annually at Easter time and encourages responsible drinking.

St. Patrick’s Irish Festival
Held in mid March, Location: Kells Irish Pub, 503-227-4057.  Kells is host to the annual Portland St. Patrick's Irish Festival, one of the largest on the west coast; a live music filled event for the entire family.

June

Portland Arts Festival
Held in mid June, Location: South Park Blocks, 503-227-2681. The Portland Arts Festival is one of the region’s largest and most significant visual arts events.

July

Oregon Brewers Festival
Held in late July, Location: Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 503-778-5917. The Oregon Brewers Festival features handcrafted beers from 72 of the top craft breweries from around the country. The festival is considered one of the finest craft beer festivals in the nation. Joining the breweries are industry exhibits, vendors, restaurants and live entertainment.

Waterfront Blues Festival
Held in early July, Location: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 503-973-3378. One of the largest blues festival in the U.S., the Annual Waterfront Blues Festival features four days and nights of top name blues acts, workshops, food vendors and more.

August

Homowo Festival of African Arts
Held in early August, Location:  South Park Blocks, 503-288-3025. The annual Homowo Festival of African Arts is a two-day community-wide event featuring jubilant African music and dance performances, food, arts and crafts, storytelling and more.

This ethnic celebration is one of the largest Polish festivals in the Western US.  Included in the festival are rich, homemade, cream-cheese filled pierogies  Polish entrees, soups, pastries and of course kielbasa sausages. The last day concludes with a "Let's Gdansk" street dance.

PICA Time Based Art Festival

Held in mid September

Location: Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

503-242-1419

PICA's annual Time-Based Art Festival brings artists and audiences from around the world to Portland's urban core for 10 days of performance, lectures, workshops, parties and happenings.

October

El Dia de Los Muertos Festival

Held in mid October – mid November

Location: Miracle Theatre, Portland

503-236-7253

Every year, the dead are commemorated in a lively show of dance, music and theatre in Portland's only annual Day of the Dead Celebration. Join everyone for an extraordinary bilingual journey through the traditions of this colorful Mexican festival.

November

Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival

Held in mid November

Location: The Heathman Restaurant

503-292-6871

The French American Chamber of Commerce announces the annual event.  The event celebrates the arrival of the first, fresh “new wine vintage" - the famous Beaujolais Nouveau of the Beaujolais region of France, whose ceremonial uncorking announces the end of the harvest season in the countryside and in the cafes of France.

Tiny Treasures

Held in early – late November

Location:  Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery

503-223-9463

In keeping with the spirit of Christmas by providing exquisite, one-of-a-kind creations; Yoshida's Gallery presents their annual miniature show with work represented by some of the gallery's top-selling artists.

Meier & Frank Holiday Parade

Held in late November

Location: Downtown Portland

503-241-3900

Kick off the holiday season with this annual event for the whole family.

Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto

Held in late November – late December

Location:  The Grotto

503-261-2400

Welcoming visitors annually, this ecumenical lighting and music festival is quite possibly the largest Christmas choral festival of its kind in the world. The Festival features 140 holiday music concerts performed in The Grotto's 600-seat chapel with over 5,000 singers and musicians giving their gift of music during the annual celebration.

December

Annual Holiday Box

Held in early – late December

Location: Portland Window Project

A changing display of desirable art by gallery artists fills the PDX Window Project; the selection rotates frequently.

Handel’s Messiah

Held in mid December

Location: First Baptist Flanagan

503-222-6000

Portland Baroque Orchestra brings audiences home for the holidays with its annual performances of Handel's enduring Messiah.

Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto

Held in late November – late December

Location:  The Grotto

503-261-2400

Welcoming visitors annually, this ecumenical lighting and music festival is quite possibly the largest Christmas choral festival of its kind in the world. The Festival features 140 holiday music concerts performed in The Grotto's 600-seat chapel with over 5,000 singers and musicians giving their gift of music during the annual celebration.

Entertainment:

Artists Repertory Theatre
1516 S.W. Alder St. Portland, OR 97205 ,503-241-1278, Call for performance schedule

BodyVox Contemporary Dance Company
1300 N.W. Northrup St. Portland, OR 97209 ,503-229-0627. Call for performance schedule. Beyond poetry in motion, BodyVox is freewheeling imagination unbound. A fresh, lively blend of bold athleticism and creative choreography.

Chamber Music Northwest
522 S.W. Fifth Ave., Portland, OR 97204, 503-223-3202. Call for performance schedule

Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
5340 N. Interstate Ave. , Portland, OR 97217 ,503-823-4322. Call for performance schedule. The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, a community-based arts center, is committed to creating an environment in which people of every ethnic/cultural background come together as artists and audience to explore, preserve and celebrate their diversity.

Lakewood Center for the Arts
368 S. State St. , Lake Oswego, OR 97034 ,503-635-6338.  Call for performance schedule.

Miracle Theatre Group
425 S.E. Sixth Ave. Portland, OR 97214 ,503-236-7253. Call for performance schedule. Miracle produces a broad array of programming that includes public performances as well as specialized touring and education projects that currently encompass all of the Western states.

Oregon Ballet Theatre
818 S.E. Sixth Ave. Portland, OR 97214 ,503-227-0977, Call for performance schedule.

Oregon Symphony
921 S.W. Washington St. , Portland, OR 97205 ,503-228-4294,  Call for performance schedule.

Portland Baroque Orchestra
1020 S.W. Taylor, Suite 275, Portland, OR 97205 ,503-222-6000. Call for performance schedule.

Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-2999,503-274-6557.Call for performance schedule.

Portland Opera
211 S.E. Caruthers, Portland, OR 97214 ,503-241-1407 ,Call for performance schedule.

Portland Symphonic Choir
921 S.W. Morrison, Portland, OR 97205 ,503-223-1217,Call for performance schedule

Sports

Portland Trailblazers
Profession NBA Basketball - Games played at the Rose Garden, 503-224-4400, Season runs October – April.

Portland Rockies
Minor league baseball - Games played at the Civic Stadium, 503-223-2837, Season runs April – October.

Portland Fire
WNBA Basketball- Games played at the Rose Garden, 503-797-9601. Call for schedule and additional information