Portland, Oregon

To spend a weekend exploring another Northwest city, head 180 miles south to Portland, Oregon. A three-hour drive, straight down I-5, will bring you to the city on the edge of the Willamette River known for its roses, forested parks, relaxed atmosphere and microbreweries. Portland gives off a small town feel but it is home to world-class restaurants, hotels, festivals and cultural events that engage many of its residents and attract visitors from up and down the west coast. From May through September, Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette is the center of activity, hosting everything from a Cinco de Mayo celebration and the Rose Festival to Oregon Symphony concerts and a microbrew fest.

Close to the waterfront, under the Burnside Bridge, is Portland's Saturday Market. A city tradition for more than 20 years, Saturday Market is where vendors and artisans sell their handmade artwork in the form of jewelry, pottery, sculptures, clothing, photography and lampshades, among other one of a kind treasures. Rain or shine, the market is open each weekend from March to December 24. Shoppers can take delight in the fact that Saturday Market and the state of Oregon are sales tax free. Upscale chains and department stores, as well as fashionable boutiques, can be found in the commercial district near Pioneer Square or across the river at the state's largest mall, Lloyd Center. Book fiends should flock to the mecca of all bookstores with a trip to Powell's City of Books. This bookstore takes up a block of downtown on NW Burnside and is a legend in the independent book selling business. On rainy afternoons readers shuffle through the aisles of books for new and used finds.

Portland is known for having more microbreweries and brewpubs than any other city in the world. And this beer town has been referred to as the "epicenter of America's craft brewing movement" with nearly 30 microbreweries thriving in the area.

While other large cities tore down their old buildings to construct skyscrapers and more modern structures, Portland chose to restore and protect its historic buildings. A walk around downtown is a good opportunity to view the detailed architecture preserved from the turn of the last century. The Old Town district and the city's grand hotels are rich in the history of Portland's founding days.

As the Willamette River runs through Portland, it divides the city into its east and west sides. Neighborhoods on either side have distinctive characters and attractions to be. Portland's eastside is home to the funky, bohemian district of Hawthorne and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, better known as OMSI. OMSI is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring exhibits or watching IMAX films in the OMNIMAX dome. The westside of Portland is home to the Pearl and Northwest districts. The Pearl is a rejuvenated industrial area now populated by luxury flats and townhouses, the trendiest of Portland bars and restaurants in addition to upscale shops and art galleries. The area is a popular spot on "First Thursday's" when nearby galleries are open late. West of the Pearl is the Northwest neighborhood, full of historic old homes, and vibrant activity on the streets of NW 23rd and 21st. The Northwest blocks are popular for their restaurants serving international fair with regional twists, wine bars and funky, eclectic shops.

The West Hills above the Northwest neighborhood are home to an urban wilderness, internationally acclaimed gardens and a zoological park. Nearly 5,000 acres of wild land are preserved in Forest Park, the largest wilderness park in a U.S. city, where 74 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails wind their way through woodland streams and forests sometimes rising to bluffs with panoramic views of mountains: Hood, St. Helens and Adams. The southern edge of Forest Park is boarded by Washington Park, home to the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Oregon Zoo. Visitors can enjoy a picnic or leisurely stroll through the rose garden in June or July when the flowers are in full bloom. One walk through this beautiful garden, and it's easy to understand why Portland is called the City of Roses. In the fall, the Japanese Garden is a spectacular spot to behold the dramatic color of maple leaves and other flora, all carefully manicured in this tranquil environment. And year round, the Oregon Zoo is a fun place to view an international collection of rare and endangered species.

Portland has many attractions within its urban boarders and is also an ideal starting point for day trips to the wineries of Willamette Valley or to explore the scenic Columbia River Gorge, with its waterfalls and hiking trails.

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