Portland Overview

The City of Roses, one of the United States' most livable cities, is a melting pot of ideas and wonder. From majestic mountains to sparkling waters, sumptuous restaurants to unlimited culture, lively entertainment to high-tech industry, Portland is unforgettable.

Districts

Portland is an eclectic metropolis, where sophisticated and alternative styles coexist peacefully. Visitors find a medium-sized city known for its friendliness, rich culture, and variety of outdoor pursuits. A temperate climate, thriving economy and close proximity to both the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains are among the many reasons Portland has garnered high rankings on "most livable city" lists.

Entertainment

Strolling around downtown Portland can be entertaining in itself, with the diverse multitude of entertainment and culture. You will find a festival, event, or performance every week of the year; a ballet theater that impressed New York critics; an NBA team; more than 70 galleries; a thriving local music scene, and more. Finding entertainment in Portland is never a problem, and with each choice you learn a little more about the city.

Stand in the heart of downtown Portland and glance around you. Beautiful fountains form graceful arcs against some of the nation’s best architecture. A street musician may serenade you as you step off the MAX, holding tickets to a Broadway musical. Portland is an art haven and its nurturing environment has inspired countless creative minds.

The mother of all Portland festivals, the Rose Festival is still going strong. The Grand Floral Parade is by far the most famous attraction, but children also love the Waterfront Village amusement park at Waterfront Park. During Fleet Week, you can tour a fleet of U.S. and Canadian Navy ships. Amid the hubbub, be sure to stop and smell the roses at the kaleidoscopic rose show.

No trip to Portland is complete without visiting the Saturday Market. You are sure to find something to pique your interest with more than 300 booths of unique art, crafts, and gadgets. For more than 20 years, this seasonal outdoor market has featured handmade items and tasty treats. The street performers and characters that assemble here provide the ultimate show, so grab some falafel, settle down by Skidmore Fountain, and enjoy.

Dining and Drinking

When the folks in Bridgetown congregate at one of their many waterfront festivals, amazing things can be found in the center of the throng. Booths and tents dispense steaming fragrant coffees, wines are offered from a valley so rich and perfect it rivals the finest vineyards of France, and there are fun takes on old food favorites. Microbrew, a craft this town almost single-handedly made popular in the United States, is much more than simple beer, it is beer with a pedigree. No matter what brings you to “Puddletown," do not leave without sampling at least one or two of the following suggested establishments. With more restaurants per capita than nearly any other city in the United States, you simply cannot say you have been to Portland without enjoying a taste.

Where To Stay

From the Victorian air of the Northwest area to heavenly views of nearby Mount Hood, Portland oozes ambiance. Unusual lodgings abound, so skip the run-of-the-mill hotels and celebrate Portland’s distinct style. If standard accommodations are what you seek, the city has that too.

Portland by the Numbers

Elevation: 173 feet

Average Annual Rainfall: 37 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 2 inches
Average January Temperature: 33.5 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 79.5 degrees F

Time Zone: GMT-8
Area Code: 503 (1 and the area code must be dialed, even for local calls)

Population: 538,180; 1.95 million in metropolitan area
Major Industries: timber, paper products, farming (wheat, cattle), mining (coal), computer equipment, electronics
Ethnic Mix: 81% Caucasian, 7% African American, 6% Asian

Did You Know?

Money magazine ranked Portland #2 among the "Big Cities in which to live in the U.S."

Orientation/Geography

Portland is the biggest city in Oregon and located just south of the Washington state border. Boise City lies 345 miles to the east and Seattle is 249 miles north. The capitol of Oregon, Salem, is 60 miles south.


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