Portland
Around Portland
Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Oregon · 2.5M people
Portland
“Rose City”, “Stumptown”, “PDX”, “Bridge City”
Portland · Vancouver · Hillsboro · Beaverton · Tigard
Where the river meets the mountain, and the coffee never stops.
Timbers GreenTrail Blazers Red
Welcome to Portland, where the rain keeps the roses blooming and the coffee strong. Whether you're here for the food carts, the trails, or the friendly vibe, you'll find your people. We're glad you're here.
Clubs for Portland
No clubs for Portland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Portland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Portland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Forest Park One of the largest urban forests in the US, with miles of trails.
- Washington Park Hillside park home to the zoo, rose garden, and Japanese garden.
- International Rose Test Garden Oldest official test garden in the US, with stunning views.
- Powell's City of Books Iconic independent bookstore covering a full city block.
- Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland's living room, a bustling public square downtown.
- St. Johns Bridge Iconic green suspension bridge with great views.
- Outdoors Hike the trails of Forest Park
- Outdoors Bike the Springwater Corridor
- With kids Visit OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
- With kids Explore the Oregon Zoo
- Evenings Catch a show at the Crystal Ballroom
- Evenings Sample brews at a taproom
- Locals love Food cart pods
- Locals love Microbreweries
Through the year
- Portland Rose Festival June City-wide celebration with parades and dragon boat races.
- Oregon Brewers Festival July Large craft beer festival on the waterfront.
- Waterfront Blues Festival July Blues music festival.
- Bite of Oregon August Food and wine festival.
- Portland Marathon October Major marathon through the city.
Portland has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The best time to be out is from June to September when it's sunny and dry. Best: June to September
Talk like a local
- “PDX”
- Nickname for Portland, from the airport code.
- “Stumptown”
- Historic nickname for Portland.
- “The Couve”
- Nickname for Vancouver, WA.
- “The Pearl”
- The Pearl District, a trendy downtown neighborhood.
Getaways
- Hood River Windsurfing and fruit orchards in the Gorge.
- Astoria Historic coastal town at the Columbia's mouth.
- The Dalles Gateway to the eastern Gorge.
- Salem State capital with a charming downtown.
Local flavour
Teams
- Portland Trail Blazers NBA
- Portland Timbers MLS
- Portland Thorns FC NWSL
- Portland Winterhawks WHL
- Portland State Vikings NCAA DI
- University of Portland Pilots NCAA DI
- Hillsboro Hops MiLB
- Portland Fire WNBA
Eat and drink
- Food carts Portland's iconic food cart pods offer a diverse, casual dining scene.
- Craft beer The region is famous for its numerous microbreweries and hop-forward beers.
- Coffee Portland's coffee culture, including roasters like Stumptown, is a local staple.
- Marionberry pie A local berry variety used in pies and desserts, a true Pacific Northwest treat.
- Doughnuts (Voodoo style) The quirky, inventive doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnut are a Portland icon.
Where people go
- Food cart pods Clusters of food carts offering a wide variety of cuisines, a Portland signature.
- Microbreweries Numerous breweries and taprooms across the metro, often in repurposed industrial spaces.
- Coffee roasters Specialty coffee shops and roasteries that define the city's café culture.
- Parks (Forest Park) One of the largest urban forests in the US, offering trails and greenery within the city.
- Bridges The Willamette River is crossed by many bridges, each with its own character and history.
- Riverfront Waterfront areas along the Willamette and Columbia rivers, with paths and views.
- Independent bookstores A strong tradition of independent bookshops, including the iconic Powell's City of Books.
Heritage and traditions
Portland is proud of its quirky, creative, and environmentally conscious culture, its vibrant food and craft beverage scene, and its deep connection to the outdoors, from the river to the mountains.
Say it like a local: “Willamette” — Willamette (will-AM-et) - not will-uh-met
Festivals
- Portland Jazz Festival February Showcases local and international jazz artists
- Feast Portland September Celebrates the region's culinary scene with tastings and events
- Alberta Street Fair August A street fair in the Alberta Arts District with music and handmade goods
- Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival August Combines jazz performances with wine tastings in Vancouver, WA
- Camas Days July A small-town festival in Camas, WA, with parades and community events
- Christmas at the Grotto December A festival of lights at the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother
Landmarks with a story
- Pittock Mansion A historic house museum with views of the city
- Lan Su Chinese Garden A classical Chinese garden in the Old Town
- The Grotto A Catholic sanctuary and botanical garden
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site A 19th-century fur trading post in Vancouver, WA
- End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center In Oregon City, commemorating the end of the trail
- Alberta Arts District A historic neighborhood known for its murals and galleries
Food traditions
- Vietnamese pho and banh mi From the large Vietnamese community, these are staples in many neighborhoods
- Farm-to-table dining With the Willamette Valley's produce, many restaurants emphasize seasonal, local ingredients
- Craft cider Hard cider from local orchards, a growing tradition
- Distillery tasting rooms Local spirits like gin, whiskey, and liqueurs
- Sunday brunch A weekend tradition with long lines at popular spots
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene A thriving independent music community with many venues and labels
- Punk and hardcore Historic all-ages venues and a DIY ethos
- Jazz The Portland Jazz Festival and numerous jazz clubs
- Classical The Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera
A little history
- 1805-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition
- 1840s Oregon Trail
- 1845 Portland founded
- 1873 Great Fire of 1873
- 1948 Vanport flood
Rivalries
- Timbers vs. Sounders Cascadia Cup rivalry in MLS.
- Thorns vs. Reign NWSL rivalry with Seattle.
- Blazers vs. Sonics Historical NBA rivalry (Sonics now in OKC).
- Winterhawks vs. Thunderbirds WHL hockey rivalry with Seattle.
- Game day Timbers Army tifo displays
- Game day Rip City chant
- Outdoors Visit Multnomah Falls
- Outdoors Hike to the top of Powell Butte
- With kids Play at Jamison Square fountain
- With kids Visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden
People here speak a Pacific Northwest English, with a relatively flat accent and the cot-caught merger. They often say 'soda' rather than 'pop,' and they take pride in pronouncing local names correctly.
Only here
- Mill Ends Park - the world's smallest park, a single tree in a median.
- Benson Bubblers - historic bronze drinking fountains around downtown.
- Portlandia statue - a large copper statue of a woman with a trident.
- 'Keep Portland Weird' - a local slogan and movement.
New here? A few tips
- Bring a rain jacket and layers; it rains often, but winters are mild.
- No sales tax in Oregon, but Washington has it, so shop on the Oregon side for big purchases.
- Learn to pronounce local names: Willamette, Couch, Glisan, Camas, Vancouver.
- Use public transit; TriMet buses and MAX light rail are convenient.
- Be ready for the 'Keep Portland Weird' culture; it's a city that celebrates individuality.
Make this page better
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Part of Portland area
Nearby
Every areaSalemOregonWhere the valley blooms and the capitol stands tallLongviewWashingtonWhere the river meets the forest.TillamookOregonWhere the forest meets the seaHood RiverOregonWhere the wind meets the orchard.AlbanyOregonWhere the river bends through the valley.CorvallisOregonWhere the valley meets the forest.AstoriaOregonWhere the Columbia meets the Pacific, and fog keeps secrets.The DallesOregonRiver town with a pioneer heart
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.