Welcome to Portland
We’re a city that’s always been a little bit different. In fact, one of our unofficial mottos, displayed on a large mural near the famous 24-hour Voodoo Doughnut, is “Keep Portland Weird.” When you explore the city, we’re confident you’ll be delighted by what sets us apart.
Start with the staggering selection of food and drink options. From hundreds of inexpensive food carts all over town to nationally acclaimed chef-driven restaurants, it’s hard to get a bad meal in Portland. Thirsty? Portland has more craft breweries than any other city on earth (more than 60) and tons of annual beer fests, bottle shops, brew ‘n’ view movie theaters and more, so it’s no wonder we call it “Beervana.” What’s more, Portland is home to several microdistilleries and more than a dozen urban wineries — not to mention our myriad coffee roasters or the world-class vineyards of the Willamette Valley wine country.
To counteract all those delicious meals, Portlanders love to burn calories in the great outdoors. Hit the pavement with one of many local walking tours, see Portland by bicycle or take a hike in one of the country’s largest urban forests. Within two hours of downtown, you can visit the Oregon Coast beaches, Mount Hood ski resorts or Columbia River Gorge waterfalls. Portland is home to the nation’s favorite airport, an efficient light rail system and pedestrian-friendly city blocks — uncommon qualities that are easy to get used to.
Things visitors sometimes find surprising, we just take for granted. Here in Portland, for example, it’s perfectly normal not to pay any sales tax, which makes our small boutiques and big brands all the more affordable. Shoppers will find retailers large and small, international and indie, within easy reach of hotels in downtown Portland and the Pearl District, home to Powell’s City of Books. Inviting shops, attractions and eateries are scattered throughout Portland’s neighborhoods, and you’ll find our diverse population extremely welcoming.
Enjoy seeing firsthand what makes Portland so extraordinary. After all, that’s just a fancy word for weird.
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