Portland
From humble storefront beginnings in 1971 on a derelict corner of northwest Portland, Oregon, Powell's Books has grown into one of the world's great bookstores.
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and gifts. Visit the site
Located in Old Town’s popular nightlife district, Voodoo Doughnut is one of the city’s most unusual and delicious culinary destinations. The doughnuts, topped with creative ingredients such as bacon, Captain Crunch and Oreos, are almost as fun to look at as they are to eat. Locals and visitors line up 24 hours a day for what may be the most innovative doughnuts in the world. Be prepared for adorable mustached faces to look up at you from your food (mirroring the many bearded young men you’ll encounter biking around Portland).
Open all day, every day. In addition to the original Old Town shop, there’s a second location on the Eastside.Visit the site
Top 10 restaurants in Portland, Oregon
As you'd expect from this off-the-wall city, Portland has a huge variety of unusual independent restaurants. Here are top tips from a local writer and food expert
The Pittock Mansion was home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock from 1914 to 1919. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s, their lives and work paralleled the growth of Portland from a small Northwest town site to a thriving city with a quarter million population. With its eclectic architectural design and richly decorated interior, including family artifacts, the Pittock Mansion stands today as a living memorial of this family’s contributions to the blossoming of Portland and its people.Visit the site
At Hoyt Arboretum, every tree has a story to tell. Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate the community, Hoyt Arboretum encompasses 187 ridge-top acres, accessible by 12 miles of hiking trails. A place of beauty and serenity in all seasons, Hoyt Arboretum is easily accessible from anywhere in the Portland metropolitan area by car, bus or the MAX light rail. You will also find parking, restroom facilities, ADA accessible trails and ADA parking at or near the Visitor Center.Visit the site
The Japanese Garden of Portland is a 5.5 acre formal garden featuring five garden styles; Tea Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Natural Garden, Sand and Stone Garden and Flat Garden.
Comedy clips and exclusives, check out the show Portlandia. Filmed in Portland Oregon. Tours are available to see where the show originates.
Portland’s selection of food carts — the city has more than 600 — has drawn global acclaim (CNN declared Portland home to the world’s best street food).
Most carts are grouped in “pods” all around town, making it easy to sample several carts at a time.
Beer lovers, look no further — in Portland, you’ll find 55+ breweries, scads of annual beer fests, brew ‘n’ view movie theaters, beer pairings at fine restaurants and tap lists galore.
The city abounds with organized beer tours to help you see the sights and sip the suds. Visit the site
Blame it on the rain, but Portlanders love their coffee and tea and have a long-standing dedication to brewing great cups of both.
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Portland’s fondness for sweet stuff goes way beyond Voodoo Doughnut to include artisan chocolates, inventive ice cream, and more.
The Grotto strives to provide a welcoming presence and a beautiful environment conducive to peace, quiet, and spiritual inspiration. The Grotto offers understanding, compassion, support and hope through a variety of ministries including counseling, education, spiritual direction and liturgical celebrations. The Grotto endeavors to serve all people.
With its fir trees, colorful rhododendrons and other native plants, The Grotto is an inviting destination for all. An internationally-renowned Catholic shrine and botanical garden, The Grotto provides a spiritual and peaceful retreat for more than 200,000 visitors each year from all faiths and all walks of life. Visitors are delighted to discover this 62-acre green space just minutes from downtown Portland.
Science education opens minds and creates opportunities for all ages.
On October 24, 1992, the new 219,000 square-foot OMSI opened. In 1994, OMSI opened the USS Blueback for public tours, providing a unique look at the people, history, and technology associated with the last non-nuclear powered submarine built by the U.S. Navy. OMSI has continued to grow over the years and currently has five exhibit halls with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays. Today, the museum serves over 1 million visitors at the museum and through off-site education programs. OMSI is ranked as one of the top science centers in the United States and has an international reputation for its innovative exhibits and educational programs.
The 64-acre Oregon Zoo is located in Portland, a city and surrounding metropolitan area of 2.26 million people. Attendance in 2011 exceeded 1.6 million.