Guide to Portland

Return to main article

When to Go

Summer and early fall have the best weather, though Portland has relatively mild winters and only 36 inches of rain per year.

Getting There

Portland is served by most major carriers. The Airport MAX line (trimet.org/max), delivers travelers from the airport to the city.

Getting Around

No car is needed: Portland’s mass transit system takes you everywhere.

Where to Stay

Ace Hotel

A unique little place on the edge of the Pearl District, geared to the creative class.

The Benson

A landmark 1912 hotel with a fantastic old-world lobby.

Hotel deLuxe

A Provenance Hotels boutique property that channels Old Hollywood with vintage movieland photos on every floor.

Hotel Lucia

The sister property to the deLuxe, with David Hume Kennerly photographs.

Where to Eat

Jake’s Famous Crawfish Restaurant

Simpatica Dining Hall

A Portland favorite open only on weekends, with chef-owners Jason Owens and David Kreifels changing the locally sourced menus nightly.

Where to Go Out

Alibi Restaurant and Lounge

Portland’s only Tiki bar, with plenty of kitsch and charm.

Voodoo Doughnut & Wedding Chapel

Where to Shop

Alma Chocolate

140 NE 28th Ave.; 503/517-0262.

Columbia Sportswear Company

The flagship store, housed downtown in an 1888 basalt-columned building. 911 SW Broadway; 505/226-6800.

Magpie

A smart boutique featuring Portland designers. 520 SW Ninth Ave.; 503/220-0920.

Powell’s City of Books

1005 W. Burnside St.; 503/228-4651.

Torso Vintages

First-rate vintage clothes with high-end prices. 36 SW Third Ave.; 503/294-1493.

What to Do

Concerts and Festivals

Portland is a great city for the arts year-round. Summer brings Summer Concerts at Oregon Zoo (oregonzoo.org), the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival (waterfrontbluesfest.com), Chamber Music Northwest’s Summer Festival (cmnw.org), and the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s über-edgy TBA (Time-Based Art) Festival around the city (pica.org). Fall and winter’s offerings include the contemporary dance series White Bird (whitebird.org), and the Oregon Symphony (orsymphony.org) and Portland Opera (portlandopera.org) seasons. February’s big headliner is the renowned Portland Jazz Festival (dx.jazz.com).

Japanese Gardens

In a city of beautiful gardens, this is the prettiest.611 SW Kingston Ave., Washington Park; 503/223-1321; japanesegarden.com.

Live Wire

The monthly taping of this whimsical radio variety show at the Aladdin Theater is a Portland tradition. 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave.; livewireradio.org.

Portland Art Museum

1219 SW Park Ave.; 503/226-2811; portlandartmuseum.org.

Visit our other American Express Publishing Web sites:
Food & Wine | T+L GOLF | T+L Family | SkyGuide | Executive Travel

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Manage Your Subscription | International | Billing | Change Your Address or E-mail

Advertise | Contact Us | Site Map | RSS Feeds

View Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement of American Express Publishing Corporation. Users of this site agree to be bound by the terms of the American Express Publishing Corporation Website Terms and Conditions. Copyright © 1997 - 2008 American Express Publishing Corporation. All Rights Reserved.