Convention Center - Rose Quarter
Just off I-5 to the east of the Willamette River, the 30-acre Rose Quarter features the Rose Garden arena, Memorial Coliseum, and the Oregon State Convention Center. Acts ranging from Elmo to Bruce Springsteen have played the 20,000-seat arena. To catch the city in bloom, visitors swarm to the Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade in June. Nearby, the Lloyd Center is a convenient shopping venue.
Downtown Portland
West of the Willamette River, downtown offers a celebrated skyline, walkable streets, and a lively arts scene. Visitors shop tax-free at Powell’s Books and Portland Saturday Market, a craft lover’s paradise. Area festivals include Cinco de Mayo and the Oregon Brewer’s Festival. The Oregon Zoo, the swank Pearl District, and the inviting Pioneer Courthouse Square are other noteworthy attractions.
East Portland
Known for its diverse cuisine, boutiques galore, and ample green space, this area reaches eastward from the Willamette River. Peninsula Park hosts the circus-themed Cirque du Cycling street fair each year. Eclectic shops mingle with ethnic eateries in the Hollywood District. Other draws include Powell Butte Nature Park, Lower Burnside’s hip Doug Fir Lounge, and the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden.
North Portland
Just southeast of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers’ confluence, North Portland claims a very tall resident: Its famous Paul Bunyan statue stands at 35 feet. His verdant surroundings include Kelley Point Park, Pier Park, and the 2,000-acre Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area. Nearby, the Beaumont-Wilshire district—a specialty-shop hot spot—hosts the annual Fremont Fest celebration.
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Situated on the northeastern edge of the city, PDX is a 40-minute light rail ride away from downtown. While the airport’s Oregon Marketplace offers a full menu of shops (including a Powell’s Books), its food selection also impresses. Travelers have their pick of microbrews, German fare, and sushi, among other dishes. First opened in 1958, the airport serves 13 million travelers annually.
South Portland
To the south and southwest of downtown, this family-friendly region claims some of the city’s greenest pastures. Hayhurst’s 52-acre Alpenrose dairy complex boasts a stadium and a velodrome. Inside the Western-replica town of Dairyville, visitors find a doll museum and opera house, among other venues. Toward downtown, Portland Children’s Museum offers still more activities for the young folk.
Southeast Portland
Situated southeast of downtown, this area’s funky cafés, secondhand shops, and record stores make for an engaging stroll. The Hawthorne Street, Belmont, and Antique Row districts draw foodies and bargain-hunters alike. Stumptown Coffee Roasters serves as a shrine for local coffee lovers. Other sites of note include the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Mt. Tabor, an extinct volcano.
Vancouver, WA
While Washington may claim Vancouver as its own, it takes just 20 minutes to drive between the city and Portland’s downtown. Public artworks, including the Salmon Run Bell Tower and Glockenspiel, reference the city’s centuries-old past. Elsewhere, visitors to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site discover a 19th-century reconstructed fort, replete with furnishings and staff in period dress.
West Portland
Situated between downtown and the Tualatin Mountains, West Portland’s lush outdoors provides fertile ground for exploration, from its rose test gardens to its World Forestry Center in Washington Park. The sprawling Hoyt Arboretum offers more than 1,000 species of trees and plants, as well as 21 miles of trails. Paying tribute to the city’s nickname, Portland's Rose Gardens claims 550 rose varieties.
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