Portland: A Breath of Fresh Air
Portland could easily be called the Land of Awards. It has been named the “Best Big City” according to Money magazine, and one of the “10 Greatest Places to Live” by Outdoor magazine.
Why such accolades? One of the reasons is the vast and beautiful 37,000 acres of open space. The parks range in size from the 5,000-acre Forest Park (America's largest urban wilderness) to tiny 24-inch Mill Ends Park!
Visitors to Portland often ask, “Is this a big town or a little city?” The answer is both. There is a friendly, small town feel couched within a bustling city, complete with vibrant commerce, culture, entertainment and award-winning cuisine.
Portland is one of those rare cities that has managed to hang onto its individuality, even as it has grown. Forward-thinking planning has led to a cityscape with a thriving downtown core, beautiful leafy parks and soft rolling hills, diverse architecture, 11 majestic bridges over the Willamette River, and a patchwork of eclectic, friendly neighborhoods that give newcomers a real feeling of home.
The city is nestled between beautiful green hills and stately mountains. On a clear day, one can see as far as Mount St. Helens and the glacier, Mount Hood—where there is skiing and snowboarding all year long. Portland is also close to many local wineries, microbreweries and some of the finest dining this side of the Mississippi.
Portland is centrally located between, well, just about everything you’d want to see and do. It’s an hour and a half to the glaciers or to the sea. Fishing is huge and so is cycling. In fact—here’s another award—Bicycling magazine named Portland the “United States’ Top Cycling City.”
The Columbia River Gorge, just 45 minutes outside the city, is a large, wet playground for windsurfers and boaters, and is the home of spectacular waterfalls. This is the only area in the United States that is designated as a “National Scenic Area”—a designation that will environmentally protect the gorge for years to come.
Portland truly is the big-town-small-city you may be looking for on your next exciting journey.
City Resources
Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Get detailed information about Portland, its neighborhoods, history, attractions, entertainment as well as maps and directions.
Events Guide
Get the scoop on music, nightlife, restaurants, concerts and Portland's most popular attractions.
State Information
This handy guide is filled with everything you need to know about nursing in Oregon, including state nursing associations, CE requirements, salary information and more.
The Oregonian
This daily newspaper features local and international news, classifieds, entertainment, sports and travel pages.
Williamette Week
A weekly alternative newspaper covering news, music, books, and art in the Portland area.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden
The largest garden of its kind outside of China, this beautiful oasis was created to nurture and inspire all who visit.
Columbia River Gorge
A national scenic area, Columbia River Gorge offers outdoor enthusiasts miles of hiking trails, isolated camping areas and the greatest concentration of waterfalls in the Northwest.
Oregon Zoo
The zoo's Africa exhibit, which includes a rain forest and a savanna populated by zebras, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and other animals, is one of the most true-to-life habitats you'll see at a zoo.
Parks and Gardens
With sprawling parks, leafy gardens and wooded preserves throughout the city, there’s no shortage of places to relax, unwind and enjoy the fresh Northwest air.
Williamette Jetboat Excursions
Portland's ultimate river experience gives you the chance to take in the city's spectacular sights, history and scenic beauty aboard a jetboat.
Portland Art Museum
Featureing a respectable collection of European, Asian, and American art, this museum is the Northwest's stop for touring blockbuster exhibits.
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
A tour of the Center--housed in three buildings shaped like covered wagons includes a multimedia display, an exhibit featuring pioneer artifacts and a hands-on pioneer craft workshop.
World Forestry Center Museum
Learn about the importance of our forest resources at this innovative museum.
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