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Portland [1], "The City of Roses", is the largest city in Oregon and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest.
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SEE DO EAT
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 SEE
- Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., +1 503 226-1561, [16]. Located on the western side of town off of Hwy 26, the Portland zoo is the largest of its kind in the state. Some attractions are polar bears, elephants, sea lions, monkeys, giraffes, and various birds and insects. Admission last summer was $12 for adults, and cheaper for seniors and children.
- Washington Park, head of SW Park Place. Includes many attractions, including the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, the Portland Children's Museum, the International Rose Test Gardens, the beautiful Japanese Gardens, as well as the Hoyt Arboretum which offers miles of hiking trails. It also contains memorials for the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as a Holocaust memorial.
- Saturday Market, SW 1st Av. (under the Burnside Bridge), [17]. Sa 10AM-5PM and Su 11AM-4:30PM, 1st weekend in Mar-Dec 24. This market and craft fair, where everything sold is handmade, is the largest open-air crafts market in continuous operation in the US. Free.
- Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Broadway and Yamhill, +1 503 223-1613, [18]. Daily, 24 hours. Known as "Portland's Living Room," this is the central courtyard of downtown Portland. Notable sights in the square is the Weather Machine, a machine that predicts the weather every day at noon. Many other sculptures and art elements surround the square. Free.
- The Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse at SW 3rd Avenue, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox in collaboration with Portland architecture firm BOORA, is visible as visitors approach downtown Portland via Washington Street. A canopy conceals a small grove of trees that grow on the roof, making the building one of Portland's most iconic buildings. It was designed with sustainability in mind; it exceeded Oregon's building energy codes by approximately 30% at the time of construction.
- The Public Services Building, 1120 SW 5th Avenue (also known as The Portland Building). Considered an architectural icon. Designed by Michael Graves and built in 1982, its coloring and embellishment marked the arrival of postmodern architecture and the end of stark glass and steel edifices. The statue in front, "Portlandia", is the second largest copper statue in the United States--only the Statue of Liberty is larger.
- Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Naito Pkwy between the Steel and Marquam bridges. This wide expanse of green lawns along the downtown Portland waterfront was once a four-lane freeway. Growing environmental awareness led to the city replacing the freeway with this park. In Waterfront Park are several features: the Salmon Street Springs (see Do below), the Japanese American Memorial Garden, and the U.S.S. Oregon Memorial. Free.
- Mill Ends Park, the smallest park in the world.
- The NBA's Portland Trailblazers basketball team plays at the Rose Garden.
- Portland Duck Tours, Phone: 877-GO-BY-DUCK, [19]. Amphibious land & water tours of Portland.
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- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden[23], SE 28th Ave & Woodstock Blvd 503-771-8386 The development of a display and test garden was initiated in 1950 by the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. The more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants in the Garden have all been donated by volunteers and interested individuals, or purchased with specially donated funds. Beginning in early spring and continuing into summer, they provide a magnificent display of color, giving visitors the opportunity to view many varieties rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest. During the fall, many companion trees add dramatic coloring. Spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake surrounds much of the garden, attracting many species of birds and waterfowl.
- Washington Park, SW Park Place (off Highway 26), +1 503 823-PLAY, [24]. Daily sunrise-sunset. Washington Park is a classic urban park. Sprawling over about 140 acres just west of downtown Portland, the park encompasses a beautiful and relaxing Japanese Garden, the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, the Rose Garden (with beautiful views of Portland and Mount Hood), a Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a Lewis and Clark Memorial. Free (some attractions charge admission).
- Forest Park, [25], (in the northwest of the city) is about 20 km2 (7.7 mi2), or 5000 acres. It is the US's largest urban park. Many great hiking and biking trails to be found.
- Salmon Street Springs, SW Naito Pkwy and Salmon St. (in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park). A central computer controls 185 jets of water which produce regularly changing water patterns. A popular attraction for kids, especially during the warm summer months.
- The Grotto Gardens, +1 503 254-7371, [26]. Located on the city's Northeast side the tranquil and spiritual sanctuary hosts reflection ponds, secluded gardens, and shrines on the top of a basalt cliff. The best time to visit is during the Holiday season when the grotto is illuminated with lights. The is a very romantic destination for a special night out.
- Portland Rose Festival, [27]. This award-winning festival, held in early June, is Portland's largest event. The Portland waterfront is turned into a carnival for a week as military ships moor alongside Waterfront Park. The world-famous Grand Floral Parade is on the 11th. This festival has decreased in size in recent years and now consists of a few naval vessels and a large fairground with the usual assortment of rides. In 2005, it no longer appeared to be charging admission for the whole festival week, (although had been earlier in the week.)
- Chinese Classical Garden, NW 3rd & Everett, [28]. Tour recommended (noon & 1PM) however an audio tour looks to be in the works. Beautiful urban retreat in the heart of Chinatown with pond, teahouse, pavilions and lots of gardens. If you are on a budget (time or financial) you can peek in through the ornate open windows and see much of the gardens content without paying admission. Students receive concessions. Guides can be recycled on leaving. Disembark Old Town/Chinatown on the MAX.
- Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, +1 503 226-1561, [29]. Daily (Sep 16-Apr 14) 9AM-4PM, (Apr 15-Sep 15) 9AM-6PM (Closed Christmas Day, Dec 25). The Oregon Zoo is the largest zoo in Oregon, and is known for its elephant breeding program. Adults $9.50, seniors (65+) $8, children (3-11) $6.50.
- Sadly, the well known Church of Elvis closed in 2001. If you still need to get married, head over to Voodoo Doughnutat 22 SW 3rd Avenue near Berbati's Pan. Voodoo Doughnut offers not only the standard cake and old-fashioned doughnuts, but also doughnuts topped with cereal, candy bars, strawberry Quik powder, and even a maple bar with bacon on it (menu here)! Voodoo is also known to locals as The Place to get vegan doughnuts, which are delicious to vegans and non-vegans alike. If you want a sugar rush and possibly a free huge doughnut, take the Tex-Ass Challenge. Eat one (yes, only one--but it's a biggie) of their oversized glazed doughnuts in under a minute and a half and it's free! (Must be purchased in advance.)
- Portland Beavers Baseball,
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EAT
- Cha! Cha! Cha!, Several Portland Locations, good quality Mexican food at a middling price.
- The Delta, 46th & SE Woodstock Street. Southern food (chicken fried steak, jambalaya, grits, etc.) on the cheap. Reed College is nearby and, as such, The Delta is often populated by vaguely poor but very interesting people. The food is excellent and in large portions.
- El Grillo. A great dive (although recently remodeled) Mexican joint on SW Broadway between US Outdoors and Mary's Stripclub[48] (a Portland landmark). Great fish tacos for $1.50. Butts up against Mary's, so the bathroom is in the club, and seedy characters exit the stripclub discreetly through the restaurant, making your dining experience more interesting.
- Fireside Coffee Lodge, 1223 SE Powell Blvd, [49]. What would a trip to Portland be with out 24-hour coffee with WiFi? Lots of sandwiches and breakfast from Midnight.
- The downtown core is home to a small army of Food Trailers. With less overhead than the traditional indoor restaurant, you can pick up a delicious meal on the cheap. Choose from a wide variety of ethnic foods including Indian, Mexican, and hot dogs.
- Grand Central Bakery, [50]. Has 5 bakery cafes in metropolitan Portland area: Sellwood, Multnomah Village, on Fremont in Mississippi district, Hawthorne at 22nd, and on NE Weidler at 15th (Irvington district). Famous for artisan breads, pastries, soups, sandwiches and salads.
- Golden Dragon, SW 3rd at Stark above Cameron's Books, has pretty good food for a cheap, dive-y Chinese Buffet. The decor is well-worn, but it still has a lot of classic Chinese kitsch character. Pick a window seat so you can enjoy the people watching while you eat.
- Le Bistro Montage, under the east end of the Morrison bridge. Good Portland character. Cajun style food, including mac and cheese, alligator bites, and great mud pie. Service is quirky.
- Metro Pizza, located downtown between SW 2nd and 3rd. Dollar slices, bento, teriyaki, and hookah bar. A few notable street-carts across the street as well, including Tito's Burrito's.
- New Seasons Supermarket, [51]. They make the best sandwiches and have an awesome deli counter. You choose your bread, meat/tofu pate, veggies, and spreads. Quality that you've never seen before. Everyone will love it. Five locations and more on the way, Concordia, Orenco Station, Raleigh Hills, Sellwood, and Seven Corners on SE division.
- Olé Olé, 2137 E Burnside St, has great burritos and is a good budget option.
- Ryadh's, on SE 14th and Hawthorne is an excellent source of affordable Lebanese food.
- Taco Del Mar, Various locations around the downtown area. Serves up a 2lb. burrito. The ingredients are fresh and the staff are mostly laid-back hipsters. Try the fish taco (their namesake). Better, more authentic Mexican can be found scattered about the city. In the $5 range.
- VooDoo Doughnut on SW 3rd & Ankeny, [52]. Very Portland, get unique donuts and a marriage while learning Swahili. Try the maple bacon bar - yes, that's real bacon on a donut.
- While not one particular location, Pioneer Courthouse Square has several "street food" vendors, from cheese-steaks to mexican, and there is also a Starbucks, which is a great view around the Holiday season. PCS is also within walking distances of Pioneer Place, a multi-level shopping mall with an expansive subterranean food-court. Please feed the pigeons.
- Laughing Planet has 3 locations in the metro area (3322 Se Belmont St., 3765 N Mississippi Ave., 922 NW 21st Ave) that offer delicious nutritious food including burritos, rice bowls, salads, and a great variety of drinks (beer, juice, lemonade, soda). Seating can be hard to find, but it's worth the wait. And cheap!
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