Portland, OR Local Community

Portland is the largest city in the space between San Francisco and Seattle, but the environment is a lot more laid-back and easy than in those two cities. You will definitely get a small town vibe here, even if this is a city with 632,309 people and a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million. This place has a very rad musical and artsy scene, it's also the perfect spot to enjoy a good wine, beer or to taste some really delicious food. There are over 70 breweries in Portland and over 200 wineries. This city boasts the most extensive light-rail and streetcar system in the entire country. And that's awesome! 

You might know that Portland is famous for having a rainy climate, just as the other places in the Pacific Northwest. If you are planning a visit take your raincoat and umbrella because you are going to get wet. 

Portland is a nice and easy city to bike, walk or even enjoy the use of public transportation. The city is a very nice place to walk around. Many streets and intersections were built thinking of pedestrians, and this city has a lot of street life. 

The city is divided into 5 sectors: SW (including the downtown core), SE , NE , N, and NW (including the Pearl District, Old Town, and the Northwest district).

When in Portland make sure you don't want to miss the Museum of Contemporary Craft; the Oregon Historical Society; the Pittock Mansion, a stunning Victorian mansion in the hills; the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Underground, a tour that goes from the historical to the paranormal and visits some tunnels where kidnappers sold their victims to work on boats leaving port. 

Here are some outdoorsy plans for nature lovers:
 
1. Washington Park is a breathtaking massive garden with tons of amenities to make you have some unforgettable quality time. The park includes an accessible play area, accessible restroom, fountain, historical site, picnic shelter, picnic tables, playground, plaza, soccer field, tennis court, and hiking trails.

2. Visit the International Rose Test Garden inside Washington Park. Founded in 1889, the Portland Rose Society is a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs on rose culture and encourages the use of roses in the landscape. This is a dreamy place to enjoy the color and smell of roses and to take tons of wonderful and romantic pictures. This is a place you will never forget.

3. Visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden for an Oriental and very green experience. This place is one of Portland's treasures and it was built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou and is one the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. Aside from enjoying the sight and simply watching and being delighted by nature’s gift, you will always find tons of activities here in this center. 

4. Visit the Oregon Museum of Science a place that is perfect for kids and for grown-ups that like to have fun! They have an insane planetarium, amazing and interesting exhibitions and events and labs where you will be able to "get your hands dirty". If you are into history you need to check out their USS Blueback Submarine the museum is so cool that visitors are allowed to climb aboard the US Navy's last non-nuclear, fast attack submarine.