Portland, Oregon

Keep it weird where the roses and rivers meet.

Portland is a city that has perfected the art of doing things its own way — from its legendary food cart pods and craft brewery scene to its rain-soaked hiking trails and fiercely independent neighborhoods. Straddling the Willamette River with the Cascades at its back and the Pacific Coast two hours west, Portland rewards the curious traveler with a density of creative culture, farm-to-table obsession, and unapologetic weirdness. It is equal parts outdoor adventure base camp and urban forager's paradise.

Best time to visit: June through September for dry skies; December for holiday markets and cozy brewery crawls

Best for: Food cart adventurers, Craft beer pilgrims, Outdoor enthusiasts

Where to eat in Portland

• Le Pigeon French-American Bistro · Lower Burnside · $$$
  James Beard-winning neighborhood gem Order: Pigeon (the whole bird) and the foie gras profiterole.
• Ox Argentine Wood-Fire · NE Alberta · $$$
  Smoky, festive, and exceptional Order: The ember-roasted vegetables and any bone-in cut.
• Han Oak Korean · NE Portland · $$
  Inventive banchan and noodles Order: The multi-course banchan set and hand-pulled noodle soup.
• Bullard Texas BBQ · Pearl District · $$
  Portland meets the Lone Star State Order: Brisket sandwich with house pickles and jalapeño cheddar.
• Canard Wine Bar & Snacks · NW Portland · $$
  Late-night Le Pigeon sibling Order: The crispy chicken wings and any of the natural wines by the glass.
• Apizza Scholls New Haven-Style Pizza · SE Hawthorne · $$
  Portland's most serious pizza Order: The Brian's 27 pepperoni — call ahead, they sell out.
• Pine State Biscuits Southern Biscuits · Multiple (Belmont, Alberta, Airport) · $
  Portland's most beloved biscuit Order: The Reggie Deluxe — fried chicken, bacon, cheese, gravy on a biscuit.
• Olympia Provisions European Charcuterie · SE / NW Portland · $$
  Portland's charcuterie pioneers Order: The salumi plate and any sandwich built on house-cured meats.
• Tasty n Daughters All-Day Brunch · NW Portland · $$
  Creative brunch from John Gorham Order: Shakshuka and any of the smoked fish preparations.
• Higgins Restaurant Pacific NW Farm-to-Table · Downtown · $$$
  Oregon farm-to-table pioneer since 1994 Order: Whatever's seasonal — Greg Higgins built the local sourcing movement.
• Nostrana Italian / Wood-Fire Pizza · SE Portland · $$
  Long-running neighborhood Italian institution Order: The margherita from the wood-fired oven and house-made pasta.
• ¿Por Qué No? Mexican · Hawthorne / N Mississippi · $
  Portland's essential taco stop Order: Any combo of street tacos — lines are worth it.
• Voodoo Doughnut Donuts · Old Town / NE Portland · $
  Iconic and unabashedly weird Order: Bacon Maple Bar and the Voodoo Doll for first-timers.
• Little T American Baker Artisan Bakery · SE Division · $
  Outstanding bread and pastries Order: Country loaf and whatever tart is in the case that morning.
• Mucca Osteria Italian · SE Portland · $$
  Neighborhood Italian that hits every time Order: House-made pasta and the antipasti spread.

Annual events in Portland

• Portland Rose Festival June · Waterfront Park and citywide
  Portland's most beloved tradition — more than 100 years of parades, rose shows, dragon boat races, and the Grand Floral Parade through downtown.
• Oregon Brewers Festival Late July · Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  One of the largest craft beer festivals in the US — 80+ craft breweries pouring at Tom McCall Waterfront Park over four days.
• Feast Portland September · Pioneer Courthouse Square and venues citywide
  Portland's premier food and drink festival — top chefs from across the country converge on the city for four days of events, dinners, and tastings.
• Portland International Film Festival February–March · Northwest Film Center and venues
  One of the top film festivals in the Pacific Northwest — international cinema, retrospectives, and filmmaker events across Portland's best theaters.
• Pedalpalooza June · Citywide
  Portland's legendary cycling festival — hundreds of free community bike rides over two weeks, from costume rides to midnight food cart tours.
• Waterfront Blues Festival July 4th Weekend · Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  One of the largest blues festivals in the US — four days of live music on the Willamette River waterfront benefiting the Oregon Food Bank.
• Portland Saturday Market Year-round (weekends, peak Mar–Dec) · Waterfront Park / Old Town Chinatown
  The largest continuously operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the US — local artisans, street food, and live music every weekend.
• Last Thursday (Alberta Arts District) Monthly (Last Thursday, May–August peak) · NE Alberta Street
  Portland's most beloved neighborhood art walk — galleries open, street performers take over Alberta Street, and the whole neighborhood pours outside.

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