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Portland City Guide – Community,
Culture and Diversity
Residents of
Portland, Oregon don’t need to look very far for an international
experience; most often, it can be found within their backyard. The
city of Portland, established in 1845, is home to more than half a
million people and is a melting pot of different backgrounds,
ethnicities and religions. It has become an outlet for
international expression through local attractions, arts, festivals
and cuisine. Portland hosts an international film festival,
numerous types of sporting events, a classical piano series, a jazz
festival and much, much more. Here are some of the unique
opportunities for entertainment and exploration the city offers.
The Portland
Saturday Market
Any Portland city
guide will be sure to mention the Portland Saturday Market, a
popular and eclectic weekend bazaar in the center of the lively
Skidmore District. Each Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday 11-4:30, the
market, which was established in 1974 and is free to the public,
hosts colorful entertainment, music, ethnic food and as many as 300
local craftspeople and artisans who sell one-of-a-kind bric-a-brac.
Most loved is their annual “Festival of the Last Minute”, where the
market stays open from mid-December until Christmas Eve to help
people find eleventh hour holiday gifts. For more information on
parking, nearby restaurants and featured artists, visit
www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com before you go.
The Oregon Zoo
Located just five
minutes away from downtown Portland, the Oregon Zoo is home to over
120 different species of animals and attracts over 1.3 million
visitors each year. The zoo was founded over one hundred years ago
as the Washington State Park Zoo and was best known for its
impressive collection of Asian elephants. In 1962, the zoo became
home to the first American born elephant since 1919. Today, the zoo
has the largest breeding herd of Asian elephants in captivity and
has evolved far beyond pachyderms to include highly developed and
comprehensive exhibits including the African Savanna, South American
rainforest and Alaskan tundra. Since 1979, the zoo has hosted
popular outdoor concerts in its amphitheater during the summer
months. In December, citizens flock to the annual Zoolights
Festival, when thousands of Christmas lights serve as a backdrop for
hundreds of local musical groups. Admission to the zoo is $9 for
adults, $6 for children 3-11. The zoo also offers discounts for
senior citizens and children under two are free.
The Portland
Institute for Contemporary Art
A relatively new
feature in Portland, PICA (Portland Institute for Contemporary Art),
was founded in 1995 as a forum to feature work from artists who
“take creative risks.” The institute hosts exhibits from local and
international artists alike in all different mediums including
painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and video, as well as
performance art and installations. The institute is best known for
its annual TBA festivals (Time-Based Art exhibits). The ten-day
festivals feature a variety of “pioneering performances that address
the cultures, aesthetics and ideas of today.” To receive a catalog
detailing current exhibits, festival dates, admission fees and a
calendar of events, email your postal address to pica@pica.org.
The Japanese
Garden
Designed and
created in 1963 by Takuma Tono, the garden is internationally
recognized as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of
Japan. Comprised of multiple formal gardens, the area’s tranquility
and meditative qualities have attracted locals and tourists since
its unveiling in 1967. Built on five and a half acres of hillside,
the garden is divided into five traditional garden forms including
the Strolling Pond Garden, the Sand and Stone Garden, the Tea
Garden, the Flat Garden and the Natural Garden. The gardens are
open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Year’s Day. Admission is $6.50 for adults with discounted rates
for children, students and senior citizens. The garden also offers
membership status with added benefits including unlimited access to
the garden including early morning entrance
Wine and Dining
In addition to an
assortment of wine bars and tasting rooms, Portland also offers a
wide variety of menu options with restaurants with cuisine types
including Mediterranean, Vegetarian, French, Belgian, Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Cajun, and Indian.
For restaurant
reviews, transportation options and a complete list of special
events, visit www.travelportland.com.
Stacy Hinojosa
www.grabrealestate.com |
