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Portland: Big city
excitement and small town charm make Portland, known as "the City of
Roses", one of the favorite destinations on the West coast. Portland,
situated approximately 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean where the
Columbia River meets the Willamette River, has a magnificent setting,
combining sparkling waterways with lush greenery rarely found in urban
settings. Portland's historic old town, many galleries and museums,
Saturday Market, Waterfront Park, and theatre companies will keep
visitors busy for weeks! Also, Portland is just a short distance from
the spectacular Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls, windsurfing at
Hood River, touring at valley wineries, skiing at Mt. Hood, fish
watching at Bonneville Dam, and all of the excitement of the Oregon
coast.
Portland is known for its extensive park system of more than 240
parks. These encompass such areas as the elm shaded South Park Blocks
in the downtown area, Washington Park, home of the Rose Test Gardens,
and Portland's most extensive park, Forest Park, which is the largest
wilderness park within city limits in the U.S. From the approximately
5,090 acre Forest Park to tiny 24 inch Mills End Park, Portland's park
system offers leisure and recreation opportunities for everyone.
Portland's award winning mass transit system is one of the most
extensive and advanced in the U.S. The transit system includes buses
and the MAX, an urban light rail line, as well as a downtown transit
mall and Fareless Square, the downtown free-ride zone.
Short blocks make Portland a walker's paradise. The public art and old
fashioned statuary, along with many fountains, bridges and parks offer
opportunities for leisure and contemplation for the casual stroller.
Walking tours of the downtown area focusing on the best of the city's
art, architecture, urban parks and fountains are available. For the
more adventuresome walker, Forest Park has approximately 50 miles of
trails.
Take the opportunity to explore the cobblestone streets, unique city
art, or just roam the bus mall from your own downtown Portland hotel.
A place to start for finding lodging in Portland is 1st Portland
hotels. They offer reservations in many Portland area locations.
Nightlife adventures in Portland are excellent and varied. On top of
the list is the internationally-known Oregon Symphony. Portland also
has many local pubs and brewhouses that feature jazz and blues. Be
sure to visit the various comedy clubs and try the art gallery walks
in the Pearl District. The performing arts in the area offer ballet,
Shakespeare, Broadway musicals, modern dance and much more. Portland
is the home of the Trail Blazers basketball team, and also has hockey
and baseball for sports fans.
A splendid location, relaxed respectability, and an urban lifestyle
that is unsurpassed for its livability makes Portland a city to visit
and remember.
Portland Spotlights
Stroll along Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with its lawns, outdoor
cafes, river walks and marinas.
Enjoy the dancing waters of the Salmon Street Springs fountain, then
walk a little farther to gaze at magnificent, snowcapped Mt. Hood.
Browse the world's largest bookstore, Powell's City of Books, and
retire to the coffee shop to peruse your book.
Take the kids to OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, for
an exciting visit at a state of the art science center, including the
giant screen Omnimax theater, the laser art planetarium and many
interactive exhibits for children and adults alike.
Portland, Oregon
Demographic Information
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