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Portland

TRAVEL GUIDE

Portland

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Portland

# 1

Portland is a big city wearing small city clothing.

Portland has grown exponentially in the last decade. While Portland may have the personality of a small city, budget for big city prices on food and drinks and try to avoid traveling on the freeway during rush hour. You don’t necessarily need to rent a car in Portland, though it can be convenient for travelers wanting to explore the diverse array of neighborhoods.

# 2

Yes, it really does rain a lot.

There’s a reason Portland is so green! If you are visiting outside the summer months of late June-early September, chances are rain might be in the forecast. But don’t let that turn you off from visiting during the (long) shoulder season. If you want to blend in with the locals, bring a good rain jacket and leave the umbrella at home.

# 3

Portland has built-in urban hiking.

If you’re looking for easy access to the outdoors, Portland’s Forest Park is the largest major city park in the country with 5,200 acres of hiking, biking, and birdwatching trails. Since there are no zoos, observatories, or other man-made attractions, Forest Park feels completely immersive in nature, with trails that accommodate everyone from avid trail runners to folks traveling with strollers or wheelchairs.

# 4

The top activity in Portland is eating.

With such a vibrant and everchanging restaurant scene, there is no singular BEST place to eat in Portland, so this is the city to branch out for unique dining concepts. Grab Egyptian coffee in a double-decker bus at ToV Coffee or indulge in a specialized mezcal flight at Bar Comala. And of course, don’t forget the numerous food carts with cuisines ranging from Haitian comforts at Tap Tap Cuisine to Filipino fast casual at Makulít. Approach your dinner table with an open mind and an even more open stomach, and you will be tastily rewarded.

# 5

Shop ‘til you drop, tax-free!

Portland is fueled by its small businesses, so take advantage of Oregon’s zero sales tax and do some shopping while you’re in town. Check out the popular shopping areas like 23rd street in the Nob Hill neighborhood, the Pearl District, and Hawthorne and Division Street in the southeast area of Portland.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Neighborhoods

Portland has one of the most attractive, inviting downtown centers in the United States. It's clean, compact, and filled with parks, plazas
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Fashionable since the 1880s and still filled with Victorian houses, Nob Hill is a mixed-use cornucopia of old Portland charm and new Portland
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Containing the Rose Garden basketball arena, the Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd Center Mall, the Alberta Arts District, and some of the city
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Long dismissed as the city’s "fifth quadrant," North Portland has come into its own in recent years, as the comparatively low cost of real estate
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Hotels

Fodor's Choice
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Fodor's Choice

Quickly find Portland Hotels and compare prices.

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Find the best food tours and activities in Portland.

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Language

English

Nearby Airports

PDX

Electrical Outlets

120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

Currency

US Dollar

Local Weather

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Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

English

Electrical Outlets

120 V/60Hz; Type A plugs have two flat prongs. Type B plugs have the same two flat prongs with a third round prong; together the three form a triangular shape.

Currency

US Dollar

Nearby Airports

PDX

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Portland's mild climate is best from June through September. Hotels are often filled in July and August, so it's important to book reservations...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Portland with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Portland's mild climate is best from June through September. Hotels are often filled in July and August, so it's important to book reservations...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Portland with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{monthAverage.f_high}}° {{monthAverage.c_high}}° {{monthAverage.f_low}}° {{monthAverage.c_low}}°
{{monthAverage.month}}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Portland's mild climate is best from June through September. Hotels are often filled in July and August, so it's important to book reservations...Read More

Discover the best neighborhoods in Portland with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

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