Visit Portland

When you arrive in Portland if you talk to a local and tell them you have come to visit Portland the first thing they will say is “WHY?”. For us locals we just live here and don’t think much about it.  It is hard for us to think of why someone would want to visit here. But carry on that conversation a little longer and ask why they live in Portland  and not move somewhere else, then the flood gate of information will open about what makes Portland special.

One of the main things is that Portland is very diverse. Diverse as in varied. For a small big city Portland has a lot of variety and for a visitor you have lots of choice of what you may want to explore. I have broken down some category that might help you decide what to see.

Popular Attraction

In checking around I found these 18 places turn up on most list of what to see and do in Portland. This isn’t my lists this is those other people’s list.

This is the backside of the house. This place was designed to impress. So the entry road wrapped around the house so you saw this side first.

Alternative Attractions

These places tend not to make the “top places to see” list even though many are often way cooler. It might be because they are to Portlandia or maybe you can’t make as much money off of folks. Might even be because it is in THAT city on the other side of the River. But these make for a second top list of places to see.

At it peak builds were stacked inside the palisade wall of Fort Vancouver.

Just Fun

I am on vacation. I just want to have some fun doing stuff. Don’t make think.

Food and Drink

Portland is a place for foodies. There are many places to try and many folks with their opinion on where you should go.

As the food carts and pod have matured they have taken on new style.

With the Kids

Visiting with kids. Here are some places the whole family can enjoy.

Portland in Depth

If you have a lot of time and want to know Portland in depth here are a series of special place and special interest tours. This is why I did the site. To show how to find the real Portland or what makes it Portlandia.

I am in town for a…

Not here for a visit of Portland but for other reasons. Maybe waiting for a river cruise to leave. Or you are here for a convention, meeting or conference. You do have some free time and would like to see something of Portland. Try a cluster to see the most in a short time.

Portland Tour Ideas

Cluster Tours, Walking Tours, Theme Tours, and Driving Tours, I have prepared a variety of self guided tours that you might find useful in exploring Portland and its surroundings. All are for the budget minded and none of them influenced by the Chamber of Commerce. These are places I would take my friends to when they come visit.

Portland Spirit dock along Harbor Wall with Portland skyline behind.

Getting out of Portland

The best part of Portland is getting out it. We have a lot natural beauty to enjoy and outdoor activities to do. This is really why we live in Portland.

Dock at Olallie Lake. End of season and the boats have been pulled out.

A lone skier makes his way up to Crater Rock on Mt. Hood.

Fall color along the shore of the lake in the Indian Heaven Wilderness.

The How To

The nuts and bolts of a visit. Getting to and from Portland, Where to stay, how to get around, I need food, What if there is a problem.

Everything – I have a page where I just list everything to do and see. You can flip through the page, look at the photos and see what might grab you. It is just a big buffet of things to do in Portland.

Why This Site

Short Answer

After living in Portland for 28 years and Oregon for 60 years and having led over 400 urban hikes and street ramble for a local mountaineering club, I think I have a good idea what the area is about. And after seeing how other folks were showing Portland and the area around it, to possible visitors I did not think they were doing a very good job. So I thought I would show my version of Portland that I hope will be useful.

Long Answer

The question – A couple of years ago I was recruited by a local tour company to become one of their guides. As part of that I did a ride along with one of their best guides on a tour of Portland he was giving. So the guide could not tell the difference between a Monkey Puzzle tree and a Redwood tree (both given out at the 1907 Lewis and Clarke Exposition and planet all over town) but he could maneuver a big van through downtown Portland traffic and you have respect someone who can do that. For several reason I did not take the job. But toward the end of this 4 hr. tour one German guest approached me with a question. He said he had heard many stories about Portland and wanted to know what was the real story about Portland? I had no answer for him as I just live here and Portland is Portland. There is nothing weird about it. Portland is just home. But this question has stayed with me and has led me to understand that Portland is not just my home but its influence has reach far beyond our city limits. Far enough to have someone from Germany travel here to find the real story of Portland. Is it Portland or is it Portlandia. If you have heard of Portland or Portlandia and are coming to Portland to find out the real story about the place I hope I might have some answers for you now. I hope you may find them by visiting places on this website. Not just the tourist places that can be fun but the special places. I could have lived anywhere but Portland is a special place and it has held me here.

My approach

My college training was as a photo journalist. Although later I switch to commercial photography and advertising. For putting together this website I have dusted off my old photo journalist skills and went back to many old haunts and some new to capture Portland. Also, to try to find what is left of the ordinal Portlandia of which most has vanished now. I try to give you a visual preview of places in Portland and let you can decide what to see on your visit. Not just a top ten list but an array to choose from.