Getting to Portland
Almost everyone who flies into Oregon uses Portland International Airport (PDX). You can get from the airport to downtown in just under 40 minutes without traffic. One thing that makes Portland an ideal city for popping in and out is its MAX Light Rail. This five-line rail system can get you from the airport to downtown easily. You can also use it to get from downtown to various Portland neighborhoods. If you’re coming to Portland from Seattle, a straight shot up Interstate 5 takes about three hours.
How to See the Best of the Pacific Northwest in Portland My list of things to see and do every time I visit Portland is relatively short. I can’t leave until I’ve visited a brewery, walked through the Japanese gardens and taken at least a short bike ride. The Portland Japanese Garden transports you to the Orient at every level. It’s considered to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. As a bonus, you’ll find the International Rose Test Garden right down the street on Kingston. This fragrant, flourishing attraction is the oldest public rose garden in the country. A visit covering both makes for a fantastic afternoon that will leave you with an unforgettable impression of Portland. A lot is said about keeping Portland “weird.” However, I find that taking time to appreciate the roots of this city offers a nice balance when exploring its zanier attractions. This is why I enjoyed 24 || Terra Travelers
my visit to the Pittock Mansion. Built in 1914, this estate is a pleasure to tour if you want to learn about the people who made Portland what it is today. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to visit the famed Portland Saturday Market after finding myself in town on the weekend. An enduring feature of Old Town, the market can be found at Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza. Hundreds of vendors show up to sell food and wares in the company of live performers each weekend. I’ll also highlight some of the neighborhoods to hit when in Portland. Pick the Alberta Arts District if you only have time to devote to one thing. Featuring eclectic galleries, restaurants and bars, this is the zone people picture when they think of “weird” Portland. On the suggestion of a local, I ducked into Case Study Coffee Roasters for a house
espresso that I still think about to this day! What brought me to the Pearl district was the Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House that everyone suggested visiting. I had a great time tasting in-house brews under the exposed ceiling beams belonging to an old garage at the brewery. I also fell in love with the beautiful reclaimed warehouses that have been turned into art galleries and upscale restaurants in this neighborhood. This is also a good spot if you’re looking for a mix of designer retailers and artisan vendors. I’ve been lucky enough to fit in some urban cycling while in Portland. I had the best luck following the 10-mile trail on the Willamette River bike path that runs neatly through Waterfront Park. If you’re confident, you can also duck off the trail to head into Chinatown and the Pearl District.
