The Pacific Northwest is made for outdoor adventure and no city epitomises the desirable, active, brisk quality of life quite like Portland. Check out 10 reasons to get out and about in the premier Oregon city.

Portland Japanese Garden, Washington Park – Photo credit

10. Food Carts

The promise of good food is a common clarion call in Portand and, surprise, surprise, figures prominently on our outdoor list. The city, famously, is like one big patio – al fresco brunch is a civic rite of passage (more on that later). A lively and zany food cart culture, however, is what has most made PDX a hipster, urbane capital of cool of late. With too many bueno sidewalk line cooks to list in one post, just verify this handy and definitive Portland food cart site.

9. Bicycle Paths

While not Amsterdam or Copenhagen yet, the aim is for Portland to accomplish a Euro-like sensibility in the public transport department. As it is, the city is by far the most fit in the U.S. – close to 10% of commuters bike to work or ten times the national average. Indeed, the best way to see the Rose City is on foot or a bicycle. Consult the Portland Bureau of Transportation for logistical help on how best to navigate the city.

8. Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is a Portland gem. The foremost urban wetlands refuge in the country is free and open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset.

Where to stay: Best Western Inn At The Meadows Portland

7. Accanto
2838 SE Belmont Street

A café, enoteca and Southeast ‘hood hot spot, Accanto has a sweet patio and is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Where to stay: Jupiter Hotel Portland

6. International Rose Test Garden
Washington Park

Discover wonderful Washington Park and find out why Portland is the Rose City. Aside from the International Rose Test Garden, the park is home to Oregon Zoo, Portland Japanese Garden and World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

Where to stay: Park Lane Suites & Inn Portland

5. Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Explore the west bank Willamette River home of the Waterfront Blues Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Gay/Lesbian Pride Festival and The Bite of Oregon Festival.

4. Portland Saturday Market
SW Ankeny and Naito Parkway, under Burnside Bridge

As it happens, it makes perfect sense to hold a market under a bridge. The arts and crafts Portland Saturday Market is a paragon in the U.S. and lures some 750,000 visitors to historic Old Town Chinatown per annum.

Where to stay: Embassy Suites Portland Downtown

3. Screen Door
2337 E Burnside Street

“The Best Southern Cuisine in Portland” serves up classics new and old like praline bacon waffles and pimento cheese for brunch and dinner. The best grits in Portland and lovely street-side tables to boot.

Where to stay: Residence Inn Portland Downtown Lloyd Center

2. Besaw’s
2301 NW Savier Street

For breakfast, lunch or dinner, Besaws delivers well-made, savvy, seasonal comfort fare. A cliquey hipster lair with a first-rate patio and delicious food.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Portland-NW Downtown

1. 40-Mile Loop

One of the best green belts in urban North America, the 40-Mile Loop was a brilliant, archetypal flash of genius by those turn of the century landscape architects par excellence, John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. The path now runs some 140 miles (230 km) and may yet link up to the mighty Pacific Crest Trail.

Portland City Guide

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