Portland is a place that’s so restless, they even find it difficult to settle on a city slogan. It’s been called ‘The City of Roses’, ‘The City that Works’ and, more recently, ‘Life’s Good Here’.
But one slogan you’ll find it hard to avoid, sprayed on walls or affixed to cars on bumper stickers, is ‘Keep Portland Weird’ - which just about sums up the offbeat vibe of this city that feels like a cosy town.
A cup of Joe
You can’t wander far in Portland without coming across an artisan coffee spot. Whether it’s in a beautiful old building, a double-decker bus or a quirky pop-up van, Portlanders take their brew seriously.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters have several reliably excellent outlets, and set many of the current trends in beverages. ToV, on Hawthorne Boulevard, is in the aforementioned bus and is a handy stone’s throw away from the brilliantly named breakfast food cart ‘Fried Egg I’m in Love’.
East meets West
Portland is a city that breathes, peppered with wonderful gardens and chill-out spaces. If you want to go further afield, car hire in Portland means stunning locations like Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and the rugged Oregon coast (with its whale watching opportunities) are just a short drive away.
In the city itself, make a beeline for the Japanese Garden. Opened in 1967, the 5.5 acre site is a serene enclave that includes a tea garden and strolling pond garden. Koi ponds, cherry trees, blossom in spring, a Kashintei tea house – it’s truly a balm for the soul.
Portland in a day
There’s so much to see in Portland it can be hard to know where to start. So why not tick off some of the most interesting and unique venues in 24 hours?
On 3rd Avenue, Voodoo Doughnuts has been wowing people with its unusual flavours since 2003. The Voodoo Bubble doughnut is sprinkled with bubble gum dust, while the Bacon Maple Bar doughnut is precisely like it sounds – perfect for an unhealthy breakfast.
Indulge your cultural side with a visit to Pittock Mansion. Built in 1914, it sits high above Portland and offers unparalleled views of the city. Finish off the perfect day by eating from one of the hundreds of food carts you’ll come across. Whether you’re in the mood for waffles, Thai, Norwegian, small batch ice cream or even fish and chips, it’s all in Portland.
Whether you use Portland as a base for exploring Oregon’s countryside, or are here for a walk on the wild side, car hire in Portland will give you the freedom to do what you want to do in this one-off city.
