Portland Vacations

With a thriving downtown, historic Old Town, heralded urban planning, and beautiful parks, Portlanders are proud to claim their city as one of the most sophisticated and cultured anywhere, and visitors will whole-heartedly agree.

Start your visit at the centrally located Pioneer Courthouse Square, a favorite gathering spot for free concerts, just to relax, or to watch the mechanical Weather Machine sculpture give a 24-hour forecast. North of the square is Old Town, a National Historic Landmark and now-colorful neighborhood with elegant buildings and the famous Portland Saturday Market (which operates on Sundays, too).

If you're traveling with your family, you're in luck and will enjoy the Japanese Garden - considered the finest example in the U.S.; the International Rose Test Garden; and the Oregon Zoo with its large herd of elephants and other animals. All these are connected via a scaled-down train to add to the fun.

Adults will love Portland's thriving cultural and entertainment venues, including a local symphony and a performing arts group, plus the city's many diverse and eclectic breweries and brew pubs. If you're really into beer, be sure to visit during the Oregon Brewers Festival, the country's largest festival of independent craft brewers. Another festive to try to plan your visit around is the annual Rose Festival, held for several weeks during June and filled with parades, floats, music, and art.

Getting around Portland is easy with the best mode of transport being by foot or the bus, light-rail system, and streetcar, which is all free within the borders of downtown, Chinatown, and Old Town.

• Choice of accommodations for two nights (extra nights available)
• Hotel taxes