• Portland's Japanese Garden
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Coffee Culture

Coffee Culture

Dubbed the "home of American coffee culture," Portland knows what it takes to brew the perfect cup. In a 2016 survey of 100 U.S. cities, Portland topped the list, boasting the most coffee roasters per capita and the highest number of cafés. With so many spots to enjoy a great cup of coffee, you might think there's little room for discovery — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Portland’s coffee scene continues to evolve, with unique additions like Oracle Coffee Company, run by Andy Hurley, the drummer of Fall Out Boy and a self-described "vegan straight-edge anarchist." The choices are endless, but for a glimpse of where it all began, visit the original Stumptown Coffee Roasters location at 4525 Southeast Division Street. Many credit this tiny space with launching Portland’s rise to coffee fame, now a chain with outlets from New York to LA.
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Breweries

Breweries

Portland's beer culture dates back to the 1980s when the craft beer movement first began to gain momentum. What started as a handful of breweries has since become a defining element of the city's identity—earning it the nickname "Beervana." Today, Portland is home to roughly 80 (and counting!) craft breweries. A fun way to explore Portland's beer scene is by taking a bike tour that stops at a few local breweries. For those looking to sample a lot in a short amount of time, we recommend Loyal Legion, with 99 local brews on tap, or Apex, where you can taste some of the city's finest craft beers.
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Food Cart Pods

Food Cart Pods

Portland earned its CNN-recognized title of "home to the world's best street food" thanks to a unique phenomenon: the "food cart pods." These clusters of food trucks and stalls, which enjoy semi-permanent locations and often feature shared dining areas with tables and seats, offer a diverse array of cuisines. With several hundred food carts, you can find everything from classic Americana burgers to Korean-style tacos. Notable food cart pods include those on Fifth and Third Avenues in downtown Portland, as well as the Portland State University campus. Other popular pods are Cartopia and Cartlandia in Southeast Portland, Prost Marketplace in the Northeast, and Killingsworth Station, among several others.
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International Rose Test Garden

International Rose Test Garden

Experience firsthand why Portland is known as the "City of Roses" by visiting its Rose Test Garden, the oldest official rose garden in the U.S. Established during World War I, the garden was originally created as a refuge for roses threatened by bombings and potential extinction. Not only did the roses survive, but they have continued to thrive and bloom in Portland. The garden is open to visitors from April through October, with the peak bloom occurring in June.
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Forest Park

Forest Park

Portland is home to the nation's largest wooded urban park—Forest Park. A short hike in, and you'll find it hard to believe that civilization is just steps away. With 70 miles of trails winding through the forest and offering views of the Willamette River, you'll often have nature all to yourself. However, you're also likely to run into locals jogging or walking their dogs—expect to be greeted with a friendly "hello." If you have the time, hike up to Pittock Mansion, a stunning French Renaissance-style château that once belonged to Henry Pittock, a prominent publisher and businessman. Today, the mansion serves as a historic house museum open to visitors, offering panoramic views of the city. Another popular destination within Forest Park is the so-called "Witch's Castle"—the moss-covered ruins of an abandoned stone house. Despite its eerie name, there’s no record of witchcraft here. However, legend has it that its original inhabitant was the first person in Oregon to be sentenced to execution for murder in 1859.
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Before you head out to explore parks further afield, take a stroll through one of Portland's most popular urban spaces: the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, overlooking the Willamette River. There's usually plenty of activity here, given all of the cyclists, skateboarders, joggers, and picnickers that come here, but even more, come to attend major outdoor events and festivals held here throughout the year. On hot summer days, many flock to the refreshing Salmon Street Springs.
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