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.

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.

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.