If you have not had a chance to make it over to the pacific northwest to visit Portland, Oregon I’m going to give you 10 reasons today why you should consider this vacation destination. Portland is the most populated city in Oregon and sits on the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. This creates the fertile landscape that is uniquely Portland. I’ve been living here for 12 years now and thought it could be fun to create a list of some of my favorite Portland experiences!
10) – Multnomah Falls! Multnomah falls stays open year-round and is one of the tallest waterfalls in the United States! More than 2 million visitors stop by the falls each year. What is really cool about visiting Multnomah Falls is that if you’re adventurous and athletic, there is a trail to the top. I have to admit I have never made it to the top of the falls but those who have rave about the magnificent beauty of it all. The picture above is of Horsetail falls – very close to Multnomah Falls
9) Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival – located about 30 minutes south of Portland the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is a gorgeous sight that brings visitors from all over the world. The tulips bloom from late March until early May. The folks that own the Tulip farm started it in 1950. It is a family-owned business and a lot of fun for everyone of all ages.
8) Concerts at the Moda Center! The Moda Center was once called the Rose Garden and was used primarily for indoor sports. Now, this large space is primed to hold sporting events, concerts, circuses, conventions, ice shows and more. I had one of the best experiences getting to hear Brandi Carlile play her New Year’s Eve show in 2023 at the Moda Center. It holds up to 20,500 spectators and always has a lot of joyful energy
7) – Happy hour at Portland City Grill. Portland City Grill is a New American restaurant that has a rocking happy hour. This typically quite expense restaurant puts out killer deals for Happy Hour. Be warned though – it can get packed! Especially if you’re hoping for a window seat (but don’t worry it’s almost all windows) as the restaurant sits on the 30th floor in the heart of downtown Portland.
6) – The St. Johns bridge. This steel suspension bridge was built in 1931. It sits on the Willamette River in the north Portland area of the city. It is the only suspension bridge in the Williamette valley and has an iconic look. It’s especially pretty to visit in the fall months.
5) Portland Night Market. Portland Night Market is a pop-up market with local vendors and their handmade items. Portland Night Market blends together the unique culture that is Portland through music, food, drinks and even a petting zoo. They have different theme markets for their pop-ups and community always shows up for these.
4) Food carts! To be completely honest, I moved to Portland for the food scene. I’ve been a major foody my whole life and I can never tire from the amount of endless food choices. There are so many different food cart pods around town. The food cart pods are really popular as you can find up to 50 different kinds of food trucks in one location. It makes it super fun for someone like that likes to try many different bites.
3) Kayaking on the Columbia River. I live about 30 minutes north of Portland in Saint Helens, Oregon. Since moving here in 2012 I have developed such a deep love and appreciation for kayaking and paddle boarding. The calm waters of the Columbia River in combination with the gorgeous wildlife makes this a must to try! You can rent kayaks or paddle boards to catch some of those summer rays.
2) Darcelle’s! Darcelle XV Showplace have been entertaining audiences for over 50 years! This iconic Portland hot spot offers Las Vegas style cabaret in the cutest venue. From hilarious comedy to fabulous glamour, this LGBTQIA2+ hotspot is one of my favorite things to when I feel like I need a fun night out. Another fun fact is that in 2018 Darcelle was named the Guiness World Record’s “oldest working drag queen”. RIP Darcelle.
1) Halloweentown! Located a mere 30 minutes north of Portland Oregon you will find Saint Helens, Oregon. This quaint little town is so adorable and totally goes out every Halloween season. The movie Halloweentown was filmed here as well as parts of Twilight. This makes it a hot spot for movie fans to visit each October. The sweet little town goes mad with Halloween each year from store fronts being decorated, to parades, festivals, hayrides and more.
