Portland, Oregon 72-Hour Vacation

Skyline viewed from the bridge

Portland looks toward the future. It's a city that embraces the simple values of riding bikes and recycling, yet offers free Wi-Fi at the corner coffee shop. Restaurants here support the sustainability movement by using locally grown food, and Portland chefs are among the nation's leaders in innovative cuisine. The sportswear industry drives the economy as well as local fashion trends; polar fleece is beloved and worn by all. It's a casual kind of place with pure water and amazing views. It's a city where young creatives come to thrive, adventurous folks come to retire, and everyone in between enjoys the area's recreational options, culture and commerce. The area is full of surprising sites and natural wonders, and you can spend at least a day exploring downtown Portland without renting a car, thanks to the city's excellent mass transit system combining light rail, streetcars and buses. It's easy to find your way around the city. The Willamette River, flowing through the center of town, divides the city into east and west. Burnside Street intersects the river and creates the north and south quadrants. If you get lost, don't' stress. Locals are always happy to point you in the right direction.

The Nines, Portland

Portland has several fine downtown hotels, from the inexpensive to the extravagant. The Heathman Hotel, a gem in the heart of the "cultural district," with a James Beard Award-winning chef in residence, is a luxurious choice. If you favor upscale boutique lodging, The Nines, Portland, situated on two opulent floors at the top of the Meier & Frank/Macy's building, offers a posh stay, while the plush Hotel Vintage Plaza caters to wine connoisseurs. Nearby, the Hotel Lucia is a fun, affordable European-style hangout, and the Ace hotel offers retro-style digs for creative types. Just across the Willamette River, the Jupiter Hotel provides a hipster haven in an authentically urban environment. Visitors preferring something off the beaten track can try the bucolic Avalon Hotel & Spa on the South Waterfront. Many attractions are just a short walk or MAX ride from these choice hotels. Portland offers a dazzling variety of activities; to enjoy the city to its fullest, here is your itinerary for a fabulous three-day tour.

DAY 1

After a hearty breakfast at the Bijou Café (try the signature snapper hash) or Gracie's, stroll through downtown Portland to get a feel for the city and its residents. Pioneer Courthouse Square, which has been dubbed "Portland's living room," hosts a great number of concerts, fairs and festivals, not to mention a relaxed crowd of locals hanging out. Powell's City of Books may be the city's most popular tourist attraction. Some visitors schedule an entire day to explore this massive store selling new and used books. Take a break at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, an entire square block of tranquility based on a garden built in Suzhou during the Ming Dynasty. It features a tearoom, pond, Chinese plants and several authentic structures.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Portlandia, the controversial embodiment of the Portland spirit, is another wildly popular attraction. The 36-foot hammered copper statue, the second largest of its kind in the country, bows only to the Statue of Liberty. Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a long stretch of green along the busy Willamette River. In the summer, many of the city's favorite celebrations and special events take place here. Visit several theme areas such as the Children's Story Garden, Japanese American Historical Plaza, and the Oregon Maritime Center. The Salmon Street Springs prove that in Portland on a hot summer day, no one is hesitant about jumping into a fountain.

Enjoy lunch at one of Portland's many affordable ethnic restaurants, such as Alexis for excellent moussaka or Kenny & Zukes for an authentic pastrami Reuben sandwich. After lunch, take a ride on the MAX to Washington Park, located at the head of Southwest Park Place. Here you'll get a taste of the natural setting that gives Portland its special character. The Hoyt Arboretum features a vast number of species of trees and shrubs, as well as ten miles of easily navigated trails. The five-acre Japanese Garden offers a cool and quiet respite from city noise. The Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial is a solemn monument to Portland's veteran and lost sons and daughters.

Portland's aerial tram

Those curious about Oregon's once-thriving timber industry can learn about its legacy at the World Forestry Center. Kids will love the interactive Children's Museum, and visitors of all ages will certainly enjoy a walk through the Oregon Zoo. The zoo train travels across the park to the International Rose Test Garden, a lovely terraced spot overlooking the city with a glorious array of more than 7,000 rose bushes.

For an equally fun yet completely different ride, walk or take the streetcar to the South Waterfront where you can catch a 20-minute ride on Portland's aerial tram, a space-aged-looking pod that carries passengers above the river and up "Pill Hill" to the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) hospital campus. The fare is just a few dollars and well worth the experience.

For dinner, board a streetcar for Northwest 21st Avenue, Portland's "restaurant row," to dine on authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine. Wildwood and Paley's Place prepare outstanding regional fare made with fresh, local ingredients. After dinner, head back downtown to catch the local jazz scene at the Benson Hotel, The Heathman Hotel or Jimmy Mak's.

Continue to Day 2

* Skyline and tram images from the Official Tourism and Meeting Website for Portland, Oregon (Tram photo by Tim Jewett)