PORTLAND, OREGON

Portland the largest city in Oregon was founded in1884 next to the Willamette River. It was nearly completely destroyed in a fire in 1873, but after it was rebuilt it developed into a thriving port. The city is very alive with cultural happenings, musical entertainment, theater, scenic landscapes, neighborhoods, distilleries and impressive gardens.

TOP 8 PLACES TO SEE

1.PORTLAND ART

MUSEUMThe museum was founded in 1892 and are the seventh oldest museum in the United States. The museum has a substantial and varied collect of items exceeding 42 000 of which only a small portion is on exhibit. Highlights include Native American artefact, graphic arts, English silver, Asian art, photography, and Northwest art. The Northwest Film Centre School of Art and the visual-arts focused Crumpacker Family Library is also part of the museum.

2.OREGON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

The complex also houses a theater with four-story screen, a planetarium, a US Navy submarine, and educational hands-on displays. Educational exhibits for young children, colorful entertaining as well as interactive displays for all ages are some of the activities on offer - fields covered included energy, the environment, health, chemistry, engineering, and technology. The USS Blueback, a non-nuclear submarine which was in use for over 30 years is docked just outside the museum, visitors can climb aboard for a guided tour.

3.PITTOCK MANSION

Built in 1914 the mansion is today one of the few historic attraction in Portland. The mansion was built by Henry Pittock, the founder and publisher of The Oregonian Newspaper. The French-Renaissance and Victorian 22 room mansion is decorated in early 20th century furnishings. Learn how the high life was lived in Portland in one of the guided tours. Take a stroll around the spectacular ground and see some of the best aerial views of the city. At the gift shop you can by any of the handcrafted items made by local vendors.

4.POWELL’S CITY OF BOOKS

Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world with more than 2 million new and used books in stock. It is so big that you requires a map of the square block, three stories high bookshop. While wandering around you will notice that many of the great writers have scrawled their signatures on one of the building’s pillars.

5.MOUNT HOOD

When the snow begins to fall, grab your gear and head east, to Mount Hood, Portland’s prime skiing area where numerous downhill and cross country trails await. For the more experience head over to Mr. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl or conquer your vertigo at the Timberline Ski Area, the highest ski area on the mountain. Accommodation is available if you plan on staying longer than a day. The main summer attractions is at the Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl, which features hiking and biking trails, as well as numerous other activities.

6.OREGON ZOO

Located in Washington Park the zoo is home to hundreds of species of birds and marine animals like Steller sea lions and sea otters. Animals from African savannah, the Amazon and Arctic found a home in the zoo. The zoo was founded in the late 1800s when Richard Knight put together a private collection of animals. The zoo is also offering conservations programs with the primary focus of preserving species of the Pacific Northwest.

7.OREGON MARITIME MUSEUM

Experience the adventure of your life on our rivers in the last operating steam-powered sternwheeler tugs in Portland. The museum is on the National Registry of Historic Places. You can take a tour of the steamer, including the pilot house and engine room while listening of stories of the local river and their maritime history. On exhibit is ship models, maritime artifacts, memorabilia as well as displays that relate to steam power, sailing vessels, battleship Oregon, underwater diving, and the shipyards during WWII that built the liberty ships and the merchant marines who sailed them.

8.COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

If you enjoy driving and the outdoors, then this will be just the thing to do. Take a leisurely drive along the Columbia River on the 292 500 acres along the North America’s second largest river. The trip takes in locks, viewpoints, and hiking trails. The towering Multnomah Falls, the Oneonta Gorge and the Latourrel Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park is ideal to stop at and take some photographs.

OTHER PLACES TO SEE