Maybe you've heard that the city of Portland, Oregon, has been proclaimed as North America's "Best Big City," according to Money magazine. One visit will explain why.
This city shines with natural beauty, a bustling local scene, gourmet seasonally focused dining and various welcoming accommodations much of which can be accessed via the region’s convenient and eco-friendly light-rail system.
Portland is home to a diverse array of attractions. Offering everything from historic museums to outdoor gardens, visitors can experience the beauty and richness of Portland in various ways.
ATTRACTIONS - Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Oregon Ballet Theater, Bonneville Dam
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden
MUSEUMS - Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Portland has many options for shopping and entertainment and even more in the cuisine department. Portland has a growing restaurant scene that was recognized by the Food Network Awards as their "Delicious Destination of the Year: A rising city with a fast-growing food scene" for 2007. Here are just a few locations that capture visitors:
Portland is well-known for its microbrerwery beer. Oregon Public Broadcasting has documented Portland's role in the microbrew revolution in the United States in a report called Beervana. Some illustrate Portlanders' interest in the beverage by an offer made in 1888 when local brewer Hentry Weinhar volunteered to pump beer from his brewery into the newly dedicated Skidmore Fountain.
With twenty-eight breweries within the city, Portland is home to more breweries than any other city in the country, which is partially responsible for CNBC to name Portland the best
city for happy hour in the U.S.
Portland is home to the Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association and the Rose Garden where they play. Beginning in 2011, the city will host a Major League Soccer franchise,
which will be a continuation of the Portland Timbers. The city is also home to a number of minor league teams.
Running is a popular sport in the metropolitan area, which hosts the Portland Marathon and much of the Hood to Coast Relay (the world's largest such event).
Portland started as a spot known as "the clearing," which was on the banks of the Willamette about halfway between Oregon City and Fort Vancouver.
At the time of its incorporation on February 8,1851 Portland had over 800 inhabitants, a steam sawmill, a log cabin hotel, and a newspaper, the Weekly Oregonian. By 1879, the population had grown to 17,500. The city merged with Albina and East Portland in 1891, and annexed the cities of Linnton and St. Johns in 1915.
Portland's metro area population growth has outpaced the national average during the last decade, with current estimates showing an 80% chance of population growth in excess of 60%
over the next 50 years.
Portland's location is beneficial for several industries. Relatively low energy cost, accessible resources, North-South and East West Interstates, international air terminals, large marine shipping facilities, and both west coast intercontinental railroads are all economic advantages
Nike, Inc.
Intel
Adidas
Schnitzer Steel Industries
Precision Castparts Corp.
Columbia Sportswear Co.
