Best Travel Guide + 8 Best Things To Do In Portland, Oregon

#Portland is fun! It’s an amazing city to wander and you would love to find yourself just like the TV show in Portlandia. It’s a vibrant, quirky and wonderful city to visit on a weekend or even a day trip. With daily flights from Vancouver, BC in under two hours you can fly into Portland any day happily or drive down on a fun road trip.

I flew with Air Alaska on a fun weekend trip and oh boy! I had a brilliant time. I stayed at the Marks and Spencer Hotel just by 11^th Ave and a few blocks up from the famous Powell’s bookstore. It is an easily accessible city with tons of transporting options available right from the time you step out of the airport.

Whether it’s your first time or nth time, Portland is very welcoming. As a solo traveler I felt totally safe and explored some of the most entertaining places in the city. See more below.

For all my Canadian friends/bloggers/travel bloggers/photographers/Instagrammers this city has something for every one of you. Even if you are not interested in snapping pictures and you want to live that hipster life, Portland gets the best out in you!

Sharing a few of my favorite places in Portland, Oregon and why you should visit them.

1. Saturday Market at the PDX waterfront

 

What a sight! The famous Saturday market is alive all year round but only on the weekends. It is definitely one of the biggest outdoor markets in the US. Arts and culture meet at this market, with tons of diverse people, food and music. A true delight for my wanderlusting soul!

2. Skidmore Fountain

This historic fountain was erected in 1888. It is definitely one of the landmarks in Portland and takes you a few years back in time with its cobbled road and unique historical architecture. Today the MAX Light Rail runs past it and attracts tons of tourists. The Saturday Market flows across the Skidmore Fountain and connects you to many other hidden jewels in this city.

3. Pittock Mansion

 

Sunsets by the Pittock Mansion are beyond stunning. You get a brilliant bird’s eye view of the city’s skyline. I’ll go back here any day. My tip would be to arrive before sunset and wait till dusk. The sky illuminates at night with stunning colors. Take back some memories while you visit this glorious city.

4. Snap an Instagram worthy picture by the famous Portland sign

You might have already seen this sign across social media and travel blogs, but you should get one for yourself. It’s definitely a fun experience you’ll remember it very much. (Burnside Bridge in Portland).

5. Portland’s food trucks, donuts, ice-cream, and cold brewed coffee

PDX is a city built for people who love… love loads of food and sugar. Name a cuisine, dish and your choice of topping you’d get everything at the food trucks. Apparently, they are so widely popular that locals live off them and tourist alike. And why would you think otherwise? Considering it’s price point, diverse options, and welcoming vendors, it’s always a party there! Try the cold brewed coffee at the famous Stumptons Coffee shop, get donuts at Voodoo Donuts and grab food from every truck you possibly can.

 

6. Portland’s Rose Test Garden

I haven’t seen a garden as cheerful as the International Rose Test Garden in Portland. It is home to over 10,000 roses of every kind and it’s belonging families. Not only does it’s attractive scent get you, but it’s varied colors, shapes and spectacular views of downtown Portland from the Washington Park. You’re gonna love it.

7. Art in Portland

 As cool as Portland appears from the surface, it is way cooler when you meet her. Local artists, musicians, galleries and street murals dawn the entire downtown core of Portland. Look left or right, you’d always find something stunning to capture on your phone/camera while on-the-go. Local creators work really hard to keep the art scene alive and I did visit the Art in the Pearl exhibit during my weekend trip as well.

8. Shopping in Portland

 

Who doesn’t love living the ‘Devil Wear’s Prada life for real’? In all honesty, shopping in Portland is the best. I can’t even mention how delightful it is to shop tax-free. Tons of brands, labels to choose from in the city’s shopping district. Art lovers would also enjoy some collectibles that are available to shop from the local art scene. I’m going back sooner than expected, thanks to the shopping lover in me.

It was a fun weekend getaway trip for me. Portland was so charming and I had a great time. I bet you’re going to have more fun than me the next time you plan to visit Portland. It was a short but refreshing trip for me, I wish I could stay back just a bit longer.

Have you guys been to Portland before? Leave your comments below or reach out to me on Instagram @jonathanho1

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Travel credits:

Travel Partner: Air Alaska

Hospitality Partner: The Marks Spencer Hotel

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Other Credits:

Outfits all belong to Jonathan from Waiching’s Wall

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Photo Courtesy:

The images belong to WaichingsWall.com in collaboration with Dani Rexine Photography.

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