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Portland Family Vacation Guide - Free Travel & Visitor Guides Skip to content Menu Destinations United States Australia Canada Caribbean Central America Mexico Oceania South America Southeast Asia Blog About Us Sitemap Menu Destinations United States Australia Canada Caribbean Central America Mexico Oceania South America Southeast Asia Blog About Us Sitemap Portland Travel Guide 2020 Travel Guides > US Travel > Oregon Vacation Planner > Portland Travel Guide 2020 2020 Portland Visitors Guide Page Contents 2020 Portland Visitors Guide Portland Downtown Hotels About Downtown Portland Portland Weather Portland Transportation Portland Attractions Portland Dining Portland Events Family Fun near Downtown Portland Shopping near Downtown Portland Map of Hotels in Portland Portland is an eclectic city that’s easy to explore thanks to its relatively small size. A population of just under 600,000 means that this city is no sprawling urban metropolis. In fact, a great mass transit system and a compact downtown enable visitors to feel at home quickly and orient themselves without difficulty. Today, Portland features plenty of slick skyscrapers and upscale restaurants, but this is a huge departure from the town’s humble beginnings. At the time of its incorporation in 1851, Portland boasted 800 residents and its most notable landmarks were a steam sawmill and a log cabin hotel. Progress happened quickly, with the population rapidly swelling and enabling the city to take over nearby settlements. Agriculture, logging and shipping were all early industries in Portland, ensuring the city’s longevity and continued economic development. The city lies on both sides of the Willamette River, close to that river’s confluence with the better-known Columbia River. In 1931, the city was officially divided into five sections to make it easier to navigate the streets. Those divisions are still widely in use today with locals referring casually to Northeast and Southwest. The other quadrants are Northwest, Southeast and North. The Willamette River effectively divides the east from the west, which is a handy piece of knowledge for visitors wanting to find their way around town. Portland’s culture is fascinating and diverse. This is the home of the sophisticated Oregon Ballet Theater and the Portland Opera, but it’s also the place where innovative filmmaker Gus Van Sant grew up and where The Simpsons creator Matt Groening was born. In fact, the city enjoys a long and interesting history with the film and television industry, and many parts of the city are familiar to viewers of the Twilight films, Body of Evidence and Portlandia. The city is also a haven for foodies and lovers of microbrews. While there are plenty of elegant restaurants serving gourmet fare, perhaps the most fun to be had with food in Portland is among the plethora of food carts that have sprung up everywhere in downtown. Of course, a stop at the infamous VooDoo Doughnut is a must for anyone new to the city, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the clash of bohemia and sophistication that seems to have infiltrated all of Portland’s neighborhoods. In fact, it is this contrast that makes Portland such an interesting and worthwhile destination. Perhaps no other city in the world quite so successfully combines the counterculture with the mainstream. Portland Downtown Hotels Home to superb restaurants, charming art galleries and a wealth of cultural attractions, parks and museums, Downtown Portland always offers something great to see or do. The vibrant and lively heart of the city, Downtown Portland boasts plenty of cultural and entertainment options to enjoy year-round. A safe and walkable area, it is very easy to get to and holds many of the city’s top attractions and landmarks. Downtown Portland plays host to some of the finest museums, parks and attractions in the Pacific Northwest. It holds the acclaimed Pioneer Courthouse Square as well as the Portland Museum of Art, one of the finest art museums in the entire country. Downtown Portland is also home to the beautiful Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the fascinating Oregon Historical Society and the renowned Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Elsewhere in the district, visitors will find a rich and diverse variety of restaurants, shops, boutiques and galleries to enjoy. Easy to get to yet hard to leave, Downtown Portland offers a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. Downtown Hotel Service offers Hotels near Downtown Portland that are quality hotels at an affordable price. Use our Search box above or click here to see available hotels! About Downtown Portland Downtown Portland boasts a wide array of shops, restaurants, nightlife hubs, attractions and other points of interest for visitors to enjoy any time of the year. Whether you’re looking for a top-notch restaurant to have dinner at or a world-class museum to explore for the afternoon, Downtown Portland has it all. From culture to leisure to entertainment, this historic and vibrant district has plenty of great things to see and do. The district is located in the heart of Portland on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River. It serves as the city’s central business district as well as a hub of government, culture and entertainment. Downtown Portland is accessible by car, light rail and by tram. It also offers close proximity to the region’s main airports and highways. Downtown Portland is packed with a wealth of attractions and sites of interest. Its centerpiece is Pioneer Courthouse Square, one of the most acclaimed public squares in the country. Other attractions include the Portland Art Museum, one of the largest and most distinguished art museums in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the beautiful Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the Oregon Historical Society and the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Elsewhere in Downtown Portland, visitors will find acclaimed restaurants, fine galleries and a huge array of shops and boutique stores to explore. In addition, Downtown Portland offers close proximity to great neighborhoods like the historic Old Town and the city’s vibrant Chinatown. With its wide range of great attractions, landmarks, cultural institutions and other sites of interest to discover, Downtown Portland is always a memorable place to visit. From exceptional restaurants to scenic parks to renowned museums, this district has a little bit of something for everyone. No matter who you are or what you’re interested in, Downtown Portland is always a fantastic place to visit any time of the year. Portland Weather Those who have never been to Portland, Oregon, have visions of it being a city where gloom and rain rule and where the sun is seldom seen. This can certainly be the case during the winter months, so Portland isn’t for those who suffer from the winter blues. Portland weather, however, is responsible for the abundance of thriving green plant life and beautiful floral displays that the city freely offers. Portland isn’t referred to as “The City of Roses” for no reason. Roses love rain as much as they need sun. Portland has the perfect combination to keep these beauties blooming for long periods of time. It is not at all unusual to see colorful rose blossoms through the month of December in Portland gardens. Summer brings the Rose Festival when residents and visitors alike pay homage to the iconic flower that gives them there name. The Rose Festival is one of the most well-attended festivals in the United States and lasts for over two weeks during the latter part of May and the first weeks of June. Events include fireworks, musical performances, boat races, living history demonstrations, numerous appearances by the Clown Prince and a grand finale called the Grande Floral Parade. Portland weather is always unpredictable during this time of year, and although the parade has frequently taken place under misting or rainy skies, wet weather has never deterred celebrants from thoroughly enjoying the ...