Useful Tips On How To Enjoy Your Trip To Portland

If you are planning a trip to Portland, Oregon, you will want to know when the best time of the year is to go, where to stay, what to do and what to eat. Luckily for you, this guide will tell you all of those things! We have created this brief but thorough guide to making the most out of Portland for your convenience. So, read on to get inspired and start planning your awesome trip.

When To Go

The best time to visit Portland, according to a travel guide by U.S. News, is from June to August. In these summer months, the weather is consistently warm, allowing the city’s outdoor culture to thrive. On top of that, summer is when the city’s roses (especially at the International Rose Test Garden) are in full bloom, which makes for a lovely photo.

However, it is worth noting that these months are also when most tourists, such as yourself, will visit Portland. So, if you want to join the throng, book your accommodation well in advance to avoid sky-high prices or fully-booked hotels.

Where To Stay

When staying in Portland, Oregon, we generally recommend that you stay in the central area. This is because you will find most of the attractions in the center, so as a tourist this is where you want to be. Moreover, if you stay in the suburbs you will end up spending more on transport into the center every day than if you just spend a little more on your accommodation. There are several great hostels in Portland, which offer a reasonable price for a great location and a lovely experience. Look out for hotels with great amenities for your stay, such as free breakfast, access to a refrigerator, laundry facilities, free internet, and parking. 

What To Do

 A must-visit spot in Portland, especially if you have children in your group, is Washington Park. There are endless fun activities and beauty spots in Washington Park for you to explore, such as an archery range, Hoyt Arboretum, the Japanese Garden, tennis courts, a children’s playground, the international rose test garden, and the Oregon Zoo. Moreover, there is a range of memorials and statues to visit for some culture and history, such as the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, and the Sacajawea Memorial. You will also find restrooms and picnic benches, so you can really make a day out of visiting this park.

Other great places to visit in Portland include the Portland Saturday Market, which has resumed for its 49th season on Saturdays only, with 150 vendors showcasing a variety of arts & crafts sold by local Pacific Northwest artisans. Also, the Portland Art Museum, which has collections of Asian art, Native American (especially Pacific Coast) art, Northwest art, and European and American collections, which contain some extraordinary individual pieces, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

What To Eat

Portland offers a wide range of cuisines, flavors, and local favorites. So, whether you are in the mood for a traditional American feast or an international experience, Portland has everything you can imagine. For a delightful Italian treat, try out Gracie’s Apizza, or for a hearty steak, you need to try Ringside, where they have been cooking steaks to perfection and serving them with incredible onion rings since 1944.

As well as restaurants, Portland is home to some truly delicious food carts, such as Kabba’s Kitchen. Kabba Saidikhan serves exceptional Senegalese and Gambian dishes out of a black-and-silver food cart in a lot off Albina. And for a truly American taste sensation, you must visit Erica’s Soul Food. In a bright yellow cart parked outside East Coast sandwich shop Lottie & Zula’s, Erica Montogomery serves the most delightful chicken wings with a range of sauces and flavors.

Have A Great Trip!

This has been a brief guide to visiting Portland, Oregon. From when to go and where to stay to what to do and what to eat, we have provided a thorough and super fun list of recommendations to get the ball rolling on the planning for your trip. Remember, if you want to visit Portland in the summer and make the most out of the warmth, you will need to book your accommodation with good time. We hope you have a great time exploring Washington Park and all it has to offer, and don’t forget to say hi to Kabba and Erica and sample their lovely hand-crafted food. Enjoy Oregon, and have a great time!