Spring in Portland
Early morning spring showers bring budding blossoms, signature festivals and stunning views.
Best Spots for Spring Flowers
Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to spring flowers in Portland.
Ticket to Dine
Portland’s “Ticket to Dine” offers patrons scratch-off tickets and a chance to win big prizes for 10 days in March.
Spring Hikes Near Portland
There’s something special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy wildflowers, bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.
Illustration by Subin Yang
A City of Neighborhoods
Portland is known for the vibrancy and uniqueness of its many neighborhoods, each with a distinct sense of place, and — in quirky Portland fashion — spread across six so-called "quadrants."
Locals will tell you that you haven’t truly been to Portland until you’ve connected with our diverse communities.
Visit our neighborhoods page to get acquainted with more than 20 awesome Portland neighborhoods.
Upcoming Events
Farmers Market at Portland State University
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. Ap…
Ticket to Dine
Portland’s “Ticket to Dine” offers patrons scratch-off tickets and a chance to win big prizes …
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe T…
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts f…
Seven Guitars
PassinArt: A Theatre Company presents August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, directed by William (Bill) Earl…
Rhododendron Show & Sale
The Early Blooming Rhododendron Show returns to Crystal Springs. Presented by the Portland Chapter o…
Frequently Asked Questions About Portland, Oregon
Where is Portland, Oregon?
How far is Portland from Seattle?
How many days should I spend in Portland, Oregon?
No matter how long your scheduled visit is, there are always more live music venues, art galleries, food carts and natural areas to explore.
What is life in Portland, Oregon, like?
It’s typical to spend a day in Portland strolling through one of the city’s many unique neighborhoods, visiting locally owned businesses, restaurants, public green spaces and cultural attractions.
Perhaps because of our abundant rainfall, Portland’s culture of coziness encourages people to spend time indoors honing their crafts, making art, enjoying delicious food, seeing live music, browsing bookstores, and sipping tea, beer, wine, cocktails and coffee.
Rain or shine, you can take advantage of the city’s proximity to nature by playing in the Willamette River, wandering through lush public parks and gardens, biking the city’s 162 miles (261 km) of bike lanes and hiking trails both within city limits and in the nearby Columbia River Gorge.
What is there to do in Portland, Oregon?
Portland also offers a seemingly infinite array of things to see, taste and do. For a first-time trip, we recommend checking out our list of top sights and things to do in Portland. To take a deeper dive, check out our culture collection where you can explore dozens of ways to enjoy Portland’s music, art, bike culture, food, beer, outdoors, makers, tax-free shopping, cultural communities, nightlife, sports, cannabis, weirdness and more.
What should I see in Portland, Oregon?
For a deeper dive into things to see and do in Portland, check out our culture collection where you can explore dozens of ways to enjoy the city’s music, art, bike culture, food, beer, outdoors, makers, cultural communities, nightlife, sports, cannabis, weirdness and more.
What makes Portland, Oregon, unique?
Portlanders also place a high value on sustainability, which can be seen in the way locals maintain and enjoy the city’s public gardens and green spaces, urban forests, miles of protected bike lanes, efficient public transportation and preserved natural areas.
What is Portland known for?
Portland’s layout is also unique. With 12 bridges entirely within city limits, and several more connecting Portland to Vancouver, Washington, the city’s “Bridgetown” moniker is certainly accurate. Portland is divided into north and south by Burnside Street and into east and west by the Willamette River. What’s the final result of this awesome confluence of bridges, rivers and bustling streets? A vibrant city with six quadrants (yes, there are six of them!) and more than 90 formally recognized neighborhoods — each with its own unique style, each calling out to be explored.
What food is Portland famous for?
While Portland doesn’t necessarily have a single iconic food, it does have a number of must-taste specialties. The Maple Bacon Bar at Voodoo Doughnut, the white curry (with brisket burnt ends) at Eem and khao man gai at Nong’s are a few you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget about the beverages for which Portland is most famous: coffee and craft beer. (We’re no slouches when it comes to wine and tea, either.)
Is Portland, Oregon, safe to visit?
What is the best time of year to visit Portland, Oregon?
No matter when you visit, Portland offers tax-free shopping, diverse cultural offerings, live music, award-winning culinary experiences and more. To find out what each season and month in Portland offers, check out our When to Visit page. You can also visit our events calendar to discover more things to do and see based on your interests and the dates of your trip.
Why do people say, “Keep Portland Weird”?
Portland’s quirks appear in many ways, including at annual events like the World Naked Bike Ride and the Adult Soapbox Derby, or in strange places like the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and the world’s smallest park. The city’s thriving and ever-expanding community of artists, designers and makers also help foster Portland’s culture of embracing individuality and creative expression.
You can find the city’s iconic black and yellow “KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD” mural at 22 SW Third Ave., behind Dante’s and across the street from Voodoo Doughnut.
What is the racial makeup of Portland, Oregon?
- White: 77.4%
- Black or African American: 5.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8%
- Asian: 8.2%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.6%
- Two or More Races: 5.3%
- Hispanic or Latino: 9.7%
Can I drink tap water in Portland?
Why do they call Portland “Stumptown”?
Why is Portland called “Rip City?”
Unfortunately, the Trail Blazers lost the game 136 to 114, but Schonely’s celebratory words, “Rip City,” live on today as both a nickname and rallying cry for Portlanders and Blazers fans around the world.