Portland In The News

From women leading in sports and food to new developments promoting art, sophistication and sustainability, Portland's good news continues to get noticed.

6 min read

While we enjoy Portland every day, it is always a treat to see what great stories capture the headlines. As the clips and quotes that follow show, there are many great stories unfolding here—from our incredible culinary scene to our neighborhoods, entrepreneurs and innovative airport. This city is ours—and yours—to share.

Portland is On The Rise

Where to Go for Spring Break: 5 Great U.S. Road Trips for Every Family

Afar – Feb. 28, 2026

Despite Portland’s convenient proximity to wine country and the coast, Afar’s recommendation is to lean in and enjoy a multi-day road trip with time to soak in the flavors and the beauty of the region.

people at viewpoint looking over beach and incoming tide with a low fog and blue sky
A family stands on a viewpoint looking out onto the Oregon Coast.

Credit: NASHCO Photo

Where to Travel This Spring for the Last Bit of Ski Season, Film Festivals, or Jazz Celebrations

Condé Nast Traveler – Feb. 19, 2026

Featuring the popular and well-timed Portland Rose Festival as its top reason to visit Portland this spring, Condé Nast Traveler also noted the gloriously remodeled Portland International Airport and expanded Portland Art Museum on its visit list.

13 Most Affordable Places to Travel for Spring Break in the U.S. and Mexico This Year

Travel + Leisure – Jan. 20, 2026

With an average flight + hotel cost of $496, Travel + Leisure ranked Portland #3 on its list of affordable Spring Break destinations, based on booking data from Kayak.

52 Places to Go in 2026

New York Times – Jan. 6, 2026

Citing “momentum with significant arts, sports and culinary openings that cement its standing as one of the most culturally dynamic cities in the country,” the New York Times named Portland one of 52 places in the world to visit in 2026.

The Best Places to Go in the US in 2026

Condé Nast Traveler – Dec. 19, 2025

With a host of art, architecture and culinary projects coming to full fruition in 2026, Portland is again buzzing with travel-worthy mentions such as this one from CN Traveler.

…in 2026 a series of major art, architecture, and culinary projects conspire to tell a fresh story about the City of Roses. Travelers will sense the city’s plot twist the moment they disembark at Portland International Airport…

Condé Nast Traveler

This U.S. Park Is an Extinct Volcano—and It’s Also the First Urban Quiet Park in the Nation

Travel + Leisure – Dec. 14, 2025

Mount Tabor’s 176 acres (71.2 ha) of silent, forested trails and peaceful picnicking spots, along with its Urban Quiet Park designation, earned this feature article from Travel + Leisure. “Mount Tabor Park is a serene nature getaway in the middle of a major metropolis.”

10 Cheapest Places to Travel in the U.S. This December

Travel + Leisure – Nov. 6, 2025

With an average flight + hotel cost of $499, Portland ranked #8 in Travel + Leisure’s analysis of cheapest places to travel in December.

Curtis Robinhold: The 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025

Time – Oct. 30, 2025

Executive Director of the Port of Portland, Curtis Robinhold, was featured for his leadership in climate-friendly initiatives, including the recent remodel of Portland International Airport, which increased capacity, improved earthquake resiliency and reduced its energy footprint.

36 Hours in Portland, Ore.

New York Times – Aug. 28, 2025

This eclectic, highlight-filled itinerary serves up just one way to spend a weekend in Portland. “Portland’s reputation for weirdness is warranted…But there’s depth to Portland beyond its quirks. Its dining scene is one of the country’s finest..Its diverse music scene has birthed talents ranging from Everclear to the Decemberists to Aminé, and you can climb a volcano without leaving city limits.”

A Great City for Food, with the James Beard Award to Prove It

French Technique, Korean Flavor, One Impressive Salmon

Wall Street Journal – Jan. 22, 2026

Chef Peter Cho of Han Oak and Jeju fame, is profiled for his inventive South Korean dishes made with Pacific Northwest ingredients and wood fire.

The Best New Restaurants in America, 2025

Esquire – Dec. 1, 2025

Portland’s Javelina has arrived with praise. Reviewer Jeff Gordinier, says “chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson, who grew up cooking with her grandmother on the Yakama Reservation in Washington State, understands the importance of radical joy. Her menu educates and enthralls in equal measure.”

This Is the Best City for Vegans and Vegetarians in the U.S.—and It Has Plant-based Festivals, Bakeries, and Fine Dining

Travel + Leisure – Dec. 3, 2025

A new study ranked Portland ahead of Los Angeles and Austin, among all others, as the best U.S. city for vegans and vegetarians. The top cited reasons included Portland’s thriving vegan community, abundance of organic farms and diverse plant-based restaurants.

The 25 Best Restaurants in Portland, Ore., Right Now

New York Times – Aug. 19, 2025

The New York Times continues to love Portland’s culinary scene, as praised in “The 25 Best Restaurants in Portland, Ore., Right Now,” which declares Portland both “one of America’s great culinary cities” and “the “dining capital of the Pacific Northwest.”

The dining capital of the Pacific Northwest remains one of America’s great culinary cities.

The New York Times

Here Is the Full List of James Beard Awards 2025 Winners

Eater – June 16, 2025

Chalk up two more James Beard award wins for Oregon establishments in 2025, including JinJu Patisserie’s selection as Outstanding Bakery and Timothy Wastell of Antica Terra’s selection as Best Chef — Northwest & Pacific Region.

Women Lead in Portland

What makes a great women’s sports city? We ranked the top 10 in the U.S.

The Athletic / New York Times – Nov. 19, 2025

Citing the energy around the Portland Thorns, The Sports Bra, and other factors, The Athletic ranked Portland as the fourth-best city for women’s sports in the U.S.

Women’s Athletics Are the Main Event at These Family-Friendly Sports Bars

Food & Wine – Sept. 25, 2025

The praise continues for The Sports Bra, America’s first dedicated women’s sports bar, born in Portland, and five other similar concepts that have opened across the country.

people sitting at the bar hold up drinks while watching sports on a television behind the bar
The Sports Bra, the nation’s first women’s sports bar, offers great food and drinks, only-in-Portland events and an LGBTQ+-inclusive environment.

Portland’s Push To Become The Global Epicenter Of Women’s Sports

Forbes – July 30, 2025

“The city of Portland, Oregon is making a bold play to lead the global women’s sports movement… one thing is clear: Portland isn’t just talking the talk; it’s building the infrastructure, fanbase, and momentum to back it up.”

Portland International Airport is a Triumph

From its ceiling of Northwest-sourced timber to its 120-foot-long video walls, Portland International Airport continues to up the ante with its latest renovation. To say the media took notice is an understatement.

The World’s Most Beautiful Airports for 2025

Condé Nast Traveler – July 15, 2025

“The terminal follows the concept of biophilia, or the tendency for humans to seek out nature. Main walkways … are filled with sunlight and greenery: There are 72 large trees … as well as 5,000 other green plants sprouting throughout the space. The timber roof slats diffuse light in a similar manner as a forest canopy, and 60% of the terminal is bathed by natural light.”

The best airport in America? You guessed it

The Oregonian/OregonLive – June 26, 2025

The Washington Post has officially ranked the top 50 airports in the U.S. using a combination of passenger recommendations and data analysis. Portland International Airport topped the list, beating out more than 450 airports nationwide.