Portland, Oregon, USA - Part II

Off we go for the second part of Lindsay's Portland guide/review. Following, more tips and advices and the rest of Portland's Must-see places...

Must-see in Portland - VooDoo Doughnuts: Looking to spice things up a little? VooDoo Doughnuts has two locations in Portland. This is not an ordinary doughnut shop. This place is best known for their bizarre, but tasty, doughnut shapes and flavors. Many locals flock to this doughnut shop late at night if they have the munchies. It is a great place to network for Portland folk and to just eat a really good doughnut.

Must-see in Portland - Powell’s Books: There are literally millions of books to choose from. Powell’s Books is best known for being the nation’s largest new and used bookstore. Multiple buildings, multiple stories and tons and tons of shelves hold nearly every book title in the world. Looking for rare, antique books? Powells has got them!

Must-see in Portland - People watching at Pioneer Square: The City of Portland encourages and fosters individuality. This can be best understood and witnessed in Pioneer Square, the gathering area in the center of the city. Grab yourself a cup of coffee from the Starbucks on the corner in the untraditional building and sit on the steps and just watch. Street performers, playing instruments, dancing or sometimes preaching, will stand in the middle and do their thing. It is an entertaining experience to observe people at Pioneer Square. We recommend you try it!

Must-see in Portland - Rent a bike: Portland is a bike city. Because the community is a going-green community, many people choose to ride their bikes to work. Not only is this a good choice because it helps the environment, but it is a great way to see the whole city. Portland is possibly the greenest city in the country with trees on every street corner – even in the middle of the city. Since many Portlanders ride their bikes, the city is very friendly to bikers regarding bike parking, bike lanes and drivers are considerate to those who bike.

Must-see in Portland - Multnomah Falls and the Columbia Gorge: Only a half-an-hour drive from Portland, you will find one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Right next to the Columbia river, stands a majestic waterfall known as Multnomah Falls. A short hike up to the top of the bridge will bring you so close to the waterfall that you will nearly get drenched from the mist alone. If you have time, drive further past Multnomah Falls until you reach Horsetail Falls. This hike will bring you to a cave where you can sit behind a huge waterfall. The Columbia Gorge offers many different hikes and many different lengths.

Conclusion: Portland is a delightful city that welcomes visitors year round. The city is small enough to give a very intimate feel when visiting. Do not be afraid to ask a local for help with directions. Any Portlander would be proud to show off their green city. Happy traveling!

Again thanks to Lindsay from The Sydenhams for this fantastic guest post and lets hope for the confirmation of the rumors that say that more are coming from Seattle and Washington ;)